where, to gain a high name at this period, it was necessary to be wholly, as
well as completely, a lawyer and orator. His own bias in a different direction
was so distinctly indicated, as quickly to secure for him a high reputation in
Scottish antiquarianism, and on this account he was selected, in 1800, to superintend a new edition of the works of Lord Hailes, which were to be collected
and edited for publication, accompanied with a biographical memoir. This
intention was not carried out, and Mr. Thomson's aid was only available for
an edition of his lordship's "Annals" and "Historical Tracts," which were afterwards published in 1819. An office, however, of permanent character, as well
as of the highest importance, was already being prepared for his occupation.
The neglect that had hitherto been shown towards our national records began,
although at a late hour, to be acknowledged, and after due consideration of the
subject in the House of Commons, two royal commissions were issued, the one
in 1800, and the other in 1806, for the preservation and due arrangement of
our public archives. It was found, however, that "the superintendence of
the matters arising within this office should be confided to a deputy of acknowledged skill and ability, being a resident advocate of the Scottish bar, of undoubted learning, tried merit, and considerable standing;" and to this effect
Lord Frederick Campbell, the lord-clerk register, having memorialized his
majesty (George III.), a royal warrant was issued in 1806, authorizing the
appointment of the office. A fit Archivarius to fill it was not still to seek; and, to the satisfaction of all who felt an interest in this important department, Mr. Thomas Thomson was forthwith nominated deputy-clerk register. Among
those who rejoiced in the appointment, no one could be more ardent than Sir
Walter Scott. "Have you seen," he writes in a letter to George Ellis, "have you seen my friend, Tom Thomson, who is just now in London? He has, I believe, the advantage of knowing you, and I hope you will meet, as he understands more of old books, old laws, and old history, than any man in Scotland. He has lately received an appointment under the Lord Register of Scotland,
which puts all our records under his immediate inspection and control; and I expect many valuable discoveries to be the consequence of his investigation, if he escapes being smothered in the cloud of dust which his researches will certainly
raise about his ears." Speaking at a later period in conversation upon the subject of antiquarian studies in general, Scott observed "It is common to laugh at such researches, but they pay the good brains that meddle with them; and had Thomson been as diligent in setting down his discoveries as he has been in making them, he might, long before this time of day, have placed himself on a level with Ducange or Camden."
The rest of his long literary life, which extended over nearly half a century, is best detailed by a list of the literary works which he published. And to begin with those which he prepared in his capacity of deputy-clerk register, and which were published under authority of the Commissioners in the Public Records of the Kingdom, they were the following:
"Inquisitionum ad Capellum Domini Regis Retornaturum, quae in Pub- licis Archivis Scotiae adhuc servantur, Abbreviatio." 1811-1816. 3 vols., folio.
"Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum in Archivis Publicis asservatum. MCCCVI-MCCCCXXIV." 1814. Folio.
"The Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland. Vol. ii. to vol. xi. MCCCCXXIV-MDCCVII." 1814 to 1824. 10 vols., folio. Of this series, the first volume, owing
