190 BOYSE "An Historical Review of the Transactions of Europe, from the Commencement of theWar with Spain in 1739 to the Insurrection in Scotland in 1745; with the Proceedings in Parliament, and the most remarkable Domestic Occur- rences during that period. To which is added, an impar- tial History of the late Rebellion, interspered with Cha- racters and Memoirs, and illustrated with Notes." To this he affixed his name, with the addition of M.A. a degree which it is probable he assumed without authority. The work, however, considered as a compilation of recent and consequently very imperfectly-known events, is said to possess considerable merit. In a letter, published by Mr. Nichols, we have some information relative to it, and to the present state of his mind and situation : “ My salary is wretchedly small (half-a-guinea a week) both for writing the history and correcting the press; but I bless God I enjoy a greater degree of health than I have known for many years, and a serene melancholy, which I prefer to the most poignant sensations of pleasure I ever knew.-All I sigh for is a settlement, with some degree of indepen- dence, for my last stage of life, that I may have the comfort of my poor dear girl to be near me, and close my eyes. I should be glad to know if you have seen my history, from which you must not expect great things, as I have been over-persuaded to put my name to a composure, for whiclh we ought to have had at least more time and better mate- rials, and from which I have neither profit nor reputation to expect. I am now beginning "The History of the Rebellion," a very difficult and invidious task. All the accounts I have yet seen are either defective, confused, or heavy. I think myself, from my long residence in Scot- land, not unqualified for the attempt, but I apprehend it is premature; and, by waiting a year or two, better ma- terials would offer, Some account, I think, will probably be published abroad, and give us light into many things we are now at a loss to account for, I am about a trans- lation (at my leisure hours) of an inyaluable Freneh work,
