Supplement to the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Editions of the Encyclopædia Britannica/Anderson (James)

by John Graham Dalyell

ANDERSON (Dr James). The subject of this article, who has been brought into notice, principally from the more recent encouragement given to agriculture, and the versatility of his own genius, was born at the village of Hermandston, in the county of Edinburgh, in the year 1730. His parents were in humble life, and had possessed a farm for some generations, which he was destined to inherit and to cultivate. At that period improvement was in infancy, and the husbandman had to contend with a climate, whose uncertainty seemed to keep pace with the progress of his skill, and which too often disappointed him of the fruits of his industry. Anderson, while yet at an early age, lost his parents; however, his education was uninterrupted, and conceiving that an acquaintance with Chemistry would promote his profession, he attended a course of lectures on that science, then delivered by Dr Cullen. None of the other pupils besides himself took notes of his lectures, which being afterwards surreptitiously obtained from him, with the design of publication, he defeated the intended purpose, apprehensive that his preceptor’s fame might be diminished by these imperfect transcripts. His own active occupations had already commenced, and along with the practice of husbandry, he prosecuted his original taste for literature.

Enlarging the sphere of his employments, Anderson forsook his first possession, for a farm of 1300 acres, which he rented in Aberdeenshire, though nearly in a state of nature, and where agriculture is still behind the southern districts. But, previous to this, he became known to men of letters, by some Essays on planting, which, under the signature Agricola, he ventured to commit to the world through the medium of the Edinburgh Weekly Magazine, in 1771. Soon embarking in a higher sphere of literature, he composed the article Monsoon, for the first edition of this Encyclopædia, in 1773, wherein he threw out some luminous ideas, and among other observations, predicted, from physical facts, and the state of geographical knowledge, that no polar continent would be found by the circumnavigators then employed by Government. In the year 1777, he published a considerable quarto volume, said to have been composed two years preceding, on the means of exerting a spirit of national industry, with regard to Agriculture, Commerce, Manufactures, and Fisheries; and in this, he enters into detailed views of many subjects of Political Economy. The interest of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland is in a particular manner considered, and the author maintains, that the only effectual means of increasing agriculture, is by promoting manufactures; as also, that the neglect which the agriculture of these parts of the kingdom experienced, resulted from the neglect of manutactures. Scotland, he affirms, is better adapted than England for the production of wool, and this, as well as other products, he thought, would be best encouraged by premiums. The advantages which might result from attending to the fisheries, he judged would be very great, and the shoals of herring frequenting the coast, could be converted to a source of national wealth under suitable establishments. Dr Anderson, who, soon after, had the degree of Doctor of Laws conferred on him by the University of Aberdeen, did not abandon these inquiries. He printed a tract regarding the fisheries, which was circulated among his friends; and, in consequence of being more widely diffused, he was appointed, by the Lords of the Treasury, to survey the western coast of Scotland, for the purpose of obtaining satisfactory information on the subject. This he did in 1784, and received the full approbation of his employers; and he published a brief account of the Hebrides, a chain of Islands then as little within the general acquaintance of the inhabitants of Great Britain, as if they had been under the dominion of another country. The principal obstacles to the fishery, Dr Anderson considered, were to be found in a duty on salt and coals, and he recommended the repeal of both. It is certain, that, from thenceforward, this great branch of national industry has received infinitely more patronage than before his report, and, while we only shared the labours of the Dutch for centuries, the fisheries on our own coast have since been monopolized by ourselves. Nothing can be more impolitic than to fetter the exertions of the industrious by exorbitant duties; or equally oppressive, with denying fuel to the poorer classes where it is scarce, by duties on its importation.

Dr Anderson had now withdrawn from his northern farm, where he resided above twenty years, and settled in the vicinity of Edinburgh. His agricultural speculations were still continued, and, when a Parliamentary grant was about to be proposed to Mr Elkington, for a particular mode of draining land, be reclaimed the practice as having been observed by himself many years anterior. Repeated examples, indeed, prove that the rewards granted by Parliament for improvement are attended with such slight investigations, that the merits of real invention is overlooked. Dr Anderson now projected a periodical publication, called the Bee, consisting of miscellaneous original matter, which attained the extent of eighteen volumes in octavo. It was published weekly, and a large proportion of it came from his own pen, which is seldom a prudent course in an Editor. The relation of Great Britain and her Colonies, and the political rights of mankind,—subjects which had excited strong interests throughout Europe,—also received some commentaries from Dr Anderson. He wrote a tract, called The Interest of Great Britain with respect to her Colonies, and commenced a correspondence with General Washington, which was afterwards published.

Towards the year 1797, he again removed to Islesworth, in the neighbourhood of London, where he undertook another periodical publication, appearing at more distant intervals than the former, entitled Recreations in Agriculture, Natural History, Arts, and Miscellaneous Literature. This work was prefaced by two copious dissertations, the one on Agriculture, the other on Natural History; and opened with a discussion regarding a very curious and important subject, namely, an inquiry into what are denominated varieties in plants and animals. Many useful and interesting remarks appear in the course of this publication, a portion of which was supplied by other contributors, and it is embellished by beautiful vignettes from engravings on wood. Owing to some difficulties attending the publication, it ceased in 1802, having subsisted three years. Though natural history is rather predominant, the rest of his leading subjects are not overlooked. Dr Anderson henceforward lived in a great measure in retirement, though occasionally reminding the world of his wonted inquiries, by the publication of tracts on unconnected subjects. He obtained a patent for an improved Hot-house, wherein no fuel was used; and employed himself in experiments regarding the degree of temperature and humidity most beneficial to plants. Likewise, having observed the uncommon depredations of wasps, he is said, after satisfying himself of their manner of increase, to have devised a plan for the absolute extermination. This was chiefly by the destruction of the females before founding their respective colonies by the depositation of innumerable eggs; and hand-bills were circulated under the auspices of an association formed by him, offering a reward for every female brought in dead within a specified time. It does not appear, however, that the breed was at all diminished by the proposed expedient.

Dr Anderson still remained in his retreat, enjoying the cultivation of his garden, and nothing of importance is known to have proceeded from his pen. After a gradual decline, partly occasioned by the over-exertion of the mental energies, he died in the year 1808, aged 69. He was twice married; first to Miss Seton of Mounie; secondly, to an English lady. By his first marriage he had thirteen children, six of whom survived him. One of his sons, who died a few years ago, made distinguished progress in the art of engraving on wood; and, if the vignettes of the Recreations in Agriculture are executed by him, they afford ample testimony of his abilities.

Dr Anderson was endowed with a vigorous understanding, which he chiefly displayed in treating of agricultural matters, and these connected with rural economy; but he was, at the same time, of a versatile talent, which could readily be occupied on transient facets and occurrences. Many of his works were of a fugitive nature, consisting of small impressions, which were not renewed, and hence are difficult to be obtained at present, if they have not totally disappeared. None of them soar to the more lofty regions of science; they are directed to practical views in useful projects, and, for the most part, relate to subjects of ordinary detail. Of this the reader will be enabled to judge by the subjoined list, which we believe is the most copious that has yet appeared. The industry of Dr Anderson was indefatigable, whether in personal exertion, or mental energy, and he possessed elevated sentiments of independence. During a period of overstrained political fervour, certain papers formed part of the periodical works already referred to, which were thought libellous on the Government. Although Dr Anderson’s principles were noted for attachment to the existing administration, he was called upon to give up the author of the obnoxious compositions, which he steadily refused, and, even in the face of the civil magistrates, charged his printers not to violate their fidelity to him and the author in betraying his name. The business terminated here, until a factious individual insinuated to the same magistrates, that the compositions had proceeded from one of the Supreme Judges, whose party politics were avowedly hostile to those of Government. Dr Anderson having learned the reproach, hastened to relieve the object of it by divulging the name of the real author, who, to the universal surprise of the public, proved to be none ether than the traducer himself.

1776.	A Practical Treatise on Chimneys, containing full instructions for constructing them in all cases, so as to draw well, and for removing smoke, 12mo.
1776.	Free Thoughts on the American Contest, 8vo.
1777.	Observations on the Means of exciting a Spirit of National Industry, 4to.
1777.	Miscellaneous Observations on Planting and Training Timber Trees, by Agricola, in 8vo.
1777.	An Inquiry into the Nature of the Corn Laws, in 8vo.
1777.	Essays Relating to Agriculture and Rural Affairs, 8vo. A fifth edition, in 3 volumes, was published in 1800.
1779.	An Inquiry into the Causes that have hitherto retarded the Advancement of Agriculture in Europe, 4to.
1782.	The Interest of Great Britain, with regard to her American Colonies, considered, 8vo.
1783.	The True Interest of Great Britain considered, or a Proposal for Establishing the Northern British Fisheries, 12mo.
1785.	An Account of the Present State of the Hebrides and Western Coasts of Scotland, being the Substance of a Report to the Lords of the Treasury, 8vo.
1789.	Observations on Slavery, particularly with a View to its Effects on the British Colonies in the West Indies, 4to.
1790.	Papers by Dr Anderson and Sir John Sinclair on Shetland Wool, 8vo.
1791.	The Bee, 18 vols. 8vo.
1792.	Observations on the Effects of the Coal Duty, 8vo.
1793.	Thoughts on the Privileges and Powers of Juries, with Observations on the State of the Country with Regard to Credit, 8vo.
1793.	Remarks on the Poor’s Laws of Scotland, 4to.
1794.	A Practical Treatise on Peat Moss, 8vo.
1794.	A General View of the Agriculture and Rural Economy of the County of Aberdeen, and the Means of its Improvement, 8vo.
1794.	An Account of the Different Kinds of Sheep found in the Russian Dominions, by Dr Pallas. With five Appendixes, by Dr Anderson, 8vo.
1795.	Two Letters, to Dr Edward Home, on an Universal Character, in 8vo.
1797.	A Practical Treatise on Draining Bogs and Swampy Grounds, with Cursory Remarks on the Originality of Elkington’s Mode of Draining Lands, 8vo.
1799.	Recreations in Agriculture, 6 volumes 8vo.
1800.	Selections from Correspondence with General Washington, 8vo.
1801.	A Calm Investigation of the Circumstances that have led to the Present Scarcity of Grain in Great Britain; suggesting the means of alleviating that evil, and of preventing the occurrence of such a calamity in future, 8vo.
1803.	Description of a Patent Hot-house, which operates chiefly by the Heat of the Sun, and other Subjects, 8vo.

Dr Anderson besides wrote many papers in periodical publications, and an account of Ancient Fortifications in the Highlands, read to the Society of Scotish Antiquaries. (S.)