to allow him an annual salary of two hundred pounds, and to defray whatever expences might be incurred in collecting a suitable apparatus of biblical literature. Of this instance of genuine liberality Dr Geddes afterwards expressed himself in the following manner: " Providence threw me into the arms of such a patron as Origen himself might have been proud to boast of; a patron who, for these ten years past, has with a dignity peculiar to himself, afforded me every conveniency that my heart could desire towards the carrying on and completing of my arduous work "."

He immediately began a general survey of his adventurous undertaking; and before the close of the year 1780, published his " Idea of a New Verof the Holy Bible, for the Use of the English Catholics." It was his present intention to translate from the vulgate, and even to adopt Dr Chaloner's edition of the Douay version as the general basis of his own: but he afterwards found, as he candidly acknowledges, that this was an absurd idea; and that by patching and piecing what had already been pieced and patched, he should exhibit a composition of a very motley

texture.

His connection with the imperial ambassador closed with the present year. The service in the chapel was discontinued at the command of the emperor.

h Geddes's General Answer, p. 4

During the ensuing summer he paid a visit to Scotland; and before his return, published a poem entitled "Linton, a Tweedale Pastoral." The subject of this pastoral, which was printed at Edinburgh in quarto, is the birth of Lord Traquair's eldest son; an event which took place during the visit which Dr Geddes was now paying to his early patron. Before his return to London, he accompanied the earl and countess in a tour to the south of France.

About this period the fanatical part of the nation was violently alarmed by Sir George Savile's celebrated bill in favour of the Roman Catholics and the members of that community were furiously attacked in many absurd and abusive pamphlets. One John Williams had published "A Full Detection of Popery, and Defence of a Protestant Barrier to be preserved by a more general Association of Protestants ;" which drew from the formidable pen of Dr Geddes a series of "Cursory Remarks on a late Fanatical Publication entitled A Full Detection of Popery, &c. submitted to the candid perusal of the liberal minded of every denomination." The latter of these tracts was printed at London in 1783.

It was in the course of this year that he became acquainted with Dr Kennicott, a scholar

i A brief sketch of the life and character of this virtuous and disinterested politician may be found in Mr Wyvill's Political Papers,vol.iv. p. 553.

whom he has commemorated in terms of grateful remembrance. "I had hardly made known my design," says Geddes, "when he anticipated my

wishes to have his advice and assistance towards the execution of it, with a degree of unreserved frankness and friendship which I had never before experienced in a stranger. Not contented with applauding and encouraging me himself, he pushed me forwards from my obscurity to the notice of others: he spoke of me to Barrington; he introduced me to Lowth. The very short time he lived, after my acquaintance with him, and the few opportunities I had of profiting from his conversation, are distressing reflections: but still I count it a happiness to have been acquainted with a man, whose labours I have daily occasion to bless, and whose memory I must ever revere.”

Dr Lowth suggested to him the propriety of submitting to public inspection a copious prospectus of the plan which he proposed to follow in his translation. A work of this description he immediately undertook; and after it was completed, he communicated his manuscript to the bishop, accompanying it with a request that he would mark with a black theta such passages as might appear exceptionable. The answer which he received was highly gratifying to his feelings as an author: "The Bishop of London presents his compliments to Dr Geddes, and returns, with thanks, his Prospectus, which he has read with some

Geddes's Prospectus, p. 143.

care and attention, and with the fullest approbation. He finds no room for black thetas: and he doubts not that it will give universal satisfaction. He cannot help wishing that Dr Geddes would publish it: it would not only answer his design of introducing his work, but would really be a useful and edifying treatise for young students in divinity *."

k

In the year 1786 Dr Geddes visited the University of Glasgow; where he employed himself in collating a valuable and well-preserved Octateuch'. In the mean time he was superintending the impression of his " Prospectus of a New Translation of the Holy Bible from Corrected Texts of the Originals, compared with the Ancient Versions: with Various Readings, Explanatory Notes, and Critical Observations." This excellent work was printed at Glasgow in a quarto form; and met, as the author informs us, " with a reception which could not but be flattering to an obscure individual, whose name was hardly known in the republic of letters." It is inscribed to his excellent patron Lord Petre, "as the first fruits of many years of painful labour, in the pleasing hope of being, one day, able to lay before him the whole harvest." Among the eminent characters to whom he takes occasion to acknowledge his obligations for the encouragement which they had

k Geddes's Address to the Public, p. 8.

Geddes's Prospectus, p. 39.

1

afforded his design, we find the names of his countrymen Principal Robertson, Dr Reid, and Bishop Douglas. To his amiable cousin Dr John Geddes he has also offered a public tribute of esteem: "Bp. Geddes of Edinburgh will likewise permit me to say, that his early and warm approbation of my plan made me undertake it with more alacrity and pursue it with greater ardour. His prudent advices and seasonable encouragement have often given a new stimulus to my spirits in the midst of my labours, and sometimes supported me under their almost oppressive load. I trust, from his long uninterrupted friendship, that he will continue the same good offices, until I shall have fairly discharged myself of the heavy burthen; and I foresee I shall yet stand in need of such good offices"."

On the first of November, 1785, the Society of the Antiquaries of Scotland had enrolled Dr Geddes among their correspondent members"; and on this occasion he composed an ingenious Scotish poem of considerable extent. The only volume which the society has hitherto published includes

m Geddes's Prospectus, p. 145.

n Smellie's Historical Account of the Society of the Antiquaries of Scot land, p. 30.-Mr Good's account of Dr Geddes's connection with this society seems to be completely erroneous. "Dr Geddes," he affirms, "had taken a very active part in the institution, as well by his personal attendance as by his pen." (Life of Geddes, p. 58.) But it appears from Mr Smellie's chronological lists that Dr Geddes never was an ordinary member.