Scotland/Scots > Life of Sir William Wallace, Knight of Ellerslie, and Guardian of Scotland

PREFACE.
viii
stated or be silent on the subject, we are led to
conclude that he could not have so effectually
pre-occupied the ground without having very
complete information regarding the subject of
his biography. This information, we are told
by himself, is derived from a Memoir, written
in Latin by Mr. John Blair, chaplain to Wallace,
and an eye-witness of what he relates, and of
whose work he affects to be merely a translator.
Though at times Henry may be suspected of
giving way to that love of embellishment, so
peculiar to his profession, yet it is not carried
so far as to warrant a charge of his being un¬
faithful to his original; and considering that not
only the researches of modern commentators
have tended to confirm the truth of a number
of his statements, but also the Tower Records
afford evidence of his correctness in matters of
minor importance, it is no more than just that
one who is found scrupulously adhering to truth
even in trifling circumstances, should be listened
to with a certain degree of confidence when he
treats of matters of greater consequence.
In the volume which is now presented to the