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

Slit WILLIAM WALLACE.
47
to have had such a knowledge of the country as
could only be acquired by a long residence in it.
Through all the variety of fortunes which at¬
tended Sir William Wallace, and amid the de¬
sertions of some of his opulent and too cautious
countrymen, Stephen of Ireland adhered to him
with inflexible fidelity.
John Blair and Thomas Gray. The former of
these worthy ecclesiastics has already been men¬
tioned as the schoolfellow of our hero. After
quitting Dundee, he went to finish his studies at
Paris, where, under the most eminent masters
of the day, his progress did not belie the early
promise of his genius ,• and he returned to Scot¬
land a confirmed patriot, and an accomplished
scholar. The latter had the pastoral charge of
Libertown; yet considered it no dereliction from
his duties to attend and assist in the emancipa.
tion of his country. Of his literary talents we
havereason to form the highest opinion, from the
circumstance of John Blair admitting him to the
honour ofassistingincomposingthehistoryoftheir
far-famed friend. This work, though it now goes
all under the name of Blair, was then known to
have been the joint composition of these worthies.
Where Thomas Gray received his education is
now a matter of uncertainty ; but it is highly
probable that he also finished his studies along