Descendants of the Stuarts

APPENDIX. 329
site perception of excellence in the fine arts, and an enthu-
siastic addictedness to the studies intimately connected with
thenij in exclusion of the performance of ordinary duties,
produced an indolent refinement, and fastidious delicacy of
mind, which shrunk from common exertion, and transformed
a character originally full of intellectual and moral promise,
into that of a secluded but not unamiable misanthropist.
James' misfortunes, in truth, are to he attributed more to the
extraordinary circumstances of the times in which he lived,
than to any very marked defects in the character or conduct
of the monarch himself, although both were certainly far from
blameless. The popular historians, Buchanan for example,
have departed widely from the truth in the false and partial
colouring which they have thrown over the history of James.''
" It may be said of this monarch," writes Sir Walter Scott,
" that he was weak and unfortunate, rather than criminal. '^
" The character of a cruel and unrelenting tyrant seems to
be unjustly affixed to this monarch by historians," writes
Robertson. ^'This king's features," says Noble, "were so
regular that he was called the handsomest man in Europe."
" James would have shone with brightness had he been born
in a more civilized age." — (p. 135.) " This sovereign's conduct
was chiefly blameable because ill adapted to the ferocious
times and people," writes Pinkerton (Vol. I. p. 336). *
James IV. — Brave, elegant, rash, accomplished, amiable,
magnificent, romantic, chivalrous, just, and generous. " James
was the first modern prince," says Maitland, "who wrote
Latin with dignity and elegance." t
James V. — Just, high-spirited, talented, accomplished,
graceful, courteous, and amiable ; but severe, proud, and
determined. "In person," says Robertson, "James was
elegant, and inferior to no prince of the age in vigour of mind.
* Robertson, Pinkerton, Maitland, Tytler, Sir W. Scott, Drummond,
Noble.
t Robertson, Scott, Tytler, Drummond, Pinkerton, Maitland.