History of the Fife Pitcairns

DR WILLIAM ROBERTSON. 489
The active part which Dr Robertson took in the found-
ation of the Royal Society of Edinburgh is well known.
The first idea of this Society, and of the plan adopted
in its formation, was suggested by him ; and without his
powerful co-operation, there is little probability that the
design would ever have been carried into effect.
In consequence of his various engagements, which arose
from his professional duties, and from the interest which he
was led to take, both by his official and his public spirit,
in the literary or the patriotic undertakings of others, a
considerable portion of Dr Robertson's leisure was devoted
to conversation and society. No man enjoyed these with
more relish ; and few have possessed the same talents to
add to their attractions.
A rich stock of miscellaneous information, acquired from
books, and from an extensive intercourse with the world,
together with a perfect acquaintance at all times with the
topics of the day, and the soundest sagacity and good
sense applied to the occurrences of common life, rendered
him the most agreeable and instructive of companions. He
seldom aimed at wit ; but, with his intimate friends, he
often indulged a sportive and fanciful species of humour.
He delighted in good-natured anecdotes of his acquaint-
ance, and added powerfully to their effect by his own enjoy-
ment in relating them. He was, in a remarkable degree,
susceptible of the ludicrous : but on no occasion did he
forget the dignity of his character, or the decorum of his
profession ; nor did he ever lose sight of that classical taste
which adorned his compositions. In the company of
strangers he increased his exertions to amuse and to inform ;
and the splendid variety of his conversation was commonly
the chief circumstance on which they dwelt in enumerating
his talents, — and yet it was when surrounded by his family
or with his intimate friends that he showed to the greatest
advantage.
His health began apparently to decline in the end of the
year 1791. Till then it had been more uniformly good
than might have been expected from his studious habits ;