  Of THOMAS CARLYLE, by H. C. Macpherson, The Literary World says:— “One of the very best little books on Carlyle yet written, far out-weighing in value some more pretentious works with which we are familiar.” Of ALLAN RAMSAY, by Oliphant Smeaton, The Scotsman says:— “It is not a patchwork picture, but one in which the writer, taking genuine interest in his subject, and bestowing conscientious pains on his task, has his materials well in hand, and has used them to produce a portrait that is both lifelike and well balanced.” Of HUGH MILLER, by W. Keith Leask, The Expository Times says:— “It is a right good book and a right true biography… There is a very fine sense of Hugh Miller’s greatness as a man and a Scotsman; there is also a fine choice of language in making it ours.” Of JOHN KNOX, by A. Taylor Innes, Mr Hay Fleming in the Bookman says:— “A masterly delineation of those stirring times in Scotland, and of that famous Scot who helped so much to shape them.” Of ROBERT BURNS, by Gabriel Setoun, The New Age says:— “It is the best thing on Burns we have yet had, almost as good as Carlyle’s Essay and the pamphlet published by Dr Nichol of Glasgow.” Of THE BALLADISTS, by John Geddie, The Spectator says:— “The author has certainly made a contribution of remarkable value to the literary history of Scotland. We do not know of a book in which the subject has been treated with deeper sympathy or out of a fuller knowledge.” Of RICHARD CAMERON, by Professor Herkless, The Dundee Courier says:— “In selecting Professor Herkless to prepare this addition to the ‘Famous Scots Series’ of books, the publishers have made an excellent choice. The vigorous, manly style adopted is exactly suited to the subject, and Richard Cameron is presented to the reader in a manner as interesting as it is impressive… Professor Herkless has done remarkably well, and the portrait he has so cleverly delineated of one of Scotland’s most cherished heroes is one that will never fade.” Of SIR JAMES YOUNG SIMPSON, by Eve Blantyre Simpson, The Daily Chronicle says:— “It is indeed long since we have read such a charmingly-written biography as this little Life of the most typical and ‘Famous Scot’ that his countrymen have been proud of since the time of Sir Walter… There is not a dull, irrelevant, or superfluous page in all Miss Simpson’s booklet, and she has performed the biographer’s chief duty—that of selection—with consummate skill and judgment.” Of THOMAS CHALMERS, by W. Garden Blaikie, The Spectator says:— “The most notable feature of Professor Blaikie’s book—and none could be more commendable—is its perfect balance and proportion. In other words, justice is done equally to the private and to the public life of Chalmers, if possible greater justice than has been done by Mrs Oliphant.” Of JAMES BOSWELL, by W. Keith Leask, The Morning Leader says:— “Mr W. K. Leask has approached the biographer of Johnson in the only possible way by which a really interesting book could have been arrived at—by way of the open mind… The defence of Boswell in the concluding chapter of his delightful study is one of the finest and most convincing passages that have recently appeared in the field of British biography.” Of TOBIAS SMOLLETT, by Oliphant Smeaton, The Weekly Scotsman says:— “The book is written in a crisp and lively style… The picture of the great novelist is complete and lifelike. Not only does Mr Smeaton give a scholarly sketch and estimate of Smollett’s literary career, he constantly keeps the reader in conscious touch and sympathy with his personality, and produces a portrait of the man as a man which is not likely to be readily forgotten.” Of FLETCHER OF SALTOUN, by W. G. T. Omond, The Leeds Mercury says:— “Unmistakably the most interesting and complete story of the life of Fletcher of Saltoun that has yet appeared. Mr Omond has had many facilities placed at his disposal, and of these he has made excellent use.” Of THE BLACKWOOD GROUP, by Sir George Douglas, The Weekly Citizen says:— “It need not be said that to everyone interested in the literature of the first half of the century, and especially to every Scotsman so interested, ‘The Blackwood Group’ is a phrase abounding in promise. And really Sir George Douglas fulfils the promise he tacitly makes in his title. He is intimately acquainted not only with the books of the different members of the ‘group,’ but also with their environment, social and otherwise. Besides, he writes with sympathy as well as knowledge.” Of NORMAN MACLEOD, by John Wellwood, The Star says:— “A worthy addition to the ‘Famous Scots Series’ is that of Norman Macleod, the renowned minister of the Barony in Glasgow, and a man as typical of everything generous and broadminded in the State Church in Scotland as Thomas Guthrie was in the Free Churches. The biography is the work of John Wellwood, who has approached it with proper appreciation of the robustness of the subject.” Of SIR WALTER SCOTT, by George Saintsbury, The Pall Mall Gazette says:— “Mr Saintsbury’s miniature is a gem of its kind… Mr Saintsbury’s critique of the Waverley Novels will, I venture to think, despite all that has been written upon them, discover fresh beauties for their admirers.” Of KIRKCALDY OF GRANGE, by Louis A. BarbÉ, The Scotsman says:— “Mr BarbÉ’s sketch sticks close to the facts of his life, and these are sought out from the best sources and are arranged with much judgment, and on the whole with an impartial mind.” |
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