In the year 1714 the "Memoirs concerning the affairs of Scotland" were published without the consent of the writer, Mr. Lockhart, who had himself acted a conspicuous part in the Pretender's service. Lockhart lent the manuscript to a friend, under a strict injunction not to let it be seen. This friend, however, was so imprudent as to employ some one to transcribe it: and this individual gave a copy to a second party, by whom it was published, with a preface written by Sir David Dalrymple. The circumstance is thus misrepresented in one of the publications of the period. "July 20th, 1714. The Jacobite party were so sure of their game that a history of the Pretender, and of the faithful attempts of his friends in Scotland, was drawn up at large: and several copies of it delivered for secret service: till one of the transcribing clerks, for want of suitable reward, conveyed a transcript to the press."[1] It is scarcely possible to conceive, that the writer of this extract did not know, that the manuscript had been treacherously given to the public, though he avers that one of the transcribers had done it in consequence of being inadequately rewarded for his labour. The notion is absurd, as he might have relinquished or declined the task. But the propagation of the falsehood served a party purpose, which was precisely the aim of the writer. A Key was also published, in which the names of the parties were written at length, the initials and concluding letter only being given in the work itself. Several editions were called for within the year. The Key simply contained the names written at length. But during the same year another tract was published, called "A Protestant
- ↑ Wisdom of Looking Backward, 369.
