one of the most eminent grammarians which Scotland has produced, was the son of a farmer, and was born in October 1674 at Raggel, in the parish of Boyndie and county of Banff. Ruddiman was instructed in the principles of Latin grammar at the parish school of Boyndie, where he made astonishing progress. The first book which charmed the opening mind of Ruddiman was Ovid's Metamorphoses; nor did he cease to relish the beauties of this author when his judgment was mature, for during the rest of his life Ovid was his favourite poet. At the age of sixteen he became anxious to pursue his studies at the university; but his father, thinking him too young, opposed his inclination. Hearing of the competition trial which was annually held at King's College, Aberdeen, for a certain number of bursaries on the foundation of that university, Ruddiman's ambition was kindled. Without the knowledge of his father, and with only a single guinea in his pocket, which his sister had privately given him, he set out for that place. On the road he was met by a company of gypsies, who robbed him of his coat, his shoes, his stockings, and his guinea. But this misfortune did not damp his enterprising spirit. He continued his journey to Aberdeen, presented himself before the professors as a candidate, and, though he had neither clothes to give him a decent appearance nor friends to recommend him, he gained the first prize. After attending the university for four years, Ruddiman obtained the degree of Master of Arts, an honour of which he was always proud.

Ruddiman was soon after engaged as a tutor to the son of Mr Robert Young of Auldhar, the great-grandson of Sir Peter Young, who under the direction of Buchanan had been preceptor of James VI. His income here must have been very small, or his situation unpleasant, for within a year he accepted the office of schoolmaster in the parish of Laurencekirk. When Ruddiman had spent three years and a half in this employment, the celebrated Dr Pitcairne happening to pass through Laurencekirk, was detained in that village by a violent storm. Pitcairne wanting amusement, inquired at the hostess if she could procure any agreeable companion to bear him company at dinner. She replied that the schoolmaster, though young, was said to be learned, and, though modest, she was sure he could talk. Pitcairne was delighted with the conversation and learning of his new companion, invited him to Edinburgh, and promised him his patronage.

When Ruddiman arrived in Edinburgh he was appointed assistant-keeper of the Advocate's Library under Mr Spottiswoode, the principal librarian. His salary for executing this laborious office was L8, 6s. 8d. He managed to eke out this small allowance by giving private lessons in Latin, and by preparing the Introductio of Sir Robert Sibbald, and Sir Robert Spottiswoode's Practiques, for the press. In 1707 he commenced auctioneer, an employment not very suitable to the dignified character of a man of letters. But to this occupation he was probably impelled by necessity. Ruddiman had a family, and seems to have been a stranger to that foolish pride which has seduced some literary men into the opinion, that it is more honourable to starve than have recourse to an occupation which men of rank and opulence are accustomed to despise. The same year he published an edition of Voluseni de Animi Tranquilitate Dialogus, to which he prefixed the life of Volusenus. Volusenus or Wilson was a learned Scotchman, and had the honour to be patronized by Cardinal Wolsey. In 1709 he published Johnstonii Cantici Solomonis Paraphrasis Poetica, and Johnstonii Cantica with notes, which he dedicated in verse to his friend and patron Dr Pitcairne. The philological talents of Ruddiman were next directed to a more important object, in which they became more conspicuous and useful. Freebairn the bookseller proposed to publish a new edition of the Scottish translation of Virgil's Aeneid by Gawin Douglas, Bishop of Dunkeld. Of the contributions which some eminent characters of the age presented, the most valuable were supplied by Ruddiman. He corrected the work and wrote the glossary; and there is strong reason to believe that he was the author of the forty-two general rules for assisting the reader to understand the language of Douglas. To those who wish to be acquainted with the ancient language of this island the glossary will be a treasure, as it forms a compendious dictionary of the Anglo-Saxon. The reputation of Ruddiman had now extended to a distance. He was invited by the magistrates of Dundee to be rector of the grammar-school of that town; but the faculty of advocates, anxious to retain him, augmented his salary to L30, 6s. 8d. sterling, and he declined the offer. In 1711 he assisted Bishop Sage in publishing Drummond of Hawthornden's works, and performed the same favour to Dr Abercrombie, who was then preparing for the press his Martial Achievements. In 1713 he was deprived of his friend Dr Pitcairne. On this occasion he testified all the respect which friendship could inspire to the memory of his deceased patron and his surviving family. He composed Pitcairne's epitaph, and conducted the sale of his library, which was disposed of to Peter the Great of Russia.

In 1714 the Rudiments of the Latin Tongue were pub- Ruddiman, Eighteen or nineteen Latin grammars, composed by Scottishmen, had appeared before this period; yet such is the intrinsic value of this little treatise that it soon superseded all other books on the subject. It has also been translated into various other languages. He was next called upon to publish the works of Buchanan. The value of these he enhanced by an elaborate preface, his *Tabula Regum Scotiae Chronologicae*, and *Proprium Nominum Interpretatio*. Ruddiman also added a learned dissertation, entitled *De Metris Buchananae Libellus*, and subjoined annotations, critical and political, on the history of Scotland. As he espoused the cause of Queen Mary, he raised against himself a host of enemies. He had now been so long accustomed to superintend the press that he was led to form the plan of erecting a printing-office himself. Accordingly, in the year 1715 he commenced printer, in partnership with his brother Walter, who had been regularly bred to the business; and some years afterwards he was appointed printer to the university, along with James Davidson, bookseller. The first literary society formed in Scotland was instituted in the year 1718. Ruddiman and the masters of the High School had the honour to be the founders of it. They were afterwards joined by Lord Kames.

In 1725 was published the first part of his *Grammaticae Latinae Institutiones*, which treated of etymology. The second part, which explained the nature and principles of syntax, appeared in 1731. Of this work he published an abridgment, to which he subjoined an extract on prosody.

Ruddiman next engaged in the management of a newspaper, an employment for which his genius and industry seemed to render him well qualified. But those who should expect either much information or amusement from this publication would perhaps be greatly disappointed. The newspaper which he conducted was the *Caledonian Mercury*, and was established in 1720 by William Rolland, a lawyer. This paper continued in the family of Ruddiman till the year 1772, when it was sold by the trustees of his grandchildren. After the death of Spottiswoode, Ruddiman was appointed keeper of the Advocate's Library, though without any increase of salary. On the 1st of October 1735 it appeared, from an exact statement of his affairs, that he was worth L.1882, 5s. 2d. sterling; and on the 20th of May of the ensuing year his wealth had increased to L.1985, 6s. 3d. sterling. In 1710 he had valued his effects at L.24, 14s. 9d. sterling. In 1739 he published *Selectus Diplomatum et Numismatum Scotiae Thesaurus*. This work was projected and begun by Anderson, and hence called Anderson's *Diplomata*, but was finished by Ruddiman. The preface, which is an excellent commentary on Anderson's performance, was written by Ruddiman, and displays a greater extent of knowledge than any of his other productions. He retired to the country during the summer of 1745; and whilst his fellow-citizens were spilling each other's blood, he was more happily engaged in writing *Critical Observations on Burnani's Commentaries on Lucan's Pharsalia*.

During the last seventeen years of his life Ruddiman was almost incessantly engaged in controversy. To this he was in some measure compelled by the violent attacks which some critics of the times had successively made upon his works. He died at Edinburgh on the 19th of January 1757, in the eighty-third year of his age, and was buried in the Greyfriars churchyard, without any monument to distinguish his grave. He was three times married, but left behind him only one daughter, Alison, who was married in 1747 to Mr James Stewart. He is supposed to have died worth L.3000 sterling.

He was of the middle size, of a thin and straight make, and had eyes remarkably piercing. Of his talents and learning his works afford the most satisfactory proofs. His memory was tenacious and exact; and he was so great a master in the Latin language that he has been equalled by none since the days of Buchanan. Ruddiman has left a character sustained by vice, and distinguished by many virtues.