Scotland's Work and Worth. By Charles W. Thomson, M.A. 2
vols. (Oliphant, Anderson, and Ferrier. 10s. 6d. net.)—From beginning to end of these two volumes we find many signs of the perfereidum in.gcnium of the race. A more whole-hearted champion of all Scottish claims, a more devoted admirer of Scottish heroes, there could not be. A very grave charge against William Wallace is dismissed in the words : "William Wallace is known to have extended protection to religious houses during this incursion." Certainly not to all of them, unless the English chroniclers invented wholesale. Even a friendly writer in the "Dictionary of National Biography" allows that he was an "enemy of English Churchmen." It is idle, however, to go over these old stories. Mr. Thomson has written a useful book, yet we cannot but think that he does not serve his cause very wisely. Surely it is some- what silly to insist that William M. ought to have been entitled William I., and actually to give the title of Edward I. to the late King. Still, if the granum be plentifully mixed with what he says, the book will often be found instructive.
Previous page
