WATSON, (DR) ROBERT, author
of the History of the Reign of Philip II. of Spain, was born at St Andrews
about the year 1730. He was the son of an apothecary of that city, who was
also a brewer. He studied successively at the universities of St Andrews,
Glasgow, and Edinburgh, with a view to the ministry, availing himself of the
leisure which a course of theology leaves to the student to cultivate
English literature and rhetoric, upon which subjects he delivered a series
of lectures in Edinburgh, to an audience comprising the principal literary
and philosophical men of the day.
Soon after he had been
licensed to preach, a vacancy occurred in one of the churches of his native
city, and for this he became a candidate, but was disappointed. About this
time, however, Mr Rymer, the professor of logic in St Salvador’s college,
feeling the infirmities of old age advancing upon him, was inclined to enter
into a negotiation for retiring, and, according to a prevailing though not a
laudable custom, Watson obtained his chair for the payment of a small sum of
money, and on the condition that the retiring professor should continue to
enjoy his salary. The subject of our memoir obtained at the same time a
patent from the crown, constituting him professor of rhetoric and belles
lettres. The study of logic, in St Andrews, as in most other places, was
confined to syllogisms, modes, and figures. Watson, whose mind had been
expanded by intercourse with the most enlightened men of his day, and by the
study of the best modern literature, prepared and read to his students a
course of metaphysics and logic on an improved plan; in which he analyzed
the powers of the mind, and entered deeply into the nature of the different
species of evidence of truth or knowledge.
After having fully arranged
the course of his professional duties, Watson was induced by the success of
Robertson and Hume in the composition of history, as well as by the natural
tendencies of his mind, to attempt a work emulating theirs in labour and
utility. The reign of Philip II. of Spain presented itself to him as a
proper subject, not only on account of its intrinsic interest, but as a
continuation of the admired work of Robertson on the preceding reign. Having
therefore prepared this composition with all due care, it was published at
London in 1777, in two volumes quarto. A periodical critic thus
characterizes the work: "The style and narration of this history deserve
much praise; it is easy, flowing, and natural, always correct, and well
adapted to the different subjects which come under review; it possesses,
however, more of the dignified simplicity and strength of the philosopher,
than the flowing embellishments of the poet. Watson rests none of his merit
upon external ornament; he is chiefly anxious to relate facts, clearly and
completely in their due proportion and proper connexion, and to please and
interest, rather by what he has to tell than by any adventitious colouring.
But though he does not seem solicitous to decorate his narrative with beauty
or sublimity of diction, we feel no want of it; we meet with nothing harsh,
redundant, or inelegant; we can on no occasion say that he has not done
justice to his subject, that his conceptions are ever inadequate, his views
deficient, or his description feeble.
* * * The whole series of events lies full and
clear before us as they actually existed; nothing is heightened beyond truth
by the false colourings of imagination, nor does anything appear without
suitable dignity. The principal circumstances are selected with judgment,
and displayed with the utmost perspicuity and order. On no occasion are we
at a loss to apprehend his meaning, or follow the thread of his narrative;
we are never fatigued with minute attentions, nor distracted with a
multiplicity of things at once." [Bee, volumes vii and viii.]
On the death of principal
Tullidelph, November 1777, Watson, now graced with the degree of doctor of
laws, was, through the influence of the earl of Kinnoul, appointed to that
respectable situation, and, at the same time, presented to the church and
parish of St Leonard, in St Andrews, which had previously been enjoyed by
Tullidelph. Dr Watson died March 31, 1781, leaving by his lady, who was a
daughter of Mr Shaw, professor of divinity in St Mary’s college, five
daughters. He also left the first four books of a history of the Reign of
Philip III., being a continuation of his former work. The task of completing
this by the addition of two books having been confided to Dr William
Thomson, (see the life of that gentleman,) the work was published at London
in 1783, in one volume quarto. Both of this and of the history of Philip II,
there were subsequent editions in octavo.
Prevailing though not a laudable
custom, Watson obtained his chair for the payment of a small sum of money,
and on the condition that the retiring professor should continue to enjoy
his salary. The subject of our memoir obtained at the same time a patent
from the crown, constituting him professor of rhetoric and belles lettres.
The study of logic, in St Andrews, as in most other places, was confined to
syllogisms, niodes, and figures. Watson, whose mind haul been expanded by
intercourse with the most enlightened men of his day, and by the study of
the best modern literature, prepared and read to his students a course of
nietaphysics and logic on an improved plan; in which he analyzed the powers
of the mind, and entered deeply into the nature of the different species of
evidence of truth or knowledge.
After having fully arranged the course
of his professional duties, Watson was induced by the success of Robertson
and Hume in the composition of history, as well as by the natural tendencies
of his mind, to attempt a work emulating theirs in labour and utility. The
reign of Philip II. of Spain presented itself to him as a proper subject,
not only on account of its intrinsic interest, but as a continuation of the
admired work of Robertson on the preceding reign. Having therefore prepared
this composition with all due care, it was published at London in 1777, in
two volumes quarto. A periodical critic thus characterizes the work :
" The style and narration of this history
deserve much praise; it is easy, flowing, and natural, always correct, and
well adapted to the different subjects which come under review; it
possesses, however, more of the dignified simplicity and strength of the
philosopher, than the flowing embellishments of the poet. Watson rests none
of his merit upon external ornament; he is chiefly anxious to relate facts,
clearly and completely in their due proportion and proper connexion, and to
please and interest, rather by what he has to tell than by any adventitious
colouring. But though he does not seem solicitous to decorate his narrative
with beauty or sublimity of diction, we feel no want of it; we meet with
nothing harsh, redundant, or inelegant; we can on no occasion say that he
has not done justice to his subject, that his conceptions are ever
inadequate, his views deficient, or his description feeble. * * The
whole series of events lies full and clear before us as they actually
existed; nothing is heightened beyond truth by the false colourings of
imagination, nor does anything appear without suitable dignity. The
principal circumstances are selected with judgment, and displayed with the
utmost perspicuity and order, On no occasion are we at a loss to apprebend
his meaning, or follow the thread of his narrative; we are never fatigued
with minute attentions, nor distracted with a multiplicity of things at
once. [Bee, volumes vii and viii.]
On the death of principal Tullidelph, November 1777,
Watson, now graced with the degree of doctor of laws, was, through the
influence of the earl of Kinnoul, appointed to that respectable situation,
and, at the same time, presented to the church and parish of St Leonard, in
St Andrews, which had previously been enjoyed by Tullidelph. Dr Watson died
March 31, 1781, leaving by his lady, who was a daughter of Mr Shaw,
professor of divinity in St Mary’s college, five daughters. He also left the
first four books of a history of the Reign of Philip 111., being a
continuation of his former work. The task of completing this by the addition
of two books having been confided to Dr William Thomson, (see the life of
that gentleman,) the work was published at London in 1783, in one volume
quarto. Both of this and of the history of Philip 11., there were subsequent
editions in octavo. |