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THE Rev. Dr.
Ranken, who was minister of the northwest parish of Glasgow (1785-1827),
was an able preacher, and author of several works, the chief being
History of France and Institutes of Theology. Like many,
perhaps most authors, the doctor liked his most rickety progeny the best;
and being anxious to discover what the world thought of his work, it
struck him to apply to the librarian of Stirling’s Libraries.
With this object in view he entered
the Physicians’ and Surgeons’ Hall, St. Enoch Square, and accosted the
then librarian, Rev. Mr. Peat, a man of dry, sarcastic disposition, with
the following query:
"Pray, Mr. Peat, is Dr. Ranken’s
History of France in ?"
To which the caustic librarian
replied curtly:
"It never was out !" |
