Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Donaldson, James (fl.1713)
DONALDSON, JAMES (fl. 1713), miscellaneous writer, a native of Scotland, was a gentleman in straitened circumstances who sought to obtain patronage by the publication of various pieces in prose and verse. His first work, entitled ‘Husbandry Anatomized, or an Enquiry into the present manner of Tilling and Manuring the Ground in Scotland, &c.,’ 2 parts, 12mo, Edinburgh, 1697–8, has been found useful by Scotch writers on agriculture (Donaldson, Agricultural Biography, 1854, p. 40). In the epistle dedicatory to Patrick, earl of Marchmont, lord chancellor of Scotland, and the lords of the privy council, Donaldson gives what he calls ‘an abridged history’ of his life.
‘I was bred in the country,’ he writes, ‘till I was upwards of twenty years of age: and my father keeping servants and cattle for labouring a part of these lands, which heritably belonged to him: I had occasion to acquire as much knowledge in husband affairs as was practised in that place of the country. Some few years before the revolution, I applyed my self to the study of traffick and merchandizing: but as soon as it pleased God to call his majestie … to relieve these kingdoms … I judged it my honour and duty to concur with such a laudible and glorious undertaking … especially in leavying a company of men for his majestie's service, and served in the Earl of Angus his regiment, till the second day of February, 1690: when that regiment was reduced from twenty to thirteen companies. I was disbanded, but through the scarcity of money in the exchequer, and great need of keeping an army on foot; hitherto I have received no reimbursement of money I depursed on that occasion, nor what I can claim of arriers.’ His business had gone to ruin in his absence, but he struggled on, seeking to recover his position, for about four years. His creditors then forced him to go abroad, but he returned ‘empty-handed.’
His next performance, a poetical tract entitled ‘A Picktooth for Swearers, or a Looking-glass for Atheists and Prophane Persons, &c.,’ 4to, Edinburgh, 1698, is chiefly an enumeration of the punishments declared in Scripture against the despisers of the divine law, and the arraignment of the wicked for their sins. This wretched attempt at versification, dedicated to the lord provost, bailies, and town council of Edinburgh, is fully analysed in Corser's ‘Collectanea’ (Chetham Soc.), pt. v. pp. 216–19. A third effort has for title ‘The Undoubted Art of Thriving, wherein is showed (1) That a million £ sterling … may be raised for propagating the trade of the nation, &c., without prejudice to the lieges … (2) How the Indian and African Company may propagat their trade, &c. (3) How every one, according to his quality, may live comfortably and happily, &c.,’ 8vo, Edinburgh, 1700. In an address to James, duke of Queensberry, lord high commissioner to the parliament of Scotland and to the parliament generally, Donaldson again mentions his poverty and hope of reward for his ‘project of making notes to pass for currant-money,’ which occupies the first part of the book. At the end comes a pathetic intimation that his ‘Husbandry’ was not received ‘with that approbation which he humbly conceives it deserveth.’ Donaldson's other writings are: 1. ‘Certain and infallible measures laid down whereby the whole begging-poor of the kingdom may be alimented at much less charge than they are at present; and begging entirely supprest,’ 4to, Edinburgh, 1701. 2. ‘Money encreas'd and credit rais'd; a proposal for multiplying the tale of money, by coining a certain quantity of lye-money out of a third part of the plate of the kingdom, whereupon a national bank may be erected to the great encrease of money and credit’ (anon.), 4to, Edinb. 1705. 3. ‘Considerations in relation to trade considered, and a short view of our present trade and taxes, compared with what these taxes may amount to after the Union, &c., reviewed’ (anon.), 4to (n. p.), 1706. 4. ‘A Letter from Mr. Reason to the high and mighty Prince the Mob’ (concerning the Union), 4to (n. p.), 1706. 5. ‘A Panegyrick upon the mysterious Art of Malting and Brewing’ (in verse), 4to, Edinburgh, 1712. 6. ‘A Panegyrick upon the most ancient, curious, honourable, and profitable Art of Weaving’ (in verse), 4to, Edinburgh, 1712. 7. ‘A Panegyrick upon the most honourable, ancient, and excellent Art of Wright-Craft’ (in verse), 4to, Edinburgh, 1713.
[Prefaces to Works; Brit. Mus. Cat.; Cat. of Printed Books in Library of Faculty of Advocates, ii. 638–9.]