thusiasm with which he rejoiced in the successes of the British arms during the seven years' war, led to his falling under the suspicion of the French court; and, while residing at Spa, in a neutral territory, a large body of troops was
sent to apprehend him, and convey him to prison in the duchy of Luxemburg. It was not for many months that he succeeded in convincing the French
government of its error, or regained his liberty.
The first work published by Sir James, was a volume, which appeared at Frankfort sur le Main, in 1758, under the title of "Apologie du Sentiment de Monsieur le Chevalier Newton, sur Pancienne Chronologie des Grecs, contenant des reponses a toutes les objections qui y ont eté faites jusqu' a présent" In the same year, while settled at Tubingen, in Germany, he produced his "Treatise on German Coins," in the German language. It was followed, in 1761, by "A Dissertation on the Doctrine and Principles of Money, as applied to the German Coin;" and in the same year, he so far made his peace with the British government, as to obtain a cornetcy in the Royal, or 1st regiment of dragoons. At the peace of Paris, in 1763, he was tacitly permitted to return home, and resume possession of his estates. It was in retirement at Coltness, that he probably put the last hand to his "Inquiry into the Principles of Political Economy," which was published in 1767, in two volumes, quarto. Messrs Miller and Cadell gave five hundred pounds for the copyright of this work, the merits of which were at the time a subject of considerable dispute. It has at least the merit of having been the first considerable work on this subject published in Britain, being about nine years antecedent to the work of Dr Smith. In 1769, Sir James published, under the assumed name of Robert Frame, "Considerations on the Interests of the County of Lanark." By the interest of his friends, he now obtained a full pardon, which passed the great seal in 1771; and in the year following, he printed "The Principles of Money applied to the present state of the Coin of Bengal." He also wrote, "A Plan for introducing an uniformity of Weights and Measures," which was published after his death. He likewise published, "Observations on Beattie's Essay on Truth;" "Critical Remarks on the Atheistical Falsehoods of Mirabaud's System of Nature;" and "A Dissertation concerning the Motive of Obedience to the Law of God." It is supposed that the ardour and assiduity with which he pursued his studies, proved detrimental to his health. An inflammation, commencing with a toe-nail too nearly cut, put an end to his valuable life, on the 26th of November, 1780. His remains were interred in the family vault at Cambusnethan church, and a monument has been erected to his memory in Westminster abbey.
Sir James Steuart was a man of extensive and varied powers of mind; cheerful and animated in conversation; amiable in all the domestic relations of life; and, unlike several other eminent men of that age, was able to prosecute philosophical inquiries, without abandoning the faith of a Christian. His works were published, with a memoir, by his son, in 1806, occupying six volumes.
STEWART, Dugald, a celebrated metaphysical writer, was the only son who survived the age of infancy, of Dr Matthew Stewart, professor of mathematics in the university of Edinburgh, and of Marjory Stewart, daughter of Archibald Stewart, Esq., writer to the signet. His father, of whom a biographical memoir follows the present, is well known to the scientific world as a geometrician of eminence and originality. His mother was a woman remarkable for her good sense, and for great sweetness and kindliness of disposition, and was always remembered by her son with the warmest sentiments of filial affection.[1]
- ↑ For the greater part of the present article we are indebted to thft AnnuaJ Obituary; the
