he published several essays in prose and verse, but without fixing the attention of the world in any eminent degree. His "Sentimental Tales' appeared in 1770; his "Fables,- Sentimental and Moral," and translation of Thomas's "Essay on the Character of Women," in 1772; and his "Julia," a poetical Romance, in 1774. Other pieces were scattered throughout the periodical works. His success was nevertheless such as to enable him to give up his office at the press, and depend upon his pen for subsistence.- After an unsuccessful History of America, he produced, in 1779, the first two volumes of the work
by which alone his name has been rescued from oblivion "The History of Modern Europe:" the three remaining volumes appeared in 1784.
This has ever since been reckoned a useful and most convenient work on the subject which it treats. "It possesses," says Dr Irving, with whose opinion we entirely concur, "great merit, as a popular view of a very extensive period of history. The author displays no inconsiderable judgment in the selection of his leading incidents, and in the general arrangement of his materials; and he seems to have studied the philosophy of history with assiduity and success. His narrative is always free from languor; and his liberal reflections are conveyed in a lively and elegant style." Dr Irving states that, in the composition of each volume of this book, the author spent twelve months. He closed the history with the peace of Paris in 1763 ; and it has been continued to the close of the reign of George IV., by Dr Coote and other writers.
Mr Russell's studies were interrupted for a while in 1780, by a voyage to Jamaica, which he undertook for the purpose of recovering some money left there by a deceased brother. In 1787, he married Miss Scott, and retired to a farm called Knottyholm, ncai Langholm, where he spent the remainder of his days in an elegant cottage on the banks of the Esk. In 1792, he received the degree of doctor of laws from St Andrews, and in the ensuing year published the first two volumes of a "History of Ancient Europe," which is characterized by nearly the same qualities as the former work. He did not live, however, to complete this undertaking, being cut off by a sudden stroke of palsy, December 25, 1793. He was buried in the church-yard of the parish of Westerkirk. This accomplished writer left a widow and a daughter.
Dr Russell was a man of indefatigable industry. Before he had perfected one scheme, another always presented itself to his mind. Besides two complete tragedies, entitled "Pyrrhus," and "Zenobia," he left behind him an analysis of Bryant's Mythology, and the following unfinished productions: 1. The earl of StrafFord, a tragedy. 2. Modern Life, a comedy. 3. The Love Marriage, an opera. 4. Human Happiness, a poem intended to have been composed in four books. 5. A Historical and Philosophical View of the Progress of mankind in the knowledge of the Terraqueous Globe. 6. The History of Modern Europe, Part III. from the Peace of Paris in 1763, to the general pacification in 1783. 7. The History of England from the beginning of the reign of George III. to the conclusion of the American war. In the composition of the last of these works he was engaged at the time of his death. It was to be comprised in three volumes 8vo, for the copyright of which Mr Cadell had stipulated to pay seven hundred and fifty pounds.
"Dr Russell," says one who knew him,[1] "without exhibiting the graces of polished life, was an agreeable companion, and possessed a considerable fund of general knowledge, and a zeal for literature and genius which approached to
- ↑ Mr Alexander Chalmers, in his General Biographical Dictionary—Art. William Russell.
