A D A A D A 139 tion often erroneous. The style is clear and interesting, though somewhat prolix. It was first published from MSS. at Copenhagen in 1579. The best edition is that of Lappenberg in Pertz s Monumenta Germanics. A supple ment to the Gesta, a geographical work of considerable value, entitled De Situ Danue et Reliquarum quce trans Daniam sunt Regionum Natura, was published at Stock holm in 1615, and at Leyden in 1629. ADAM, ALEXANDER, Rector of the High School, Edin burgh, was born on the 24th of June 1741, near Forres, in Morayshire. From his earliest years he showed uncommon diligence and perseverence in classical studies, notwith standing many difficulties and privations. In 1757 he went to Edinburgh, where he studied at the University with such success that in eighteen months he was appointed head-master of Watson s Hospital, being at the time only nine-teen. He was confirmed in the office of Rector of the High School on the 8th of June 1768, on the retirement of Mr Matheson, whose substitute he had been for some time before. From this period he devoted himself entirely to the duties of his office, and to the preparation of the numerous works he published in classical literature. His popularity and success as a teacher are strikingly illustrated in the facts that his class increased more than fourfold dur ing his incumbency, and that an unusually large proportion of his pupils attained to eminence, among them being Sir Yfalter Scott, Lord Brougham, and Jeffrey. He succeeded in introducing the study of Greek into the curriculum of the school, notwithstanding the opposition of the University headed by Principal Robertson. In 1780 the University of Edinburgh conferred upon Mr Adam the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. He died on the 18th December 1809, after an illness of five days, during which he occasionally imagined himself still at work, his last words being, " But it grows dark; you may go." Dr Adam s first pub lication was his Principles of Latin and English Grammar (1772). This was followed by his Roman A ntiquities (1791), his Summary of Geography and History (1794), and his Latin Dictionary (1805). The MS. of a projected larger Latin dictionary, which he did not live to complete, Lies in the library of the High School. ADAM, MELCIIIOR, German divine and biographer, was born at Grottkaw in Silesia after 1550, and educated in the college of Brieg, where he became a Protestant. He was enabled to pursue his studies there by the liberality of a person of quality, who had left several exhibitions for young students. In 1598 he went to Heidelberg, where, after holding various scholastic appointments, he became conrector of the gymnasium. In 1615 he published the first volume of his Vitce Germanorum Philosophorum, &c. This volume was followed by three others; that which treated of divines was printed in 1619; his lives of lawyers and of physicians were published in 1620. All the learned men whose history is contained in these four volumes lived in the 16th or beginning of the 17th century, and are either Germans or Flemings; but he published in 1618 the lives of twenty divines of other countries in a separate volume, entitled Decades duce continentes Vitas Tkeologorum Exterorum Principum. All his divines are Protestants. His industry as a biographer is commended by Bayle, who acknowledges his obligations to Adam s labours. Lutherans and Catholics accuse him of unfairness, but the charge is at least exaggerated. He died in 1622. ADAM, ROBERT, architect, the second son of William Adam of Maryburgh, in Fife, was born in 1728. He studied at the University of Edinburgh, and probably received his first instruction in architecture from his father, who, whether a professional architect or not, gave proofs of hia skill and taste in the designs of Hopetoun House and the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. In 1754 young Adam visited the Continent, and spent three years in Italy for the purpose of examining the ruins of Roman architecture. The magnificence of the public baths erected at Rome in the time of Diocletian having impressed him with the idea that there had been a marked revival of architectural art during that emperor s reign, he resolved to visit the ruins of the private palace Diocletian had erected at Spalatro in Dalmatia. In company with Clerisseau, a French architect, he sailed from Venice in July 1754, and in a few weeks, with the help of two experienced draughtsmen, had com pleted plans and views of the fragments, from which he was afterwards able to execute a design of the entire build ing. The results were published in the Ruins of the Palace of Diocletian, &c. (1764). After his return to England he- rose to the highest eminence in his profession, and was- appointed architect to the king in 1762. Six years later he entered Parliament as representative of the county of Kinross, but he still continued to devote himself to the duties of his profession, resigning only his court appoint ment. In 1773-78 he and his brother James, also an architect of considerable note, published from time to time- large folio engravings with letterpress description of their designs, the most important being, Lord Mansfield s house at Caen wood; Luton House, Bedfordshire; the Register House, Edinburgh, &c. Among their later works may be mentioned the buildings erected in London by the two brothers, and hence called the Adelphi (d8eA<oi), which proved an unsuccessful speculation ; Portland Place, London ; and the Infirmary of Glasgow. The leading characteristics of all these designs are lightness and elegance ; and, though grave faults may be found with his style, it cannot be denied that English architecture, especially that of the streets of London, owes very much to Robert Adam. He continued actively engaged in his profession until his death in 1792. James, his brother and associate in labour, died in 1794. ADAM, RIGHT HON. WILLIAM, nephew of the preced ing, eldest son of John Adam, Esq. of Blair-Adam, Kin ross-shire, was born on the 2d August 1751, studied at the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and passed at the Scotch bar in 1773. Soon after he removed to England,, where he entered Parliament in 1774, and in 1782 was called to the Common-law bar. He withdrew from Parlia ment in 1795, entered it again in 1806 as representative of the united counties of Clackmannan and Kinross, and continued a member, though with some interruptions, till 1811. A popular though not an eloquent speaker, Mr Adam soon took a prominent place in the House, making himself of importance by his sound judgment and firm general adherence to the Whig party. A duel in 1779 between him and Mr Fox, in which the latter was slightly wounded, did not interrupt their close and steady friend ship. They both belonged to the small but noble band that opposed the encroachments of the Government on the Constitution during the period of the French Revolution. One of Mr Adam s most valuable parliamentary efforts was the agitation which he successfully raised, in March 1794, against the severe- punishment awarded in the Scotch criminal court to certain persons who had been convicted of sedition. At the English bar he was as successful as any one can be who does not devote himself entirely to the profession. Though known to be much engaged in Parlia ment, and with the management of the pecuniary affairs of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York, he obtained a very considerable practice. He was successively Attorney and Solicitor General to the Prince of Wales, one of the managers of the impeachment of Warren Hastings, and one of the counsel who defended the first Lord Melville when impeached (as Mr Dundas). During his party s brief tenure of office in 1806 he was Chancellor of the
Duchy of Cornwall, and was afterwards a privy councillor
