!SOURCE: Sir Robert Douglas of Glenbervie, Bart., THE PEERAGE OF
SCOTLAND, Vol. 2, Second Edition, John Philip Wood, Esq., Editor,
Edinburgh, 1813, p. 14.
XXI. Sir James Macdonald of Macdonald, baronet, the eldest surviving
son, justly accounted one of the most estimable characters in modern
times, of whom a contemporary said, "He was one of the most
extraordinary young men I ever knew. He studied very hard; was a
scholar and a mathematician; and yet, at tweny, I have heard him talk
with knowledge of the world, which one would not have expected to hear
but from the experience of age. He had great and noble schemes for the
civilization and improvement of his own country, and appeared, upon the
whole, to be one of those superior spirits whih seemed formed to shew
how far the powers of humanity can extend." He accompanied the Duke of
Buccleuch and Adam Smith, in their travels to the continenet, 1765; adn
died at Rome, in July 1766, in the 25th year of his age, unmarried,
regretted both by his countrymen and by foreigners, who contended with
each other who should pay the greatest marks of respect to his merit and
his virtues. The Pope (Clement XIII.) sent to inquire fo rhim every day
during his long illness; and allowed him the most magnificent public
funeral that a protestant had ever been honoured with. A monument,
executed at Rome, was erected in the church of Sleat, with this
inscription, by his friend, George, Lord Lyttelton. "To the memory of Sir
James Macdonald, baronet, who, in the flower of youth, had attained to
so eminent a degree of knowledge in mathematics, philosophy, languages,
and in every other branch of useful and polite learning, as few have
acquired in a long life wholly devoted to study; yet, to his erudition, he
joined what can rarely be found with it, great talents for business, great
propriety of behaviour, and great politeness of manners. His eloquence
was sweet, correct, and flowing; his memory vast and exact; his
judgment strong and acute; all which endowments, united with the most
amiable temper, and every private virtue, procured him not only in his
own country, but also from foreign nations, the highest marks of esteem.
In the year of our Lord 1766, the 25th of his life, after a long and painful
inllness, which he supported with admirable prudence and fortitude, he
died at Rome, where, notwithstanding the difference of religion, such
extraordinary honours were paid to his memory, as had never graced that
of any other British subject since the days of Sir Philip Sydney. The
fame he left behind him is the best consolation to his afflicted family
and to his countrymen in the isle, for whose benefit he had planned many
useful improvements, which his fruitful genius suggested, and his active
spirit promoted, under the sober direction of a clear and enlightened
understanding." --- Thus far the inscription on the monument, erected
by his mother, in testimony of her love, and as the best return to her
departed son for the constant tenderness and affection he shewed for
her.