‘Mr. Barbé’s sketch sticks close to the facts of his life, and these are sought out from the best sources and are arranged with much judgment, and on the whole with an impartial mind.’ The _Glasgow Herald_ says:-- ‘A conscientious and thorough piece of work, showing wide and accurate knowledge.’ The _Speaker_ says:-- ‘This scholarly monograph seeks to unravel the seeming contradictions of a great career, as well as to show that Kirkcaldy of Grange was a sincere patriot.’ The _Bookseller_ says:-- ‘Mr. Barbé has put together a very instructive and interesting account of his career.’ Of ROBERT FERGUSSON, by DR. A. B. GROSART, The _Westminster Gazette_ says:-- ‘One of the most interesting of the “Famous Scots” Series is devoted to “Robert Fergusson” the poet, to whom “the greater Robert,” as he freely acknowledged, was under so many obligations. Dr. Grosart is perhaps the best living authority on all that relates to the bard of “The Farmer’s Ingle,” and he gives many new facts and corrects a number of erroneous statements that have hitherto obtained currency respecting him. We have read it with genuine pleasure.’ The _British Weekly_ says:-- ‘It is a creditable, useful, and painstaking book, a genuine contribution to Scottish literary history.’ The _North British Daily Mail_ says:-- ‘The little volume is a thoroughly competent piece of work, and forms a valuable addition to an excellent series.’ The _Weekly Scotsman_ says:-- ‘The book will be welcomed as a worthy addition to that wonderfully entertaining and instructive series of biographies, the “Famous Scots.” Of JAMES THOMSON, by WILLIAM BAYNE, The _Daily News_ says:-- ‘A just appreciation of Thomson as poet and dramatist, and an interesting record of the conditions under which he rose to fame, as also of his friendships with the great ones of the eighteenth century.’ _Literature_ says:-- ‘The story of Thomson’s claim to the disputed authorship of “Rule Britannia” is sustained by his countryman with spirit, and in our judgment with success.’ The _Publishers’ Circular_ says:-- ‘The book is one which every lover of Thomson will welcome, and which students of poetry cannot well afford to neglect.’ The _Spectator_ says:-- ‘This is one of the compactest and best written volumes of the useful series of biographies to which it belongs.’ Of MUNGO PARK, by T. BANKS MACLACHLAN, The _Leeds Mercury_ says:-- ‘We owe to Mr. Maclachlan not only a charming life-story, if at times a pathetic one, but a vivid chapter in the romance of Africa. Geography has no more wonderful tale than that dealing with the unravelling of the mystery of the Niger.’ The _Speaker_ says:-- ‘Mr. Maclachlan recounts with incisive vigour the story of Mungo Park’s heroic wanderings and the services which he rendered to geographical research.’ The _Kilmarnock Herald_ says:-- ‘It is a thrilling story, powerfully told, of one of Scotland’s noblest sons.’