“It is indeed long since we have read such a charmingly-written biography as this little Life of the most typical and ‘Famous Scot’ that his countrymen have been proud of since the time of Sir Walter.... There is not a dull, irrelevant, or superfluous page in all Miss Simpson’s booklet, and she has performed the biographer’s chief duty--that of selection--with consummate skill and judgment.” Of THOMAS CHALMERS, by W. GARDEN BLAIKIE, The _Spectator_ says:-- “The most notable feature of Professor Blaikie’s book--and none could be more commendable--is its perfect balance and proportion. In other words, justice is done equally to the private and to the public life of Chalmers, if possible greater justice than has been done by Mrs. Oliphant.” Of JAMES BOSWELL, by W. KEITH LEASK, The _Morning Leader_ says:-- “Mr W. K. Leask has approached the biographer of Johnson in the only possible way by which a really interesting book could have been arrived at--by way of the open mind.... The defence of Boswell in the concluding chapter of his delightful study is one of the finest and most convincing passages that have recently appeared in the field of British biography.” Of TOBIAS SMOLLETT, by OLIPHANT SMEATON, The _Weekly Scotsman_ says:-- “The book is written in a crisp and lively style.... The picture of the great novelist is complete and lifelike. Not only does Mr Smeaton give a scholarly sketch and estimate of Smollett’s literary career, he constantly keeps the reader in conscious touch and sympathy with his personality, and produces a portrait of the man as a man which is not likely to be readily forgotten.” Of FLETCHER OF SALTOUN, by W. G. T. OMOND, The _Leeds Mercury_ says:-- “Unmistakably the most interesting and complete story of the life of Fletcher of Saltoun that has yet appeared. Mr Omond has had many facilities placed at his disposal, and of these he has made excellent use.” Of THE BLACKWOOD GROUP, by Sir GEORGE DOUGLAS, The _Weekly Citizen_ says:-- “It need not be said that to everyone interested in the literature of the first half of the century, and especially to every Scotsman so interested, ‘The Blackwood Group’ is a phrase abounding in promise. And really Sir George Douglas fulfils the promise he tacitly makes in his title. He is intimately acquainted not only with the books of the different members of the ‘group,’ but also with their environment, social and otherwise. Besides, he writes with sympathy as well as knowledge.” Of NORMAN MACLEOD, by JOHN WELLWOOD, The _Star_ says:-- “A worthy addition to the ‘Famous Scots Series’ is that of Norman Macleod, the renowned minister of the Barony in Glasgow, and a man as typical of everything generous and broadminded in the State Church in Scotland as Thomas Guthrie was in the Free Churches. The biography is the work of John Wellwood, who has approached it with proper appreciation of the robustness of the subject.” FOOTNOTES: