A general history of Scotland together with a particular history of the Houses of Douglas and Angus / written by Master David Hume of Godscroft.

The Authour to the Reader.

I Know (Reader) that he who undertakes to write, makes himself a mark of censure for men to level at. For to please all men, shall then only be possible, when all men shal be of one minde; til then, we look for as many dislikings, as there is diversities of opinions, each man condemning what is not according to his own humour and palate. Some will storm or scorn (perhaps) our writing as an un-necessary scribling, and paper blurring: others will quarrell at the subject, that we should write a History; others that such, so composed, and formal of a private family, with such commendation. Again, some will accuse us of partiality; and some will even question the truth of it. Neither will there bee wanting such as will blame the forme and fashion of the work, as too short, or too long; and many (I doubt not) will carp at the Stile, the Phrase, the Pe∣riods, the Diction and Language. In all these particulars, to satisfie all men, is more then we can hope for: yet thus much shortly of each of them, to such as will give eare to reason: That I write, and of this subject, I am constrained to do it; not by any violence or compulsion, but by the force of duty, as I take it: for being desired to do it by those I would not refuse, I thought my self bound to honour that name, and in, and by it, our King & Countrey. And so I have done what I can, & should have been glad to have done more, if it had lyen in my power. As for the writing of a History I could never have drea∣med that I should have needed to make Apologie for it: neither did I ever hear it accounted prophane, till I had done. Then by chance I lighted on a certain Authour who excuseth himself for so doing, and promiseth to doe so no more. It may be neither shall I. Yet dare I not promise so much: neither see I any reason why I should: for if by profane, they mean that History ma∣keth men profane, and leadeth to profanitie and atheisme; then certainly we may justly say, that it is nothing lesse. For in it we see and behold, as in a Glasse, Gods Providence guiding and ruling the World, and mens actions, which arrive often to unexpected events, and sometimes even to such ends as are quite contrary to the Actors intentions. In History also we see men, and our selves in them, our vertues or vices, which is the second point of wisdom: this leads us also to God. But if (by profane) they mean whatsoever is not Scripture, and would have men to read and write nothing but what belongs unto it; then must we condemne all humane learning & knowledge, all Arts and Sciences, which are the blessings of God, and in which Moses and Paul were trained up, and well seen. It is true, there is no knowledge comparable to that of holy Scripture, and we cannot be too conversant about it; yet there is no kind of knowledge but is usefull, & may and ought to be esteemed and embraced Our last end should ever be to God and Christ: but to speak al∣wayes of him directly, is neither required nor possible. As he is the end, so the way to this end is by speaking of him, or of things which may lead us to him: yet is it not necessary at all times to speak of such things professedly as lead us that way. He is our end in himself, and for himself, and happy were we if in him we could terminate all our desires. Vertue leads to him, and is to be embraced as such: but to obtrude it at first for that consideration, and on that respect, it may be doubted whether or not that be alwayes the right Method and best way of proceeding. The other may happen to prove more available

with some, which is, to learne first to be enamoured & to love honour; then vertue for honour; then vertue for it self; then to account nothing vertue without God, who not being to be found but in Christ, must needs be sought for above all things. Now History is, as it were, the A B C. of this Method, and the beautifull Picture; by looking on which, our desire of honour is kin∣dled, and so of vertue, which onely brings true honour with it. Neither is it needfull to proclaim this intention to the world: yea, I know not whether to say thus much be not even too much. It is enough to set the object before them, and to furnish them matter for their thoughts to work upon: as for the measure of praise wee give them, if after thou hast read and weighed, thou shalt think it too much, all that I can say, is, that I think it but their due, and speak as I think, & according to the scantling of my own judgment. Touch∣ing partiality, I deny it hot, but am content to acknowledge my interest. Nei∣ther do I think that ever any man did set pen to paper without some particu∣lar relation of Kindred, Countrey, or such like. The Romanes in writing the Romane, the Grecians in writing their Greek Histories; friends writing to, of, or for friends, may be thought partiall as Countrey-men and friends. The vertuous may be deemed to be partiall toward the vertuous, and the godly toward the godly and religious: All Writers have some such respect, which is a kinde of partiality. I do not refuse to be thought to have some, or all of these respects, and I hope none wil think I do amisse in having them. Pleasing of men, I am so farre from shunning of it, that it is my chief end and scope: But let it please them to be pleased with vertue, otherwise they shal find no∣thing here to please them. If thou findest any thing here besides, blame me boldly. And why should any be displeased that wil be pleased with it? would to God I could so please the world, I should never displease any. But if either of these (partiality or desire to please) carry me besides the truth; then shall I confesse my self guilty, and esteem these as great faults, as it is faultie and blame-worthy to forsake the truth. But otherwise so the truth be stuck unto, there is no hurt in partiality and labouring to please. And as for truth, clip not, nor champ not my words (as some have done elsewhere) and I beleeve the worst affected will not charge mee with lying. I have ever sought the truth in all things carefully, and even here also, and that painfully in every point: where I find it assured, I have set it down confidently; where I thought there was some reason to doubt, I tell my Authour: So that if I deceive, it is my self I deceive, and not thee; for I hide nothing from thee, that I my self know, and as I know it; leaving place to thee, if thou knowest more or bet∣ter. Which if thou doest, impart and communicate it; for so thou shouldest do, and so is truth brought to light, which else would lye hid and buried. My paines and travel in it have been greater then every one would think, in cor∣recting my errours; thine will not bee so much. And both of us may furnish matter for a third man to finde out the truth more exactly, than either of us hath yet done. Help therefore, but carp not. Concerning the manner & form, this is partly the cause why I have used this, which I do here follow, that all things being laid open, & exposed to thy view, thou mayest have to choose on, or to finde somewhat of thine own; & where I could not resolve a doubt, thou mayest see it, and have some mean (perhaps) to solve it better. I have also in many places interposed my judgement of mens actions: I think it the life of History, & without which it were little better, than an old wifes tale.

It is true, it were not so needfull. if all men were alike judicious: but see∣ing they are not so, it is absolutely necessary; that so those who read care∣lesly and sleepingly may bee awaked; who minde onely pleasure, may have profit thrust upon them; that the dull may be quickned, and the ju∣dicious have his judgement sharpened, and a finer edge put upon it, by this whet-stone. I know there are that think otherwise, and that all should be left to the collection and discretion of the Reader: But this is my opinion, and I know no Writer of note, or account, but interpo∣seth his censure of things. What name you give this piece, I am very indifferent; Call it History, Chronicle, Comentarie, Annals, Journal lives, or (if you please) discourses or exercitations, it matters not much. Let who will, for me, define, divide, and dispute of the nature, of the bounds and Marches of Airts, and writings, and of their Lawes, this kinde is my lot or choice at this time. For the same cause or reason (that men may not take any thing upon meer trust, I sift the judgment of others, and am content that thou like wise canvase mine. I do it without partiality, or respecting any mans person: though otherwise, and in other things I reverence them never so much, yet I cannot but respect reason more: where they bring not that strong enough to satisfie, I do not conceale of dissemble it, I do not refuse the same measure from others: if thou doest not like my reason, reject it, but let reason be thy rule, for it is mine ac∣cording to my capacity. For the Language it is my Mother-tongue, that is, Scottish: and why not, to Scottish-men? Why should I contemne it? I never thought the difference so great, as that by seeking to speak Eng∣lish, I would hazard the imputation of affectation. Every tongue hath the own vertue and grace. Some are more substantiall, others more or∣nate and succinct. They have also their own defects and faultinesse, some are harsh, some are effeminate, some are rude, some affectate and swelling. The Romanes spake from their heart, The Grecians with their lips only, and their ordinary speech was complements; especially the Asiatick Greeks did use a loose and blown kinde of phrase. And who is there that keeps that golden mean? For my own part, I like our own, & he that writes well in it, writes well enough to me. Yet I have yeelded somewhat to the tytannie of custome, and the times, not seeking curious∣ly for words, but taking them as they came to hand. I acknowledge also my fault (if it be a fault) that I ever accounted it a mean study, and of no great commendation to learn to write, or to speak English, and have loved better to bestow my pains and time on forreigne Languages, esteeming it but a Dialect of our own, and that (perhaps) more corrupt. I say the same of the Stile: I follow no rules, but according to my disposition for the time, so it is high or low, long or short, sweet or sharp, as was my humour for that houre, As in Poesie, so in Prose; who can choose? Or how many are there that care for these things, or can discern? The Age is too secure for Writers to be too curious. And thus much shall suffice to have spoken of these things, and to satisfie (I hope) the candide Reader. As for those who delight to carp, we say no more to them, but onely this, That as they take a libertie to themselves to judge others, so there will bee found some that will pay them home in their own coyne. Farewell.