LONDON: Printed for R. King at the Queen's-head, and
W. Boreham at the Angel in Pater-noster-row, 1719.
Price 1s. 6d. Stich'd, and 2s. Bound.
I Think it proper to inform the Reader that these Papers were deliver'dinto my Hands by a near Kinsman of the Authors, who lately came from theSouthern Parts of France. His Design in imparting these Memoirs to me,was (as I quickly perceiv'd) to know my Sentiments of the Performance.It seems the Gentleman had been sour'd by French Practises, and waswilling that the World should be no longer a Stranger to what was theground of his distast. The Author appears very well qualify d for hisTask, and opens a Scene of Politicks which the good natur'd part ofMankind will scarce think human Race capable of. Those that areacquainted with the Person of Major Ramkins, assure me, that the lateKing fames never had a more active and diligent Servant, and that he wasone never wanting in his Station. If I am of a contrary Opinion to thePublick in judging these Remarks worthy of the Press, 'tis what I do notat present find my self convinc'd of. One Benefit at least may beexpected from 'em, that they will induce all true Britains to becautious, and not imbark themselves in a foreign Interest for thefuture, if not for the sake of their Country, at least for their ownSakes. I will not anticipate the Contents, but only take the freedom toacquaint the Reader in General. That it will be one of the greatestParadoxes in future Ages to read, that the Court of St. Germainsshould have been a Sleep, and impos'd upon for Twenty Eight Yearssuccessively, unless their being trick'd by the greatest of Politicians,be a Circumstance to take off from the Surprize.
I was not above Seventeen Years of Age when the Battle of Gillycrankywas fought between the Two Highland Generals, the Lord Viscount Dundeeand Mackay. And being then a Stripling at the University of Aberdeenand understanding that several Clans were gathering into a Body indefence of King James III sold my Books and Furniture of my Lodgings,and equipp'd my self to observe the Martial Call, I found my selfprompted with. I arriv'd in a few Days near the Field of Battle, andjoyn'd my self with a broken Body of Men who were making up towards theMountains to recover themselves after the Fatigue of Battle. TheNoviceship I went through in the Highlands, was no improper Foundationfor the course Method of living I have been since engag'd in for aboveTwenty Seven Years; during which Time, I have run through all thoseHardships which are incident to one who seeks a Preferment in Fire andSmoak.
While I strolled about in the Highlands, it was my good Fortune to beunder the Tuition of an old Officer, who let me into many of thoselittle Secrets which are not unserviceable to such as Design to make thewhole Earth the Theatre of their Life; but what I chiefly valued thisold Gentleman's Conversation for, was the Happiness I had to be a Hearerof some of his Politick Lessons, of which he was a great Master, havingfurnish'd himself by Fifty Years Practice, with the