Introduction

Lighthearted and idiosyncratic asides punctuate James Fraser's work revealing an aspect of what makes his approach to history-writing unique. However, in terms of his weightier reflections on the past, his leading statement of intent is to be found in one specific paragraph in the ‘Wardlaw Manuscript’, in which he states: History being so germin and familiar to men of all Estates, Age, quality, Sex, and Condition, so agreeable to the inclination and suitable to the humor of all, so delightfull in the perusall and profitable in the retention, affording content to the aged, pleasur to the young, and experience to both, comfort to the disconsolat, refreshment to the weary, and ease to discomposed minds; solaceing the tedious houres of pensive watchings, or otherwayes charming anxious thoughtes into a sweet and gentle repose, being never out of season whilst men have life and the world a being, that among the many eulogies it hath receaved from the learned pieces of ancient and modern writers it may be justly accounted rather the recreation than the application of a Studious man. It is indeed that Telescope by which we see into distant ages, and take up the actiones of our forefathers with as much evidence as the newes of the last Gazette. It is the Mirrour that represents the various transactions of times past, and showes us the dresse of Antiquity according to which we may rectifie or adjust our present fashiones. It is the produce of gentle and easie institutions and laws which ought to oblidge us as much, if not more stricktly, than the perceptive Sanctions of Princes, seing the authority of the one dos but inculcat our duty, and the other gives us innumerable instances of the several rewards of vertue, and punishments of vice. It is, in a word,

the Last will and Testament of our deceased Progenitors, which, thoug it dos not expressly leave every one of us a particular Legacie, yet it showes us how we may be possessed of their inheritance, and, according as we follow their Example, live in reputation or Ignominy.