". . . certainly the most interesting of Urquhart's works. It was written professedly as a vindication of the honour of Scotland, against the slanders of the Presbyterian party in that nation; and amidst all its extravagance and exaggeration, it abounds in curious notices of men, eminent in war and in literature, whose fame has not been chronicled elsewhere. The book is written under an assumed character . . . Urquhart justifies the prodigality of his self commendation by many ingenious and elaborate illustrations. The style . . . is prolix and 'Euphuestic, ' but withal lively and eloquent, and the work abounds with exquisite humour, and luxuriant description. The curious and picturesque account of the Admirable Crichton has been often quoted, and the accuracy of its leading details has been in a great measure confirmed by the researches of Mr Tytler, who graphically describes the author as a sort of Ancient Pistol in his diction." -- Sylvester Douglas Sterling, The Works of Sir Thomas Urquhart (1834). xix Newly typeset and proofed: 2022