CHAPTER I.

1711-1734. ÆT. 0-23.

Birth--Parentage--His own account of his Ancestors--Local associations of Ninewells--Education--Studies--Early Correspondence--The Ramsays--Specimen of his early Writings-- Essay on Chivalry--Why he deserted the Law--Early ambition to found a School of Philosophy--Letter to a Physician describing his studies and habits--Criticism on the Letter--Supposition that it was addressed to Dr. Cheyne--Hume goes to Bristol. 1