DALRYMPLE, JonN, second son of the first earl of Stair, and grandson of viscount Stair, was born at Edinburgh, July 20, 1673. He had the misfortune, while young, to kill his elder brother, by the accidental discharge of a pistol. This unhappy circumstance induced the parents, both for their own comfort and that of the boy himself, to educate him away from home. He was placed under the care of a clergyman in Ayrshire, who, by his prudence and kindness, soon developed the excellent qualities of the youth. Dal rymple afterwards went to Leyden, where lie had the reputation of being one of the best scholars in the university. He completed his curriculum at Edinburgh. In 1701, he accepted a commission as lient,col. of the Scottish regiment of foot-guards, and gained the highest distinction in Marlborough's campaigns. When the accession of the tory ministry, in 1711, put a stop to the brilliant career of the great duke, Dalrymple retired from the army. When George I. succeeded to the throne, Dalrymple—who had become earl of Stair by the death of his father in 1707—was made a lord of the bed chamber, a privy-councilor, and commander-in-chief of the forces of Scotland. Next
year, he was sent as ambassador to France, in which capacity he exhibited the highest ability, and was of the greatest service in traversing the schemes for the reinstate ment of the pretender; but as lie refused to flatter his countryman, Law—notorious in connection with the fatal Mississippi scheme—who was then omnipotent in France, the government was mean enough to recall him. For 22 years he lived in retirement at Newliston, near Edinburgh, devoting himself chiefly to agriculture, which was then bgeinuing to improve in Scotland. He was the first to plant turnips and cabbages in the open fields. In 1742, he was sent as ambassador to Holland, and in the following year served under George II., at the battle of Dettingen. Later, lie was made com mander-in-chief of the forces of Great Britain. He died in 1747. See Annals, etc., of the Viscount and Earls of Stair, by J. 3[. Graham (1875).