DUNDAS (of Arniston), the name of a Scottish family singularly distinguished for legal and political talent. Sir James D., the first of Arniston, received the honor -of knighthood from James VI., and was governor of Berwick. His son, sir James D., was appointed a judge of the court of session in 1662, and took his seat on the bench milder the title of lord Arniston, but was soon after deprived of his office for refusing to abjure the "National and Solemn League and Covenant." He died in 1679. His -eldest son, sir Robert D., who also rose to the bench, died in 1727. DUNDAS, ROBERT, the son of the preceding, was born 9th Dec., 1685; became a member of the faculty of advocates in 1709; and in 1717 was appointed solicitor-general for Scotland, an office which he filled with great ability in a period of much political confusion. In 1720 he was made lord advocate; and in 1722 was chosen to represent the county of Edinburgh in the British parliaMent, where- he honorably distinguished himself V his attention to Scottish affairs. When sir Robert Walpole came into power in 1725, D. resigned his_
office, when he was elected dean of the faculty of advocates. In 1737, he was raised to the bench, when, like his father and grandfather, he took the title of lord. Arniston. On the death of lord president Forbes of Culloden, in 1748, lie was appointed his successor. He died in 1753. As an advocate, D. was a powerful and ingenious reasoner, and though somewhat disliked on the bench, his ability was universally admitted.—DUNDAS, ROBERT, the eldest son of the preceding, was born 18th July, 1713, studied at Edin burgh and Utrecht, was admitted to the Scottish bar in 1738, and rose to be lord advo cate (1754), and president of the court of session (1760). D. died at Edinburgh, 13th Dec., 1787.