from its
foundation by Sir Walter Scott in 1823 to its dissolution thirty-eight
years later, and himself edited a large number of its publications. He
also edited papers for the Spalding, Abbotsford, and Hunterian Clubs,
and the Shakespeare and Wodrow Societies; while his contributions to the
_Proceedings_ of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, of which he was
elected a Fellow in 1826, consisted of upwards of one hundred separate
papers. In 1864 the University of Edinburgh conferred on him the degree
of LL.D. He died unmarried on the 18th of October 1878.

Laing's life was one of great literary activity, and although he did not
produce any large original work, he edited many of the writings of the
old Scottish authors. His acquaintance with the early literary and
ecclesiastical history, as well as the art and antiquities, of Scotland
was very extensive; and Lockhart, in _Peter's Letters to his Kinsfolk_,
states that he possessed a 'truly wonderful degree of skill and
knowledge in all departments of bibliography.' A list of the various
publications issued under his editorial superintendence from 1815 to
1878 inclusive, together with his lectures on Scottish art, appear in a
collection of privately printed notices of him edited by T.G. Stevenson,
Edinburgh, 1878.

Laing availed himself of his exceptional opportunities to form a very
large and fine library, which was particularly rich in books
illustrative of the history and literature of Scotland, many of which
were of excessive rarity, and several unique. Nearly every publication
relating to Mary Queen of Scots was to be found in it. After Laing's
death his library, with the exception of his manuscripts, which he
bequeathed to the University of Edinburgh, was sold in four portions by
Sotheby, Wilkinson and Hodge.

_First Sale_--

December 1st, 1879, and ten following days. Three thousand seven
hundred and ninety-nine lots = thirteen thousand two hundred and
eighty-eight pounds, eight shillings and sixpence.

_Second Sale_--

April 5th, 1880, and ten following days. Four thousand and
eighty-two lots = one thousand seven hundred and thirty-eight
pounds, three shillings.

_Third Sale_--

July 20th, 1880, and four following days. Two thousand four hundred
and forty-three lots = seven hundred and seventy-one pounds, nine
shillings and sixpence.

_Fourth Sale_--

February 21st, 1881, and t