He made a high profession of religion, prayed much, and observed weekly days of fasting and humiliation.

He even consented, after much hesitation, to assist with his advice and his credit the unfortunate enterprise of Argyle.

When that enterprise had failed, a prosecution was instituted at Edinburgh against Dalrymple; and his estates would doubtless have been confiscated had they not been saved by an artifice which subsequently became common among the politicians of Scotland.

His eldest son and heir apparent, John, took the side of the government, supported the dispensing power, declared against the Test, and accepted the place of Lord Advocate, when Sir George Mackenzie, after holding out through ten years of foul drudgery, at length showed signs of flagging.

The services of the younger Dalrymple were rewarded by a remission of the forfeiture which the offences of the elder had incurred.