E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Forbës,
referred to by Thomson in his Seasons, was Duncan Forbes, of Cullo’den, lord president of the Court of Session. For many years he ruled the destinies and greatly contributed to the prosperity of Scotland. He was on friendly terms with Pope, Swift, Arbuthnot, etc. The word is now generally pronounced as a monosyllable.
