FRANCIS HORNER, Esq. M. P.

To Biographical sketches of two celebrated legal and political characters, who have left this frail and transitory scene of existence, we have now to add a third. The former died at a mature age, in full possession of a splendid reputation, and long after they had attained high professional honours: for the Right Hon. George Ponsonby had been seated on the woolsack; and the Right Hon. John Philpot Curran, had also worn the ermine; but the subject of the present memoir was cut off, when he had but just 'attained manhood, and without being able to realise those hopes, which had been formed from his early talents and his numerous virtues.

Francis Horner, of whom we are now about to treat, was born in Edinburgh, August 12, 1778. He could not, like the first of these two great men, boast either of wealthy relatives or high family connexions; he of course disclaimed those adventitious advantages of birth and fortune, on which the world ge

nerally sets so high a value; and, like the second of the characters just alluded to, built a firm and solid foundation on his talents and his eloquence. Thus, become like him, the architect of his own fortune, he also erected a noble superstructure, from the completion of which he was alone prevented by an untimely death.

The father of Mr. Horner was an eminent linen-manufac◄ turer of Edinburgh, who determined to give him the best education that could be obtained in his native country. His son was accordingly brought up at the High School, where it was soon discovered that not only his intellectual powers, but his application to his labours were superior to those of his classfellows.* He accordingly became an early favourite with, and a distinguished pupil of the late Dr. Adam, who then presided there; and a memoir of the life of that gentleman, who has been considered as a second Busby, was dedicated to him, by one of his school-fellows, at a time when the Public was but little aware of the extent of his genius.†

* Mr. Horner obtained at an early period the rank of Dux, among his school-fellows, although Mr. Brougham and the present Lord Advocate of Scotland, were his contem poraries. And he constantly retained that distinguished station, in spite of all competition. Dr. Adam, the Rector, was accustomed to observe, that " Francis Horner was the only boy be ever knew who had an old head upon young shoulders!”

He was never known to join in the field sports or recreations of any of the boys; and he kept his station at school by his own industry and talents alone; which enabled him to excel those who had private tutors to direct their studies. It has been thought by some of his medical friends, that these early propensities, and constant application, during his boyish days," contributed but too much to sow the seeds of that pulmonary disease, which assailed his youth, overwhelmed his manhood, and at length led to an untimely grave.

When removed to the College of Edinburgh,'in like manner he attracted the notice of the celebrated Dugald Stewart, then one of its professors, and as he already aimed at a public station, Mr. Horner soon became a member of the * Speculative Society, and there can be but little doubt, that this most excellent institution contributed not a little to form his mind and excite his ambition. Possessing a wish to excel, here he was taught to marshal his thoughts in due order; to select and arrange both authorities and arguments; to digest facts; to compose memoirs; and above all, to a great facility in his elocution, to superadd that confidence in his growing powers, which the habit of addressing an audience can alone communicate.

It so happened at this period, that Lord Henry Petty, the second son of the first Marquis of Lansdown, had repaired to Edinburgh for the purpose of completing his education, at one of the northern universities; and Lord Ashburton, as well as Lord Fitzharris, were sent thither at the same time and for the same purpose. Lord Henry happened to reside in the house of the celebrated professor already alluded to; and it was impossible to be long there without seeing young Horner. A speedy introduction, soon produced an acquaintance; and this acquaintance at length ripened into friendship. They attended the Speculative Society together; they studied in common; in short they were inseparable. Nor did this end

"The Speculative Society was instituted for improvement in public speaking, and in science in general, without having peculiar reference to any of its branches: the members meet weekly during the sitting of the College, in a hall built by themselves, A. D. 1769, on a spot of ground, on the south side of the College area, granted them for the special purpose by the town-council of Edinburgh, at the recommendation of the Prin cipal of the University.

"The gentlemen discourse, in rotation, upon any literary subject they incline; and these performances undergo a very free criticism. The rest of the entertainment consists of a debate upon a subject previously appointed, which is opened by one of the members in rotation, and discussed by the Society at large.

"Far from a promiscuous admission into the Society, it is restricted to a very limited number; and such has been its reputation, that the number of candidates for supplying vacancies has afforded the Society an opportunity to select those who are distinguished for capacity, industry, and decorum. It consists of gentlemen, who follow respectively all the liberal professions, but the greatest number belongs to the law; and it has already furnished several professors to the Universities of St. Andrew's, and Edinburgh.” Amot's History of Edinburgh, p. 430-431.

like many college intimacies, in a long separation, an accidental recognition, and a parting dinner! On the contrary, an intercourse and connexion were now formed, that tended not a little to give a colour and complexion to the life of one, if not both these juvenile candidates for fame. In fine their mutual regard remained unaltered for a long series of years; and they were at length parted by death alone, which dissolves all sublunary attachments, and leaves nothing to the survivor but painful recollections and barren regrets!

Meanwhile, after remaining some time in London under the superintendence of the Rev. Mr. Hewlett, Mr. Horner directed his studies towards the municipal law of his native country, a great and ample field for speculation, as it is necessary to collect the opinions of both foreign and domestic writers, and to pass through a course of reading formidable in the extreme. At that epoch too, it was not a little unfavourable to eloquence; for the intervention of a jury was then unknown in civil causes, or at least, the right of decision by twelve men had been usurped for ages by a court, the privileges claimed by which at one time seemed to set the laws themselves at defiance. Since that period, however, the people of Scotland have either acquired, or been restored to their long-lost privileges, and the manner in which verdicts have been recently recorded, and decisions obtained, reflects no little honour on the present age:

While Mr. Horner was thus fitting himself for his future forensic labours, as a Scotch Advocate, Lord H. Petty, after obtaining a degree at Trinity College, Cambridge, visited the Continent, in company with M. Dumont, a Genevese of considerable talents. He returned to England in his 22d year, and was immediately elected one of the two M. P.'s for Calne, a borough said to be under the immediate influence of his family. Having thus been nominated a member of the new parliament just then convoked, he soon began to be considered a very able and formidable ally of the opposition of that day: the chief object of which was to humble Mr. Pitt, and place a Whig administration in the room of him and his followers.

Mr. Fox and his friends, at length proved successful; and

at the age of twenty-six, Lord Henry Petty found himself the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, a member of the Privy Council, and M. P. for the University of Cambridge.

Undazzled by the sudden splendour with which he was now surrounded, the memory of former friendships was not oblite→ rated; on the contrary, the ties and connexions of his youthful years seemed rather strengthened than relaxed. He was well aware of the talents of Mr. Horner; he admired his manly sense; his mild manners; his unassuming virtues: these had all entitled him to his regard and esteem. He therefore recommended this gentleman to the notice of his coadjutors, and he was accordingly returned to the third imperial parliament, which met Dec. 10, 1806, as a burgess for the borough of St. Ives. This was a very critical period, for the Whigs had then a transient glimpse of the promised land; but they were scarcely allowed to take possession of it, before they were once more driven into the desert of opposition!

In the course of the succeeding year a new Ministry was appointed, and a new parliament, convoked; but the name of Mr. Horner was not to be found in the list of its members. He had, however, distinguished himself so much, during the only session in which he had sat, as to be already in possession of a high reputation; and in consequence of this early promise, was again returned, and nominated a member of the celebrated committee," to examine and controul the several branches of the public expenditure," on which occasion he took an active, and even a distinguished part.

Meanwhile, he took chambers and resided in Garden-court, Inner Temple, and having entered his name at one of the adjoining "Inns," soon after received a "call" to the English bar. But although thus fitted to attend the tribunals in Westminster Hall, and qualified at the same time, to act as an advocate at Edinburgh *, yet we do not find him anxious for either professional emoluments or employments. Indeed, so bewitching is the race of ambition, the pursuit of fame, of

Mr. Horner, as early as 1800, was admitted into the Society of Advocates.