trying occasions, in all these scenes that have occurred in our recent parliamentary history.

"He took a considerable part in the important financial, and especially Politico-economical, deliberations which have occupied public attention for the last seven years, and will be long remembered, as having in great part, if not wholly, constructed the far-famed report of the bullion committee; of the doctrines and recommendations of that production, men's opinions differed at the time of its appearance, according as they were led, by a knowledge of the science, through which alone it could be rationally appreciated, by a sense of immediate expediency, or by the leanings of the leaders. of their respective parties. But, considering the circumstances under which it was produced, the temper of the times, and the extent and varying aspect of those appearances and conditions which it had to reconcile into the shape of general principles, I may venture to affirm, that it abounds with more accurate evolution of important propositions and first truths in the science of political economy, than any document ever produced by a legislative body. Indeed, those who have been accustomed to note carefully the Parliamentary Debates since 1811, must have perceived that Mr. Horner had a better hold on the principles of that important science, than any Orator of his day.

"As a public speaker, he was not remarkable for the popular graces and attractions. If eloquence consists in rousing the passions by strong metaphor, in awakening the sympathies by studied allusions, or in arresting attention by the sallies of a mind rich in peculiar association, Mr. Horner was not eloquent. But, if eloquence be the art of persuading by accurate reasoning, and a right adjustment of all the parts of a discourse, by the power of a tact which is rather intellectually right, than practically fine; Mr. H. was eloquent. He spoke with the steady calmness of one who saw his way on principle, while he felt it simply and immediately through sobriety of judgment and good conduct; and never seemed to be more excited by his subject, or more carried away in the vehemence

of debate, than to make such exertions as left one uniform impression on the minds of his hearers, that he spoke from an honest internal conviction, and from a real desire to be useful.

"In private life, he was distinguished by an impressive graveness, which would have appeared heavy, had it not been observed in permanent conjunction with an easy steadiness of conversation, and a simplicity of manners very far from any thing odd, affected, or inelegant. His sense of honour was high and decided. His taste for literature, like his taste for conduct, was correct. As his acts of friendship or of duty were done without effort or finesse, so did he enjoy with quietness and relish, those tender and deeply felt domestic affections which can sweeten or even adorn, almost any condition of life. He was one of that powerful band of able and distinguished men, with which the Edinburgh Review originated, and was known as one of its contributors for several of the earlier years of its progress.

"He was not fitted to win popularity, but, his habitual moderation, his unaffected respect for every thing respectable that was opposed to him, and the successful pains which he took to inform himself well on the grounds and nature of every business in which he bore a part, gained him an influence more valuable to a man of judgment, than popularity. In short, reckoning forward to the distance of probably a very few years, and to that change in his Majesty's councils, which it was the object of Mr. Horner's political life to accomplish, and under which he sincerely believed his country would be more free and more secure, than under any other probable event; no man seemed more likely to rise to high place and influence than himself.

"In a crisis of public affairs like the present, unbiassed and upright politicians will admit, that the influence of men like him, is peculiarly desirable. And I would receive it as a consolation if any one could be at present named, to fill the space which he has left."

VOL. II.

To Raeburn, the great Scotch portrait painter, Mr. Horner sat for his picture some years before his demise. No engraving, we believe, has yet been made from it: it is a faithful likeness, and we trust, that the attachment of the surviving friends of the man, whose loss all seem to deplore, will have it transferred to copper, by the burin of some skilful engraver.

No. XIV.

THE HONOURABLE HENRY ERSKINE,

TWICE LORD ADVOCATE, AND ONCE DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF ADVOCATES.

THE house of Buchan has been always distinguished, either for the possession of high employments or the display of extraordinary talents. As a scion of the powerful stock which so long possessed the earldom of Mar, it traces its alliances to the blood-royal of Scotland, as well as to the ducal stems of Lenox and Roxburgh, and the noble ones of Morton, Findlater, and Dalhousie. Sir James Stewart, second son of Sir James Stewart, the Black Knight of Lorn was the founder of this family. John Stuart, son of John Earl of Buchan, having been killed at the battle of Musselborough in 1547, his daughter Christian, four years after, became a Countess, and married Robert Douglas, brother to William the sixth Earl of Buchan, who, in her right, enjoyed the honours of that house. Their grand-daughter Mary, having formed an alliance with Sir James Erskine, eldest son of John Earl of Mar, the succession to the Earldom of Buchan, which had before been in heirs-general, was, by patent under the great seal of Scotland, limited to heirs male.

So much for the descent of the subject of these memoirs ; and as to the offices held by his immediate progenitors, they were Lords High-Stewards, Lords Treasurers, Lords Great-Chamberlains of Scotland, Lords High Commissioners to the General Assembly, &c., &c., in succession. In our own time we have

beheld an Earl of Buchan neglected indeed, by ministers, and never sufficiently appreciated by his own countrymen, but possessing extraordinary genius and talents; his next surviving brother not only taking the lead, but selected twice to occupy the highest and most honourable office at the Scottish bar; while a third and youngest was ennobled in England, and became Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain.

The Honourable Henry Erskine, third son of Henry David Earl of Buchan, by Agnes, daughter of Sir James Stewart, of Coltness and Goodtrees, Bart., was born at. Edinburgh, on the 1st of November, 1746, O. S.

His health being originally delicate, we have been given to understand that the early part of his education was of a domestic nature; a tutor * possessing considerable talents, having been for some time resident under the paternal roof, who superintended the studies of the three brothers. They afterwards repaired to the college of St. Andrew's, which has been long famous for producing celebrated men; hence they were transferred, first to the university of Glasgow, and secondly to that of Edinburgh.

As his patrimonial fortune was not large, a profession became necessary for Henry, and the bar and the army presenting the only two avenues to fortune, usually trod by the sons of great families in Scotland, he was early destined for the law, while his younger brother, Thomas, at first adopted the sword, and lastly the gown.

Their father, Henry-David, the tenth Earl, deceasing in 1767, the Countess-Dowager, a pious and accomplished woman, after superintending their progress, lived until 1778, to enjoy the certainty of beholding her eldest son both opulent and respectable; while the endearing prospect was already opened to the eyes of a fond mother, of contemplating the junior branches advancing to eminence at the English and

* Mr. James Buchanan of Glasgow. By his talents and his industry soon fitted Lord Cardross (become so by the demise of his eldest brother), and the two other sons of the last Earl of Buchan, in succession, for a neighbouring university.