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THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND 
 
 MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
# 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SPECULATIVE SOCIETY 
 
 OF EDINBURGH 
 
 FROM ITS INSTITUTION IN 
 M.DCC.LX1V. 
 
 EDINBURGH: 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY. 
 
 M.DCCC.XLV. 
 
NOTICE. 
 
 IHE opening pages of the following History explain the 
 original design of the work, and the manner in which 
 it gradually expanded ; but the Members of Committee 
 to whom the preparation of the volume was entrusted, 
 cannot permit it to pass from their hands without a 
 few additional explanations. 
 
 The work was commenced by them in the belief that 
 it would form the occupation of a few weeks, or per- 
 haps months ; but it has engaged a large share of their 
 attention for upwards of three years. Had they fore- 
 seen the extent and difficulty of their task, they would 
 have shrunk from the labour, the sacrifice of time, and 
 the responsibility which it involved ; but having under- 
 taken it, they determined to spare no effort to render it 
 complete ; and they have endeavoured also to lay it 
 before the Society and the Subscribers at as early a 
 period as was consistent with fulness and accuracy. 
 
 The most difficult part of their duty was the pre- 
 paration of the List of Members, which forms so large 
 a portion of the volume. The materials with which 
 the Editors commenced that division of the work 
 
 
 ivi36e527 
 
NOTICE. 
 
 consisted solely of the names of entrants, extracted 
 from the Minutes of the Society. In some cases, in- 
 deed, where an individual afterwards eminent was 
 known to have attended the Society in early life, there 
 was little difficulty in appending an appropriate notice 
 to his name ; but, in the great majority of cases, the 
 Editors had a double difficulty to overcome. Having 
 before them simply a list of names, they had first to 
 discover the subsequent profession or pursuit of each 
 member, and then, after the requisite clue had been 
 obtained, to collect the details. It is not therefore 
 surprising that their success has been only partial ; 
 but it has been greater than at one period they could 
 have anticipated ; and they can assure the Society 
 that not one of the names to which no notice, or an 
 imperfect one, is annexed, has been passed over with- 
 out much careful investigation. It is, indeed, gene- 
 rally in the case of strangers, whose stay in Edinburgh 
 was short, or of Members who did not take a prominent 
 share in the business of the Society, that they have 
 failed in procuring full information. At the same time, 
 as this volume may fall into the hands of some who are 
 able to furnish the materials for filling up such blanks, 
 the Editors take the liberty of requesting that any par- 
 ticulars of this kind may be communicated, by letter, to 
 the Secretary of the Society, to be made use of should 
 
NOTICE. 
 
 another edition of the work be required at any future 
 period. In the notices annexed to the names, accuracy 
 in facts and dates has been strictly attended to ; and 
 nothing has been admitted which was not found in 
 authentic biographical works, or communicated to the* 
 Editors by persons whose means of knowledge entitled 
 them to perfect confidence. They are sensible, how- 
 ever, that amidst so many details inaccuracies may 
 have crept in, and they will feel obliged by these being 
 pointed out to them. 
 
 The Editors tender their very grateful thanks to all 
 who have assisted them in their enquiries. The nature 
 of their investigations required a correspondence — occa- 
 sionally protracted to some length — with many persons 
 to whom they were previously strangers ; and they 
 cannot forget the courtesy with which — in almost every 
 instance — their applications were met, or the anxious 
 interest frequently expressed in the progress of the 
 work. As this expression of interest often came from 
 quarters where such sympathy had not been anticipat- 
 ed, it proved no small encouragement to them in their 
 labours. Where kindness was all but universal, it is 
 impossible to enumerate every one of the correspond- 
 ents to whom they have been indebted, and would be in- 
 vidious to select only a few ; but they think it right to 
 
NOTICE. 
 
 mention the names of those with whom they have been 
 brought into closer intercourse, and from whom they 
 have derived more frequent assistance. Much kind 
 and judicious advice has been received from Lord 
 CocKBURN, who has given his valuable aid not only in 
 superintending the general plan and arrangement of the 
 work, but also in minutely revising the more strictly 
 historical part. In the collection of materials the Edi- 
 tors have owed much to the ready and obliging assist- 
 ance of David Laing, Esq., Librarian to the Society 
 of Writers to the Signet, and of Mr. David Haig, As- 
 sistant-Librarian to the Faculty of Advocates. But 
 they desire especially to express their obligation to 
 Mr. William Ferguson, Assistant-Librarian to the 
 Society of Writers to the Signet, who, as Clerk of the 
 Speculative Society, has been throughout their unwea- 
 ried and efficient co-adjutor. They can truly say, that 
 without his zealous aid in conducting many tedious 
 researches, and his accuracy and perseverance in at- 
 tending to the numerous details of the work, they 
 could not have completed their task. 
 
 The Editors cannot conclude without alluding to the 
 loss which they sustained at an early stage of their un- 
 dertaking, by the lamented death of their friend and 
 fellow Member, Mr. William Macbean. If this work 
 
NOTICE. 
 
 shall be thought to have any value, it would be unjust 
 to his memory, as well as most ungrateful to their 
 feelings, were not much of the merit attributed to 
 him. It was owing to the zeal with which he em- 
 braced the project, that the work on its present scale 
 was undertaken ; and an earnest desire to see his fa- 
 vourite design completed, has been their chief induce- 
 ment to persevere in a task which the want of his 
 companionship has deprived of its greatest charm. 
 
 EDINBURGH, MDCCCXLV. 
 
1 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SPECULATIVE SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH. 
 
 rii 
 
 1 HE present work requires a little explanation ; perhaps an apology. 
 
 It arose from the appointment, in February 1842, of a Committee of 
 the Speculative Society for the purpose of printing a List of the 
 Members. It was originally intended that this list should be nothing 
 more than a mere catalogue of names and designations — an improvement 
 upon one printed in 1820, which consisted of names only. The plan, 
 however, was soon greatly extended. Even on a cursory survey, the 
 roll was seen to be adorned with so many distinguished names, that it 
 seemed worth while to make a minute examination into the future 
 fortunes of the Members, and to record the result, in accurate notices 
 of the professions which they followed, the oiBces which they filled, the 
 works which they wrote, and the honours which they attained. And 
 as the characters of some of the ablest and most excellent have been 
 delineated by the pens of very accomplished authors with great power 
 of discrimination, the insertion of such passages promised not only to 
 serve the purpose of ornament, but to convey instructive lessons to 
 youthful Members, at the outset of their career in the Society. It was 
 next suggested, that to give the titles of the Essays which each 
 Member had read, would aiFord an indication of his early tastes and 
 pursuits, and a measure of his diligence. The date of his birth, com- 
 
 A 
 
2 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 pared with that of his admission, would indicate the age at which he 
 entered the Society ; and the date of his death would be interesting 
 if he rose to eminence, and if he did not, would in many cases shew, 
 that an early fate only had prevented it. 
 
 It was then anticipated that curiosity might be awakened to know 
 something of the regulations under which the Society had been, and is 
 now, carried on ; the periods at which it flourished, or seemed to decline ; 
 its places of meeting ; its connexion with the University and its Patrons, 
 and other similar details of its history. But it was urged on the 
 Committee, that their undertaking would want its most interesting 
 feature, if they neglected to print all the subjects of debate, with the 
 names of those who opened the discussion, and the state of the vote on 
 each. The subjects which had engaged the attention of the best 
 educated youth of Scotland during the last eighty years would thus 
 pass in review, and the fluctuation of opinion would be indicated by 
 the varying result of the divisions. Questions, long agitated, would 
 be seen assuming their place among moral or political truisms, as truth 
 made its way, and prejudice lost ground ; while others, reappearing at 
 intervals, in new forms and connexions, might be considered as likely 
 to divide the opinions of mankind, so long as a diversity of feeling and 
 judgment is a law of our nature. It was even said, too, that tlic 
 historian and philosopher might be grateful for the addition which this 
 volume would make to his store of information as to the progress of 
 opinion and mental cultivation — the most important part of the recent 
 history of Scotland. And this seemed the less improbable, when 
 eminent men, who had been Members, were found speaking with so 
 much earnestness and confidence of the good efiiect which the Society 
 had had as a branch of their education ; and others, not Members, but 
 therefore in some respects even better qualified to judge, were known 
 to view such institutions as an important element in a system of 
 College instruction. Such testimonies it was, therefore, thought right 
 
INTRODUCTION. o 
 
 to collect into a separate chapter. And still the work was incomplete 
 without a correct, although necessarily brief review of some similar 
 institutions which existed before the Speculative, or arose after its 
 establishment. Lists of the Office-bearers, and of those who were 
 appointed in each Session to read the Introductory and Valedictory 
 discourses, completed the task, which has far exceeded in extent and 
 difficulty that which the Committee had proposed to themselves. They 
 were led on, step by step, till the work swelled from its first humble 
 shape to its present size ; and in this way the details of a juvenile 
 Debating Club have been allowed to occupy a spa«e which some may 
 be disposed to think disproportioned to the importance of the subject. 
 
 The following Sections correspond to the subjects suggested to the 
 Committee, as necessary for the completeness of the plan : — 
 
 I. Historical Review of other Debating Societies. 
 II. History of the Speculative Society. 
 
 III. Its present Constitution and Laws. 
 
 IV. Testimonies to the value of Debating Societies, and in par- 
 
 ticular of the Speculative. 
 V. The List of Members. 
 VI. The Subjects of Debate. 
 VII. Lists of Office-bearers, &c. 
 
I. 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW 
 
 OP 
 
 DEBATING SOCIETIES IN SCOTLAND. 
 
 In the Universities of Scotland, the advantages of training the 
 students to discuss controversially subjects connected with their studies, 
 and to practise public speaking, were early appreciated. Even before 
 the Reformation, it appears that in some of them, especially the 
 College of St. Andrews, the youths were frequently employed in 
 disputations and declamations, both privately in classes, and publicly 
 before the University. After the Reformation, a discipline of this 
 kind was enjoined by the statutes of all these Universities. But it 
 must be remembered, that the exercises so prescribed were invariably 
 conducted in presence of the Professors or Regents, and did not take 
 place in voluntary and private associations of the students themselves. 
 
 In describing the mode of teaching in the Theological Faculty at 
 St. Andrews, immediately after the Reformation, Dr. M'Crie tells us, 
 that during the intermission of the lectures from July to September, 
 " the students were exercised once a-week in theological disputations, 
 at which one of the Masters presided, and the rest were present, and 
 took a share in the debate. The disputants were exhorted to avoid 
 the altercation usually practised in the schools, and not to bite and 
 devour one another like dogs ! but to behave as men desirous of mutual 
 instruction, and as the servants of Christ, who ought not to strive, but 
 to be gentle to all."* The same system seems to have been adopted 
 
 • Life of Melville, vol. i. pp. 234, 235. 
 
ACCOUNT OF DEBATING SOCIETIES IN SCOTLAND. 5 
 
 in the other Universities; for, in describing the method of tuition 
 pursued at Edinburgh, Principal Lee states, that " in the fourth 
 Session, a great part of the time was occupied in the practice of 
 disputation. The Regent prescribed the subject, and every candidate 
 was matched with an antagonist, with whom it was necessary for him 
 to carry on a debate in presence of his teacher."* The Government 
 seems also at this time to have been anxious to promote a spirit of 
 inquiry and emulation among the academic youth ; for in the liberal 
 and enlightened plan of study recommended by Parliamentary Com- 
 missioners in 1579, for the University of St. Andrews, and which was 
 principally drawn up by Andrew Melville, then Principal of Glasgow 
 College, it was proposed that the students of the class of rhetoric, then 
 for the first time added to the course of philosophical study at this 
 University, should spend part of every day in composition, and during 
 the last half year, should declaim, or pronounce an oration, once every 
 month, in Latin and Greek alternately. It was at the same time 
 arranged that the students of theology " shall engage in public disputa- 
 tions every week ; declamations once a month ; and at three periods 
 during the course, a solemn examination shall take place, at which 
 every learned man shall be free to dispute." t These recommendations 
 and statutes were not sufiered to remain a dead letter J and their 
 enforcement was followed by the natural good efiect. The anxious 
 canvassing and sifting of opinions which were necessary before the 
 Reformation could drive out the deeply-rooted errors of ages, tended 
 to impart to the system of education pursued in our Universities an 
 earnestness and vigour previously unknown. And among other con- 
 curring causes which led to this result, may be mentioned, the indi- 
 vidual exertions and influence of Andrew Melville, Principal, first of 
 Glasgow College, and then of St. Mary's College at St. Andrews, and 
 
 * Introduction to Edinburgh Academic Annual for 1840, p. "iQ. 
 t Life of Melville, vol. i. pp. 241, 242. 
 
6 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 of Robert RoUock, Principal of the newly founded University of 
 Edinburgh. Possessed of learning and enlightened minds, they 
 laboured to diffuse a spirit of activity among their students ; and 
 their zeal and sagacity were crowned with success. The intellectual 
 improvement of the young men was soon apparent in their academic 
 eiforts, which rose far superior to what had been in comparison the 
 mere schoolboy tasks of the preceding period. Some of them have 
 been described as " elaborate specimens of learned productions."* And 
 yet it was not so much in amount of classical acquirement as in 
 increased vigour of mind, that the improvement and renewed energy 
 of our system of education shewed itself. The ardour of the youth 
 outstepped the confines which the statutes and regulations had pointed 
 out. In the University of St. Andrews in particular, there was formed 
 about this time a voluntary association of students, the members of 
 which used to assemble, like the Peripatetics of old, in the fields, and 
 there discuss questions of literature and philosophy, beyond the presence 
 and control, although probably not without the countenance, of their 
 Professors. A curious manuscript volume of exercises, prepared by 
 members of this Society, was discovered some years ago by Principal 
 Lee, and was deposited by him in the University Library at St. 
 Andrews. Referring to these exercises, the learned Principal writes 
 thus, " Many of these juvenile essays are Latin poems and dissertations, 
 exhibiting proofs of more than ordinary ability and taste. Several 
 others are Greek orations of considerable length ; others are Greek 
 poems of an hundred lines or more. Some of the writers rose to high 
 eminence ; and among the rest, Thomas Young, afterwards the tutor 
 of Milton." t 
 
 It was about the time of Rollock, that it became customary, in 
 graduating as Master of Arts at the University of Edinburgh, to 
 
 * Principal Lee. 
 
 + Introduction to Edinburgh Academic Annual for 1840, p. 30. 
 
ACCOUNT OF DEBATING SOCIETIES IN SCOTLAND. 
 
 publish a philosophical thesis, which was submitted to public disputa- 
 tion. The theses were originally prepared by the Regents of the 
 University, the candidates being required merely to maintain the 
 doctrines advanced in them. This custom was liable to many obvious 
 objections ; but there can be little doubt that it tended to sharpen the 
 faculties, and prepare the disputants for more successfully engaging in 
 public controversial discussion. More recently, the inaugural disserta- 
 tions were prepared, as well as defended, by the students ; and many 
 of these, still extant, are remarkable for ingenuity and elegance. The 
 practice, however, fell gradually into disuse ; and only a small number 
 of these addresses bear a date later than the middle of last century. 
 
 In course of time, the practice of declaiming and disputing in presence 
 of a Professor, and of publicly defending an inaugural dissertation, was 
 abandoned, and the statutes requiring it fell into desuetude. But it 
 was succeeded, after an interval, by one much better calculated to 
 promote originality of thought and independence of opinion — that of 
 private meetings for discussion and debate. It is worthy of remark, 
 that the first trace of these private associations was in connexion with 
 specific objects of scientific research ; those which took a more daring 
 flight into the regions of general speculation in philosophical and 
 political topics, were of a later date. In the year 1720, a Society was 
 founded in Edinburgh among the students of natural philosophy, for 
 the cultivation of subjects falling under that branch of science. In a 
 very few years, this Society amassed a valuable collection of books 
 relating to physical science, which has long since been incorporated 
 with the College Library. The Medical Society originated in 
 1734, and had the discussion of medical subjects for its principal 
 aim; its earliest records are dated in 1737, when it first assumed a 
 definite form. This admirable institution, which has contributed 
 materially to the education of a greater number of eminent medical 
 men than any other private institution in the empire, still exists in a 
 state of the highest efliciency. It obtained a Royal Charter in 177t*, 
 
8 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 and is possessed of a hall, a museum, and a singularly complete and 
 valuable library of medical and scientific works. It musters from 50 
 to 1 00 members at its meetings, and visiters are admitted under proper 
 regulations. Its earlier debates and experimental inquiries contributed 
 greatly to the foundation of the Edinburgh Medical School, to which, 
 for upwards of a century, it has proved a valuable auxiliary.* * 
 
 Stimulated probably by the success of the Medical Society, there 
 arose soon after various clubs among the students, both in Edinburgh 
 and Glasgow, which were short-lived, because ill regulated. They 
 attempted to combina conviviality with literary and philosophical 
 discussion ; and therefore it is probably not without reason that 
 Wodrow, the historian of the Church, condemns them. 
 
 Soon after this, a Society arose in Edinburgh, which, though of short 
 duration, was bright with distinguished names. In his life of Dr. 
 Robertson, Dugald Stewart says, " Nor was his ambition limited to the 
 attainment of the honours that reward the industry of the recluse 
 student ; anxious to distinguish himself by the utility of his labours in 
 that profession to which he had determined to devote his talents, and 
 looking forward, it is probable, to the active share he was afterwards 
 to take in the ecclesiastical policy of Scotland, he aspired to add to the 
 art of classical composition the powers of a persuasive and commanding 
 speaker. With this view, he united with some of his contemporaries, 
 during the last years of his attendance at College,t in the formation 
 of a Society, whose object was to cultivate the study of elocution, and 
 to prepare themselves, by the habits of extemporary discussion and 
 debate, for conducting the business of popular assemblies. Fortunately 
 for Dr. Robertson, he had here associates to contend with worthy of 
 
 * Farther details regarding this Institution are abstained from, because ample 
 information is given in the able and elegant " History of the Medical Society," printed 
 in 1820. 
 
 t He was at College from 1733 to 1741. 
 
ACCOOiT OP DEBATIXa SOCIEHES Df SCOTLAXD. 9 
 
 himaelf ; among othesa, Dr. William MKHiie, an ingenious joong 
 phjsidan, afterwards vdl known in London ; Mr. William Cl^;liom, 
 afterwards ProfessiH' <tf Moral ^ndloeofAj in Edinborgli; Dr. John 
 Blair, late Prebraidaiy of WeabninBter ; Dr. WiUde, anthor of the 
 Epigoniad ; and Mr. John Home, antbu' of the tragedjr of Dongas." 
 
 In 1754, the Select Society was fonned bj Allan Bamsay die poet, 
 and aiHue of his friends. It was intended partly for philosophical 
 inqniiy, and partly to exooae the nembeis in pablie peaking. It 
 flourished for six or seven yeua, and vas attended by many edehated 
 men ; bat it was not connected with the University, and the membeis 
 were moch beyond the age of stadents.* 
 
 At last, in 1 764, the ^lecolative Society arose ; bat before f«w™g 
 on to its paiticalar histoiy, it will be interesting to notice — and a 
 mere notice will be sufficient — the leading institations of a kindred 
 nature, which came into existence sab^nent to its establishment. 
 
 Of those still in existence, the following may be named : — 
 
 The Juridical Soeitty, institnted in 1773. It is composed exclu- 
 sivdy of young men in training for, or already belonging to, one of 
 the branches of the kgal profession. Its debates are chiefly on paints 
 of law. They are opened by two monbers; an opinion is read by 
 another ; and after the subject is fully discussed, the President sums 
 up the arguments, and a vote is taken. Every third night an essay is 
 read, and a debate takes ^aoe on matters not of a legal charact^. 
 The Society possesses a hall and library, its own property. Its 
 meetings are strictly private. It has compiled and publi^ied a sjston 
 4^ conveyancing under the title of '^ The Juridical Society's Styles," 
 which has most justly attained the paeitk» of a standard work. 
 
 Tke Royal Pkytieal Sdaety is, as its name denotes, devoted to the 
 cultivation of Physical science. Strangers are admitted, on the intro- 
 duction of a member, to hear the papers read, and the di^osdons which 
 
 * Stevaif s Life of Robntson. 
 B 
 
'** HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 take place. It arose from the junction, in 1782, of the Medico- 
 Chirurgical and the Physico-Chirurgical Societies, formed in 1767, 
 and 1771, respectively. In 1784, a hall was built for its meetings ; 
 and in 1788, it was incorporated by a Charter from the Crown. 
 
 The Dialectic Society was instituted in 1787, and " meets every 
 Saturday evening during winter, for the prosecution of literary and 
 philosophical composition, criticism, and debate." 
 
 The Diagnostic Society was instituted in 1816, and meets on 
 Thursday evenings for similar objects. 
 
 The Scots Law Society was instituted in 1 8 1 5, and meets on Monday 
 evenings " for the discussion of legal and literary questions." 
 
 The Hunterian Medical Society was instituted in 1826, and has 
 nearly the same objects and constitution with the Royal Medical. 
 
 In 1833, the five Societies last named were united as "The Asso- 
 ciated Societies of the University of Edinburgh." A hall in the 
 University was set apart exclusively for their use. They have an 
 annual collective meeting, when a debate on some question of general 
 interest takes place. 
 
 Besides these, there are several Societies connected with the Divinity 
 Hall, for the discussion of points in Theology, Church History, and 
 Biblical Criticism. 
 
 In reference to the Societies not now in existence, the following 
 remarks by the authors of the History of the Medical Society are per- 
 tinent and just. " The great and increasing number of students which 
 the rising celebrity of the Edinburgh School of Physic attracted to that 
 University, during the last forty years of the eighteenth century, gave 
 birth to many scientific associations, analogous in constitution and 
 design ; which, under the powerful excitement of mutual example, 
 maintained an ardent and honourable contest for fame and independ- 
 ence. The restlessness of activity, the desire of selection, the prefer- 
 ence for particular studies, and in some instances, perhaps, the partiality 
 of national or even of personal feeling, were the probable causes of the 
 
ACCOUNT OF DEBATING SOCIETIES IN SCOTLAND. 1 1 
 
 minute distribution of labour and interest which now took place ; and 
 to a certain extent, no doubt, the detached exertions and liberal emula- 
 tion of communities, as well as of individuals, may be productive of 
 mutual benefit. But experience has shown, that the social stream, if 
 branched out into too many channels, becomes languid and inefficient. 
 Like the fasces of authority, which lose their force and dignity by 
 separation, so the talents and resources which might command prospe- 
 rity in the aggregate, are found unequal to secure stability when broken 
 into feeble detail. Accordingly, the greater part of the Societies which 
 multiplied during the period above mentioned, after a longer or shorter 
 career of vigour and activity, proportioned to the importance of their 
 objects, and the ability with which they were conducted, unable to 
 sustain the intervals of depression to which all establishments of this 
 kind seem occasionally liable, either finally dissolved, or, resigning their 
 form and title, still preserved the connexion of their members by gra- 
 dually reuniting into a single and accumulating body." In speaking 
 of the Royal Physical Society, they continue, " it has afforded a liberal 
 asylum to many of the expiring Associations above mentioned, who 
 might justly prefer such an euthanasia to the calamity of a total disso- 
 lution ; and by the serviceable addition of their numbers and effects on 
 the several occasions of their junction, seemed in some measure to merit 
 the protection which they demanded. As it would neither be interesting 
 nor easy to give a particular account of each of these fraternities, the gene- 
 ral nature of which is indeed pretty clearly indicated by their respective 
 appellations, it may be sufficient to state that the Chirurgico-Physical 
 Society, having in vain sought security by a coalition with the American 
 Physical, the two together were united to the Royal Physical Society 
 in 1796 ; subsequently to which the Hibernian Medical in 1799, the 
 Chemical in 1802, and the Natural History Society in 1812, have suc- 
 cessively obtained a similar benefit."* 
 
 * History of the Medical Society, p. 47. 
 
12 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Of tbc other extinct Societies, the following deserve to be men- 
 tioned. 
 
 The Literary Society, of wiiich Sir Walter Scott was a member in 
 1789-90, and where he read an Essay on the Feudal System, which he 
 afterwards expanded for Dugald Stewart's Class, and subsequently for 
 the Speculative.* Six years later Dr. Thomas Brown became a mem- 
 ber, and took an active share in the discussions. 
 
 The Academy of Physics lasted from 1797 to 1800, and of it Dr. 
 AVelsh, in his Life of Dr. Brown, gives the following account: — 
 
 " In 1797, a few members of the Literary Society formed themselves 
 into another Association more select, to which they gave the name of 
 the Academy of Physics. The object of this institution was somewhat 
 more ambitious than that of the former, and is set forth in the minute 
 of their first meeting ' to be the investigation of nature, the laws by 
 which her phenomena are regulated, and the history of opinions con- 
 cerning these laws.' At this meeting, which was held on the 7th of 
 •January, there were present Messrs. Erskine, Brougham, Reddie, 
 Brown, Rogerson, Birbeck, Logan, and Leyden. These gentlemen 
 were afterwards joined by Lord Webb Seymour, Messrs. Horner, Jef- 
 frey, Smith, Gillespie, and many others. 
 
 " For some lime the Society proceeded with great spirit; and in 
 the papers that were read, and in the conversation that took place 
 upon them, were sown the germs that afterwards developed them- 
 selves in works that have occupied much of the public attention. 
 Among the most active of the members were Messrs. Brougham, Hor- 
 ner, and Dr. Brown, and the institution owed much to the philosophic 
 spirit and excellent sense of Mr. Keddie. Dr. Brown having been 
 Secretary to the Society at the time it was dissolved, the various docu- 
 ments connected with it were found among his papers. » * * * 
 The meetings of the Society continued with considerable regularity 
 
 * Life by Lockhart, vol. i., p. 152-73. 
 
 « 
 
ACCOUNT OF DEBATING SOCIETIES IN SCOTLAND. 1 3 
 
 about three years, when, from various causes, the interest that was 
 taken in it began to decline. The last entry in the minute book, is of 
 date 1st May 1800. It is written in pencil, and is as follows : — ' Pre- 
 sent Lord Webb Seymour, Messrs. Brougham, Reddie, Copland, Hor- 
 ner, Brown, Bennet, Craig, Lang.' 
 
 " Some articles were read from the Memoirs relating to Egypt, by 
 the learned men who accompanied the French expedition." 
 
 About the year 1800, the Chemical Society was projected by Lord 
 Brougham, Dr. John Thomson, and Francis Horner. Frequent refer- 
 ences are made to it in the diary of the latter, who seems to have 
 attended regularly for some winters. Lord "Webb Seymour seems also 
 to have been a member.* After flourishing for some time it was incor- 
 porated with the Physical. 
 
 The Academical Society was instituted towards the end of last century, 
 and for about twenty years was carried on with great spirit on a plan 
 nearly resembling that of the Speculative, and several of the best mem- 
 bers of the latter had a preparatory training in the former. Among its 
 members may be mentioned Lord Cockburn, the late Reverend Dr. 
 Andrew Thomson, and Peter Brougham, brother of the celebrated 
 Henry, a young man of whom his contemporaries say that his talents 
 and virtues justified the most sanguine hopes of his future career, and 
 that he was prevented by early death alone from adding to the renown 
 of his family. This Society, besides others of note, contained Andrew 
 Rutherfurd, Esq., lately Lord Advocate, and now one of the leaders of 
 the Scottish Bar. 
 
 The Didactic Society, an institution with exactly similar objects with 
 the Speculative, and which drew its members from the same class of 
 students, was founded in 1802, and was dissolved about 1827. Its 
 application for a charter or seal of cause, created some alarm in the 
 Speculative Society in 1810. 
 
 * Life of Francis Homer, vol. i., p. HI, &c. 
 
14 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 The Select Society, originating about 1811-12, seems to have become 
 extinct about 1818. Its objects were much the same with those of the 
 Speculative ; but the debates seem to have turned more exclusively on 
 the political topics of the day, a fact sufficient to account for the brevity 
 of its career. 
 
 The Select Forensic Society/ was instituted in 1813, and terminated 
 its career in 1 833. Its objects were very similar to those of the Socie- 
 ties last mentioned. 
 
 The Classical Society, springing out of an association of students 
 from the High School, flourished from 1827 to 1840. It was modelled 
 on the Speculative, but was composed of somewhat younger men ; and, 
 as in the case of the Academical, several of its members afterwards 
 joined the Speculative. 
 
 A Physico-Mathematical Society, in connexion more immediately 
 with the Natural Philosophy Class at the University, was instituted in 
 1836. Its objects were " to hear papers and hold discussions on sub- 
 jects connected with mathematical and physical science, and to have 
 experiments and observations made to illustrate the same." Its meet- 
 ings were held for three winters, but were discontinued when the stu- 
 dents, who originally formed it, were dispersed. 
 
 Thus there is no branch of study, not even that of the exact sciences, 
 whose youthful votaries have not taken this mode for its cultivation and 
 their own improvement. This succession of voluntary Associations of 
 Students for mental improvement, is very characteristic of, and very 
 honourable to the Universities of Scotland, and chiefly to that of Edin- 
 burgh, where these intellectual gymnasia have principally flourished. 
 It shows that these Colleges are neither slavish nor bigoted ; that they 
 feel no interest in suppressing freedom of thought or of discussion ; and 
 that, provided there be a due observance of decorum, they wisely deem 
 the literary, philosophical, or oratorical effervescence of their youth, the 
 best evidence of their own tendency to produce active and intelligent 
 minds. 
 
ACCOUNT OF DEBATING SOCIETIES IN SCOTLAND. 15 
 
 These Societies, however, have certainly been more numerous than 
 they should have been ; for even when the College of Edinburgh had 
 about 2000 students, which was its ordinary complement till within the 
 last few years, a smaller number would have afforded sufficient excite- 
 ment to the youth, and an ample field for their energies, and it is gene- 
 rally better to have an adequate variety of fixed and authoritative in- 
 stitutions, than a needless growth of such aa are temporary and uniiff- 
 portant. But in any considerable community of inquisitive students, 
 there will alwaj's be individuals, or sets, ambitious of founding their 
 own establisliments. And while the originators keep together, their 
 very rivalry with older and better institutions, may carry them on 
 through a certain period of energy and usefulness. But no sooner are 
 the moving spirits withdrawn, than the Society begins to sink, and 
 having no real foundation in necessity, speedily disappears. 
 
II. 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 OP 
 
 THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 The Speculative Society was instituted on the 1 7th of November 
 1764, by six young gentlemen,, who were pursuing their studies at the 
 University of Edinburgh, the eldest of whom had not attained majority. 
 They were — 
 
 William Creech. 
 
 Allan Maconociiie. 
 
 Alexander Belshes. 
 
 John Bruce. 
 
 John Bonar. 
 
 John Mackenzie. 
 
 The first ordinary meeting was held on Friday, the 23d of November, 
 when Mr. Creech read an essay on the advantages of literary institu- 
 tions ; and the first rude draft of the laws was approved of. 
 
 In the zeal and sound judgment of these its founders, we find one 
 principal cause of the success and stability of the institution. Their 
 zeal is conspicuous in the long period of their attendance, and the 
 large amount of laborious duty which they performed. None of them 
 attended for less than six years ; some for not less than ten. None of 
 them read fewer than five essays ; Mr. Maconochie and Mr. Bruce 
 each read twelve ; and Mr. Bonar, still more devoted in his labours, 
 read fourteen, and, in addition, filled the office of Secretary and 
 
HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 17 
 
 Treasurer with the greatest assiduity for seven years. Their judgment 
 is attested by the fact, that all the essential principles in the constitu- 
 tion of the Society remain unchanged, after the lapse of eighty years. 
 During all that time, it has been in the hands of an ever-changing 
 succession of young men, by no means averse to innovation, or super- 
 stitiously observant of the wisdom of their ancestors ; and yet it has 
 uodergone nothing approaching to an organic change, and even most of 
 the minor alterations which were made, took place under the eye of the 
 founders themselves. Thus, admission of members by ballot, very 
 limited numbers, strict exclusion of strangers, and compulsory attend- 
 ance and fulfilment of duty, have, from its earliest years, been parts of 
 the constitution. The times of meeting, one evening a- week during 
 the winter and spring months — the business done, an essay read and 
 criticised, followed by a debate, individual taste dictating the subject of 
 the essay, the Society itself resolving on that of the debate — the 
 character of the debates, historical, literary, and political — and the 
 nature of the Society itself, which has no resemblance whatever to a 
 political club, but is confined to academical exercise and speculation — 
 still remain unchanged, to bear witness to the good sense which guided 
 its original constructors. And it is no small proof of their sagacity, 
 that they did not make the cessation of regular ordinary attendance 
 terminate the connexion of a member with the institution. A certain 
 period of attendance as an ordinary member, with the digckarge of the 
 duties attached to that position, qualified for extraordinary privileges; 
 on obtaining which, the candidate, without the performance of any 
 subsequent duty, continued a member, and could ever afterwards assist 
 the Society by his voluntary presence or advice, and might still share 
 at pleasure in the ordinary business. This system subsists still, af in 
 most other well regulated institutions of the same kind, and has been 
 found of the very greatest advantage. It connects the youthful and 
 inexperienced beginner with the expert debater, and brings usefully 
 together the student and those who are commencing the active duties 
 
 c 
 
18 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 of life. It also tends to check injudicious innovation, and gives the 
 Society the protection of authority. Nothing but a wise combination 
 of these principles could have enabled an institution, even of such 
 inherent usefulness, to weather the storms which, during the period of 
 its endurance, have wrecked so many rival establishments. 
 
 The time during which the founders attended its meetings, may be 
 considered as the first period in the history of the Society. It embraces, 
 as we have seen, about ten years. In the course of the first Session, 
 these adventurers were joined by twelve others ; in the second, by 
 four; and in subsequent years, by from five to twelve annually. In 
 place of any anxiety being displayed during the first years to swell 
 the numbers by indiscriminate admission, which, in the infancy of the 
 scheme, might have been expected and pardoned, there was exercised 
 a singularly judicious caution in selection. It was necessary for a 
 candidate to have the written recommendation of two members ; but 
 even with this attestation, the request was decided on by ballot ; and 
 the result proved fatal to not a few petitions. One example of this 
 prudent care occurred in the first meeting of the second Session, when 
 each member was balloted for anew ; several were readmitted only by 
 a majority of votes, and two, who had probably made themselves 
 obnoxious, were excluded. The salutary effects that followed from its 
 being known that admission was no matter of course, soon became so 
 conspicuous that the same jealousy has ever since been exercised. 
 Nor was any toleration extended to indolence or carelessness; and 
 hence the great number of resignations, and of expulsions for absence 
 without excuse or neglect to read essays, which marked the first years 
 of the Society's progress. 
 
 The number of resident members was at first limited to twenty; 
 but in 1769, the maximum was enlarged to twenty-five; the average 
 attendance was considerably within that number. The quorum 
 required to assemble, before a meeting could proceed to business, was 
 
HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. I 9 
 
 seven. Each member read an essay in rotation, whicli was criticised ; 
 then came the debate, one member being appointed in rotation to 
 open the discussion, and a second, named by the President, to take the 
 opposite side. During the first three or four Sessions, a debate, and 
 what was termed an inquiry, took place on alternate meetings ; the 
 latter being a subject of discussion which did not present two distinctly 
 opposite sides, but admitted of a variety of views, such as, " What is 
 the best duration of Parliaments ? " " What are the causes of corrup- 
 tion of morals in large cities ?" During the first four years, a regular 
 part of the business was a prescribed exercise in elocution ; two of the 
 members being appointed each evening to " read pieces of English 
 before the Society." This practice, which must always partake of the 
 nature of an exhibition, was discontinued in 1768. But the elocution 
 of speakers and of readers, although a subject to be delicately touched, 
 has never been considered as beyond the reach of criticism. 
 
 It was also one of the early laws, that " if any member has met 
 with any thing new or curious in the course of his reading, he may 
 give an account thereof to the Society." The minutes do not enable us 
 to state whether this mode of establishing a common stock of informa- 
 tion was ever put in practice ; but if it was, it was soon discontinued, 
 and the law expunged from the code. 
 
 During the first two Sessions, the meetings were held on Friday 
 evenings ; during the four following, on Wednesday evenings ; and it was 
 not till 1770, that Tuesday was finally fixed on. The propriety of the 
 choice has been proved by invariable adherence to it ever since ; and a 
 sort of consecration surrounds the Tuesday evenings iu the minds of all 
 true lovers of the Speculative. Each Session was opened by an intro- 
 ductory, and concluded by a valedictory, address ; a practice which, 
 with occasional intermissions, has continued to the present time. If a 
 member was obliged to leave Edinburgh, he had to intimate this to the 
 Society, on which he obtained leave of absence ; but was permitted to 
 resume his seat upon his return, his name being in the meantime dropt 
 
20 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 from the roll of resident members. After attendance for four years, 
 and performance of duty, the privileges of an honorary or extraor- 
 dinary member might be sought by petition, and conferred by a vote 
 taken by ballot. 
 
 During this period, the meetings were attended by several men who 
 afterwards attained to great eminence in various paths of distinction. 
 Charles Hay, Lord Newton ; Alexander Tytler, Lord Woodhouselee ; 
 the late Sir Gilbert Blane, M.D. ; Dr. James Gregory ; Dr. Andrew 
 Duncan ; Dr. William Buchan ; Lord Robertson ; and Hugo Arnot, 
 Advocate, all entered zealously into every part of the business. Many 
 other distinguished men attended, but less regularly ; such as Lord 
 Hermand, Professor Playfair, Sir John Sinclair, the late Lord Chief 
 Commissioner Adam, the Rev. Sir Henry Moncreiff, Principal George 
 Hill, Dr. David Pitcairn, Dr. Andrew Marshall, and Colonel William 
 FuUartou. These, with few exceptions, entered the Society between 
 the ages of sixteen and twenty-one ; and those first mentioned con- 
 tinued their attendance for four years and upwards, read several 
 essays, and retired with the rank of honorary members. 
 
 The Minutes contain no information as to where the meetings were 
 held previous to 1769, and it has been found impossible to ascertain 
 this. But, in that year, the Society obtained a hall within the area of 
 the College — an important event ; for it gave to it both permanence 
 and respectability. 
 
 In April 1769, a Committee was appointed to negociate with the 
 Town Council, the patrons of the University. The Committee applied 
 for permission to erect a building 28 feet long, and 23 feet wide, 
 at the expense of the Society, on a vacant part of the area, on 
 condition that it was to be removed if the ground should be needed 
 for the erection of the new College buildings, then in contempla- 
 tion as a somewhat remote undertaking. A Committee of the 
 Town Council having reported that the proposed building would not 
 injure the College, but " rather beautify the same," the desired 
 
HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 21 
 
 permission was given, and the hall was erected. The expense, 
 amounting to £[64i, was defrayed partly by subscription, and partly 
 from the funds. In 1775, permission was farther given, on the same 
 condition, to build a lobby, and £50 more was expended in its 
 erection. 
 
 At an extraordinary meeting held on the 2eth March 1770, the rule 
 against the admission of strangers was relaxed by a special vote in 
 favour of Principal Robertson, as an expression of thanks for the coun- 
 tenance and protection with which he had honoured the Institution, and 
 two days after, he attended as a visitor. The following extract from 
 a posthumous work of the Lord Chief Commissioner -\dam, alludes to 
 this incident : — " The new Speculative Society room was ready for the 
 reception of the Society in the winter of 176.9-70. As a proper and 
 respectful return to Ur. Robertson, for the manner in which he had 
 procured us the site for our building, we invited him to attend a 
 debate. Strangers are never admitted ; so that this increased the 
 compliment intended to the Principal of the University. The subject 
 of debate was the ' Benefits or disadvantages of a Militia Force.' 
 After the speaking of the members was exhausted, he addressed the 
 Society in a very elegant and kind speech, applauding what we had 
 done, and pointing out views of future improvement." On the 2d 
 May, a vote of thanks was also carried to the Right Honourable 
 James Stewart, Lord Provost of the City, and a hope expressed for 
 the continuance of his protection. 
 
 New members have always paid entrance -money, and all ordinary 
 members an annual contribution. The entrance-money at first was 
 only one shilling and sixpence. During the second Session, it rose to 
 two shillings and sixpence ; which was also the amount of the annual 
 payment. The half-crown was next changed into a whole one ; and, 
 on the Society's incurring the expense of a hall, it was raised to a 
 guinea; and for some years the annual contribution was the same, 
 until the debt was paid, when it was lowered to teu and sixpence. 
 
22 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 These details may be thought homely and trifling, but so in themselves 
 are many other circumstances which yet possess no little value from 
 their connexion with some important object. Debating Societies in 
 union with a College — social disputation combined with academic 
 study — being one of the safest as well as most effective inventions for 
 the intellectual excitement of educated youth, every thing occurring 
 in the progress of an Institution which has singularly succeeded in 
 attaining that end, and which may tend to instruct similar establish- 
 ments, is of sufficient importance to deserve being mentioned. 
 
 The next period in the history of the Society is from 1774, to 1780. 
 During these years the members diminished, and in 1777 a Committee 
 was appointed to consider how it might best be restored to its former 
 flourishing state. And yet so vigorous was it even in decline, that in 
 1778 we find a sum of one hundred guineas voted to the fund for 
 raising the Edinburgh corps of Volunteers, and made up by the con- 
 tributions of the members. In 1779, it was found necessary to recruit, 
 by dispensing with the entrance-money for that Session. But this 
 temporary reverse was succeeded by an unusual degree of prosperity ; 
 for, in 1780, there was such an accession of members, that the maxi- 
 mum was raised to thirty, a number which it has never since been 
 permitted to exceed. 
 
 In this time of comparative reverse, several very distinguished men 
 took an active part in the business. Professor Dugald Stewart ; Sir 
 William Miller, Lord Glenlee ; Baron Hume ; William Tait, Advo- 
 cate ; and John Clerk, Lord Eldin, entered the Society at the age of 
 eighteen or twenty, and after diligent attendance for three, four, or 
 five years, were made extraordinary or honorary members. Several 
 young strangers, too, who had been attracted to Edinburgh by the 
 fame of its medical school, and who afterwards became eminent, 
 attended for one or two Sessions. Dr. William Drennan, Dr. Wells, 
 Drs. Lister, Percival, and Currie, and Drs. William and Robert 
 
HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 23 
 
 Cleghorn, were among these ; and we may add the names of Prince 
 Dasehkaw, and of two distinguished soldiers, General Samuel Graham, 
 and General Sir Thomas Maitland. 
 
 In connexion with this period, and with the revered name of 
 Dugald Stewart, the following curious circumstance may be mentioned. 
 The first Essay read by Mr. Stewart in the Society, aa will be seen 
 from the List of Members, was " on Dreaming." In one of the notes 
 to the first volume of his Philosophy of the Human Mind, that great 
 philosopher says, evidently referring to the Essay read in the Specu- 
 lative, " The foregoing observations on the state of the mind in sleep, 
 and on the phenomena of dreaming, were written so long ago as the 
 year 1 772 ; and were read (nearly in the form in which they are now 
 published) in the year 1773, in a private literary society in this 
 University." In the following note on the same subject, he adds, 
 " The speculations concerning the human mind, which I have ventured 
 to present to the public, all took their rise from the subject to which 
 this note refers. The observations which I have stated with respect to 
 it in the text (excepting a very few paragraphs since added), were 
 written at the age of eighteen, and formed a part of the first philoso- 
 phical essay which I recollect to have attempted. The same essay 
 contained the substance of what I have introduced in chapter third, 
 concerning the belief accompanying conception,, and of the remarks 
 stated in the third section of chapter fifth, on the extent of the power 
 which the mind has over the train of its thoughts. When I was 
 afterwards led professionally, at the distance of many years, to resume 
 the same studies, this short manuscript was almost the only memorial 
 I had preserved of these favourite pursuits of my early youth ; and 
 from the views which it recalled to me, insensibly arose the analysis I 
 have since undertaken of our intellectual faculties in general." 
 
 During the next epoch, which extends from 1780 to 1788, the 
 ranks were crowded, and the Society flourishing. In the former year 
 
24 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 the quorum was raised from seven to nine, and was not limited again 
 to the lower number until 1791. Dugald Stewart occupies the most 
 prominent place in the last period ; Sir James Mackintosh in this. He 
 attended for three Sessions, and with worthy associates ; for Charles 
 Hope, John Wylde, Malcolm Laing, Thomas Addis Emmett, Benja- 
 min Constant, Lewis Grant, and Adam Gillies, were his companions 
 and rivals. Sir James' own recollections of this part of his life, at 
 the distance of twenty years, and in another quarter of the globe, 
 shew how powerfully the Speculative Society had contributed to the 
 formation of his mind. After mentioning the great men who attracted 
 so many students to Edinburgh, Dr. Smith, Dr. Black, Dr. Cullen, 
 Dr. Robertson, Henry Mackenzie, John Home, Dr. Hutton, and 
 describing the eagerness with which he engaged in debates in the 
 Medical Society, he proceeds thus — " These debates might no doubt be 
 laughed at by a spectator, but if he could look through the ridiculous 
 exterior, he might see that they led to serious and excellent conse- 
 quences. The exercise of the understanding was the same, on what- 
 ever subjects, or in whatever manner it was employed. Such debates 
 were the only public examinations in which favour could have no 
 place, and which never could degenerate into mere formality ; they 
 must always be severe, and always just. 
 
 " I was soon admitted a member of the Speculative Society, which 
 had general literature and science for its objects. It had been founded 
 about twenty years before ; and during that time numbered among its 
 members all the distinguished youth of Scotland, as well as many 
 foreigners attracted to Edinburgh by its medical school. 
 
 " When I became a member, the leaders were Charles Hope, now 
 Lord Justice-Clerk ; John Wylde, afterwards Professor of Civil Law, 
 and who has now, alas ! survived his own fertile and richly endowed 
 mind ; Malcolm Laing, the historian — ' the scourge of impostors, the 
 terror of quacks ;' Baron Constant de Rebecque, a Swiss of singular 
 manners and powerful talents, and who made a transient appearance in 
 
HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 2.5 
 
 the tempestuous atmosphere of the French Revolutions ;* Adam Gillies, 
 a brother of the historian, and a lawyer in great practice at Edinburgh ; 
 Lewis Grant, eldest son of Sir James Grant, then a youth of great pro- 
 mise, afterwards member of Parliament for the county of Elgin, and 
 Thomas Addis Emmett, who soon after quitted physic for law, and 
 became distinguished at the Irish bar." After the more detailed notices 
 of these members, which are quoted under their names in the List, Sir 
 James continues — " Upon the whole they were a combination of young 
 men more distinguished than are usually found in one university at the 
 same time ; and the subsequent fortune of some of them, almost as sin- 
 gular as their talents, is a curious specimen of the revolutionary times 
 in which I have lived. When I was in Scotland in 1801, Constant 
 was a Tribune in France, Charles Hope, Lord Advocate, and Emmett, 
 his former companion, a prisoner under his control ! 
 
 " My first speech was in the Speculative Society. It was against 
 the Slave Trade, which Dr. Skeete, a West Indian physician, attempted 
 to defend. My first essay was on the Religion of Ossian. I main- 
 tained that the belief of a separate existence of heroes must always 
 have prevailed for some time before hero worship ; that the greatest 
 men must be long dead, believed to exist in another region, and con- 
 sidered as objects of reverence before they are raised to the rank of 
 deities ; that Ossian wrote at this stage in the progress of superstition ; 
 and that, if Christianity had not been so soon introduced, his Trenmor 
 and Fingal might have grown into the Saturn and Jupiter of the Cale- 
 donians. Constant complimented me for the ingenuity of the hypo- 
 thesis ; but said that he believed Macpherson to have been afraid of 
 inventing a religion for his Ossian." 
 
 The account which Mackintosh gives of the state of mind amongst 
 the students at this time, is also full of interest ; though it may be sus- 
 
 * This was, of course, written long before M. Constant laid ttie foundation of a more 
 durable fame. 
 
 D 
 
26 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 pected that he reasons too much from his own case. H« acknowledges 
 himself to have been rather a disdainful speculator, and probably sup- 
 poses others to have been as intrepid as himself. If read without this 
 caution, it might be supposed from the following passage that his 
 opinion of the tendency of such institutions was not favourable ; a con- 
 clusion unquestionably the very reverse of his real opinion. 
 
 " I am not ignorant of what Edinburgh then was — I may truly say 
 that it is not easy to conceive a University where industry was more 
 general, where reading was more fashionable, where indolence and 
 ignorance were more disreputable. Every mind was in a state of fer- 
 mentation. The direction of mental activity will not indeed be uni- 
 versally approved. It certainly was very much, though not exclu- 
 sively, directed towards metaphysical inquiries. Accurate and applic- 
 able knowledge was deserted for speculations not susceptible of cer- 
 tainty, nor of any immediate reference to the purposes of life. Strength 
 was exhausted in vain leaps to catch what is too high for our reach. 
 Youth, the season of humble diligence, was often wasted in vast and 
 fruitless projects. Speculators could not remain submissive learners. 
 Those who will learn, must for a time trust their teachers, and believe 
 in their superiority. But they who too early think for themselves, 
 must sometimes think themselves wiser than their masters ; from 
 whom they can no longer gain any thing valuable. Docility is thus 
 often extinguished, when education is scarcely begun. It is vain to 
 deny the reality of these inconveniences, and of other most serious 
 danger to the individual and the community, from a speculative 
 tendency (above all) so early impressed on the minds of youth." 
 
 Much benefit was derived during this period from the services of 
 Mr. James Bonar, who, besides taking an active part in the literary 
 business, fulfilled the duties of Secretary from 1777 till 1786. 
 
 In 1782, the early death of one of the members, Mr. Jacob Pattison, 
 from Essex, seems to have been felt as a premature blighting of genius, 
 which would have placed him on the same level with the eminent men 
 
HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 27 
 
 who adorned this ])eriod. He was, at the time of his death, a Presi- 
 dent, not only of the Speculative, but also of the Medical and Physical 
 Societies ; and these three bodies united to erect a monument to his 
 memory. An engraving of this, and the elegant Latin inscription 
 which it bears, was placed in the hall, where it still continues to testify 
 the respect which his fellow-students had entertained for him. 
 
 Among ether strangers, many Irish students at this time resided for 
 study in Edinburgh. In 1783, Mr. Thomas Addis Emmett, on the part 
 of the Historical Society of Trinity College, Dublin, proposed that a 
 member of either Society should, on producing proper certificates of mem- 
 bership, be permitted to attend the meetings of the other. The proposal 
 was agreed to, and during the following twenty years, members of the 
 Historical Society occasionally presented their certificates, and spoke 
 and voted, and even read papers at the meetings of the Speculative. 
 But in 1806, the connexion was dissolved, partly because the His- 
 torical had split into two parties, and partly because the intercourse 
 had done no good. 
 
 In 1 784 it was resolved, that attendance for three Sessions, and the 
 reading of three Essays, should be sufficient to entitle to petition for 
 the privileges of an extraordinary member. Although the labours were 
 thus somewhat lightened, the performance of the conditions was at 
 this time no mere matter of form, but was very rigorously enforced. 
 In the same year, on the motion of Basil Lord Daer, the Society 
 agreed to devote part of the funds to the purchase of a Library. In 
 the course of two years nearly £200 was laid out on books, and a 
 collection of rare pamphlets. In 1786, the entrance-money was raised 
 to a guinea and a-half. In 1788, a motion was carried that Mr. 
 Woods of the theatre should read pieces from English authors in the 
 hall once a-week, to such members as wished to attend. Notwith- 
 standing an indignant protest by a minority, this resolution was carried 
 into effect ; and that it was found of use, may be inferred from the 
 propo.sal being renewed at the commencement of the following Session. 
 
28 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Whether it was again acted upon, the Minutes do not state. The most 
 important innovation, however, during these years, was the success of 
 a motion, in 1783, that " when the debate is ended, the sense of the 
 Society be taken by a division, the result to be inserted in the 
 minutes." This course has ever since been followed ; nor can the 
 present members well understand how the interest of a debate could be 
 kept alive without the prospect of its being closed by a vote. 
 
 The eight Sessions, from 1789 to 1796 inclusive, mark themselves 
 into a separate portion of our narrative, chiefly by the great depression 
 of the Society. In the course of these eight years, there were only 
 forty-three new members, that is about five annually ; and the meet- 
 ings were frequently prevented from taking place by the want of a 
 quorum ; yet its business was regularly and keenly entered into, not 
 only by David Boyle, now Lord President of the Supreme Civil and 
 Criminal Courts of Scotland ; by Dr. John Thomson, and Dr. John 
 Allen, but by Walter Scott and Francis Jeffrey. Jeffrey's speeches 
 were sometimes addressed, and Scott's essays read, to meetings of seven 
 or eight. 
 
 This apparent deadness, when there was so much life and energy 
 within, appears, from the remedies suggested, to have been owing 
 almost entirely to the political condition of the times. The Revolution 
 in France, and its consequences, brought all free discussion into dis- 
 credit ; and there were then some circumstances in the state of Scotland 
 which caused even the association of a few young gentlemen, assembling 
 weekly for private debate, under the control of an ancient established 
 College, to be looked upon by many with no very kindly eye. 
 
 In December 1794, Mr. Scott moved, and Mr. Jeffrey seconded, 
 that a general meeting should be called to consider the declining state 
 of the Society, and what measures ought to be adopted for its support. 
 At this meeting a Committee was appointed, which, among other 
 suggestions in the Report it presented, recommended " that the Society 
 
HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 29 
 
 at the present juncture should be cautious in admitting, as subjects of 
 discussion or debate, the political topics of the day." This suggestion 
 was complied with, and political topics, hitherto 'but sparingly intro- 
 duced, were now altogether banished. Notwithstanding this and other 
 exertions, the " Summer Committee," in reporting in November 1796, 
 are obliged to mention the steps which they had taken to bring the 
 Society out of " the state of inactivity, aj)proaching near to dissolu- 
 tion," into which it had fallen, and that a rumour having gone abroad 
 that it was shut up, they had had the hall put into thorough repair ; and 
 they now exhorted the members " to unremitted individual exertion, 
 and to attend to decorum, and to have that respect for the opinions of 
 each other, which alone could prevent remissness of preparation " 
 The decline, however, consisted solely in paucity of members. There 
 could be no decline of spirit, where such youths tried their minds 
 against each other. Even the insinuated deficiency of deference and 
 decorum indicates any thing but dulness. It is also probable that the 
 more constant and arduous exertion which was necessarily imposed on 
 the few who sustained the debates, was a salutary training, and called 
 forth their full mental energies. 
 
 Sir Walter Scott acted as Secretary from 1791 to 1795. His con- 
 duct and appearance in this situation are thus described by his biogra- 
 pher, " He took, for several winters, an ardent interest in the Society. 
 Very soon after his admission ( 1 8th January 1791), he was elected 
 their Librarian ; and in the November following, he became also their 
 Secretary antl Treasurer ; all which appointments indicate the reliance 
 placed on his careful habits of business, the fruit of his chamber educa- 
 tion. The minutes kept in his hand-writing attest the strict regularity 
 of his attention to the small attairs, literary and financial, of the Club ; 
 but they shew alsOj as do all his early letters, a strange carelessness in 
 spelling. His constant good temper softened the asperities of debate ; 
 while his multifarious lore, and the quaint humour which enlivened its 
 display, made him more a favourite as a speaker, than some whose 
 
30 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 powers of rhetoric were far above liis. Lord Jeffrey remembers being 
 struck, the first night he spent at tlie Speculative, with the singular 
 appearance of the Secretary, who sat gravely at the bottom of the 
 table in a huge woollen night-cap ; and when the President took the 
 chair, pleaded a bad toothach as his apology for coming into that 
 worshipful assembly in such a ' portentous machine.' He read that 
 night an essay on ballads, which so much interested the new member, 
 that he requested to be introduced to him. Mr. Jeffrey called on him 
 next evening, and found him ' in a small den on the sunk floor of his 
 father's house in George Square, surrounded with dingy books.' Such 
 was the commencement of an acquaintance, which by degrees ripened 
 into friendship, between the two most distinguished men of letters 
 whom Edinburgh produced in their time." 
 
 Aided by the war which closed the Continent against the British, 
 and crowded I'Minburgh with English strangers, but aided far more 
 by the characters of some very remarkable young men who now began 
 the career which has placed many of them in the highest stations of 
 public life, the Society revived ; and the period from 1797 to 180.5, is 
 one of the most spleuiiid in its history. Its complement was generally 
 complete, and, if the laws had not been strictly enforced, would have 
 been exceeded ; and at different times within these eight years the 
 following persons entered, and devoted their great powers to the exer- 
 cises of the Institution : — Lord Henry Petty, now Marquis of I^ns- 
 downe, on whom, after only eighteen months attendance, was conferred 
 the rare distinction of honorary membership ; Henry Brougham, 
 Francis Horner, Lord Kinnaird, John Archibald Murray, John 
 Forbes, Alexander Maconochie, J. H. Mackenzie, James Moncreiff, 
 and Henry Cockburn ; the last six, all since then. Senators of the 
 College of Justice ; Charles and Robert Grant, Sir George Strickland, 
 Baronet, M.P., Dr. Henry Southey, Dr. Reeve, Dr. Gooch, and the late 
 lamented Andrew Skene, Solicitor-General for Scotland. Several mem- 
 
HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 31 
 
 bers of the preceding period, of whom JeiFrey was perhaps the most 
 important, continued their voluntary attendance ; and these leaders were 
 associated with many others of great and subsecjuently realized promise 
 whom we do not name, merely because it is necessary for us to select. 
 
 It is needless to say, that the scene which these persons animated, 
 must have been one of great brilliancy, and that the exertions which 
 their rivalry provoked, must have been singularly calculated to prepare 
 them for their future destinies. We shall probably wait in vain for 
 discourses written with greater thought, or debates conducted with 
 greater spirit, than those which exhausted the industry and talent at 
 the same time of Lansdowne, Kinnaird, Brougham, Horner, and 
 Jeffrey. It is proper, however, to record, for the guidance of future 
 members, that survivors who remember those days, were struck with 
 the regular industry of these youths, fully as much as with their 
 talents. They did not lounge into the Society unprepared, and with- 
 draw as speedily as possible, in order to fulfil some trifling engage- 
 ment ; but often passed the week in study for the Tuesday evening, 
 and gave their whole energies to the Speculative. They have had 
 their reward. 
 
 While thus proceeding with unrivalled success, the political jealousies 
 of the time gave the Society a shock which nothing but its native vigour 
 could have enabled it to survive. Although the politics of the day were 
 strictly excluded, it was absolutely impossible to combine even the 
 most general discussion of political principles and events, though only 
 introduced incidentally or historically, with an utter interdiction of all 
 political feeling or allusion. This, at that unhappy period of jealousy 
 and bitterness, was sufficient to expose any association, especially of 
 young men for debate, to misconstruction. A hint was given, that the 
 Speculative might be converted, under the appearance of academical 
 debate, into a political club. This at that time was enough. Twenty- 
 eight resignations were simultaneously laid on the table ; several from 
 ordinary members, but the greater part from the most respected of the 
 
32 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 seniors, some of whom Lave since held the higliest stations in the country. 
 A general meeting was immediately summoned, and all the circumstances 
 explained. The members of the Senatus Academicus were invited to 
 visit the Society, and inspect all its arrangements ; and after full 
 investigation, a Report was made by a joint Committee of the Senate 
 and Town Council, exculpating the Society, and only enforcing the 
 propriety of caution. Six of the resignations were withdrawn. The 
 remaining twenty-two were reluctantly accepted on the 16th April 
 1799. It is honourable to these individuals, that although misled at 
 the moment, most of them have ever since taken the strongest interest 
 in the welfare of the Society ; and have always regretted the unfor- 
 tunate occurrences which led to the termination of their connexion 
 with it. 
 
 Previous to the general meeting above mentioned, an Address was 
 drawn up on behalf of the ordinary members, printed, and circulated 
 along with the notice of meeting ; it explains with sufficient minute- 
 ness the position of matters. As it must prove interesting from the 
 names of those whose signatures as Office-bearers are attached to it, 
 and as we have the best authority for stating that Lord Jeffrey was 
 one of its authors, Horner being another, we here insert it as it stands 
 in the minutes. 
 
 Address to the Honorary and Extraordinary Members 
 OF THE Speculative Society. 
 
 Gentlemen, — In consequence of a letter of resignation which we 
 have received from several of our honorary and extraordinary mem- 
 bers, the result (we understand) of a private meeting held on Friday 
 the 22d current, we take the liberty of calling your attention to the 
 following representation. Presuming that the interests of the Specu- 
 lative Society are with none of you a matter of indifference, and 
 trusting that you feel with us the most lively concern on a matter 
 
HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 33 
 
 which involves its character, perhaps its existence, we entreat that you 
 will bestow a patient and dispassionate perusal on the narrative of 
 facts which we lay before you, with respect to the views and measures 
 of its present attending members. 
 
 In the course of the year 1794, when our Institution appears to have 
 fallen into a temporary decline, and when it was the practice to take 
 questions from the newspapers of the day, a Committee was appointed 
 to consider the state of the Society in general. Among other recom- 
 mendations, they suggested the propriety of abstaining from political 
 questions of that description. The hint was approved of, and the 
 recommendation adopted by a general resolution. We arc convinced 
 that to this measure is particularly to be attributed that restoration 
 which soon followed of the Society's prosperity. Newspaper or party 
 politics were no longer thought of, but gave place to topics of general 
 literature ; and among these as the most interesting, at least as pre- 
 senting the best field for exercises in public speaking, topics of political 
 economy, legislation, and philosophical history. 
 
 The resolution of 1794, therefore, had been fully carried into effect, 
 and had completely attained the important object for which it was 
 originally proposed. 
 
 It was soon, in fact, a dead letter ; the gentlemen who had framed 
 or adopted it retiring, and new members succeeding from time to time, 
 it became an object of obscure half recollection, in which the original 
 spirit and intention of the recommendation were entirely lost sight of. 
 It had been adopted with a view to regulate the choice of questions, 
 but was now converted into a check upon debate, even where the 
 question was completely regular and unexceptionable. In short, it 
 furnished, as thus made use of, a plausible occasion to such of our 
 members as were unwilling that, even upon a general argument, any 
 illustration should be drawn from what had taken place in Europe 
 within the last ten years. This forced interpretation of the resolution 
 gradually crept in, and established itself as a restraint, in our opinion, 
 
 B 
 
34 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 equally unnecessary and troublesome in the management of our de- 
 bates. Such has been the case during the last and the present Session. 
 In the discussion of questions of general history and political philo- 
 sophy, we have frequently experienced the most inconvenient interrup- 
 tions of debate, and the most unprofitable deviations into questions of 
 order. The practice was not more pernicious to the proper business of 
 the Society than it was unpleasant to individual speakers, who were 
 naturally sometimes led by the animation of an extemporaneous argu- 
 ment to illustrate their general positions by transactions of a recent 
 date, but who found it necessary, in consequence of this misunderstood 
 and ill-applied restriction, to express their allusions in a manner so 
 indirect, that they could hardly escape ambiguity, and the chance of 
 misconstruction. 
 
 On the 12th of February current, the following question was pro- 
 posed for the subsequent meeting, " Have the States of Europe any 
 reason to dread the increasing ascendancy of Russia in the balance of 
 power?" It was manifest that no argument could be carried on with 
 regard to the future prospects of the Continent, without bringing for- 
 ward a view of its present circumstances. 
 
 Here, however, the resolution of 1794, according to its usual inter- 
 pretation, appeared to stand in our way, though it was equally obvious, 
 that, had it been confined to its original purpose, no such application 
 could have been admitted. Several of our members, therefore, fatigued 
 by the long disputes on private business which had lately distracted 
 their attention, were anxious to take away every pretence for recurring 
 to conversations so acrimonious and wearisome, and in this view thought 
 it would be a good measure to rescind the resolution in question. 
 
 On the 1 9th, the motion for this repeal came under consideration. 
 It was urged, that in fact nothing more was intended than to explain 
 the particular recommendation alluded to, and to repeal that erroneous 
 interpretation of it by the assertion of which our literary business had 
 been so much injured. 
 
HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 35 
 
 That this modification just placed us at once in that situation to 
 whicli, after much disquiet and irritation, we had invariably been 
 brought in each particular instance of interruption, viz., a reference to 
 the good sense of the members, and their feeling of propriety — by 
 which alone it could be decided to what cases the recommendation waa 
 applicable, and without which neither laws nor recommendation could 
 have any effect ; and it was a strong argument in favour of the repeal, 
 that it was only obeying the impression which had been left upon our 
 minds by the speech of a most respectable member who lately honoured 
 us with his advice, and whom we understood (though we are sorry to 
 learn, rashly understood) to be unfriendly to any such restrictions on 
 the freedom of discussion. 
 
 After a debate by no means long, and temperate in a remarkable 
 degree, the Society divided, and the resolution was rescinded by a 
 majority. 
 
 We cannot without regret observe the importance that has been 
 attached to this vote. From the sentiments which were then delivered, 
 and from the feelings under which it was passed, we are firmly con- 
 vinced that no farther effect would have resulted from it. The 
 measure was regarded by those who favoured it as a point of great 
 indifference — a single hint from our elder brethren would have pro- 
 duced unanimity against it. Their advice thus communicated would 
 have prevented a measure which, upon learning their sentiments, we 
 have with one consent repealed ; and indeed we are inclined to think 
 that such a mode of interference would have been more expressive of 
 interest for the welfare of an institution, now irreparably injured by 
 the steps which have been taken. 
 
 But when we consider the gross misrepresentations that have lately 
 gone abroad ; when we find that these were not without their influence 
 at the private conference, and when we plainly see that they must 
 receive, from the result of that conference, a sanction ruinous to the 
 interests of the Society, ruinous to individual reputation, truly we 
 
36 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 cannot avoid feeling the deepest regret that so much haste should have 
 been used in what so well deserved a more deliberate procedure. We 
 feel it hard to ourselves as individuals that the resignation and the 
 implied censure were not resolved on with less precipitation — we feel it 
 still more severe towards the Society, which is not to be viewed as a 
 temporary Club, but an academical institution of permanent establish- 
 ment — an institution not only felt by those who now address you as 
 affording means of improvement that we cannot elsewhere command, 
 but acknowledged by those of our predecessors, whom we most aspire 
 to emulate, aa having contributed much to their own attainments in 
 literature and in eloquence. 
 
 But we are still inclined to flatter ourselves that matters are not yet 
 become final ; that we have it yet in our power to do away the pre- 
 possessions which have been too hastily adopted ; and that our ancient 
 and respectable members will see the propriety of pausing before they 
 irrevocably decide on a measure which, if it does not put a period to 
 the existence of the Society, will at least rob it of that reputation 
 which it has for a long course of years maintained. 
 
 In the name of the Society, therefore, and in the name of its attend- 
 ing members, young men whose characters are implicated, we entreat 
 you to believe that the obnoxious resolution was passed without the 
 smallest idea of proceeding towards that licentiousness of debate which 
 must be the object of our unqualified disapprobation. In particular, 
 our intentions were most remote from a wish to repeal the prohibition 
 passed last Session upon invectives against religion. 
 
 That prohibition meets with our unqualified concurrence. But in 
 fact, how could we conceive that the freedom of debate was at all 
 affected by a regulation which only restrains obloquy and partial in- 
 temperance ? Or how could we expect to feel any inconvenience from 
 such a restriction, when not the slightest symptoms have ever appeared 
 of a wish to discuss theological subjects ? Since it was enacted, not a 
 single question has ever been appointed, or an essay delivered, the 
 
HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 87 
 
 discussion of which led either directly or by the most remote allusion 
 to arguments or topics of a theological description. 
 
 We farther beg leave to assure you, that in passing this repeal we 
 had no idea of shewing disrespect to those who recommended the 
 original resolution — no intention to introduce newspaper politics — no 
 desire to see our Society become a political club. And even although 
 the politics of the day should at any time have become the casual 
 subject of conversation, we know too well the characters and principles 
 of our members to entertain apprehensions that individuals would 
 utter, or that the Society would bear anything which could, without 
 the grossest misrepresentation, be ascribed to an unconstitutional 
 spirit. 
 
 For the sincerity of these professions we appeal to the unanimity 
 with which the resolution in question has been repealed, and to the 
 positive law substituted in its place against all religious and political 
 discussions. 
 
 Let us be tried by our conduct. An act upon record does not speak 
 for itself; it must be taken in connexion with the proceedings which 
 introduced it — with the spirit in which it was passed — with the general 
 character of the body which received it. If that character is suspected, 
 we have thrown open our doors to the Professors — we ask for no 
 fartlier acquittal than that which must instantly result from a full in- 
 vestigation of our whole proceedings and debates. 
 
 But if, after this, accusations are still to be heard — if, in our absence, 
 we are to be judged by insinuations — if our conduct is to be tried 
 under the impression of mistakes, which a few moments of inquiry 
 would rectify — then must we be reduced to the necessity of deploring 
 those misconceptions which we have done everything in our power to 
 obviate and correct. To individuals themselves we leave the defence 
 of their character, so far as they may think it has been involved in the 
 general implications. We have taken the most effectual method of 
 protecting the Society's reputation, by abandoning the resolution of 
 
38 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 last meeting, on the first hint that it gave offence, by throwing our- 
 selves entirely on the University under whose patronage we meet, and 
 by inviting the fullest inquiry on the first mention of a suspicion that 
 there were any improprieties in our general conduct. 
 By order of the Society, 
 
 (Signed) Wm. Fullarton, A 
 
 Henry Brougham, I 
 
 ^ „ ) Presidents. 
 
 Fras. Horner, 
 
 Chas. Kinnaird, 
 
 John Wattgh, Secretary. 
 
 For a season it was feared that the Society would suffer severely 
 from this its first, and up to the present hour, its only schism. Its 
 numbers were somewhat reduced, and notwithstanding its triumphant 
 acquittal, it became an object of political prejudice. The cloud, how- 
 ever, soon passed away ; and even its temporary shade was lessened 
 by the increased vigour of the members who remained. While im- 
 proving themselves for the stations which they have since reached, their 
 reputation maintained the fame of the Society, and gave importance 
 to the " fit audience, though few," to whom their eloquence was 
 addressed. 
 
 On the 17th November 1801, being the opening of the thirty-seventh 
 session, Messrs. Creech, Bruce, and Bonar, three of the founders, visited 
 the Society, and received the thanks of the meeting for honouring 
 them with their presence on that occasion, and for the encouraging 
 language which they used. 
 
 From 1795 to 1807, the Society had the benefit of the gratuitous 
 services of Mr. John Waugh, afterwards Bookseller, as Secretary and 
 Treasurer. The duties of these offices were never better performed. 
 Mild, patient, and accurate — with a taste for literature — on excellent 
 terms with all the members — skilled in the laws, and their applica- 
 tion — and respected for great worth and a gentle, inoffensive manner — 
 
HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 3.9 
 
 the Tuesday evenings were the scenes of his greatest enjoyment ; and 
 his attendance was so long and so punctual, that he became associated 
 with the very idea of the Society. A very deserved tribute was paid 
 him, when, in December 1803, Mr. Jeffrey moved, seconded by Mr. 
 Brougham, " That the Society, in consideration of the very great 
 benefits which the institution, during a long course of years, had 
 received from the abilities and zeal of Mr. John Waugh, Honorary 
 Member and Secretary, do entreat him to accept of a piece of plate, as 
 a small testimony of their feelings towards him." At next meeting, a 
 silver cup, prepared under the directions of a Committee, was pre- 
 sented to him. He maintained his connexion with the Society as its 
 Treasurer until 1835. 
 
 From 1805 to 1815, the Society continued to flourish. There was 
 no lack of talent or industry, as the names which then adorned it will 
 shew. During the earliest portion of it, Sir George Clerk, Baronet, 
 M.P. ; H. Home Drummond, M.P. ; Thomas F. Kennedy, lately 
 M.P. ; the late Robert Jameson, Advocate ; Andrew Rutherfurd, lately 
 Lord- Advocate ; and Thomas Maitland, lately Solicitor-General for 
 Scotland, took an active share and a keen interest in the business. The 
 Honourable William Temple, brother of Lord Palmerston, Dr. Richard 
 Bright, John Spencer Stanhope, F.R.S., Robert PeStrse Gillies, and 
 the late Frederick Sylvester North Douglas, were among those whose 
 attendance was limited, by their stay in Edinburgh being short. The 
 latter years of this epoch were invigorated by the exertions of Lord 
 John Russell ; Professor Wilson ; Professor Sir William Hamilton ; 
 John Farquhar Fraser, of the English Bar ; Duncan M'Neill, at pre- 
 sent Lord-Advocate of Scotland ; and John William Polidori, after- 
 wards travelling physician to Lord Byron. 
 
 So great was the anxiety to obtain admission, that petitions often lay 
 for several weeks on the table, before a vacancy occurred in the list of 
 ordinary and resident members. Strenuous efforts were made, and 
 
40 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 renewed four several times during the years 1806, 1807, and 1808, to 
 enlarge the maximum to 35 ; but they were steadily and successfully 
 resisted. An attempt to limit the minimum age of entrants to 1 8, 
 was also at this time judiciously and successfully opposed. The 
 entrance-money was in 1808 raised to three guineas, and the penalties 
 for not reading an essay, and not opening a debate, which had been 
 respectively ten and sixpence and five shillings, were both raised in 
 1814 to a guinea. These facts attest the confidence that was felt in 
 the stability of the institution, and the capacity it had attained to of 
 selecting its members from amongst the best students, and exacting 
 from them an adequate amount of work. In April 1810, indeed, some 
 alarm seems to have been caused by an application, understood to have 
 been made by the Didactic Society — a body which had exactly similar 
 objects in view, and was likely to draw its members from the same 
 class of students — to the patrons of the University to incorporate them 
 by a seal of cause. A remonstrance was made on the ground of the 
 long standing of the Speculative, the comparatively recent rise of its 
 rival, and the bad effiects of dividing a field so limited in extent. The 
 application, if it was ever made, was rejected or withdrawn, and the 
 Didactic does not seem ever to have formed a very formidable opponent 
 to the Speculative. 
 
 The Session 1812-13 was the only one, during a long course of 
 years, which exhibited any symptoms of feebleness. The Session was 
 short, the members few, and the debates not entered into with the 
 usual spirit. But the tide of animation soon flowed again. 
 
 During the period of which we are now treating, there was a large 
 influx of funds, and considerable sums were from time to time voted for 
 the use of the Library, on which much attention was bestowed, and of 
 the probable usefulness and extent of which, higher expectations seem 
 then to have been entertained than could well be realized. 
 
 In 1814, the Society having reached its fiftieth year, the event was 
 celebrated by a convivial jubilee. On the 17th of December, about 
 
HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 41 
 
 eighty members dined together in Fortune's Tontine Tavern, Princes 
 Street. It was a curious and most interesting scene. The Company 
 was composed of persons of all liberal pursuits, of all parties, of all 
 ages, and from all regions, drawn together by a single bond — recollection 
 of the Speculative, and gratitude for what it had done or was doing 
 for them. It may be doubted whether so many men of ability, and of 
 attained or rising eminence, were ever at any other time assembled in 
 one room in Scotland. The Rev. Dr. Baird, Principal of the Uni- 
 versity, presided ; the post of croupier was filled by Dr. James Gregory, 
 author of the Conspectus Medicinw Theoreticw. Walter Scott's health 
 was proposed by Francis Horner. That of John Clerk (Lord Eldin), 
 by Dr. John Thomson, Professor of Pathology ; and that of Professor 
 Playfair, by Francis Jeffrey. That of Professor John Bruce, the only 
 one of the founders present, and, with the exception of William 
 Creech, and the late Lord Meadowbank, the only one alive, was 
 proposed from the chair. Mr. Baron Adam, who had just withdrawn 
 from London, and settled in Edinburgh, and was expected soon to be 
 appointed the head of the new Court for the introduction of Trial by 
 Jury in civil causes in Scotland, mentioned how strong and kindly the 
 remembrance of the Society was among all the members whom he had 
 met in the circle of his English acquaintance ; on which Lord Gillies, 
 in afterwards returning thanks for his own health having been drank, 
 observed, with his usual brevity and force, that this was not wonderful, 
 because every one of them could say with the same sincerity that he 
 then did, that he was conscious that the whole success of his life might 
 be truly traced to this institution. After the Principal withdrew, Wal- 
 ter Scott was called to the chair, which did not impair the hilarity of 
 a useful and interesting evening. He concluded the proceedings by 
 the appropriate toast, " May the next half century give as much plea- 
 sure to the new members, as the last has done to the old." 
 
42 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Since the Jubilee dinner of 1814, thirty years have elapsed ; and 
 even now, if the members were assembled round the same board, there 
 would be exhibited the same variety of pursuit and profession, the 
 same zeal and gratitude, and perhaps not a much inferior array of 
 ability and eminence. For while not a few of the previous period 
 happily still survive, those who have since that time entered the So- 
 ciety have chosen various walks of life, and many of them are to be 
 found filling honourable places at the Scottish and English Bars, in 
 the Senate, the Pulpit, and the Professors' Chair. The number of 
 medical men and students of theology has been less, in proportion to 
 those of other classes, than it had previously been. But even of these 
 there has been a sprinkling ; and many strangers, both from England 
 and the Continent, in pursuing their studies at Edinburgh, have 
 joined the Speculative as an indispensable part of their academical 
 training. 
 
 In 1 8 1 6, a sum of twenty guineas was voted from the funds in aid 
 of a subscription then on foot for the relief of the labouring classes of 
 the community. 
 
 In 1817, Francis Horner, who had already attracted the admiration 
 and affection of men of all parties, died. Upon this sad event, a 
 general meeting of the Society was held, to consider how they might 
 best do honour to the memory of so revered an associate. Many 
 senior members attended the meeting ; and, among others. Sir Walter 
 Scott intimated by letter his entire concurrence in its object. It was 
 resolved that a portrait of Horner should be placed in the hall. A 
 copy was accordingly executed by Sir Henry Kaeburn, of a picture 
 which this eminent artist had previously painted for Mr. Leonard 
 Horner, and it still adorns the apartment, having the following in- 
 scription : — 
 
HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 43 
 
 PLACED IN THE YEAR lUiO, 
 
 BY THK 
 
 SPECULATIVE SOCIETY, 
 
 IN HONOUR OF 
 
 FRANCIS HORNER, ESQUIRi;, M. P., 
 
 FIRST THE ORNAMENT OF THIS INSTITUTION, 
 
 AND THEN OF HIS COUNTRY. 
 
 The building in which tlie Society had met since 1769, was this 
 summer taken down, to make room for the buildings of the New 
 College; and the meetings were held for one Session, and part of 
 another, in the Old Divinity Hall. At this time the applications for 
 admission seem to have been numerous, if we may judge by unsuccessful 
 efforts, made in 1818, to increase the maximum to forty, and to make 
 one black ball in six sufficient to exclude. It was however now agreed, 
 that in place of two-thirds, three-fourths of the members present should 
 be required to admit a candidate. In the same year, another mode 
 was proposed of extending the Society, or rather of procuring a decent 
 interment for a decaying rival. A motion was laid on the table for 
 a union between the Speculative and the Select Societies ; but, on an 
 honorary member intimating his intention to move, that the law that 
 no member can be admitted except by ballot be put in force, it was 
 withdrawn. 
 
 On the 1 9th January 1819, the Society met for the first time in its 
 present apartments, which had been appropriated to it in the plans of 
 the New College buildings. They consist of a hall twenty-nine feet 
 long, eighteen wide, and eighteen high ; a smaller room for the 
 Library ; and a lobby, through which both enter. The rooms having 
 been furnished by subscription, a general meeting was called to 
 celebrate the occasion. Forty-three extraordinary and honorary, and 
 twenty-seven ordinary members attended. Principal Baird was voted 
 into the chair, and read an appropriate address. Mr. John Bruce, 
 
44 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 one of the founders, was present, and spoke. A vote of thanks was 
 carried to the Town Council, and to the Parliamentary Commissioners 
 for building the College, for the accommodation which they had 
 provided. 
 
 The entrance-money was now raised to five guineas, its present 
 amount ; a sum apparently at first sight large for admission to a 
 debating Society, but which, we are confident, no one ever regretted 
 having given as the price of the intellectual benefits which his admis- 
 sion secured to him. 
 
 On the 18th December 1821, Mr. Hedworth Lambton, now M.P. 
 for North Durham, gave notice that he would move for an extra- 
 ordinary meeting, to consider the propriety of giving pecuniary aid to 
 the Greeks in their struggle for independence. On the 8th January 
 1822, he withdrew this motion, as discussions in the political world 
 had invested the subject with a political character. A vote of thanks, 
 however, was carried unanimously to Mr. Lambton, for having brought 
 the cause of the Greeks under the consideration of the Society, as 
 the subject was deeply interesting to them. 
 
 In the summer of 1825, some zealous members endeavoured to carry 
 on a series of meetings as the "Summer Speculative Society;" but 
 their spirit soon flagged. Their zeal and energy had apparently been 
 put to too severe a trial ; and this, the only attempt of the kind ever 
 made, was not renewed. In January 1826, a motion was carried to 
 expunge from the laws the prohibition against the discussion of the 
 political topics of the day, as one, " the violation of which, was sys- 
 tematic and beneficial." In 1827, a subscription of ten guineas was 
 voted to the fund for a contemplated monument to tlie memory of Dr. 
 Thomas Brown. In the same year the number of applicants for 
 admission was so great, that a proposal was again made to enlarge 
 the maximum to forty ; but as on former occasions, the good sense of 
 the Society prevailed over the ambition of a long roll and crowded 
 meetings, and the motion was rejected. In 1832, the Cholera having 
 
HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 45 
 
 broken out in Edinburgh, a sum of £lO was voted in aid of the funds 
 of the Board of Health ; but it was not found necessary to suspend the 
 meetings on account of the existence of the distemper. A grant of 
 £5 was also made towards a literary prize, offered to the competition 
 of all students attending the University. 
 
 In 1833, it was resolved that a picture of Sir Walter Scott, who 
 had died in the preceding year, should be placed in the hall; and 
 accordingly a portrait by Mr. Watson Gordon was procured, and now 
 hangs in the room. 
 
 The success of the Jubilee in 1814 made some young members, who 
 had not been there, and some old ones, who despaired of being at the 
 next, if it was only to be held at the close of a second period of fifty 
 years, anxious to celebrate the seventieth year by a similar assemblage. 
 In January 1835, therefore, a second festival, at which about seventy 
 members were present, took place. Lord Jeffrey was in the chair, 
 supported by Lord Gillies and Lord Murray. Sir George Clerk, 
 Baronet, M.P., was croupier, supported by Lord MoncriefF and Pro- 
 fessor Wilson. The hopes formed of an agreeable and interesting 
 evening were not disappointed. Lord Jeffrey's admirable speech will 
 be quoted hereafter. 
 
 In the beginning of 1 838 a keen debate took place on the mode of 
 lighting the hall. Gas had been introduced ; but on the trial night, a 
 large majority voted that it should be banished to the lobby and 
 Library, and that, in spite of the claims of economy, the milder light of 
 wax candles should be restored.* 
 
 In the beginning of the Session 1841-2, an ill-considered attempt 
 was made by some members of the Town Council to compel the 
 Speculative, along with the other Societies meeting within the College, 
 
 * Some of the ancient members would hardly forgive us did we omit to mention that 
 the old respectable chandelier, which was venerable even in their day, still hangs in the 
 hall ; the threatened innovation above mentioned being the last time that its existence 
 was in peril. 
 
46 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 to leave the precincts at twelve o'clock at night. This was resisted, as 
 unwarranted by usage, and as inconsistent with the spirit of debate. 
 At a general meeting of the Society, a number of the Senior members 
 attended, and undertook the task of mediation. The matter waa 
 placed on a riglit footing, and the Society may now disperse when it 
 pleases. Upon this occasion the Society examined the legal nature of 
 its right to its apartments, and to the use of them agreeably to long 
 usage ; and there was every reason to believe, that if necessary, it 
 might have submitted a very strong claim to a Court of Justice. But 
 the Society preferred appealing to the discretion of the Town Council 
 as a protector, to resorting to any measure of hostility. Their con- 
 fidence was not misplaced ; and they believe that, as in this instance, 
 so in future, the discretion of the patrons will always be so wisely and 
 kindly exercised, as to render it unnecessary to ascertain what the 
 legal rights of either party are. 
 
 In the summer of 1 842, the Society had to mourn the loss of their 
 Secretary, Mr. William Macbean, who died after a very short illness. 
 In the course of the following winter, an elegant monument of white 
 marble was erected in the lobby of the hall, with this inscription — 
 
 TO THE MEMOBY 
 op 
 
 WILLIAM MACISEAN, 
 
 WHO DIED WHILE SECREIABY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY, 
 
 12th august 1842, AGED 19. 
 
 HIS OFFICIAL SEHVICES 
 
 COMMANDED THE SOCIETY'S GRATITUDE, 
 
 HIS AJIIABLENESS ITS AFFECTION. 
 
 Of late years, as in former times, the Society has experienced 
 considerable . fluctuations in the number of attending members. Dur- 
 
HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 47 
 
 ing the Sessions 1839-40 and 1840-41, the numbers were very small, 
 and occasionally it was impossible to muster a quorum ; but there 
 was no diminution in the zeal and activity of the small but faith- 
 ful band who upheld the institution. A large addition was made 
 to the Roll during the following winter, and since then the at- 
 tendance has fallen but little short of the maximum permitted by the 
 laws. 
 
 It is impossible to close this account of the past progress of the 
 Society without an earnest admonition to those on whom its prosperity 
 or its failure must hereafter depend. Those of the present generation 
 have been fully sensible in their day of what they owe to their prede- 
 cessors, who, instead of leaving them to waste their time and efforts in 
 attempting to invent a new institution of their own, gave them one 
 secure on fixed rules, and respectable in age and fame. This they in 
 their turn now hand over to their successors ; but with laws still better 
 tested by experience, and expectation grounded upon a greater number 
 of still more conclusive facts. 
 
 Nothing can save any establishment depending on human agency 
 from occasional decline. But no circumstances exist, or are in prospect, 
 on account of which any great or long weakness of this Society can be 
 reasonably anticipated, except the apathy of those who might have 
 maintained it. It is indeed not improbable that the numerical diminu- 
 tion, especially of medical students which the College of Edinburgh 
 has of late years experienced, to whatever cause it may be traced, may 
 be permanent. But our Society, although occasionally adorned by 
 great medical names, has depended far less upon the members of this 
 than of the other learned professions ; and there is no reason to fear 
 that the Metropolitan University of Scotland, unless grossly mis- 
 managed, will not always contain a large number of well educated 
 men, presenting a field quite large enough for the selection of ample 
 energy and talent to recruit this Society. If, therefore, any unfore- 
 
 ■«;* 
 
48 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 * 
 
 seen change in its spirit should at any future time render it unde- 
 serving of support, the blame will rest on those who, while it shall 
 be in the continued capacity of usefulness, suffer it to decline or ex- 
 pire from mere indifference about their own improvement. To all 
 who might be in danger of incurring this charge, and who may feel 
 themselves on the brink of so criminal an apathy, this admonition is 
 addressed. 
 
 Let any such person ponder the Roll of Members, which he will find 
 in a subsequent part of this volume. Let him observe the variety of 
 pursuits for which the Society has afforded the means of preparation — 
 Law, the Church, Medicine, the Senate, the Army, and Science. Let 
 him mark the eminence which so great a proportion of the members 
 have attained in all these spheres ; and let him reflect, that although 
 the accidents of party may possibly have aided the rise of a very few 
 of them, nothing can account for the general fact, except the personal 
 merit of the individuals. Let him connect this, not with the public 
 and formal declarations alone, but with the earnest private assurances 
 of those gentlemen, at whatever distance of time or place removed 
 from the scene of their early excitement, that they can trace their pro- 
 gress, materially to this Society ; to the sharpening of their faculties 
 by its exercises ; the formation of their habits by its discipline ; and 
 the awakening of their ambition by the rivalry of a community of 
 friends, engaged for the purposes of their future lives in liberal 
 intellectual conflict. And let him then try to reconcile the desire of 
 which he cannot divest himself, to follow these men in their success, 
 with a disregard of the particular culture from which this success 
 sprung. 
 
 Confident that such a survey, made in those favourable moments of 
 thought and hope which visit every intelligent youth, must quicken 
 the dormant energies of all who hereafter make it, we form the 
 brightest anticipations of the future triumphs of this Association. We 
 can look into a remote age, and see the Speculative Society still 
 
 # 
 
 .,.*S*-, 
 
HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 49 
 
 holding on in its career — still co-operating powerfully with the 
 College of Edinburgh in the production of eminent men — still sup- 
 plying science with worshippers of truth, and all the departments of 
 public and professional life with virtuous and able officers — and still 
 receiving the grateful homage of its members throughout a long suc- 
 cession of honourable jubilees. 
 
in. 
 
 PRESENT CONSTITUTION AND LAWS 
 
 THE SOCIETY. 
 
 It may form an appropriate sequel to the preceding narrative, to 
 collect into a separate chapter some fuller details than could well be 
 introduced there, of the Constitution of the Society according to the 
 present Laws and practice. It is possible that from such a section 
 useful suggestions may be gathered by those who have the manage- 
 ment of similar institutions in other parts of the empire. 
 
 The rules which seem most to surprise those who have had no practical 
 experience of this Institution, are the limited number of members, and 
 the entire exclusion of strangers. These, however, are fundamental 
 parts of the constitution ; and every attempt to alter them has been 
 steadily resisted. And it is easy to see that it was wise to prevent 
 innovation on these points. It is not the object of the Society to 
 afford a few clever young men a theatre for display. Its intention is, 
 that all the members should participate in the business, and that the 
 inexperienced and the sensitive should be encouraged. This would be 
 impracticable with a large number of ordinary members, or in the 
 presence of strangers, who seldom enter, and still less frequently leave, 
 such scenes with a really kindly spirit. As it is, each member must 
 read his due share of discourses, and open his due number of questions ; 
 which, as the Session cannot well be extended, could not be done if 
 the essayists and openers were more numerous than they are. It 
 
 m 
 
PRESENT CONSTITUTION AND LAWS. 
 
 51 
 
 must be always recollected, too, that there is no limit to the attendance 
 of honorary and extraordinary members, so that, in general, an adequate 
 audience is present, too small for disorder or a hurtful excitement, but 
 large enough for restraint, competition, and sympatliy. 
 
 Admission of members by ballot, is another fixed and most useful 
 law ; and one black ball in four excludes. The application for admis- 
 sion, before being received at all, must be accompanied with a recom- 
 mendation by two members ; and tlie entrant, when admitted, must be 
 introduced by a friend, before he can be held to have taken his seat. 
 Members have very rarely attested plainly unworthy candidates ; and, 
 on the whole, admission is difficult. A sound objection to a candidate 
 is sure to be detected, and sure to be fatal. 
 
 There is no restriction as to the age of entrants. Perhaps the 
 greater number of members have entered between the ages of eighteen 
 and twenty-one. But some of the most valuable have begun their 
 career before the former, and beyond the latter age. A variety of 
 ages has many advantages. 
 
 The meetings are held every Tuesday evening, from November to 
 tlie first week in April, there being about twenty in each season. 
 The hour of meeting, for nearly thirty years, was six o'clock ; but in 
 1791, it was altered to seven, which it has been ever since. The 
 discussions, although generally concluded before midnight, are some- 
 times prolonged to an hour that would have startled the founders, who 
 lived in the age of two o'clock dinnei's. 
 
 As soon as seven members, at least, have assembled, the essay for 
 the evening is read, and the members are invited to criticize it. No 
 one is allowed to speak more than once ; and the essayist has the right 
 of explanation and reply, when all the remarks are exhausted. An 
 adjournment for a few minutes prepares for the debate ; which is 
 opened by a speaker, previously appointed, on each side. The members 
 follow as they are inclined, none being permitted to speak twice — the 
 first opener, however, having the privilege of reply. The vote is taken 
 
 # 
 
 U 
 
52 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 by the members moving to opposite sides of the room. Any business 
 connected with the affairs of the Society is then arranged, and the 
 meeting is adjourned. 
 
 Originally the members were called upon for essays in rotation, 
 according to the order of the Roll, and the subject was at the option of 
 the writer. From time to time a Committee was appointed to give in 
 lists of subjects for debate, and from these the Society made a selection 
 of five or six, and distributed the selected subjects over the ensuing 
 meetings. In 1826, the method at present followed for preparing the 
 course of business was adopted. Towards the end of each Session a 
 Committee is named, of which the Office-bearers are invariably mem- 
 bers, to draw up a list of subjects for essays and debates, and arrange 
 the order of the literary business for the next season. They lay a 
 report on the table, which is discussed on the Tuesday following the 
 close of the Session. Each member selects a subject of essay for him- 
 self from those suggested by the Committee ; if he neglect or decline 
 to do this, the Society appoint one for him. A member may propose 
 to write on a subject not on the list, and if the Society approve of it, 
 it is substituted for some one not already chosen or allotted. The 
 Society are very unwilling to interfere with individual taste or prefer- 
 ence ; and only exercise a control, so as to prevent any extravagant 
 subject, or one inconsistent with the objects of the Institution being 
 adopted. At the extraordinary meeting, all these arrangements are 
 made — the order in which the essays and debates are to be set down 
 for the next winter agreed on — and the whole list finally adjusted. 
 It is immediately printed, and distributed among the members. 
 
 The essays are copied out on paper of a given size, and bound up in 
 a volume at the end of each Session. Although several times pro- 
 posed, this practice was not begun until 1841. It ensures greater 
 care in composition, and will perhaps furnish a curious record of the 
 efforts or opinions of the early years of those who may hereafter 
 distinguish themselves. 
 
 • 
 
 M 
 
 # 
 
« 
 
 PRESENT CONSTITUTION AND LAWS. 
 
 53 
 
 The subjects of essay and debate are taken from a very wide range ; 
 nothing being excluded, except what is strictly scientific or technical, 
 and what is of a purely religious or theological character. Literature 
 is most prominent in the essays — history and general politics prevail 
 in the debates. It is usual to choose several of the debates from the 
 same period of history. The same subjects are not allowed to recur 
 within three or four years, so that each member witnesses a sort of 
 cycle of discussions on the chief literary, historical, and political topics 
 of controversy. There was at first no restriction whatever on the 
 subjects of debate ; and many questions occur during the first thirty 
 years, touching religion and the political topics of the day. But in 
 1794, as we have seen, these were both excluded ; and till about 1804, 
 this exclusion was strictly observed. About that year, the politics of 
 the time were again introduced, and have continued ever since to be 
 practically on the same footing as before the restriction — the law 
 itself, which had fallen into desuetude, having been repealed in 1826. 
 Although no restriction as to religious subjects appears in the Laws, 
 there is a tacit consent, by which no topic of faith or' doctrine is ever 
 permitted to be discussed. No essay is allowed either on the Christian 
 religion, or on party politics. 
 
 By the early Laws, each member in rotation opened a debate, and 
 the President appointed a second speaker to espouse the opposite side. 
 Practically, however, it would seem, that after a few years, only one 
 opener was appointed, who chose his side. In 1806, it was resolved, 
 that a book should be kept, in which, from time to time, the Secretary 
 should engross such lists of new subjects for debate as the Society 
 might approve of. Two openers were to be appointed for each even- 
 ing, in the rotation of the Roll ; and of these, the senior member was 
 to choose the subject from the List of selected questions, and the junior 
 to choose his side. By the new arrangement adopted in 1826, the 
 whole List of Debates is prepared at the end of eaeh Session ; and the 
 law as to 'Openers is, that the question for debate shall be opened by 
 
54 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 two ordinary members, selected in the order of the lioll ; the senior 
 of whom shall have the choice of the view he wishes to support. 
 
 It was forcibly urged, in a protest by Mr. Elton Hamond and two 
 other members, against the resolution come to in 1806 — and the same 
 argument would apply against the later arrangement — that this law 
 might compel a member to support an opinion, of the truth of which 
 he was not convinced, and so impose on him an obligation, painful to 
 the sincere inquirer after truth. It was farther argued, that a man 
 becomes callous to this pain, by frequent repetition of its cause, and 
 thereby loses the only true test of his own sincerity, and is thus led to 
 either scepticism or bigotry in principle — to selfishness and party spirit 
 in practice — and to inconsistency iu both. An air of sincerity, it is 
 added, is a powerful weapon of eloquence, and almost peculiar to those 
 who have been accustomed to profess such opinions only as they 
 believe to be true. Therefore this law would be injurious and incon- 
 sistent with the spirit of the Institution, because it would encourage 
 the Hudibrastic talent 
 
 " On either side to hold dispute, 
 Confute, change hands, and still confute ;" 
 
 and would foster those faults of exaggerated and flowery declamation, 
 broad assertion, and sophistical reasoning, the prevalence of which had 
 brought oratory into contempt, and caused an unfortunate divorce of 
 eloquence from wisdom. 
 
 In these remarks there was undoubtedly some truth. But the 
 practical evil, if such it is, was greatly overrated. By a little private 
 arrangement, the difficulty is overcome, as an opener may appoint a 
 substitute, and no member is compelled to support a cause to which he 
 feels a decided repugnance, and in practice rarely does so when he 
 has any disinclination at all. But it may be doubted how far the 
 objection is a sound one, viewed as a matter of principle. For there 
 is an opposite evil to that urged in the protest, which a debating Society 
 
PRESENT CONSTITUTION AND LAAVS. 
 
 55 
 
 is apt to engender, that of a premature adoption of one set of opinions, 
 and a too obstinate adherence to them. When a young man has been 
 led by prejudice, or even by accident to embrace one side, and to ex- 
 amine the arguments with a bias in its favour, he is apt to receive 
 an erroneous impression, which may continue through life. That he 
 should be occasionally induced to argue on the side opposed to his 
 previous impressions, may be useful in counteracting any such tend- 
 ency. There is sometimes also no better way of learning how to 
 overthrow an erroneous opinion, than to reason in its support, and 
 discover its weakness. The truth, indeed, is, that there is some 
 foppery of virtue, even in the argument by which the objection is 
 supported. Nothing is worse than hypocrisy ; and therefore, on occa- 
 sions when sincerity is relied on, there ought to be sincerity. But 
 when' it is known and avowed, that disputants are merely stating 
 views, and this for mental exercise, the absence of sincerity is no more 
 a reproach, than it is to tlie fencer, who, instead of running his adver- 
 sary through with a real sword, only attests his dexterity by a touch 
 of the foil. 
 
 During the first twenty years of the Society's existence, we have 
 seen that the debates were not even terminated by a division ; and it 
 haa never been the practice to record the names of those who vote on 
 each side, except on a special motion to that effect, which has very 
 rarely been made. It was proposed in 1784, and in 1827, that this 
 should always be done ; but on both occasions, a large majority were 
 opposed to the innovation. On the former occasion, Lord Daer, who 
 made the motion, and six other gentlemen entered this pungent pro- 
 test, " That it may remain registered which of the gentlemen present 
 this evening were not ashamed to have their opinions known to future 
 times." But it is plain, that such a course would be quite inconsistent 
 with the spirit of the Institution, which was never intended to be an 
 organ for the propagation of opinion, but only an arena for mental 
 training. 
 
56' 
 
 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 At the commencement of each Session, five Presidents are elected, 
 who preside in rotation, and perform the usual duties of that office. 
 We have seen the long period during which the Messrs. Bonar, Sir 
 Walter Scott, and Mr. Waugh, held the office of Secretary. After 
 the resignation of the latter gentleman in 1807, so difficult was it 
 to find any one willing to undertake the irksome duties, that a 
 sort of bribe was held out, by giving the Secretary an earlier claim 
 for extraordinary privileges. It was at length (in 1814) arranged, 
 that the Secretary should be annually elected from among the mem-- 
 bers, and be assisted by a Clerk receiving a salary. No difficulty 
 has been found in getting members willing to accept the office with 
 this assistance. For a long time the Secretary acted as Librarian 
 also ; but since 1819, a separate Librarian has been elected annually, 
 and is assisted by the Clerk as under Librarian. The Stafi", therefore, 
 now consists of five Presidents, a Secretary, and a Librarian, all 
 annually renewed on the third meeting of the Session, the two last 
 having the assistance of a Clerk. 
 
 The Library was first instituted in 1 783. Considerable sums were 
 from time to time expended upon it, and donations of some value 
 made. It now contains a good collection of works on British History 
 and Political Economy — a complete series of the Parliamentary De- 
 bates — the State Trials — the works X>i British Orators — and a curious 
 collection of pamphlets. These, with a few works on general litera- 
 ture, amount to about 1300 volumes. The books are lent out on the 
 nights of meeting ; and a member is allowed to have six volumes at 
 once. In 1797, the following resolution was entered in the Minutes, 
 " That members who engage in any literary pursuit, should be re- 
 commended to present their works to the Library — an acquisition 
 which will prove doubly acceptable to the Society, as a testimony of 
 their regard, and as a pleasing memorial of their success in those 
 pursuits to which this Institution may have originally contributed." 
 In February 1844, it was again resolved, "That it is desirable that 
 
PRESENT CONSTITUTION AND LAWS. 57 
 
 the Society should possess a complete set of the works of its members, 
 which now amount to a valuable body of literature ; and as there are 
 very few of these at present in the Library, steps should be taken to 
 procure them, and especially to obtain donations from the authors." 
 In Edinburgh, where there are so many excellent public Libraries, it is 
 of comparatively little consequence that a large collection of books 
 should be attached to the Society ; but a good selection of such as are 
 most allied to the subjects usually discussed, and of books of reference, 
 cannot fail to prove very useful, and has been found to be so. It 
 would be a very curious extension of the Library, if the suggestions in 
 the above resolutions were complied with, and a complete series 
 obtained of works written by members. It would be difficult to men- 
 tion any branch of literature or science, on which some able and 
 standard works would not be found embraced in such a series. 
 
 The Entrance-money we have seen rise gradually from one shilling 
 and sixpence to five guineas, which is its present amount. The annual 
 subscription by ordinary members is fixed each year. It has usually 
 been a guinea. The penalty for failure to read an essay, or open a 
 debate, is also a guinea, which may be remitted, when the excuse offered 
 is considered satisfactory. Regular attendance, too, is enforced by 
 penalties. The Roll of Members is called over before the business 
 commences — again before the debate begins — and a third time at the 
 close of the meeting. For absence at the first roll, the fine is one 
 shilling — at the second, the same — at the third, two shillings ; — that is, 
 four shillings for absence during the whole evening. When these fines 
 have been incurred, they may be appealed from at the next meeting, 
 and remitted, if the Society think the excuse given is sufiicient. 
 Absence from town, and illness, are almost the only excuses ever 
 sustained. Till within twenty years, no retrospective excuse was 
 allowed ; but it was considered necessary for a member who intended 
 leaving town, or was indisposed, to intimate this to the Society, before 
 or at its meeting. This practice — the formal and punctilious politeness 
 
58 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 of which must have been very burdensome — has been discontinued. 
 Until lately, if a member was absent, without intimated excuse, for 
 two meetings consecutively, his fines were doubled on the second 
 night ; if for three, he incurred ipso facto expulsion, as it was called — 
 that is, his name might be struck off the Roll, on a formal motion by 
 the Secretary. Not a few members terminated their connexion with 
 the Society in this way. That prompt and vigorous course of pro- 
 ceeding has not been re-enacted in the present code of Laws, drawn up 
 in 1838. The fines are four shillings for each meeting, until either the 
 member re-appears and pays them, or a motion for expulsion, after due 
 intimation, is carried. 
 
 The order and decorum of the meetings is maintained by the Presi- 
 dent for the night, who has the power of fining — a power, however, 
 very rarely called into exercise. The Society may censure, and on a 
 motion intimated three weeks before, and carried by two -thirds of the 
 meeting, expel. The strong measure of a vote of censure has been 
 very seldom resorted to ; and there have been only two cases of expul- 
 sion for actual delinquency — the last having occurred more than fifty 
 years ago. All other expulsions have been mere consequences, by 
 fixed rule, of failure to attend or perform duty, and imply no moral 
 misconduct. The true and living discipline, is that which operates 
 indirectly through the public opinion of the place. Sense, justice, and 
 gentlemanlike feeling, prevail to an extent far more than sufficient to 
 repress levity, and utterly to prevent insolence, or any attempt at 
 grave impropriety. In practice, perfect freedom is combined with 
 perfect decorum, and the Society goes on peaceably and naturally. 
 
 A letter of resignation can be received at any time, provided that no 
 debt is due to the Treasurer, or any approaching duty left unprovided 
 for. 
 
 Honorary membership is reserved as a high mark of respect, and 
 rarely conferred. Extraordinary membership may be applied for by 
 those who have attended regularly for three years, and punctually 
 
PRESENT CONSTITUTION AND LAWS. 59 
 
 performed the business allotted to them ; and the petition is decided 
 on by ballot. Until about 1810, the Society was very strict in with- 
 holding this privilege from all who had not given the full attendance, 
 and performed their full share of work. Hence many eminent men, 
 especially strangers who did not reside three years in this place, have 
 never obtained it. And hence the great majority of the extraordinary 
 members are Scotchmen, and very generally connected with Edinburgh. 
 Thus between 1764 and 1800, out of 356 members, only 110 attained 
 this distinction. The proportion has been greater since, partly because 
 the number of Scotchmen is greater than formerly, and partly because 
 since about 1810, there has been far less strictness in requiring the 
 legal conditions to be performed. When the petition has been received, 
 and is referred to the ballot, it is invariably granted. If it were 
 refused, the candidatp must continue to perform compulsory duty for 
 an indefinite period ; and therefore by this refusal, a resignation would 
 ultimately be extorted from an obnoxious member. 
 
 The extraordinary member retains the privileges of the Society 
 without any of its burdens ; but he must of course perform, under the 
 usual penalties, any duty which he may voluntarily undertake. For 
 it must not be supposed, that the attainment of that rank always 
 terminates his practical connexion with the Society. On the contrary, 
 it often does not even diminish the zeal of those who attain it, but in- 
 duces them to continue their share in the debates, and even in the 
 more laborious task of essay writing. 
 
 The Society has no defined or formal connexion with the Senatus 
 Academicus. AVe have seen that the compliment was once paid to 
 Principal Robertson, of admitting him as a visiter, in consequence 
 of his friendly offices. The late Principal Baird waa himself an 
 ordinary before being elected an honorary member. Dr. Lee, although 
 not previously a member, was admitted to honorary membership on 
 his succeeding Dr. Baird as Principal of the University. It is under- 
 stood that the Professors have such right of control over a Society, 
 
60 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 whose premises are locally situated within the College precincts, as 
 would entitle them to make any inquiry personally as to the pro- 
 ceedings ; but they are not ex officio members ; and the Society has 
 no farther alliance with the University. A candidate for admission 
 does not require to shew that he is, or has ever been a student of 
 the University. 
 
 The title by which the Society holds its Hall from the Town Council, 
 as patrons of the University, has already been mentioned historically. 
 It is occupied exclusively by the Society. 
 
 Indications were given, when it first obtained a hall, of a wish that 
 the Society should at some future time apply for a Royal Charter ; the 
 chief reason for desiring it being, that it would enable them to make 
 up a legal title to their property. In 1826, the subject was again 
 adverted to, but the opinion was decidedly against making any such 
 application. It is not easy to see what good would result from its 
 being incorporated now. Permanence is better secured by the fame of 
 the great names on its Roll, than it could be by any Charter ; and its 
 property and rights are in little danger, while there are so many 
 persons in high offices and honourable employments, who gratefully 
 remember it, and would resent any attempt to treat it with harshness. 
 
IV. 
 
 TESTIMONIES TO THE VALUE OF DEBATING SOCIETIES, 
 
 AND IN PARTICULAR OP 
 
 THE SPECULATIVE. 
 
 Cicero seems to allude, in the following passage, and with 
 approbation, to institutions in Rome resembling the modem debating 
 Society — 
 
 " Equidem probo ista, Crassus inquit, quae vos fa cere soletis, ut, 
 causa aliqua posita consimili causaruni earum, quae in forum defe- 
 runtur, dicatis quam maxime ad reritatem accommodate. Sed plerique 
 in hoc vocem modo, neque earn scienter, et vires exercent suaSj et 
 linguae celeritatem incitant, verborumque frequentia delectantur. In 
 quo fallit eos, quod audierunt, dicendo homines, ut dicant, efficere 
 solere. Vere enim etiam illud dicitur, perverse dicere homines per- 
 verse dicendo facillime consequi. Quamobrem in istis ipsis exercita- 
 tionibus etsi utile est, etiam subito saepe dicere, tamen illud utilius, 
 sumpto spatio ad cogitandum, paratius atque accuratius dicere. Caput 
 autem est, quod (ut vere dicam) mininie facimus, (est enim magni 
 laboris, quem plerique fugimus) quam plurimum scribere. Stylus 
 optimus, et praestantissitnus dicendi elector ac ma<)ister ; neque in- 
 juria : nam si subitam et fortuitam orationem commentatio et cogi- 
 tatio facile vincit ; hanc ipsam profecto assidua ac diligens scriptura 
 superabit. Omnes enim sive artis sunt loci, sive ingenii cujusdam 
 atque prudentiae qui modo insunt in ea re de qua scribimus anqui- 
 rentibus nobis, omnique acie ingenii contemplantibus ostendunt se et 
 occurrunt ; omnesque sententiae, verbaque omnia, quae sunt cujusque 
 
62 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 generis maxime illustria sub aciimen stili subeant et succedant necesse 
 est ; turn ipsa coUocatio conformatioque verborum perficitur in scri- 
 bendo, non poetico, sed quodam oratorio numero et mode. Haec sunt, 
 quae clamores et admirationes in bonis oratoribus efficiunt neque ea 
 quisquam nisi diu multumque scriptitarit etiam si vehementissime se in 
 his subitis dictionibus exercuerit, consequetur ; et qui a scribendi con- 
 suetudine ad dicendum venit, banc affert facultatem, ut, etiam subito 
 si dicat, tamen ilia, quae dicantur, similia scriptorum esse videantur ; 
 atque etiam, si quando in dicendo scriptum attulerit aliquid, cum ab 
 eo discesserit, reliqua similis oratio consequetur. Ut concitato navigio, 
 cum remiges sustinuerunt, retinet tamen ipsa navis motum et cursum 
 suum, intermisso impetu pulsuque remorum ; sic in oratione perpetua, 
 cum scripta deficiunt, parem tamen obtinet oratio reliqua cursum, 
 scriptorum similitudine et vi concitata." 
 
 The following remarks of Dr. Welsh, in his Life of Dr. Thomas 
 Brown, are apposite and sound : — " The young men attending Edin- 
 burgh University have for many years been accustomed to form them- 
 selves into Literary Associations, in which they may be stimulated to 
 greater ardour in the prosecution of their studies, and have an oppor- 
 tunity of improving themselves in the art of public speaking. This 
 practice exists in many Universities, but it has been carried to a much 
 greater extent in Edinburgh than elsewhere ; a circumstance which has 
 been ascribed to that system of education already alluded to, which 
 affords to the students but few opportunities of distinguishing them- 
 selves in the presence of their teachers, while it leaves them the 
 greatest latitude in the conduct of their studies, and the disposal of 
 their time. The number of these Associations, and the spirit with 
 which they are in general supported, form an interesting feature in the 
 habits of our students, and ought to be more regarded in the estimates 
 formed of a Scottish education. That they are liable to abuse, leading 
 in many instances to habits of desultory study, and giving a taste for 
 dialectic subtleties, rather than for cautious induction, is not to be 
 
TESTIMONIES TO THE VALUE OF DEBATING SOCIETIES. 
 
 63 
 
 denied. But in general their effect is different, and when under 
 proper regulations, they are certainly attended with very great advan- 
 tages. The talents of the student are called forth in voluntary exer- 
 tion — he becomes acquainted with the measure of his own powers — 
 learns to depend upon his own efforts — and above all, is inspired with a 
 spirit of free inquiry. Some of the greatest men of whom Scotland 
 can boast, have acknowledged their obligations to such institutions ; 
 and indeed there are perhaps few who have received their education in 
 Edinburgh, who do not look back to the hours spent in these literary 
 and philosophical Societies as among the most improving of their early 
 life, and who do not feel themselves able to perform their part in the 
 great drama of life with greater ease and success, in consequence of 
 this early rehearsal." 
 
 The late William Taylor of Norwich, at a meeting of the Norwich 
 Philosophical Society, in paying a tribute to the memory of Dr. Reeve, 
 who had been, while in Edinburgh in early life, a member of the 
 Speculative Society, said, " There is no one academic institution which 
 better deserves a general imitation than those debating Societies of 
 Edinburgh. With only so much of police as is requisite for the pre- 
 servation of order, the young men assemble by themselves, free from 
 the repressive overawing influence of age, or office, or established 
 reputation. On a subject, announced long enough beforehand to 
 admit of some preparatory reading, the several members engage with 
 one another in a competitory debate. The struggle is between those 
 of the same age— the rivalry between natural equals ; praise and 
 blame are bestowed with all the warmth and frankness of youth. At 
 the close of the discussion, each is found to have carried some peculiar 
 contribution to that stock of information which henceforth becomes 
 common to them all ; and each has obtained some additional facility at 
 expressing his thoughts aloud, with order, clearness, and propriety. 
 On everyday conversation, they bestow grace of diction, command of 
 topic, and afiluence of matter. On solemn occasions, they lift the 
 
64 
 
 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 citizen into a sort of national consequence. Without use of public 
 speaking, hardly any prayer to Government can be efficaciously for- 
 warded — hardly any institution of benevolence popularly founded and 
 preserved. Excellence in writing may be attained in solitude or under 
 restraint ; but excellence in speaking seldom results, unless from the 
 early habit of addressing those whose sympathies are quick, and whose 
 sincerity is loud. Eloquence is the nursling of society — the daughter 
 of freedom, never of caution." 
 
 From the writings of members of the Speculative themselves, many 
 similar testimonies may be selected. In the autobiography of Sir 
 Walter Scott, the following passage occurs, in which, although not 
 mentioned by name, the Speculative Society, along with others, is 
 referred to, " It is well known, that in Edinburgh one great spur to 
 emulation among youthful students, is in those Associations called 
 Literary Societies, fonned not only for the purpose of debate, but of 
 composition. These undoubtedly have some disadvantages where a 
 bold, petulant, and disputatious temper happens to be combined with 
 considerable information and talent. Still, however, in order to such 
 a person being actually spoiled by his mixing in such debates, his 
 talents must be of a very rare nature, or his effrontery must be proof 
 to every species of assault ; for there is generally in a well selected 
 Society of this nature, talent sufficient to meet the forwardest, and 
 satire enough to penetrate the most undaunted. I am particularly 
 obliged to this sort of Club for introducing me, about my seventeenth 
 year, into the Society which at one time I had entirely dropped ; for, 
 from the time of my illness at College, I had little or no intercourse 
 with any of my class companions, one or two only excepted. Now, 
 however, about 1788, I began to feel and take my ground in society. 
 A ready wit, a good deal of enthusiasm, and a perception that soon 
 ripened into tact and observation of character, rendered me an accept- 
 able companion to many young men, whose acquisitions in philosophy 
 and science were far superior to any thing that I could boast." 
 
TESTIMONIES TO THE VALUE OF DEBATING SOCIETIES. 65 
 
 In an elegant address on the occasion of laying the foundation stone 
 of the Hall of the Medical Society of Edinburgh, Sir Gilbert Blane, 
 who was one of the Presidents at the time (1775), and was also a 
 member of the Speculative, thus happily delineates the benefits to be 
 derived from social studies. " Our predecessors perceived that it was 
 not merely the frigid plodding on books, nor the doctrines and precepts 
 of age and authority, nor the little detail of an empirical practice which 
 could inspire that taste and spirit, and give that manly turn to our in- 
 quiries which alone can render study agreeable, vigorous, and success- 
 ful. They perceived that it was in society alone, by the mutual com- 
 munication and reflection of the lights of reason and knowledge, 
 that the intellectual, as well as the moral powers of man, are ex- 
 alted and perfected. I will venture to appeal to every one's expe- 
 rience, if, in the glow of social debate, he is not conscious of a vigor- 
 ous exertion of mind, of an energy of thought unknown in the solitary 
 hour." 
 
 Sir James Mackintosh thus expresses himself in regard to the pre- 
 paratory exercises of an orator, and the advantages accruing to him 
 from debating societies. 
 
 " Eloquence differs in one very remarkable respect from the other 
 fine arts. The poet may execute a thousand rude sketches in the soli- 
 tude of his study ; he may commit them to the flames, and he needs 
 not appear before the public till he has attained the perfection of his 
 art. His friends may boast, 
 
 ' Nee licuit populis parvum te Nile \idere.' 
 
 But it is otherwise with the orator. He must expose his first rude 
 exercises to the malignant curiosity of the public. It is only by prac- 
 tice before them that he can learn his art. Whatever his genius may 
 be, it has a mechanical part, which every man but Pitt has acquired 
 by use ; and this is the very part of which nine-tenths of his hearers 
 can best judge. He is like the general who learns to fight by fighting, 
 
 I 
 
66 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 and whose only school is real war. This is a reason for indulgence 
 towards the first attempts of the speaker, which applies neither to those 
 of the poet nor of the painter. As far as I have observed, a man must be 
 an every day speaker to become popular. It has the air of business. 
 The eloquent speeches or passages of such a speaker, seem to rise natu- 
 rally on great occasions from his usual level. On the contrary, occa- 
 sional speakers are very apt to be thought rhetoricians and haranguers." 
 He concludes in another place, that for such reasons " Debating Socie- 
 ties are almost necessary aids in the mechanical parts of the art of public 
 speaking." 
 
 On this distinguished philosopher visiting Scotland in 1823, a Com- 
 mittee of the Speculative Society waited on him to request his accept- 
 ance of a diploma of honorary membership, and to express the Soci- 
 ety's esteem and admiration for his character. Sir James made the 
 following answer : — " Gentlemen, I feel most sensibly the honour you 
 have now conferred upon me, and assure you that I look back upon 
 the period spent in the Speculative Society, as having been most useful 
 to me in the acquisition of any small advantages I may possess. I beg 
 you will express to the Society my grateful acknowledgments for so 
 flattering a mark of their kindness and regard. I thank you most 
 particularly for an honour which is connected in my mind with the 
 most agreeable associations." 
 
 In the memoirs of Francis Horner, recently published, there are fre- 
 quent allusions to the Speculative Society, in his Journals from 1797 
 to 1803. During the first three years of that period, he was so regular 
 in his attendance that he was absent from only three meetings. In his 
 journal of 20th November 1802, when he had been upwards of two 
 years at the Bar, he thus writes in arranging his studies for the 
 winter. 
 
 " I wish to attend the Speculative Society very regularly, because I 
 am satisfied that I have already derived great benefit from the exertions 
 of that place; and still entertain hopes of receiving farther improve- 
 
TESTIMONIES TO THE VALUE OP DEBATING SOCIETIES. 67 
 
 luent. In general, I shall leave myself as I have hitherto always done, 
 to the extemporaneous efforts of the evening; but it would be very 
 advantageous to prepare myself upon one or two of the best questions ; 
 this, I observe, is the plan which Brougham follows." 
 
 At a dinner on the 70th anniversary of the Society in January 1 835, 
 Lord Jeffrey, who was in the chair, in proposing the toast, " Prosperity 
 to the Speculative Society," paid the following beautiful tribute to its 
 value as an institution. " lie might be permitted to say, that all his ob- 
 servation and all his reflection had tended to enhance in his estimation the 
 value of the advantages of such an Institution, and to diminish his fear 
 of any danger or hazards which it might be supposed to produce. The 
 advantages were obvious — they would all acknowledge its effects on 
 education — in training men at an early period of life to vigorous exer- 
 tion, and to the use of their minds — in encouraging the diffident by 
 accustoming them to try their hidden strength, and exercise their slug- 
 gish faculties comparatively in private, among their co-evals and friends 
 — and also in checking the forwardness of the more presumptuous in 
 the generous conflict with equal or superior minds. * * * They were 
 aware how natural it was in the early aspirations after philosophical 
 pursuits, for young and ardent minds to run into error, but he verily 
 believed it was the safest and best course for its ultimate eradication, 
 to let such minds fairly exhaust themselves at an early period of life. 
 Thus the mind was enabled to extinguish the glitter of paradoxes by 
 the application of principles early engendered — -was armed against the 
 deceptive influences of scepticism and error — and accustomed to look 
 back on them as among its early puerilities, which, in its yet untried 
 youth it had combated and overthrown. Such he conceived were the 
 chief advantages of the Speculative Society in a moral and intellec- 
 tual point of view — that it not only tended to enlarge and extend the 
 charities of intellectual life, but in reality it encouraged and enabled 
 its members to form a juster estimate both of themselves and of other 
 men. And though last, certainly not among the least of its advan- 
 
68 
 
 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 tages, he was inclined to place the actual enjoyment and ennobling gra- 
 tification which it produced. For his own part, in looking back to that 
 period of his life when he had experience of this Society, he could hardly 
 conceive any thing in after life more to be envied, than the recollection 
 of that first burst of intellect — when free from scholastic restraint, and 
 throwing off the thraldom of a somewhat servile docility, the mind first 
 aspired to reason and question nature for itself — and, half wondering 
 at its own temerity, first ventured without a guide into the mazes of 
 speculation, or tried its unaided flight into the regions of intellectual 
 adventure, to revel uncontrolled through the bright and boundless 
 realms of literature and science. True it was, that all those hopes were 
 not realized, that those proud anticipations were often destined to be 
 humbled — but still could it be doubted that they were blessings while 
 they lasted, or that they tended to multiply the chances of their being 
 one day realized ? He was afraid he was detaining them, but he could 
 not avoid stating what had been long so familiar to his own mind 
 respecting institutions of this kind, which he considered, under proper 
 guidance, calculated to develop the seeds of generous emulation, to lay 
 the foundation and trace the outlines of that permanent and glorious 
 triumph to be achieved in after life." 
 
 Lord Murray, in proposing the health of the English, Irish, and 
 foreign members on the same occasion, said, " That Benjamin Constant, 
 ooe of the most distinguished authors in Europe, never referred to the 
 Speculative Society without acknowledging that in it he had received 
 more information than he had done in any other place." 
 
 In acknowledging a vote of thanks for his exertions in the dis- 
 agreement with the Town Council, Lord Cockburn thus writes, 28th 
 February 18'1'2, — " I am conscious that I owe every thing I have to 
 the Speculative Society ; and every ordinary member, who makes a 
 right use of it, may be assured that he will be hereafter enabled to make 
 the same declaration truly." 
 
 But perhaps the highest tributes to the Society have been paid in 
 
TESTIMONIES TO THE VALUE OF DEBATING SOCIETIES. fJ9 
 
 the course of the correspondence for materials undertaken by the 
 Committee for preparing this work, in the numberless assurances 
 which they have received from distant and long separated members, 
 of their gratefid recollection of the useful and pleasant hours they 
 spent within its walls. 
 
V. 
 
 LIST OF MEMBEES. 
 
 1. WILLIAM CREECH. J Original Membeti. 
 
 [ Honorary, March 29, 1769. 
 
 Afterwards Bookseller. Lord Provost of Edinburgh in 1811 
 and 1812, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 
 For forty-four years Mr. Creech was the most extensive pub- 
 lisher in Scotland, and was himself the author of numerous 
 contributions to several periodical works which were after- 
 wards published under the title of Edinburgh Fugitive Pieces. 
 Born, 1745. Died, 1815. 
 
 " Oh Willie was a witty wight. 
 And had o' things an unco slight ; 
 Auld Reekie aye he keepit tight, 
 An trig, an braw." 
 
 Burns. 
 
 EssAY.s. — The advantages of Society in general, and of 
 Literary Institutions in particular. (Intro- 
 ductory.) 
 
 The Immortality of the Soul. 
 
 The Attributes and the Providence of God. 
 
 Instability of Conduct. 
 
 The Principles of belief. 
 
 2. ALLAN MACONOCHIE. i Original Mkmbf.r. 
 
 J Honorary, March 28, 1770. 
 (. Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Afterwards of Meadowbank, Mid-Lothian, called to the Scottish 
 
 Bar in 1770. In 1769 he entered at Lincoln's Inn, for the 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 71 
 
 purpose of studying under Lord Mansfield. In 1779, he was 
 appointed Professor of the Law of Nature and Nations, in 
 the University of Edinburgh, and in 1788, Sheriflf of Ren- 
 frewshire, and was raised to the Bench by the title of Lord 
 Meadowbank, in 1796. In 1804, his Lordship was ap- 
 pointed one of the Lords Commissioners of Justiciary, and in 
 181.5, one of the Lords Commissioners of the Jury Court. 
 Lord Meadowbank was one of the earliest members of the 
 Royal Society of Edinburgh, and a Director of the Astrono- 
 mical Institution. As a Judge, his opinions were received 
 with the highest respect. The last Essay read by him to the 
 Society, was in 1 773. 
 
 Born, 1748. Died, 1816. 
 
 " Above all, we have what is with me of the highest authority 
 and of the greatest weight — the very valuable opinion of the 
 late Lord Meadowbank — one of the best lawyers, one of the 
 most acute men — a man of large general capacity, and of 
 great experience, and with very few exceptions, if any, the 
 most diligent Judge we can remember in the practice of Scotch 
 Law." 
 
 Loud Brougham. 
 
 Essays. — The Improvement of the Understanding. 
 Adversity. 
 Benevolence. 
 The Sublime. 
 Novelty. (Valedictory.) 
 Harmony. 
 
 The Laws, Nature, and Influence of Melody. 
 Eloquence. 
 The Moral Agency of Man. 
 
HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 In Support of the Certainty of the Principles of 
 Belief. 
 
 The Influence of Modern Manners ^on Charac- 
 ter and Happiness. 
 
 Excellency of Character. (Valedictory.) 
 
 ALEXANDER BELSCHES. j Owginal Membkb. 
 
 ( Honorary, April 7, 1772. 
 Afterwards of Invermay. Called to the Scottish Bar in 17C8. 
 His last Essay was read to the Society in 1771. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1779. 
 
 Essays. — The Advantages of History. 
 The Love of Fame. 
 Sobriety. 
 Conversation. 
 The proper Improvement of Social and Literary 
 
 Institutions. (Valedictory.) 
 History of the Origin, Rise, Progress, and pre- 
 sent State of the Society. (Introductory.) 
 The Absurdity of Scepticism. 
 The Origin and Progress of Criminal Law. 
 
 4. JOHN BRUCE. 
 
 [ Original Member. 
 
 I Honorary, February 21, 1770. 
 
 Afterwards Professor of Logic in the University of Edinburgh. 
 He was one of the two joint Patentees in the Office of King's 
 Printer for Scotland, and was Historiographer to the East 
 India Company. His last Essay was read to the Society in 
 1771. He was present at the Jubilee Dinner in 1814, and 
 attended an Ordinary Meeting of the Society in 1819, fifty- 
 four years after its Institution. 
 
 Born, 1744. Died, 1826. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 73 
 
 Essays. — Friendship. 
 
 Government of the Passions. 
 
 The Extent and Limits of Human Reason, the 
 
 Errors it was subjected to, and the Remedies 
 
 thereof. (Introductory.) 
 Human Nature. 
 
 The various Characters of Mankind. 
 The Discovery of Truth and Detection of Fallacy. 
 The Nature and Tendency of Political Laws. 
 Imagination and Memory. 
 Delicacy. 
 
 The Spirit and Effects of Philosophy. 
 The Natural History of the Imagination. 
 The Mythology of the Ancients. 
 
 5. JOHN BONAR. j Ohiginal Member. 
 
 ( Honorary, February 4, 1772. 
 
 Afteiwards Solicitor of Excise. The late Lord Melville had 
 a high opinion of his abilities, and placed great confidence 
 in his judgment in important questions of Revenue. He was 
 author of a pamphlet on the Establishment of a Licensed 
 Theatre in Edinburgh, and other works. He was Secretary 
 of the Society from its Institution till November 1771. On 
 8 th February 1771, he received an unanimous vote of thanks 
 for his zeal and attention to the interests of the Society. His 
 last Essay was read to the Society in 1775, indicating an 
 attendance of more than eleven years. 
 
 Born, 1747. Died, 1807. 
 Essays. — Language in general, and, in particular, the 
 English Tongue. 
 Conversation. Part I. 
 Advantages of Societies for Improvement, and 
 
7* HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 the means of supporting siicli Institutions. 
 (Valedictory.) 
 
 Conversation. Part II. 
 
 The Pleasures of Virtue and Solitude. 
 
 Importance of Virtue to the Happiness of Ho- 
 ciety. 
 
 Origin of Language. 
 
 Conversation. Part III. 
 
 Causes of the Decline of Eloquence in Modern, 
 from what it was in Ancient Times. 
 
 Progress and Decay of the Fine Arts in Greece 
 and Home. 
 
 Oracles. 
 
 Rise, Progress, and present State of the Com- 
 mercial Glory of Great Britain. 
 
 Language, with Remarks on a late Essay on it.s 
 Origin and Progress. 
 
 Origin and Effects of Money. 
 
 6. JOHN MACKENZIE. f Original Member. 
 
 ( EXTBAORDINAKY, Nov. 26, 1771. 
 
 Afterwards of Dolphinton. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 77 1 , 
 and appointed a Judge of the Commissary Court in 177C. 
 
 Born, 1748. Died, 1788. 
 
 Ess A Ys. — Fortitude. 
 Virtue. 
 Benevolence. 
 
 The Nature and Faculties of Brutes. 
 What is important in the Nature of Man, exter- 
 nal situation or personal qualities ? 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 76 
 
 7. CHARLES STUART. f Admitted, November 23, 1764. 
 
 ( Honorary, November 24, 1772. 
 
 Afterwards Minister of Cramond, which charge he resigned 
 from conscientious scruples. He subsequently practised Me- 
 dicine in Edinburgh, having taken his Degree at that Uni- 
 versity in 1795. He afterwards succeeded to the Estate of 
 Dunearn. 
 
 Born, 1745. Died, 1828. 
 Essays. — The motives of Human Actions. 
 Solitude. 
 
 Reflection. (Introductory.) 
 The nature of Virtue. 
 Civil Establishments of Religion. 
 The Doubts concerning the Proofs from the Di- 
 vine Attributes of the Soul's Immortality. 
 The ultimate end of Human Actions, (Intro- 
 ductory.) 
 
 8. THOMAS CAW. ( admitted, November 23, 1764. 
 
 \ Honorary, May 3, 1769. 
 
 A native of South Carolina. He took the degree of Doctor of 
 Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, in 1769. 
 
 Bom, . Died, 1772. 
 
 Essays. — Improvement of Time. 
 
 Improvement and Enlargement of the Mind. 
 
 Use and Government of the Passions. 
 
 Choice of Company. 
 
 Sensation and Sympathy. 
 
 Advantages of Society and their Improvement. 
 
 (Introductory.) 
 The Power of Habit. 
 The Art of being agreeable in Company. 
 
76 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 9. JOHN GILCHRIST. J Admitted, November 23, 1764. 
 
 ( Resigned, January 3, 1766. 
 
 Afterwards took the Degree of Doctor of Medicine, and prac- 
 tised at Dumfries. He founded and long superintended the 
 Dumfries and Galloway Infirmary. 
 
 Bom, 1747. Died, 1830. 
 Essays. — The ultimate End of Learning. 
 
 Advantages of the early Acquisition of Know- 
 ledge. 
 
 10. GEORGE MUAT. j Admitted, December 14, 1764. 
 
 ( Expelled, December 3, 1766. 
 
 Essay. — Advantages of Commerce. 
 
 11. ANDREW PLUMMER. ( Admitted, December '.'1, 1764. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, December 22, 1772. 
 
 Afterwards of Sunderland Hall. Called to the Scottish Bar in 
 1771. Appointed Convener and Sheriff of Selkirkshire in 
 1785, which Office he held till his death. He was an Anti- 
 quary, fond of Mechanics and Heraldry, and collected a very 
 extensive, valuable, and curious Library. 
 
 Bom, 1748. Died, 1799. 
 Essays. — Advantages of Society. 
 The Selfish Passions. 
 Honesty. 
 
 The Constituents of Character. 
 Expressions of the Constituents of Character. 
 
 12. WILLIAM TOUCH. r Admitted, December 28, 1764. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, March 8, 1765. 
 
 Afterwards employed in one of the Government Offices at 
 Madras. He subsequently entered the Navy, and was Pur- 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 77 
 
 ser of His Majesty's Ship Tlieseus at tlie time of liis 
 Death. 
 
 Born, 1747. Died, ISOO. 
 Essay. — Reflection. 
 
 13. WILLIAM TORRENCE. f Admitted, February 8, 1765. 
 
 I Dropt from the Roll, Nov. 9, 1768. 
 
 Afterwards Minister of the Parish of Glencroes, in Mid- Lothian, 
 to which charge he was ordained in 1788. He continued to 
 discharge the duties of his office for nearly fifty years in an 
 exemplary manner, and was also distinguished for his classi- 
 cal acquirements. 
 
 Bom, 1746. Died, 1836. 
 Essays. — Poetry. 
 Taste. 
 Virtue. 
 
 14. JOHN M'MUTRIE. j Admitted, February 8, 1765. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 14, 1772. 
 
 Afterwards Minister of Kilmarnock. He is one of the Clergy- 
 men alluded to in Burns' well-known poem, entitle<l " The 
 Ordination." 
 
 Born, 1742. Died, 178.5. 
 Essays. — Composition. 
 History. 
 
 The diflferent Views of Haman Nature. 
 Persecution. 
 
 The distinguishing Characteristics of Man. 
 Defence of Revealed Religion. 
 Historical Painting. Part I. Part II. 
 Necessity of Revelation to prove the Existence 
 of a Deity. 
 
78 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Advantages arising from Literary Societies. 
 
 (Introductory.) 
 Effects of Pliilosopliy and Human Learning on 
 
 Religion. 
 
 1,5. JOHN BAILLIE. Admitted, March 29, 1765. 
 
 Excluded,* October 25, 1765. 
 
 Essay. — Advantages of a Country over a City Life. 
 
 16. THOMAS SCOTT. ( Admitted, March 29, 1765. 
 
 J Excluded* October 25, 1765. 
 
 Essay. — Pride. 
 
 17. JOHN HEPBURN. ( Admitted, April 12, 1765. 
 
 ( Resigned, November U, 1766. 
 
 Afterwards Accountant of Excise. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1800. 
 
 Essays. — Friendship. 
 Discretion. 
 Cheerfulness of Temper. 
 
 18. ANDREW WILSON. J Admitted, April 12, 1765. 
 
 / { Resigned, April 22, 1767. 
 
 Essays. — Politeness. 
 
 Dissimulation. 
 
 Advantages of the Liberal Arts and Sciences. 
 
 Pride. 
 
 19. DAVID KAY. r Admitted, November 1, 1765. 
 
 I Resigned, December 10, 1766. 
 
 Essays. — Sincerity. 
 
 Eloquence. 
 
 * On the Members being Balloted for anew at the commencement of the second 
 Session. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 79 
 
 20. ALEXANDER TYTLEK. | Admitted, December 6, 1765. 
 
 -; Honorary, December 11, 1770. 
 ( Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Afterwards of Woodhouselee. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 770. 
 In 1780 appointed joint, and in 1786 sole Professor of 
 Universal History. In 1790, appointed Judge Advocate, 
 and in 1805, raised to the Bench, by the title of Lord Wood- 
 houselee. lie was author of an Essay on the Principles of 
 Translation — Elements of Universal History — A Life of 
 Lord Kanies — an Essay on the Life of Petrarch, and a stand- 
 ard work on Military Law, to which subject his attention was 
 called by his holding the Office of Judge Advocate. Ho con- 
 tinued the Dictionary of Decisions between the period of the 
 first Dictionary by Kamcs, and the third by Morison, and 
 wrote numerous Papers in the Mirror and Lounger. He 
 was an original Member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 
 
 Born, 1747. Died, 1813. 
 
 " It was a life in its first view of usefulness and of honour. He 
 was called to fill some of the most important offices which the 
 constitution of human society affords — as a father of a family 
 — a possessor of property — a man of letters — and a Judge in 
 the Supreme Courts of his country ; and he filled them all 
 not only with the dignity of a man of virtue, but with the 
 grace of a man whose taste was founded upon high principles 
 and fashioned upon exalted models. It was a life in its 
 second view, of happiness as well as of honour ; happy in all 
 the social relations which time afforded him — in the esteem 
 of his country — the affection of his friends — the love and the 
 promises of his children ; happy in a temper of mind which 
 knew no ambition but that of duty, and aspired to no distinc- 
 tion but that of doing good ; happier than all in those early 
 
80 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 and elevated views of religion, which threw their own radi- 
 ance over all the scenes of man or of nature, through which 
 he passed and which enabled him to enjoy every present hour 
 with thankfulness, and to look forward to every future one 
 with hope." The Rev. Archibald Alison. 
 
 Mr. Alison, in the memoir from which the preceding paragraph 
 is taken, after describing Lord Woodhouselee's mode of life 
 at his country seat in Mid-Lothian, records an expression 
 which Henry Mackenzie, author of the Man of Feeling, once 
 made use of to him when they accidentally met upon the road 
 as Mr. Mackenzie was returning from AVoodhouseleo. " I 
 hope," said he, " that you are going to Woodhouselee ; for 
 no man can go there without being happier, or return from 
 it without being better." 
 
 Essays. — The comparative Merits of the Ancients and the 
 Moderns. 
 Friendship. 
 
 Supernatural Appearances. 
 Education. 
 
 The Enjoyment of Life. 
 
 Nature, Constitution, and Procedure of the So- 
 ciety. (Introductory.) 
 Nature of the Souls of Animals. 
 Character of the true Philosopher. 
 The Foundation of Truth and Virtue, and the 
 Origin of the Variety of Opinion with regard 
 to them. 
 
 21, ROBERT WHYTT. 
 
 [ AnMiTTED, December 27, 176S. 
 I Honorary, November 16, 1773. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 770. 
 
 Born, 1749. Died, 1775. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 81 
 
 Essays. — Justice. 
 
 Happiness. 
 
 The Love of Life and Fear of Death. 
 
 Self-Knowledge. 
 
 The Causes of the Superiority of the Ancients 
 
 to the Moderns in Poetical Writings. 
 The Causes of Scepticism. 
 Advantages which have arisen from the Cultiva- 
 tion of the Arts and Sciences. C Valedictory.) 
 The good Effects of Luxury. 
 Origin and Progress of the Ideas of Mankind 
 
 concerning Property. 
 
 22. JOHN KEMP. 
 
 ( Admitted, January 10, 1766. 
 I Honorary, December 13, 1769. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Divinity, and Minister of the Tolbooth 
 Church, Edinburgh. He was for many years Secretary of 
 the Society for propagating Christian Knowledge, in which 
 capacity he made several extensive tours through the High- 
 lands, and prepared a valuable report on the destitution there 
 prevalent. He was a Clergyman of great acquirements and 
 ability, and of active business habits. 
 
 Bom, 1744-5. Died, 1805. 
 Essays. — The Omniscience of God. 
 
 The Variety of Human Faces. 
 Importance of Religion to Society. 
 
 23. DAVID BOSWELL. 
 
 ( Admitted, November 19, 1766. 
 ll 
 
 ; Non-Rbsident, November 4, 1767. 
 
 Third son of Lord Auchinleck. He resided for ten years at 
 
 Valencia, in Spain, as a Merchant, adopting the name of 
 
 Thomas in place of David, which the Spaniards imagine to 
 
 L 
 
82 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 be appropriated to the hated race of the Jews. On returning 
 home he was employed in the Navy OiBce. He drew the 
 attention of Government to the manner in which seamen 
 were plundered by the Jews of the seaports, whom they 
 employed to receive their prize-money. In compliance with 
 his suggestion, oflScers were appointed specially to protect 
 the seamen, and superintend the payment of prize-money, 
 and at the head of this, called the Prize Department, he him- 
 self was placed, and continued for twenty years, retiring on a 
 pension only two years before his death. 
 
 Born, 1748. Died, 1826. 
 Essay. — Charity. 
 
 24. WILLIAM CURRIE. (Admittkd, November 19, 1766. 
 
 ( Died, May 2, 1767. 
 
 Born, — . Died, 1767. 
 
 2.5. WILLIAM DALLAS. < Admitted, November 19, 1766. 
 
 ( Resigned, November 4, 1767. 
 
 Son of James Dallas of Cantray, who was killed at the Battle 
 of Culloden. He sold the estate, which had been for many 
 centuries in his family, reserving, however, a power of re- 
 demption, and went to India. After residing there for some 
 years, and amassing considerable wealth, he sailed for this 
 country with the intention of redeeming the property, but he 
 never reached home, the vessel having been lost on the pas- 
 sage. 
 
 Bom, 173.9. Died, 1773-4. 
 Essay. — Advantages and Study of Knowledge. 
 
 26. WILLIAM LAURIE. ( Admitted, November 19, 1766. 
 
 ^ Non-Resident, November 4, 1767. 
 
 Essay. — Music. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 83 
 
 27. LEWIS GORDON. f Admitted, Febraary 25, 17fi7. 
 
 { Non-Resident, February 17, 1768. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Divinity, and Minister of the Parish of 
 Drainy, and subsequently of Elgin, in BaniFshire. He was 
 Moderator of the General Assembly in 1815. 
 
 Born, 1748. Died, 1824. 
 Essays. — The Foundations of Moral Obligation. 
 The Being of a God. 
 
 28. MONTAGU BURGOYNE. f Admitted, November 18, 1767. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, May 4, 1768. 
 
 A younger son of Sir Roger Burgoyne of Sutton Park, Bed- 
 fordshire. He held an office under Lord North's Administra- 
 tion, and was also for many years Verderer of Epping Fo- 
 rest. He was author of several pamphlets on the necessity 
 of a Reform in Parliament, and on Public Charity Schools, 
 and of a Collection of Hymns set to Music to promote Con- 
 gregational Psalmody. 
 
 Bom, 1750. Died, 1836. 
 Essay. — Friendship. 
 
 29. GILBERT BLANE. I Admitted, November 2S, 1767. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 12, 1771. 
 
 Afterwards Sir Gilbert Blane, Baronet, of Blanefield, in Ayr- 
 shire, Doctor of Medicine. He became a Surgeon in the 
 Navy, was honoured with the friendship of the Duke of Cla- 
 rence, afterwards King William IV., and rose to the rank of 
 Physician to the Fleet. He was created a baronet in 1812, 
 and was afterwards appointed successively Physician to the 
 Household, and one of the Physicians in Ordinary to the 
 King. Sir Gilbert was the author of a valuable work on 
 the Diseases incident to Seamen ; of a work, entitled, Me- 
 
84 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 dical Logic, which went through several editions ; of Select 
 Dissertations on several Subjects of Medical Science; and 
 various other publications. He was a Fellow of the Royal 
 College of Physicians, and of the Royal Societies of London 
 and Edinburgh, and a Member of the Imperial Society of 
 Sciences at St. Petersburgh. In November 1829, with the 
 sanction of the Lords of the Admiralty, he founded a Prize 
 Medal for the best Journal kept by the Surgeons of the Navy, 
 which is awarded every second year. 
 
 Bom, 1749. Died, 1834. 
 Essays. — The Influence of Situation on Character. 
 
 The Comparative Faculties of Man and other 
 
 Animals. 
 Beauty. 
 
 30. DAVID STUART. f Admitted, November 25, 1767. 
 
 I Resigned, December 13, 1769. 
 
 Afterwards Banker, and subsequently Merchant in Edinburgh. 
 Lord Provost of the City in 1780 and 1781. He was cele- 
 brated as a Collector of Books, and was believed to have the 
 most valuable private Library in Scotland. 
 Born, 1746. Died, 1824. 
 Essays. — Ridicule. 
 Laughter. 
 
 31 . HEW DALRYMPLE. j Admitted, December 16, 1767. 
 
 ( Dbopt FnoM THE RoLL, Dec. 21, 1768. 
 
 Afterwards Sir Hew Dalrymple, Baronet, of North Berwick. 
 He took the name of Hamilton on succeeding to the estate of 
 Bargeny. 
 
 Born, 1744. Died, 1800. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 85 
 
 32. NEIL FERGUSON. ( Admitted, December 16, 1767. 
 
 I Resigned, December 3, 1771. 
 
 Afterwards of PitcuUo, Fifeshire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1773, and appointed Sheriff of the County of Fife in 
 1800. 
 
 Born, 1750. Died, 1803. 
 Essay — The Causes of the Rise and Fall of Aacient 
 Empires. 
 
 33. WILLIAM KEITH. j Admitted, December 16, 1767. 
 
 { Resigned, November 21, 1770. 
 
 A younger son of Alexander Keith of Dunnottar and Ravel- 
 stone. Afterwards an eminent Accountant in Edinburgh. 
 Born, 1748. Died, 1803. 
 Essays. — Eloquence relatively to Action and Gesture. 
 Amusement. 
 
 34. LORD B^\T^GONIE. I Admitted, February 3, 1768. 
 
 j Extraordinary, January 5, 1773. 
 
 Afterwards, on his Father's death in 1802, sixth Earl of Leven 
 and seventh of Melville. 
 
 Born, 1749. Died, 1820. 
 Essays. — Comparative Merits of the Ancients and Mo- 
 derns. 
 Friendship. 
 Sincerity. 
 
 35. JOHN ROEBUCK. \ Admitted, April 5, 1768. 
 
 j Dropt from the Roll, Nov. 21, 1770. 
 
 36. CHARLES HAY. \ Admitted, April 27, 1768. 
 
 ( Honorary, January 25, 1774. 
 
 Afterwards of Newton, Forfarshire. Called to the Scottish 
 
86 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Bar in 1768, and raised to the Bench by the title of Lord 
 Newton in 1806. His opinions were highly esteemed for 
 their soundness, acuteness, and discrimination. 
 Born, 1747. Died, 1811. 
 Essays. — The Disinterestedness of Friendship. 
 Pride. 
 
 The bad Effects of Luxury in a State. 
 The Existence of a God. 
 Education of Children. (Introductory.) 
 
 37. WILLIAM ADAM. ( admitted, November 23, 1768. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, February 8, 1774. 
 
 Afterwards of Blair- Adam, Kinross-shire. Called to the Scot- 
 tish Bar in 1773. He was a Member of Parliament for 
 various places from 1774 till 1794, and again from 1806 till 
 1811. Called to the English Bar in 1782. Appointed 
 a King's Counsel in 1796, Counsel to the East India Com- 
 pany in 1802, and Chancellor of the Duchy of Cornwall un- 
 der the Grey and Grenville Administration in 1806. The 
 oflBce of Lord Chief Commissioner of the Jury Court of Scot- 
 land was conferred upon him in 1816, and he performed its 
 duties till 1833, when advancing years induced him to retire. 
 Born, 1751. Died, 1839. 
 " We envy the feelings of the Head of the Court, to whom the 
 conducting of this experiment has been chiefly intrusted ; and 
 who, on retiring, can survey such a termination of his labours. 
 If that venerable and excellent person had even done no other 
 *■ good, he would still have done enough to entitle him to the 
 
 gratitude of his country, as he has already earned the affec- 
 tion of the whole profession of the law, by the perfect exam- 
 ple which he has always exhibited, and often amid trying 
 scenes, of judicial urbanity ; by his honest anxiety for the 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 87 
 
 success of his Court ; — and, above all, by his earnest solicitude 
 for the proper discharge of his own duties." 
 
 Edinburgh Review. 
 Essays. — Whether the Savage, Barbarous, or Polished 
 State is most Happy ? 
 Effects of Religion on Society. 
 Public Speaking. (Valedictory.) 
 History of War. 
 
 38. FRANCIS SHERRIFF. I Admitted, December 14, 1768. 
 
 ( Droptfrom the Roil, March 7, 1770. 
 
 Afterwards Chaplain to one of the Scottish Regiments in the 
 Dutch Service, and subsequently Minister of Lady Glenor- 
 chy's Church, Edinburgh. 
 
 Born, 1750. Died, 1778. 
 Essay. — Observations on Human Nature. 
 
 39. GEORGE FERGUSSON. ( Admitted, December 21, 1768. 
 
 ( Dropt from the Roll, April 19, 1769. 
 
 Afterwards of Hermand. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1765. 
 Appointed a Judge in the Commissary Court in 1775. 
 Raised to the Bench by the title of Lord Hermand, in 1799. 
 
 Born, 1743. Died, 1827. 
 " Although very hasty and impatient at times in his temper 
 and demeanour, and not over scrupulous in regard to the 
 limits of some of his sarcasms, this old Judge is a prodigious 
 favourite with all classes who frequent the Courts, and, above 
 all, with the advocates, at whose expense most of his spleen 
 effervesces. He is a capital lawyer, and he is the very soul 
 of honour, and the goodness of his warm heart is so well un- 
 derstood, that not only no offence is taken at any thing he 
 says, but every new sarcasm he utters endears him more to 
 
88 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 the sufferer. As for the younger members of the profession — 
 when he goes a circuity you may be sure in whatever direc- 
 tion he moves, to meet with an extraordinary array of them 
 in the train of Lord Hermand. His innocent peculiarities of 
 manner afford an agreeable diversity to the surface of the 
 causes carried on under his auspices, while the shrewdness 
 and diligence of his intellect completely provide for the safety 
 of their essential merits ; and then, when the business of the 
 Court is over, he is the very ' prince of good fellows, and 
 king of old men ;' and you are well aware what high delight 
 all young men take in the company of their seniors, when 
 these are pleased to enter bona fide into the spirit of their con- 
 vivialities. He has an infinite fund of dry, caustic, original 
 humour, and, in addition to this, he cannot fail to possess an 
 endless store of anecdotes, so that it is no wonder his company 
 should be so fascinating to the young juris-consults. In him 
 they axe, no doubt, too happy to have the opportunity of see- 
 ing a noble living specimen of a very fine old school, which 
 has now left little behind it but the tradition of its virtues, 
 and its talents and its pleasantries. * * * * » Like 
 almost all the old Scottish lawyers, Lord Hermand is no less 
 keen in farming, than in law and the enjoyment of good 
 company. The moment any session of the Court is over, and 
 a few weeks of intermission are put in his power, he quits the 
 city on the instant, and buries himself among his woods, and 
 cornfields, and cattle, till necessity compels him once more to 
 exchange these for the fumum strepitumque Romm. Even in 
 the city there is in his dress and gait a great deal that marks 
 his Lordship's rural attachments and habits." 
 
 Peter's Letters. 
 
 Essay. — Marriage. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 89 
 
 40. LORD DALRYMPLE. f Admitted, January 4, 1769. 
 
 ( Dropt from the Roll, Dec. 7, 1773. 
 
 Became, by his father's death in 1789, 6th Earl of Stair. 
 
 Born, 1749. Died, 1821. 
 Essay. — Causes of the Origin and Progress of Asiatic 
 . Despotism. 
 
 41. CYRUS GRIFFIN. 
 
 (Admitted, January 11, 1769. 
 
 ( NoN- Resident, November 14, 1770. 
 
 A Native of Virginia. 
 
 Essays. — Human Nature. 
 
 The Character of Virtue and Public Spirit ex- 
 emplified in King David. (Valedictory.) 
 
 f Admitted, January 16, 1769. 
 
 42. Sir HENRY MONCREIFF, Bart. 
 
 ^; Resigned, January 9, 1776. 
 
 Afterwards the Reverend Sir Henry Moncreiff Wellwood, Ba- 
 ronet of TullieboU, Doctor of Divinity. In 1771 he was 
 ordained minister of the parish of Blackford, in Perthshire, a 
 charge which had been held successively by his father and 
 grandfather. In 1775, he was translated to the parish of St. 
 Cuthberts, Edinburgh, the duties of which he continued 
 faithfully to discharge for fifty-two years. He was Mode- 
 rator of the General Assembly in 1785, took a prominent 
 part in the councils of the Church, and was held in high esti- 
 mation as a leader in the Ecclesiastical Courts for half a 
 century. He was author of three volumes of Sermons, of 
 Discourses on the Evidences of the Jewish and Christian Re- 
 velations, of a Biography of the Reverend Dr. Erskine, and of 
 various other works. He was for upwards of forty years col- 
 lector of the Ministers' Widows' Fund, and was an original 
 member and active manager of the Society for the Benefit of the 
 
 M 
 
90 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Sons of the Clergy. At the first meeting of the General As- 
 sembly, after his death, in May 1828, it was unanimously 
 resolved that a tribute to his memory should be prepared by 
 the Moderator, and inserted in the records of the Assembly. 
 Born, IT.")©. Died, 1827. 
 " Few men have ever run a long course of public and private 
 life with more universal esteem, or have more owed to the 
 sterling qualities of their nature the high estimation in which 
 they were held. Endowed with a masculine strength and 
 plainness of understanding, rarely equalled, and cultivating 
 all his faculties with a preference to the solid over the showy, 
 truly characteristic of his natural force of mind, possessing in 
 an enviable degree both quickness and penetration to reach 
 at once the substance of things, and to tear off the crust that 
 enveloped it, he was both in public conflicts, and in the inter- 
 course of domestic life, one in whose presence nonsense and 
 imposture, and sophistry and aflfectation could not live. 
 Gifted with as clear and instructive a manner of imparting 
 information as ever man had, it was hard to say whether he 
 most excelled as a teacher or a combatant, whether he shone 
 most and did most good in conveying knowledge and enlight- 
 ening dark passages, or in wrestling with and overthrowing 
 error. But the manly habits of his whole mind, his feelings 
 as well as his judgment, made him regard the shining with 
 indifference, and value only the good he did. Accordingly, 
 lie reaped the reward of those who seek not fame — but follow 
 the course that leads to it — fame unsought followed him. 
 
 " His talents as a preacher were of the very first order. 
 There was nothing paltry, or affected, or vain, or worldly 
 in either the matter of his discourse, or the manner. He 
 spoke with authority — delivering a great message to the 
 congregation, and rejecting with disdain all the petty arts by 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 91 
 
 which lesser men on lesser occasions seek to win to themselves 
 the attention of an audience, he sturdily assumed their atten- 
 tion as his undoubted right; for gaining which he would 
 make no sacrifice, for receiving which he would render no 
 thanks. He had it indeed without the asking, and he went 
 on from the beginning to the close as if he knew he had it. 
 His manner was firm, manly, decided, even somewhat per- 
 emptory, but not harsh, not dogmatical ; it was the manner 
 that becomes a minister of God officiating at his altar, hum- 
 ble indeed when he has to offer up his people's supplications, 
 but authoritative in declaring to that people his Master's will. 
 He has nothing to do with the arts by which the poet seeks 
 to please, or the songster to tickle the ear, or the player, who 
 struts his little hour, to raise fantastic emotions and sound 
 out some tale of woe. Nor has he to implore favour at the 
 hearer's hands, nor to mislead by persuasive topics, nor to 
 argue and wrangle on doubtful matters of worldly expedi- 
 ency, nor to call up the bad or the doubtful passions of our 
 nature, by setting up one frail man above another in estima- 
 tion or in power. But his function is to declare the things 
 of God, to proclaim His promises as the herald of a higher 
 power, to affright men from vice by pointing out its misery 
 and its perils — to keep men steadfast in the faith by calling 
 them back when they stray, by upholding them when back- 
 sliding, and by arousing them when slumbering over the 
 things which belong to their peace. That these high offices 
 were performed worthily and steadily, but with all earnest- 
 ness, and with all tenderness by this great Presbyter, we 
 have most impressive and eloquent testimony." 
 
 Edinburgh Review. (Lord Brougham.) 
 " His character had a length and a breadth which made it ob- 
 vious to all. It had nothing hidden, or disguised, or equi- 
 
92 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 vocal about it. It was bold, open, forthcoming, resembling 
 in that respect his own outward person, which carried on it 
 the impress of conscious integrity and bold independence, not 
 only when he was in the prime and fulness of manhood, but 
 even when his features had been softened and his stature 
 bowed down by age, so that you could not fail to be conver- 
 sant with its reigning qualities and its standard merits. 
 There was a magnanimity in his modes of thinking and of 
 acting, which was as evident to the eye of observation, as 
 were the lineaments of his face and the dignity of his gait." 
 
 Dr. Andrew Thomson. 
 
 Essay. — The Causes of the want of Success in Philoso- 
 phical Inquiry. 
 
 43. GEORGE SKENE. ( Admitted, January 19, 1769. 
 
 t Non-Resident, February 21, 1776. 
 
 Afterwards of Skene. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1774. 
 
 Born, 1750. Died, 1824. 
 Essays. — Dreaming, — with a Dream. 
 Taste. 
 The Effects of Scepticism. 
 
 44. GEORGE CURRIE. | Admitted, January 25, 1769. 
 
 I Resigned, November 26, 1771. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1772. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1817. 
 
 Essays. — Whether it is best to think too highly or too 
 meanly of ourselves ? 
 On Suicide. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 93 
 
 45. GEORGE BUCHAN. \ Admitted, Februarys, 1769. 
 
 j Dropt from the Roll, Dec. 4, 1770. 
 
 Afterwards of Kelloe. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1772. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1813. 
 
 Essay. — The Effects of Liberty upon the Character of In- 
 dividuals. 
 
 46. JAMES M'CLURG. 
 
 ( Admitted, February 15, 1769. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 14, 1770. 
 
 A native of Virginia. He took the degree of Doctor of Medi- 
 cine at the University of Edinburgh. 
 Essay. — On National Character. 
 
 47. WILLIAM CHALMERS. \ Admitted, March 29, 1769. 
 
 j Dropt from the Roll, Dec. 6, 1769. 
 
 Afterwards William Chalmers Bethune, of Blebo, Writer to the 
 Signet. 
 
 Born, 1744. Died, 1807. 
 
 48. LOUIS ODIER. 
 
 Admitted, April 5, 1769. 
 Resigned, December 27, 1769. 
 
 Afterwards Professor of Medicine at Geneva, where he prac- 
 tised as a physician, — and author of various esteemed works. 
 Vice-President of the Society of Arts, and one of the founders 
 of the Medico-Chirurgical Society of Geneva, Corresponding 
 Member of the Royal Institute of France, and Member of 
 several learned Societies. 
 
 Bom, 1748. 
 Essay. — On Friendship. 
 
 Died, 1817. 
 
 49. HENRY GOUGH. 
 
 J Admitted, April 19, 1769. 
 1l 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 15, 1769. 
 Afterwards Sir Henry Gough, Baronet, Member of Parliament 
 
94 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 for Bramber, from 1774 to 1796. Raised to the Peerage in 
 1 796, by the title of Baron Calthorpe of Calthorpe, in the 
 county of Suffolk. 
 
 Born, 1748. Died, 1798. 
 
 50. LORD KINNAIRD. S Admitted, May 3, 1769. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 15, 1769. 
 
 Afterwards one of the Representative Peers of Scotland. 
 Born, . Died, 1805. 
 
 51. J A MES GREGORY. f Admitted, November 22, 1769. 
 
 I Honorary, March 10, 1773. 
 
 Graduated as Doctor of Medicine in 1774, and two years later, 
 when twenty-three years of age, was appointed Professor of 
 the Theory of Physic in the University of Edinburgh. In 
 1790, on the death of Dr. CuUen, he was appointed his suc- 
 cessor in the chair of the Practice of Physic, which he filled 
 for thirty-five years with the highest reputation. He was 
 author of the Conspectus Medicinw Theoreticw, a work which 
 obtained a standard reputation over Europe, not only for its 
 scientific merits, but for the classical felicity of its language 
 — of Cullen's first lines of the Practice of Physic — of two 
 volumes of Philosophical and Literary Essays, and several 
 other works. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edin- 
 burgh, President of the Royal College of Physicians, and 
 Corresponding Member of the Royal Institute of France. 
 Born, 1753. Died, 1821. 
 
 " As a practitioner and teacher of medicine, it may be stated 
 that Dr. Gregory was chiefly distinguished by his clear per- 
 ception and constant application of the truth contained in a 
 maxim which he was accustomed to quote from a favourite 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 95 
 
 Greek author. ' The best physician is he who can distin- 
 guish what he can do from what he cannot do.' He dis- 
 trusted all theories in regard to the intimate nature of diseased 
 actions, as premature and visionary, but he had early and 
 carefully studied the diagnostic and prognostic symptoms, 
 and the various forms of the most important diseases, and the 
 agency of the most powerful remedies, and without entering 
 into the minutiiB of morbid anatomy, he had a clear under- 
 standing of the changes of structure to be apprehended from 
 disease in the different internal parts of the body. On these 
 points, and on their immediate practical bearing, he fixed all 
 his attention. When he thought that these changes were ap- 
 proaching, and could be arrested by active treatment, he 
 urged the truly effectual remedies with the peculiar energy 
 of his character, restrained only by his own good sense and 
 his ample experience, and despising all parade of nicety or 
 variety of prescription. When he was satisfied that the na- 
 ture or the stage of the disease did not admit of effectual 
 cure, his decision of character was equally shown in abstain- 
 ing from useless interference, and confining bis views to the 
 relief of suffering. 
 
 " As a teacher, he was strongly impressed with the duty of 
 fixing the attention of his pupils on tliose points in the his- 
 tory of disease, and in the application of remedies, the know- 
 ledge of which he had found by experience to be most prac- 
 tically important, and the ignorance of which he thought 
 practically dangerous. The characteristic symptoms and va- 
 rieties of inflammatory diseases, and the extent to which the 
 antiphlogistic treatment might be carried in opposing them, 
 were therefore subjects on which he dwelt with peculiar ear- 
 nestness ; and in regard to the use of those remedies in such 
 diseases, he had acquired by long and keen observation a 
 
HL 
 
 96 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 tact and decision which probably were never surpassed. On 
 the other hand, in regard to those numerous chronic diseases, 
 where remedies are so frequently ineflfectual, he was equally 
 zealous in inculcating those means of prevention which he 
 thought most effectual and most attainable, and whilst he was 
 incredulous as to the alleged virtue of most medicines in such 
 diseases, he omitted no opportunity of illustrating the efficacy 
 of temperance, even of abstinence, of bodily exertion without 
 fatiguOj and mental occupation without anxiety, in averting 
 their approach or even arresting their progress. From these 
 great practical objects of his labours as a teacher, no consider- 
 ation ever turned him aside. His extensive reading, parti- 
 cularly of the older authors, never led to pedantic displajra of 
 learning — his logical acuteness never beguiled him into use- 
 less controversies — his fertility of imagination never carried 
 him beyond the simplest and most practical views of the sub- 
 jects of which he treated. 
 
 " As a lecturer, he possessed the great advantages of a 
 command of language, which made him almost independent of 
 any written notes, and of a tenacity of memory which ena- 
 bled him to detail cases in illustration of his principles, year 
 after year, from the whole range of his experience, merely 
 from having the names of the patients before him, without 
 the slightest inaccuracy or omission. The commanding energy 
 and quickness of intellect which his lectures displayed, the 
 frank and fearless exposition of his opinions which they con- 
 tained, the classical allusions with which they abounded, 
 and the genuine humour by which they were enlivened, ren- 
 dered them peculiarly attractive and interesting, and acquired 
 for him a remarkable ascendancy over the minds of his pupils. 
 
 " In the practice of the profession he was remarkable for the 
 frankness and candour of his communications with the rela- 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 97 
 
 tions and friends of the sick, and for the zealous and even 
 tender interest, always increasing with the difficulty and dan- 
 ger of the case, which he took in his patients. * * * Dr. 
 Gregory used to say, that whilst physic had been the busi- 
 ness, metaphysics had been the amusement of his life. * * * 
 He retained throughout life a fervent admiration for the clas- 
 sical authors, and a severe and somewhat fastidious taste in 
 literature, which was formed on the classical models. Several 
 of the lighter and controversial writings with which he 
 amused himself, particularly his memorials on certain changes 
 in the arrangements of the Royal Infirmary, in 1 800 and 
 1803, exhibit very numerous examples of his ready recollec- 
 tion and happy application of quotations from the classics, 
 and a number of Latin epitaphs and inscriptions of various 
 kinds, which he composed at difierent periods of his life, 
 attest an accuracy of knowledge of the Latin language, and 
 a purity of taste in Latin composition, which few men have 
 the faculty of retaining throughout a lifetime of incessant 
 professional labour. 
 
 " During this long period the fame which his talents had 
 acquired, attracted students from all parts of the world to this 
 city, all of whom returned to their homes with a feeling of 
 reverence for his character, more nearly resembling that 
 which the disciples of antiquity felt for their instructors, than 
 any thing which is generally experienced in the present situ- 
 ation of society. 
 
 ***** 
 
 " The brilliancy of his wit, and epigrammatic force of his 
 conversation, will long be remembered by those who had the 
 good fortune to enjoy his acquaintance, while among a nu- 
 merous circle of relations and friends, the kindness and gene- 
 rosity of his character have rendered his death an irreparable 
 
98 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 loss. To the poorer classes his professional advice was at all 
 times gratuitously open ; and such was the disinterestedness 
 of his conduct, tliat his income never was nearly so great as 
 the celebrity of his name might have procured. 
 
 " We know of no one to whose life and conduct we can more 
 truly apply the classical words which he himself inscribed on 
 the tomb of one of his earliest and most valued friends : — 
 ' Vir priscaj virtutis per omnes vitae gradus et in omni vitae 
 officio probatissimas.' " 
 
 Dr. W. p. Alison. 
 Essays. — The Ideal and Sceptical Philosophy. 
 Happiness. 
 
 Progress of the Human Body from Childhood 
 to Old Age. (Introductory.) 
 
 .'52. JOHN HENDERSON. ( Admitted, November 22, 1769. 
 
 i Resigned, November 29, 1774. 
 
 Afterwards Sir John HendersoUj Baronet, of Fordel. Called 
 to the Scottish Bar in 1 774. Member of Parliament for the 
 county of Fife, and afterwards for the county of Stirling. 
 Bom, 1732. Died, 1817. 
 Essay. — Happiness. 
 
 .5.3. JOHN RUTHERFORD. ( Admitted, December 27, 1769. 
 
 [ Dropt from the Roll, Jan. 8, 1771. 
 
 li 
 
 Afterwards of Edgerston, Roxburghshire. Called to the Scot- 
 tish Bar in 1770. 
 
 Bom, 1740. Died, 1834. 
 " The late John Rutherford of Edgerston, long Member of Par- 
 liament for Roxburghshire, was a person of high worth, and 
 universally esteemed. Scott used to say Edgerston was his 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 98 
 
 beau ideal of the character of a country gentleman. He was, 
 I believe, the head of the once great and powerful clan of 
 Rutherford." 
 
 Note iy LocKHART, in Life of Scott. 
 
 54. HUGO ARNOT. (Admitted, January 3, 1770. 
 
 ( Honorary, May 4, 1773. 
 
 Afterwards of Balcormo. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1772. 
 Author of a Collection of Criminal Trials, of a History of 
 Edinburgh, an Essay on Nothing, &c. 
 
 Born, 1749. Died, 1786. 
 Essays. — The comparative Happiness of the Polished and 
 Barbarous State. 
 Whether a Man would be most happy in retir- 
 ing from or continuing in Business after 
 making a competent Fortune ? 
 Foundation of the Inequality among Mankind. 
 Literary Property. 
 Nature and End of Punishments. 
 The Necessity of Mankind living in Society, and 
 
 the Advantages of it. (Valedictory.) 
 On Nothing. 
 
 .55. WILLIAM M'DOWALL. (Admitted, February 21, 1770. 
 
 ( Non-Reside.nt, March 12, 1771- 
 
 Afterwards of Garthland and Castlesemple. Called to the 
 Scottish Bar in 1771. He was appointed Lord- Lieutenant 
 of Renfrewshire in 1793, and also represented that county in 
 Parliament from 1783 until his death. A monument was 
 erected to his memory in the Abbey Church of Paisley, by 
 the Nobility, Gentry, and Freeholders of the County. 
 
100 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Born, 1749. Died, 1810. 
 " He was a man of great natural abilities. With a handsome 
 countenance and figure, joined to high-bred and dignified 
 manners, he might be considered in the course of his life as 
 an excellent specimen of an old Scottish baron. He was a 
 great favourite of George IV., when Prince of Wales." 
 
 Rev. Dr. Macknight. 
 Essay. — Progress and Effects of Arts and Manufac- 
 tures. 
 
 ,56. .JAMES TYTLER. ) Admitted, Febniary 28, 1770. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, March 10, 1773. 
 
 A writer in various periodical works. He was the chief con- 
 ductor of the second Encyclopaedia Britannica. He made 
 several unsuccessful attempts to asscend in a fire-balloon of 
 . his own invention, from which he got the name of " Balloon 
 Tytler." He is noticed in Kay's Edinburgh Characters. 
 Born, 1747. Died, 1803. 
 
 Essays Imagination. 
 
 The Immortality of the Soul. 
 
 .57. Db. ANDREW DUNCAN. ( Admitted, March 14, 1770. 
 
 ■< ExTRAORDiNABT, December 1 1772. 
 ( Honorary, April 30, 1799. 
 
 Afterwards Professor of Medical Institutes in the University of 
 
 Edinburgh, author of numerous medical treatises, founder of 
 
 the Harveian Society, and of several public charities, and 
 
 original editor of the Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal. 
 
 Born, 1744. Died, 1828. 
 
 Essay. — Youth. (Introductory.) 
 
. LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 101 
 
 ( Admitted, November 21, 1770. 
 
 58. HARRY BEAUFOY. 
 
 Non-Resident, November 17, 1772. 
 Afterwards Merchant in London, Member of Parliament for 
 Great Yarmouth, and Secretary to the Board of Control. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1795. 
 
 Essay. — Origin and Nature of Prejudice. 
 
 59. WILLIAM ROBERTSON. (ADMirrED, November 28, 1770. 
 
 ■< Extraordi.narv, December 6, 1774. 
 ( Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Son of Principal Robertson, the historian. Called to the Scot- 
 tish Bar in 1775, and raised to the Bench in 1805, by the 
 title of Lord Robertson. He retired from public life in 1826. 
 Born, 1754. Died, 1835. 
 " He was only prevented by the engagements of an active 
 profession, from sustaining his father's literary name." 
 
 DuGALD Stewart. 
 Essays. — Ancient Domestic Slavery. 
 
 Rise and Fall of the Democracy of Rome. 
 The Causes of the different Degrees of Perma- 
 nency in different Forms of Government. 
 Advantages of this Institution. (Introductory.) 
 Effects of Climate upon the Character of Na- 
 tions, by affording more or less facility in 
 acquiring the means of subsistence. 
 
 I Admitted, November 28, 1770. 
 11 
 
 GO. JOHN RUSSELL. 
 
 [ Extraordinary, December 6, 1774. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Bom, 1753. Died, 1793. 
 Essays. — Love. 
 
 Reasons for establishing Monopolies, and on the 
 
 influence of such Institutions upon Trade. 
 Origin and Progress of the Right of Property. 
 
102 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 A Fragment of a Vision. 
 A Dream. (Valedictory.) 
 
 61. JOHN ANSTRUTHER. 
 
 {Admitted, December 11, 1770. 
 Non-Rksident, November 24, 1772. 
 
 Afterwards of Spencerfield. Called to the Scottish Bar in 
 1776, appointed a Judge of the Commissary Court in 1799, 
 and Sheriff of Fife in 1811. 
 
 Born, 1752. Died, 1819. 
 Essays. — The Causes and Effects of Asiatic Despotism. 
 Origin of different Forms of Government. 
 
 62. HUGH CLEGHORN. 
 
 J Admitted, December 26, 1770. 
 ( Non-Resident, March 22, 1773. 
 
 Afterwards of Stravithy, Fifeshire, Professor of Civil History 
 in the University of St. Andrews, to which chair he was 
 appointed at the age of twenty, and which he resigned in 
 1795. While travelling on the Continent during the war, he 
 obtained and communicated to the British Government such 
 information with regard to the disaffection of the Swiss regi- 
 ments, by which Ceylon was held for the French, as led to 
 that island being conquered almost without bloodshed. He 
 was for several years a member of the government of the 
 island after it became a British possession. 
 Born, 1755. Died, 1832. 
 Essays. — Character and Manners of the French. 
 
 The Connexion between Moral Philosophy and 
 the Fine Arts. 
 
 C3. CHARLES MAITLAND BARCLAY. 
 
 AD.MITTED, Jan. 29, 1771. 
 
 Dropt prom the Roll, 
 
 December 17, 1771. 
 
 Afterwards of Tillicoultry. A Captain in the 22d regiment of 
 Light Dragoons. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 103 
 
 Born, 
 
 Died, 1795. 
 
 Essay. — Advantages of History. 
 
 (-•4. CHARLES LORD BINNING, j Admitted, February 5, 1771. 
 
 ( Resigned, December 10, 1771. 
 
 Became, by his father's death in 1794, eighth Earl of Hadding- 
 ton, Lord-Lieutenant of the county of Haddington, and one of 
 the Representative Peers of Scotland. 
 
 Bom, 1753. Died, 1828. 
 Essay. — Defects of the Laws of Great Britain. 
 
 I Admitted, February 12, 1771. 
 
 V 
 
 e.5 Dr. WILLIAM BUCHAN. 
 
 ! Extraordinary, November 28, 1775. 
 
 His fame is associated with his very popular Manual of Do- 
 mestic Medicine, published at Edinburgh in 1770. He was 
 author also of some other medical tracts. 
 
 Born, 1729. Died, 1805. 
 Essays. — The Pleasure and Advantages of the Knowledge 
 of Nature. 
 The Causes which have retarded the improve- 
 ment of the Science of Medicine. 
 Benevolence. 
 
 Defects and Amendments of the Poor Laws. 
 Advantages of cultivating Natural Knowledge. 
 Advantages of Medical Police. 
 A Valedictory Discourse. 
 
 6(;. THOMAS TARPLAY. 
 
 Essay. — Public Spirit. 
 
 j Admitted, February 12, 1771. 
 ) Resigned, November 26, 1771. 
 
104 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 67. GEORGE HILL. 
 
 I Admitted, March 19, 1771. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 17, 1772. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Divinity. Professor of Divinity in St. 
 Mary's College, in the University of St. Andrews, and sub- 
 sequently Principal of that University. One of the leading 
 Members of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, 
 and author of various theological works. 
 
 Born, 1750. Died, 1819. 
 
 " Of his manner of speaking it is difficult or impossible to 
 give, by description, an adequate conception. In this he 
 eminently excelled. There was no display of oratory and 
 no gesture, evidently intended and studied to give effect to 
 what he said, but his powerful and finely-toned voice could 
 adapt itself without effort to the varied sentiments which it 
 announced, whilst his serious, dignified, and impressive coun- 
 tenance, and his manly action, obviously arising from his 
 feeling what was spoken, and giving occasionally to it that 
 energy which belongs only to what proceeds from the heart ; 
 fixed every eye and arrested every thought. Through the 
 immense church in which he officiated, there was often that 
 striking silence which is inexpressibly sublime, for a moment 
 perhaps interrupted by the unavoidable breathing or sigh of 
 admiration, which the thrilling sentiments carried to the soul, 
 called forth. It was impossible to listen to him with the 
 carelessness or languor with which many excellent ministers 
 are often heard, and impossible to leave the place in which 
 he had spoken, without the conviction that he was in the best 
 sense of the words a most useful and most eloquent preacher." 
 
 Rev. Dr. George Cook. 
 Essays. — The History of Aristocracy in England. 
 The Constitution of the Spartan Republic. 
 
 «* 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 105 
 
 68. JOHN PLAYFAIR. 
 
 ( Admitted, November 26, 1771. 
 -; Non-Resident, January 26, 1779. 
 ( Honorary, December 18, 1798. 
 
 In 1772, he was ordained minister of Bervie, but in 1782 re- 
 .signed that charge, and in 1785 was appointed Professor of 
 Mathematics, and, in 1805, of Natural Philosophy in the 
 University of Edinburgh. He was one of the founders of 
 the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and contributed many Pa- 
 pers to its Transactions. In 1816, he visited the Alps, the 
 better to pursue the study of geology. He published, in de- 
 fence of the views of his friend. Dr. James Hutton, his cele- 
 brated Illustrations of the Iluttonian Theory. He also wrote 
 Elements of Geometry, and Outlines of Natural Philoso- 
 phy- 
 
 Born, 1749. Died, 181.9. 
 
 AVe believe we hazard nothing in saying that Mr. Play- 
 fair was one of the most learned mathematicians of his age, 
 and among the first, if not the very first, who introduced the 
 beautiful discoveries of the later continental geometers to the 
 knowledge of his countrymen, and gave their just value and 
 true place, in the scheme of European knowledge, to those 
 important improvements by which the whole aspect of the 
 abstract sciences has been renovated, since the days of our 
 illustrious Newton. If he did not signalize himself by any 
 brilliant or original invention, he must at least be allowed to 
 have been a most generous and intelligent judge of the 
 achievements of others, as well as a most eloquent expounder 
 of that great and magnificent system of knowledge which has 
 been gradually evolved by the successive labours of so many 
 gifted individuals. He possessed, indeed, in the highest 
 degree, all the characteristics both of a fine and a power- 
 ful understanding, at once penetrating and vigilant, but more 
 distinguished perhaps for the caution and sureness of its 
 
lOG 
 
 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 march, than for the brilliance and rapidity of its movements, 
 and guided and adorned through all its progress by the most 
 genuine enthusiasm for all that is grand, and the justest taste 
 for all that is beautiful in the truth or intellectual energy 
 with which he was habitually conversant. 
 
 " To what account these rare qualities might have been 
 turned, and what more brilliant or lasting fruits they might 
 have produced, if his whole life had been dedicated to the 
 solitary cultivation of science, it is not for us to conjecture ; 
 but it cannot be doubted, that they added incalculably to his 
 eminence and utility as a teacher, both by enabling him to 
 direct his pupils to the most simple and luminous methods 
 of inquiry, and to imbue their minds from the very com- 
 mencement of the study with that fine relish for the truths it 
 disclosed, and that high sense of the majesty with which they 
 were invested, that predominated in his own bosom. While 
 he left nothing unexplained or unreduced to its proper place 
 in the system, he took care that they should never be per- 
 plexed by petty difficulties, or bewildered in useless details, 
 and formed them betimes to that clear, masculine, and direct 
 method of investigation, by which, with the least labour, the 
 greatest advances might be accomplished. We do not think 
 we are influenced by any national, or other partiality, when 
 we say that he was certainly one of the best writers of his 
 age, and even that we do not now recollect any one of his con- 
 temporaries who was so great a master of composition. There 
 is a certain mellowness and richness about his style, which 
 adorns without disguising the weight and nervousness which 
 is its other great characteristic, a sedate gracefulness and 
 manly simplicity in the more level passages — and a mild ma- 
 jesty and considerate enthusiasm where he rises above them 
 — of which we scarcely know where to find any other exam- 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 107 
 
 pie. There is a great equality, too, and sustained force, in 
 every part of his writings. He never exhausts himself in 
 flashes and epigrams, nor languishes into tameness or insipi- 
 dity; at first sight you would say that plainness and good 
 sense were the predominating qualities, but by and by this 
 simplicity is enriched with the delicate and vivid colours of 
 a fine imagination — the free and forcible touches of a most 
 powerful intellect — and the lights and shades of an unerring 
 and harmonizing taste. In comparing it with the styles of 
 his most celebrated contemporaries, we would say that it was 
 more purely and peculiarly a written style, and therefore re- 
 jected those ornaments that more properly belong to oratory. 
 It had no impetuosity, hurry, or vehemence, no bursts or 
 sudden turns or abruptions like that of Burke ; and though 
 eminently smooth and melodious, it was not modulated to an 
 uniform system of solemn declamation like that of Johnson, 
 nor spread out in the richer and more voluminous elocution 
 of Stewart, nor still less broken into that patchwork of scho- 
 lastic pedantry and conversational smartness which has found 
 its admirers in Gibbon. It is a style, in short, of great free- 
 dom, force, and beauty, but the deliberate style of a man of 
 thought and learning, and neither that of a wit throwing out 
 his extempores with an affectation of careless grace — nor of 
 a rhetorician thinking more of his manner than his matter, 
 and determined to be admired for his expression, whatever 
 may be the fate of his sentiments. 
 
 «   * » * 
 
 " The same admirable taste which is conspicuous in his 
 writings, or rather the higher principles from which that taste 
 was but an emanation, spread a similar charm over his whole 
 life and conversation, and gave to the most learned philoso- 
 pher of his day the manners and deportment of the most per- 
 
108 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 feet gentleman. Nor was this in him the result merely of 
 good sense and good temper, assisted by an early familiarity 
 with good company, and a consequent knowledge of his own 
 place and that of all around him. His good breeding was of 
 a higher descent, and his powers of pleasing rested on some- 
 thing better than mere companionable qualities. With the 
 greatest kindness and generosity of nature, he united the 
 most manly firnmcss, and the highest principles of honour ; 
 and the most cheerful and social dispositions, with the gent- 
 lest and steadiest affections. Towards women he had always 
 the most chivalrous feelings of regard and attention, and was, 
 beyond almost all men, acceptable and agreeable in their so- 
 ciety, though witliout the least levity or pretension unbecom- 
 ing his age or condition. And such indeed was the fascina- 
 tion of the perfect simplicity and mildness of his manners, 
 that the same tone and deportment seemed equally appro- 
 priate in all societies, and enabled him to delight the young 
 and gay with the same sort of conversation which instructed 
 the learned and grave. There never, indeed, was a man of 
 learning and talent, who appeared in society so perfectly free 
 from all sorts of pretension or notion of his own importance, 
 or so little solicitous to distinguish himself, or so sincerely 
 willing to give place to every one else. 
 
 * * * * * • 
 
 " Independent, in short, of his high attainments, Mr. Play- 
 fair was one of the most amiable and estimable of men — de- 
 lightful in his manner, inflexible in his principles, and gener- 
 ous in his affections, he had all that could charm in society, 
 or attach in private — and while his friends enjoyed the free 
 and unstudied conversation of an easy and intelligent asso- 
 ciate, they had at all times the proud and inward assurance 
 that he was a being upon whose perfect honour and generosity 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 109 
 
 they might rely with the most implicit confidence in life and 
 in death — and of whom it was equally impossible that under 
 any circumstances be should ever perform a mean, a selfish, 
 or a questionable action, as that his body should cease to gra.- 
 vitate, or his soul to live. * * * 
 
 " We are persuaded that this personal character has almost 
 done as much for the cause of science and philosophy among 
 us, as the great talents and attainments with which it was 
 combined, and has contributed in a very eminent degree to' 
 give to the better society of this our city, that tone of intel- 
 ligence and liberality by which it is so honourably distin- 
 guished. # # » 
 
 " From the time of Hume and Robertson, we have been 
 fortunate in Edinburgh in possessing a succession of distin- 
 guished men, who have kept up this salutary connexion 
 between the learned and the fashionable world ; but there 
 never perhaps was any one that contributed so powerfully to 
 confirm and extend it as the lamented individual of whom we 
 are now speaking, and they who have had the most oppor- 
 tunity to observe how superior the society of Edinburgh is 
 to that of most other places of the same size, and how much 
 of that superiority is owing to the cordial combination of the 
 two aristocracies of rank and of letters — of both of which it 
 hapjiens to be the chief provincial seat — will be best able to 
 judge of the importance of the service he has thus rendered 
 to its inhabitants, and through them and by their example 
 to all the rest of the country." 
 
 Lord Jeffrey. 
 
 Essay. — The Genius of Sir Isiiac Newton. 
 
 0.9. DAVID PITCAIRN. 
 
 ( Resig.ned, Novembi 
 
 Descended from an old family in Fifeshire. He studied at 
 
 j Admitted, December 3, 1 771. 
 \ Resig.ned, November 24, 1772. 
 
1 10 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Cambridge, where he graduated. 
 In 1780 he was elected Physician to St. Bartholomew's Hos- 
 pital, and, in 1792, Physician to Christ's Hospital, both of 
 which he resigned on the increase of his practice. He was, 
 for some time before his death, at the head of the profession 
 in London, and it was his friendship for Dr. Matthew Baillie, 
 which first brought that physician into notice. 
 Born, 1749. Died, 1809. 
 
 " Few persons ever gained so extensive an acquaintance 
 with various orders of society. He associated much with 
 gentlemen of the law, had a taste for the fine arts, and his 
 employment as a physician in the largest hospital in the 
 kingdom, made known to him a very great number of per- 
 sons of every rank and description in life. From such op- 
 portunities, and an original turn for the observation of cha- 
 racter, he obtained a most extensive knowledge of human 
 nature, and an infinite fund of anecdote. * * * Although 
 of great practical knowledge, and having made many original 
 observations on disease, he never published anything, but he 
 fell a victim to a disease which had before escaped the obser- 
 vation of medical men, (inflammation of the larynx,) and so 
 had the peculiar and melancholy privilege of enlightening his 
 profession in the very act of dying." 
 
 Gentleman's Magazine. (Dr. Wells.) 
 
 Essay. — The Mahometan Religion. 
 
 70. ANDREW MARSHALL. r Admitted, December 17, 1771. 
 
 ( Resigned, November 22, 1774. 
 
 Travelled in the capacity of tutor to Lord Balgonie, and after- 
 wards studied medicine, taking his degree at Edinburgh. 
 He was surgeon to the 83d regiment from 1778 to 1783, 
 when he settled in London, and acquired a high reputation as 
 a Lecturer on Anatomy. He is best known by his work on 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 
 
 Ill 
 
 the Morbid Anatomy of the Brain, published, with a Me- 
 moir prefixed, in 1815. He also published several detached 
 Essays and Treatises. 
 
 Born, 1742. Died, 1813. 
 Essay. — The Roman Constitution, and Character of the 
 Romans. 
 
 {Admitted, February 11, 1772. 
 : 
 
 71. WILLIAM FULLERTON. 
 
 Non-Resident, April 2, 1776. 
 
 Of FuUerton, Ayrshire, afterwards a Colonel in the British 
 Army. He studied and travelled under the tuition of Mr. 
 Patrick Brydone ; and Bums thus speaks of him : — 
 
 Brydone's brave ward I well could spy 
 Beneath old Scotia's smiling eye, 
 Who call'd on Fame low standing by 
 
 To hand him on, 
 Where many a Patriot name on high 
 
 And Hero shone. 
 
 In 1775, he was appointed secretary to the French Embassy, 
 and served in India with great honour during 1782, 3, 4, 
 having the command of the army on the Coromandel coast. 
 On his return he published a View of the British Interests 
 in India, with an account of the campaigns in which he had 
 been engaged. In 1793, he raised, chiefly from his paternal 
 estates, the 23d regiment of Light Dragoons, and the 101st 
 regiment of infantry. In 1801-2, he was appointed First 
 Commissioner of Trinidad, but returned in 1803, when he 
 preferred an accusation against Sir Thomas Picton, Governor 
 of the Island, for inflicting torture, which created considerable 
 excitement at the time. He sat in the House of Commons 
 during several Parliaments, in two of which he represented his 
 native county of Ayr. He wrote an Essay, which was much 
 
112 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 esteemed, on the Agriculture of the County of Ayr, and an- 
 other on the best Method of turning Grass Lands into Tillage. 
 He was held in the highest esteem and admiration by all 
 who knew him, as a gentleman, a soldier, and a man of 
 public spirit. 
 
 Born, 1754. Died, 1808. 
 Essays. — Difference between the Ancient and the Mo- 
 dem State of Italy. 
 Effects of Perceptible Objects on our Sensitive 
 Nature. 
 
 72. JOHN SINCLAIR. 
 
 j Admitted, Febraary 11, 1772. 
 ( Resigned, March 30, 1773. 
 
 Afterwards the Right Honourable Sir John Sinclair, Baronet, 
 of Ulbster, Member of Parliament, President of the Board of 
 Agriculture, Doctor of Civil Law, Fellow of the Royal and 
 Agricultural Societies, Cashier of the Excise in Scotland. 
 He was the author of the " Code of Health and Longevity," 
 and of several works on agriculture, a Dissertation on the 
 Authenticity of the Poems of Ossian, and a great number of 
 pamphlets on subjects connected with agriculture, finance, 
 and general politics. He projected the very valuable statis- 
 tical account of Scotland, drawn up from the communications 
 of the parish ministers, and by his unwearied perseverance 
 for nearly ten years, brought it to a conclusion. 
 Born, 175-1.. Died, 1835. 
 Essay. — The History of Scotland. 
 
 rs. JOHN AITKEN. 
 
 ( Admitted, February 25, 1772. 
 
 \ Extraordinaby, February 27, 1776. 
 
 Afterwards graduated as Doctor of Medicine at Edinburgh, and 
 practised as a Physician there. He delivered Lectures on 
 Anatomy, and was author of various medical works. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 113 
 
 Born, . Died, 1790. 
 
 Essays. — Has all the Human race sprung from one Man ? 
 On Moral Evil. 
 
 The Vegetation of Plants and the Sexual System. 
 Medical Improvements. 
 
 74. THOMAS ROBERTSON. f Admitted, March 10, 1772. 
 
 J Non-Kesident, February 21, 177.'5. 
 
 Afterwards Minister of Dalmeny, and Doctor of Divinity. 
 Author of a Life of Mary Queen of Scots, a Critique on 
 Shakspeare's Play of Hamlet, and other works. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1799. 
 
 Essays. — Criticism, with a Critique on the Poems of Pa- 
 radise Lost, and the Henriade. 
 The Political History of the Celtic Nations. 
 
 75. ALEXANDER MILLAR. f Admitted, November 24, 1772. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 28, 1777. 
 
 Afterwards of Dalnair. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 773. 
 Born, 1751. Died, 1790. 
 Essays. — Theatrical Representations. 
 Taste. 
 Conversation. 
 
 76. WILLIAM ALEXANDER. I Admitted, November 24, 1772. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 16, 1773. 
 
 Afterwards the Right Honourable Sir William Alexander of 
 Airdrie. Called to the English Bar in 1782. Appointed a 
 King's Counsel in 1800, and a Master in Chancery in 1809. 
 He filled the office of Lord Chief Baron of Exchequer from 
 1824 to 1831, and in the former year was made a Privy 
 Counsellor, and was knighted. He had the reputation of 
 being an excellent equity and real property lawyer. 
 
114 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Born, 1754. Died, 1842. 
 Essay. — The Power of the Paterfamilias among the Romans. 
 
 77. WILLIAM STEWART. ( Admitted, November 24, 1772. 
 
 < Extraordinary, December 3, 1776". 
 ( Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1773. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1805. 
 
 Essays. — Modesty. 
 
 The Formation of Moral Obligations. 
 Origin and Progress of Money. 
 The Standard of Taste. 
 The Rank of Law among other Sciences. 
 The Spirit and Genius of this Institution. (Va- 
 ledictory.) 
 
 78. .JAMES KERR. l Admitted, December l, 1772. 
 
 ( NoN- Resident, November 15, 1774. 
 
 Afterwards of Blackshiels. He was appointed Manager of the 
 Leith Bank at its institution in 1801, and was well known in 
 Edinburgh as a liberal patron of the fine arts. 
 Born, 1751. Died, 1820. 
 Essay. — Toleration of Religion. 
 
 79. JOHN MORTIILAND. | Admitted, December l, 1772. 
 
 ( Resigned, December 12, 177.5. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1773. He was one of the two 
 proprietors of the Scots Chronicle, who were prosecuted in 
 the year 1797, for publishing an account, held to be libellous, 
 of the Militia Riots at Tranent. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1807. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 115 
 
 Essays. — Reasoning. 
 
 The Nature of Language. 
 Description. 
 
 80. DUGALD STEWART. j Admitted, December 8, )772. 
 
 \ HoNORAUY, November 28, 177.5. 
 
 Appointed Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of 
 Edinburgh in 1785. He published Outlines of Moral Phi- 
 losophy, Philosophical Essays, Works on the Philosophy of 
 the Human Mind, and on the Philosophy of the Moral and 
 Active Powers, Biographies of Reid, Robertson, and Smith, 
 and a Preliminary Dissertation to the Encyclopaedia Britan- 
 nica, on the Progress of Metaphysical, Ethical, and Politi- 
 cal Philosophy. 
 
 Born, 1753. Died, 1828. 
 
 " Dugald Stewart was the son of Dr. Matthew Stewart, Pro- 
 fessor of Mathematics in the University of Edinburgh, a 
 station immediately before filled by Maclaurin, on the re- 
 commendation of Newton. Hence the poet spoke of " the 
 philosophic sire and son." He was educated at Edinburgh, 
 and he heard the lectures of Reid at Glasgow. He was early 
 associated with his father in the duties of the mathematical 
 professorship ; and during the absence of Dr. Adam Fergu- 
 son, as secretary to the commissioners sent to conclude a 
 peace with North America, he occupied the chair of Moral 
 Philosophy. He was appointed to the professorship on the 
 resignation of Ferguson, not the least distinguished among 
 the modern moralists inclined to the Stoical School. 
 
 " This office, filled in immediate succession by Ferguson, 
 Stewart, and Brown, received a lustre from their names, 
 which it owed in no degree to its modest exterior or its 
 limited advantages ; and was rendered by them the highest 
 
1 1 6 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 dignity in the humble, but not obscure, establishments of Scot- 
 tish literature. The lectures of Mr. Stewart for a quarter of 
 a century, rendered it famous through every country where 
 the light of reason was allowed to penetrate. Perhaps few 
 men ever lived who poured into the breasts of youth a more 
 fervid and yet reasonable love of liberty, of truth, and of 
 virtue. How many are still. alive, in different countries, and 
 in every rank to which education reaches, who, if they accu- 
 rately examined their own minds and lives, would ascribe 
 much of whatever goodness and happiness they possess to the 
 early impressions of his gentle and persuasive eloquence. He 
 lived to see his disciples distinguished among the lights and 
 ornaments of the Council and the Senate. He had the con- 
 solation to be sure that no words of his promoted the growth 
 of an impure taste, of an exclusive prejudice, of a malevolent 
 passion. Without derogation from his writings, it may be 
 said, that his disciples were among his best works. He, in- 
 deed, who may justly be said to have cultivated an extent of 
 mind which would otherwise have lain barren, and to have 
 contributed to raise virtuous dispositions where the natural 
 growth might have been useless or noxious, is not less a bene- 
 factor of mankind, and may indirectly be a larger contributor 
 to knowledge, than the author of great works, or even the 
 discoverer of important truths. The system of conveying 
 scientific instruction to a large audience by lectures, from 
 which the English universities have in a great measure de- 
 parted, renders his qualities as a lecturer a most important 
 part of his merit in a Scottish university, which still adheres 
 to the general method of European education. Probably no 
 modern ever exceeded him in that species of eloquence which 
 springs from sensibility to literary beauty and- moral excel- 
 lence ; which neither obscures science by prodigal ornament, 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 117 
 
 nor disturbs the serenity of patient attention ; but though it 
 rather calms and soothes the feelings, yet exalts the genius 
 and insensibly inspires a reasonable enthusiasm for whatever 
 is good and fair. 
 
 " He embraced the philosophy of Dr. Reid, a patient, mo- 
 dest, and deep thinker, who deserves a commendation more 
 descriptive of a philosopher than that bestowed by Professor 
 Cousin — of having made ' A vigorous protest against scepti- 
 cism on behalf of common sense.' * * * Mr. Stewart em- 
 ployed more skill in contriving, and more care in concealing 
 his very important reforms of Reid's doctrines, than others 
 exert to maintain their claims to originality. * "■ * * 
 His gratitude and native modesty dictated a superabundant 
 care in softening and excusing his dissent from those who had 
 been his own instructors, or who were the objects of general 
 reverence. * * * The acquiescence of Mr. Stewart in Dr. 
 Reid's general representation of our mental constitution, led 
 bin; to indulge more freely the natural bent of his under- 
 standing, by applying it to theories of character and manners, 
 of life and literature, of taste and the arts, more than to the 
 consideration of those more simple principles which rule over 
 human nature under every form. His chief work, as he 
 frankly owns, is indeed rather a collection of such theories, 
 pointing towards the common end of throwing light on the 
 structure and functions of the mind, than a systematic trea- 
 tise, such as might be expected from the title of ' Elements.' 
 It is in essays of this kind that he has most surpassed other 
 cultivators of Mental Philosophy. * •'■ * * 
 
 " Few writers rise with more grace from a plain ground- 
 work, to the passages which require greater animation or em- 
 bellishment. He gives to narrative, according to the precept of 
 Bacon, the colour of the time by a selection of happy expres- 
 
118 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 sions from original writers. Among the secret arts by which he 
 diffuses elegance over his diction, may be remarked the skill 
 which, by deepening or brightening a shade in a secondary 
 term, by opening partial or preparatory glimpses of a thought 
 to be afterwards unfolded, unobservedly heightens the import 
 of a word, and gives it a new meaning without any offence 
 against old use. It is in this manner that philosophical origin- 
 ality may be reconciled to purity and stability of speech, — that 
 we may avoid new terms, which are the easy resource of the 
 unskilful or the indolent, and often a characteristic mark of 
 writers who love their language too little to feel its peculiar 
 excellences, or to study the art of calling forth its powers. 
 
 " He reminds us not unfrequently of the character given 
 by Cicero to one of his contemporaries, ' who expressed re- 
 fined and abstruse thought in soft and transparent diction.' 
 His writings are a proof that the mild sentiments have their 
 eloquence as well as the vehement passions. It would be 
 difficult to name works in which so much refined philosophy 
 is joined with so fine a fancy, — so much elegant literature, 
 with such a delicate perception of the distinguishing excellen- 
 ces of great writers, and with an estimate, in general, so just 
 of the services rendered to knowledge by a succession of phi- 
 losophers. They are pervaded by a philosophical benevo- 
 lence, which keeps up the ardour of his genius, without dis- 
 turbing the serenity of his mind, — which is felt in his rever- 
 ence for knowledge, in the generosity of his praise, and in the 
 tenderness of his censure. It is still more sensible in the 
 general tone with which he relates the successful progress of 
 the human understanding among many formidable enemies. 
 Those readers are not to be envied who limit their admiration 
 to particular parts, or to excellences merely literary, without 
 being warmed by the glow of that honest triumph in the 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 119 
 
 advancement of knowledge, and of that assured faith in the 
 final prevalence of truth and justice, which breathe through 
 every page, and give the unity and dignity of a moral pur- 
 pose to the whole of these classical works. * * * 
 
 " A delicate state of health, and an ardent desire to devote 
 himself exclusively to study and composition, induced Mr. 
 Stewart, while in the full blaze of his reputation as a lecturer, 
 to retire, in 1810, from the labour of public instruction. This 
 retirement, as he himself describes it, was that of a quiet, but 
 active life. Three quarto and two octavo volumes, besides 
 the magnificent dissertation prefixed to the Encyclopedia Bri- 
 tannica, were among its happy fruits. * * * 
 
 " It was in the last years of his life, when suffering under 
 the effects of a severe attack of palsy, with which he had 
 been afflicted in 1822, that Mr. Stewart most plentifully 
 reaped the fruits of long virtue, and a well-ordered mind. 
 Happily for him, his own cultivation and exercise of every 
 kindly affection had laid up for him a store of that domestic 
 consolation which none who deserve it ever want, and for 
 the loss of which nothing beyond the threshold can make 
 amends. The same philosophy which he had cultivated from 
 his youth upward employed his dying hand. Aspirations 
 after higher and brighter scenes of excellence, always blended 
 with his elevated morality, became more earnest and deeper, 
 as worldly passions died away and earthly objects vanished 
 from his sight." Sir James Mackintosh. 
 
 Essays. — On Dreaming. 
 
 The Causes and Effects of Scepticism. 
 
 Taste. 
 
 The Conduct of Literary Institutions, with a 
 View to Philosophical Improvement. (In- 
 troductory.) 
 
120 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 81. HENRY MAKDOUGALL. I Admitted, December 8, 1772. 
 
 ( Resigned, November 29, 1774. 
 
 Afterwards Sir Henry Makdougall of Makerstoun, Baronet. 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1775. 
 
 Born, 1752. Died, 1825. 
 Essays. — The Causes of Idleness. 
 The Study of History. 
 
 82. MICHAEL NASMITH. ( Admitted, December is, 1772. 
 
 ( Resigned, November 30, 1773. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Born, . Died, . 
 
 Essay. — Population. 
 
 83. JOHN WHYTT. (Admitted, December 15, 1772. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, March 13, 1781. 
 
 Afterwards John Whytt Melville of Bennochy and Strathkin- 
 ness. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1780. 
 Born, 1755. Died, 1813. 
 Essays. — H appiness. 
 
 The Causes of the Establishment and the Con- 
 tinuance of Despotism. 
 Character and Rank of AVomen in different Pe- 
 riods of Society. 
 
 84. HENRY GRESWOLD LEWIS. ) Admitted, January S, 1773. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, December 7, 1773. 
 
 Afterwards of Malvern Hall, Warwickshire. 
 Born, 1753. Died, 1829. 
 Essays. — Comparative View of the Effects of Commerce 
 and of the Landed Interest. 
 Liberty. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 121 
 
 8.5. JAMES RUSSELL. I Admitted, January 12, 1773. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, January 27, 1778. 
 
 Afterwards Professor of Clinical Surgery in the University of 
 Edinburgh. 
 
 Born, 1754. Died, 1836. 
 Essays.— Origin of the Arts and Sciences. 
 
 The Causes of the Diversity in the Human Spe- 
 cies. 
 The Tendency of False Theories to promote or 
 
 retard Science. 
 The comparative Modes of acquiring Perception 
 by the different Senses. 
 
 86. JAMES HAY. ( Admitted, March 23, 1773. 
 
 ( Resigned, November 15, 1774. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1788. 
 
 Essays. — The Ruling Passion. 
 
 The Expediency of admitting Representatives 
 from the Colonies into the British Parliament. 
 
 87. WILLIAM MILLER. f Admitted, November 23, 177.3. 
 
 < Honorary, February 24, 1778. 
 ( Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Afterwards Sir William Miller, Baronet, of Glenlee and Bar- 
 skimming, was called to the Scottish Bar in 1777, and was 
 returned Member of Parliament for Edinburgh in 1 780. He 
 was raised to the Bench in 1795, by the title of Lord Glenlee, 
 and retired in 1841 after having sat as a Judge for 46 years. 
 
 A person of very rare merit — a great lawyer and admirable 
 judge — profound and original in mathematics — an excellent 
 classical scholar, and well read in most of the Europeiin lan- 
 
122 
 
 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 guages. There is perhaps no individual now in Scotland who 
 is deep in such a variety of difficult attainments. 
 
 Essays. — The Free Exportation of Com, and other Escu- 
 lent Grain. 
 Immortality of the Soul. 
 
 Advantages of the Speculative Society. (Intro- 
 ductory.) 
 Nature and Use of Similes and Metaphors in 
 Poetry. 
 
 88. JAMES ROBERTSON. 
 
 f Admitted, November 30, 1773. 
 ( Non-Resident, November 17, 1778. 
 
 Afterwards James Robertson Barclay, M.D., of Keavil, Fife- 
 shire. Having obtained a Travelling Fellowship from Uni- 
 versity College, Oxford, he spent several years on the Conti- 
 nent. He then graduated as Doctor of Medicine, and held 
 the office of Inspector of Hospitals in Majorca and Minorca, 
 during the French War. 
 
 Born, 1753. Died, 1827. 
 Essays. — Effects of Tragical Representation upon the Cha- 
 racter. 
 Effects of Habit on Moral Character. 
 The Influence of Habit. 
 
 89. HEW DALRYMPLE. 
 
 [ Admitted, February 8, 1774. 
 I Resigned, November 22, 1774. 
 
 .00. The Hon. HENRY HOPE. ( Admitted, March 1, 1774. 
 
 "j Non-Resident, February 21, 1775. 
 
 Son of John, second Earl of Ilopetoun. 
 
 Bom, 1755. Died, 1776. 
 Essay. — The Constitution of Great Britain. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 123 
 
 91. DAVID HUME. 
 
 ,^^ 
 
 Admitted, December 6, 1774. 
 Honorary, February 17, 1779. 
 Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Afterwards Sheriff of Berwickshire. Professor of Scots Law in 
 the University of Edinburgh, Principal Clerk of the Court of 
 Session, Baron of Exchequer, and author of the well-known 
 Commentaries on the Law of Scotland respecting Crimes. 
 Born, 1756. Died, 1838. 
 
 " The Scotch Law Lectures were those of Mr. David Hume, 
 who still continues to occupy that situation with as much 
 honour to himself as advantage to his country. I copied over his 
 lectures twice with ray own hand from notes taken in the class ; 
 and when I have had occasion to consult them, I can never 
 sufficiently admire the penetration and clearness of conception 
 which were necessary to the arrangement of the fabric of law, 
 formed originally under the strictest influence of feudal prin- 
 ciples, and innovated, altered, and broken in upon by the 
 change of times, of habits, and of manners, until it resembles 
 some ancient castle, partly entire, partly ruinous, partly dila- 
 pidated, patched, and altered, during the succession of ages, 
 by a thousand additions and combinations, yet still exhibit- 
 ing, with the marks of its antiquity, symptoms of the skill and 
 wisdom of its founders, and capable of being analyzed and 
 made the subject of a methodical plan by an architect who 
 can understand the various styles of the different ages in 
 which it was subjected to alteration. Such an architect has 
 Mr. Hume been to the law of Scotland, neither wandering 
 into fanciful and abstruse disquisitions, which are the more 
 proper subject of the antiquary, nor satisfied with presenting 
 to his pupils a dry and undigested detail of the laws in their 
 present state ; but combining the past state of our legal 
 
124 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 enactments with the present, and tracing clearly and judi- 
 ciously the changes which took place, and the causes which 
 led to them." Sib Walter Scott. 
 
 Essays. — Influence of Climate upon National Character. 
 Authenticity of Ossian's Poems. 
 Origin of the Feudal System. 
 
 {Admitted, January 3, 1775. 
 
 92. WILLIAM MURE. 
 
 [.No.n-Reside.nt, January 20, 1778. 
 
 Afterwards of Caldwell, Renfrewshire. He entered the army 
 in 1776, and served in the American War from 1780 to 1783, 
 chiefly on the personal staff of Lord Cornwallis and General 
 O'Hara, with whom he was at the surrender of Yorktown. 
 In 1793, he was elected Lord Rector of Glasgow College. 
 During the Revolutionary War, he commanded successively 
 the West Lowland Fencibles and the Renfrewshire Militia. 
 During the latter part of his life he was Vice-Lieutenant of 
 the County of Renfrew. 
 
 Born, 1758. Died, 1831. 
 Essays. — The pernicious Consequences of the late Practice 
 of multiplying Votes for the Election of Mem- 
 bers of Parliament for the Counties of Scot- 
 land. 
 Nature of Commerce. 
 
 9.j. MARK PRINGLE. 
 
 I Admitted, January 31, 1775. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 25, 1777. 
 
 Afterwards of Ilaining. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1777. 
 Appointed Deputy Judge Advocate and Clerk of the Courts- 
 Martial in North Britain in 1782. An original Member of 
 the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He was elected Mem- 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 125 
 
 ber of Parliament for the County of Selkirk in 1786, and 
 continued to represent that constituency for sixteen years. 
 Born, 1754. Died, 1812. 
 Essays. — Effects of Commerce upon National Manners. 
 The Practice of Duelling. 
 
 94. ROBERT DALZEL. (Admitted, January 31, 1775. 
 
 j Non-Resident, December 23, 1777. 
 
 Afterwards of Glenae, (Representative of the Earls of Carn- 
 wath.) Called to the Scottish Bar in 1776. 
 Born, 1755. Died, 1808. 
 Essays. — Happiness. 
 Eloquence. 
 
 95. GEORGE STEWART. ( Admitted, February 14, 1775. 
 
 ( Resigned, November 18, 1777. 
 
 Afterwards Sir George Stewart, Baronet, of GrantuUy. Called 
 to the Scottish Bar in 1776. 
 
 Born, 1750. Died, 1827. 
 Essays. — Maritime Property. 
 Criticism. 
 
 96. ROBERT WALKER. (Admitted, February 14, 1775. 
 
 I Non-Resident, March 13, 1780. 
 
 Afterwards one of the Ministers of Canongate. 
 
 Bom, . Died, 1808. 
 
 Essays. — Influence of the Intercourse of the Sexes. 
 Authority of our Moral Feelings. 
 
 97. ANDREW HAMILTON. f Admitted, March 28, 1776. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 14, 1779. 
 
 Afterwards Provost of Kinghorn. For several years Deputy- 
 
126 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Comptroller of Excise for Scotland. Author of au Enquiry 
 into the Principles of Taxation. 
 
 Born, 1754. Died, 1796. 
 Essays. — Reciprocal Effect of Manners and Government. 
 Effects of Philosophical Speculation on Moral 
 
 Character. 
 Excellence of the Analytical method of Philo- 
 sophizing. 
 Comparative Happiness of Rude and Civilized 
 
 Nations. 
 The Causes of Error in Science. 
 Progress of Individual and Political Improve- 
 ment. ("Introductory.) 
 Influence of the Heart upon the Understand- 
 ing. 
 
 08. LORD MAITLAND. f Admitted, December 19, 1775. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, January 23, 1781. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1780. Was Member of Parlia- 
 ment successively for Newport and Malmesbury. Succeeded 
 his father as Earl of Lauderdale in 1789, and was chosen a 
 Representative Peer for Scotland in 1790. He was a frequent 
 speaker in the House of Lords, and in 1806, on Mr. Fox's 
 Ministry being formed, was created a Baron of the United 
 Kingdom, and held the office of Keeper of the Great Seal of 
 Scotland. He published several political works on Finance, 
 &c., especially one, entitled, an Inquiry into the Nature and 
 Origin of Public Wealth ; of which Sir James Mackintosh 
 says, " The excellent parallel between the industry of Eng- 
 land and France, is one of the most satisfactory and important 
 pieces of economical history that I know." 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 127 
 
 Born, 1759. Died, 1838. 
 
 Essay. — Pride. 
 
 09. ANDREW ALSTON. 
 
 i Admitted, January 9, 1776. 
 Non-Resident, November 17, 1778. 
 
 Afterwards Lieutenant in the 80th Regiment. He served in 
 the American War, and died from the effects of a wound 
 received in the action at James' Town, in Virginia. He was 
 a good classical scholar, and was much beloved and regretted 
 by his brother officers. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1781. 
 
 Essays. — Nature of Wit and Humour. 
 
 The Natural Evidence of the Immortality of the 
 
 Soul. 
 Nature of Wit and Humour. 
 
 100. WILLIAM DRENNAN. 
 
 j Admitted, January 30, 177'). 
 
 ( Non-Resident, December 16, 1777. 
 
 After receiving his professional education at the Universities of 
 Glasgow and Edinburgh, and taking his degree as Doctor of 
 Medicine, he practised as a Physician in Newry and Dublin. 
 His political exertions and various works are described in the 
 notice by Dr. Druniniond, quoted below. 
 
 Born, 1754. Died, 1820. 
 
 " He took an early interest in the political affairs of his coun- 
 try, and acquired no small celebrity by a series of animated 
 addresses to the seven Northern Counties, not represented in 
 the National Assembly of Delegates, held at Dublin in Octo- 
 ber 1784, for obtaining a more equal representation of the 
 people in the Parliament of Ireland. These addresses were 
 published under the title of ' Letters of Oullana, an Irish 
 Ilelot.' He remained faithful to the principles he had early 
 
128 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 embraced, and helped to keep alive the patriotic spirit of his 
 country by various compositions, always distinguished by 
 their energy and warmth, among which may be reckoned his 
 Letters to Pitt and Fox. 
 
 " He was one of the first and most zealous promoters of 
 the Society of United Irishmen, and author of the well-known 
 Test of their Union, (and of two-thirds of their addresses, &c. 
 besides.) liis muse also poured forth strains which extorted 
 for their poetry the praises even of those who dissented from 
 their political sentiments. The song of ' Erin to her own 
 Tune/ was, on its first publication, sung and resung in every 
 comer of the land, and it still continues to enjoy the admira- 
 tion of its readers. It had the glory of first designating his 
 country as the Emerald Isle — an appellation which will be 
 permanent, as it is beautiful and appropriate. He wrote some 
 hymns of such excellence, as to cause a regret that they are 
 not more numerous; and in some of the lighter kinds of 
 poetry showed much of the playful wit and ingenuity of Gold- 
 smith. 
 
 " Though deeply engaged in the political transactions of 
 Ireland, he did not neglect the more tranquil and elegant 
 studies of polite literature. He took a prominent part in the 
 establishment of the Belfast Academical Institution ; and 
 published a volume of Fugitive Pieces in 1815 ; and in 1817, 
 a translation of the Electra of Sophocles." 
 
 Rev. Wm. Hamilton Drummond, D.D. 
 
 Essay. — The Fine Arts. 
 
 101. JOHN VIVIAN. 
 
 ( Admitted January 30, 1776. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 25, 1777. 
 
 Afterwards of Claverton, Somersetshire. A Barrister, one of 
 the Benchers of the Honourable Society of the Middle Tem- 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 129 
 
 pie, and for many years, and at the time of Lis decease. His 
 Majesty's Solicitor of Excise for England. 
 Born, 1756*. Died, 1828. 
 Essays. — Varieties of tlie Human Race. 
 Necessity of Civil Government. 
 
 102. SAMUEL GRAHAM. ( Admitted, February 6, 1776. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 17, 1778. 
 
 He took his degree as Doctor of Medicine at the University of 
 
 Edinburgh in 1776. He afterwards relinquished the study of 
 
 medicine, entered the army, and served during the American 
 
 War, and afterwards in the West Indies, Flanders, Holland, 
 
 and Egypt — was several times wounded — and was Lieuten- 
 
 ant-General, and Deputy- Governor of Stirling Castle at the 
 
 time of his death. 
 
 Born, 1757. Died, 1832. 
 
 Essay. — Toleration. 
 
 103. WILLIAM HONYMAN. ( Admitted, February 27, 1776. 
 
 ( RiiSiGNED, March 25, 1777. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1777. Appointed Sheriff of La- 
 narkshire in 1 786. Raised to the Bench by the title of Lord 
 Armadale, in 1797- 
 
 Born, 17.54. Died, 1825. 
 Essay. — Pleasures of Imagination. 
 
 104. The Hon. THOMAS MAITLAND. l Admitted, March 5, 1776. 
 
 t Non-Resident, Nov. 25, 1777. 
 
 Second son of the seventh Earl of Lauderdale. Afterwards 
 Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Maitland, G.C.B., Knight 
 Grand Cross of the Ionian Order, and a Privy Councillor. 
 He was Governor of Ceylon, and subsequently of Malta, 
 
130 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 and Commander of the Forces in the Mediterranean ; at the 
 time of his death he was Lord High Commissioner of the 
 Ionian Islands. He was a very able man ; and his capacity 
 and success as a Governor procured him the familiar appella- 
 tion of King Tom. 
 
 Born, 1761. Died, 1824. 
 " It is impossible for me to do justice to General Maitland's 
 most excellent administration, which I am convinced never 
 had an equal in India. By the cheerful decision of his cha- 
 racter, and by his perfect knowledge of men, he has become 
 universally popular amidst severe retrenchments. In an 
 island, where there was in one year a deficit of £700,000, he 
 has reduced the expenses to the level of the revenue, and 
 with his small army of 5000 men, he has twice in the same 
 year given effectual aid to the great government of Madras, 
 which has an army of 70,000." 
 
 Sir James Mackintosh. 
 Essay. — Slavery. 
 
 105. PAUL PANTON. f Admitted, November 19, 1776. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 25, 1777. 
 Afterwards Barrister- at-Law. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1822. 
 
 " Of the respectable and ancient family of Plasgwyn, in the 
 County of Anglesea, and Bagilt Hall, in the County of Flint. 
 He attended the North Wales Circuit as a Barrister for 
 many years with credit. He was a man of strict integrity and 
 good principles, and distinguished himself on many occasions 
 by his worth and ingenuity." Gentleman's Magazine. 
 Essays. — On establishing a Theory of the Arts and 
 Sciences. 
 Taste. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 131 
 
 IOC. ALEXANDER MITCHELL, f Admitted, November 19, 177«. 
 
 { Non-Resident, March 2, 1779. 
 
 Essays. — Reciprocal Influence of Liberty and I^earning 
 on each other. 
 
 Final Causes of the Variety in Human Senti- 
 ment. 
 
 Laughter. 
 
 107. ROBERT HODSHON CAY. j Admitted, November 19, 1776. 
 
 I Extraordinary, January 18,1781. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1780. Appointed a Judge of the 
 Commissary Court in 1788, and Judge Admiral in 1800. 
 Born, 1758. Died, 1810. 
 Essays. — Discourse to justify the Permission of Evil. 
 Matrimony. 
 The Prescription of Crimes. 
 
 108. WILLIAM TAIT. I Admitted, December 3, 1776. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 12, 1780. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1780. Appointed SherifT of Stir- 
 lingshire in 1790. He was Member of Parliament for the 
 Kinghorn Burghs. He was a man of talent and eloquence, 
 who had risen rapidly to very nearly the summit of his profes- 
 sion, and had its highest honours within his reach, when, to 
 the great sorrow of his friends and the public, death closed 
 his prospects. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1800. 
 
 " No one who knows anything of Lord President Campbell, of 
 Lord Kames, Hailes, Monboddo, Braxfield, and Eldin, or of 
 Mr. William Tait and Mr. Matthew Ross, can entertain any 
 doubt that the Bench and the Bar of those times were adorned 
 by many men of vigorous and varied ability, profound learn- 
 
132 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 ing, extensive capacity, and penetrating acuteness." * * 
 " that quick and piercing acuteness for which William Tait 
 was famous." Lord BROUGiiAsr. 
 
 Essays. — The Patria Potestas of the Romans. 
 The Duration of Parliaments. 
 Importance and Method of acquiring a good 
 
 Style. (Introductory.) 
 Crimes and Punishments. 
 
 109. HUGH SCOTT. J Admitted, December 17, 1776. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 16, 1779. 
 
 Afterwards of Harden, Baron Polwarth. His right to the 
 
 dormant title was established by a judgment of the House of 
 
 Peers in 1835. 
 
 Born, 1758. Died, 1841. 
 
 Essays. — Immortality of the Soul. 
 
 Origin of Property. 
 
 Origin of Subordination. 
 
 1 10. WILLIAM CHARLES WELLS, j Admitted, February 11, 1777. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, Nov. 14, 1780. 
 
 Born in Carolina of Scottish parents. He studied medicine at 
 Edinburgh, and graduated there in 1780. He then passed 
 about four years in Carolina and Florida, in commercial and 
 political employments, and practised as a Physician in Lon- 
 don from 1785 until his death. He was on terms of intimacy 
 with the leading medical men of the time, and published 
 numerous papers in the Transactions of the Royal Society, 
 and of the Medical and Cliirurgical Society. He published 
 an Essay on Single Vision with Two Eyes ; but his fame 
 rests on the well-known I'jssay on Dew, for whicli he ob- 
 tained the Rumford medal. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 183 
 
 Born, 1757. Died, 1841. 
 " We have purposely selected this Theory of Dew, first deve- 
 loped by the late Dr. Wells, as one of the most beautiful 
 speeimeus we can call to mind of inductive experimental in- 
 quiry lying within a moderate compass. It is not possible 
 in so brief a space to do it justice, but we earnestly recom- 
 mend his work, a short and very entertaining one, for peru- 
 sal, to the student of Natural Philosophy, as a model with 
 which he will do well to become familiar." 
 
 Sir John Herschel. 
 Essay. — The good Effects of Luxury. 
 
 111. CHARLES MACRAE. I Admitted, November 25, 1777. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 17, 1778. 
 
 Essay. — The Varieties in the Human Species. 
 
 112. JOHN HUTCHISON ERASER. J Admitted, November 25, 1777. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, Nov. 17, 1778. 
 
 Afterwards called to the English Bar. 
 
 Born, . Died, . 
 
 Essay. — History. 
 
 113. JOHN GREGORY. (Admitted, December 2, 1777. 
 
 I Dropt from the Roll, Jan. 5, 1779. 
 
 A brother of Dr. James Gregory, who entered the Navy, and 
 
 died young. 
 
 Born, 1761. Died, 1783. 
 
 Essay. — Standing Armies. 
 
 114. GEORGE CARNEGY. \ Admitted, December 2, 1777. 
 
 ( Resigned, December 8, 1778. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 782. 
 
 Born, . Died, 178G. 
 
134 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Essay. — Natural Progress of the Powers of the Under- 
 standing. 
 
 11.5. JAMES BONAB. j admitted, December 9, 1777. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 24, 1781. 
 
 Appointed Agent of Excise Yachts in 1785, and second Solici- 
 tor of Excise in 1801, which office he held till his death. In 
 the former station he honourably relinquished the claim 
 usually made for a share of prize-money, and refused to 
 participate in the compensation given to other officials. He 
 was well acquainted with various languages, and was author 
 of several works on Greek Etymology. He was Treasurer 
 to the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and an original promoter 
 of the Astronomical Institution, and took an active charge 
 of various public charities. 
 
 Born, 1757. Died, 1821. 
 Essays. — Nature and Properties of Spirit. 
 Powers of the Understanding. 
 Influence of Situation in forming the Diversity 
 
 of Male and Female Character. 
 Difference of European and Asiatic Manners 
 
 and Character. 
 Authenticity of Ossian's Poems. 
 
 IK!. JOHN CLERK. l Admitted, December 9, 1777. 
 
 I Extraordinary, November 23, 1784. 
 
 Son of the Author of the celebrated New System of Naval Tac- 
 tics for breaking an Enemy's Line. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1785. Was Solicitor-General for Scotland in 1806-7, and 
 was raised to the Bench, by the title of Lord Eldin, in 1823. 
 Besides his distinguished merits as a learned lawyer and a 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 1 35 
 
 powerful counsel, in which capacity he is supposed to have 
 drawn more money than any other man ever did at the Scot- 
 tish Bar, he was a person of considerable general knowledge , 
 and deeply skilled in the arts of Sculpture and Painting. 
 Born, 1757. Died, 1832. 
 " Others there are that surpass him in a few particular points, 
 both of learning and of practice ; but, on the whole, his su- 
 periority is unrivalled and undisputed. He is the plainest — 
 the shrewdest — the most sarcastic of men — his sceptre owes 
 the whole of its power to its weight — nothing to its glitter." 
 
 Peter's Letters. 
 Essays. — Romances. 
 
 The Causes which have produced the religious 
 
 Toleration of the present Times. 
 Utility and Expedience of Sumptuary Laws. 
 The Rise of Property. 
 
 The proper Choice of Questions for Debate. (In- 
 troductory.) 
 
 117. ROBERT ARBUTPINOT. j Admitted, January 6, 1778. 
 
 \ Non-Resident, February 16, 1779. 
 
 He entered the Army as Lieutenant in the 2d Battalion of 
 Lord MacLeod's Highlanders, and served at the siege of 
 Gibraltar till the Peace of 1783. He then resided for some 
 time with Sir Robert Murray Keith, British minister at 
 Vienna, and afterwards accompanied several young men of 
 rank in their travels, one of whom was His Royal Highness 
 Prince Augustus, the late Duke of Sussex. He was Chief 
 Secretary and Member of the Government Council of Ceylon 
 from 1801 till 1806. When Sir Thomas Maitland went to 
 Ceylon as Governor, he and the Secretary recognized each 
 
13() HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 other as having been fellow-members of the Speculative 
 ^ Society in their early days. Being on a journey in Spain in 
 
 1809, he embarked at Cadiz to revisit Gibraltar, but the ves- 
 sel was lost. 
 
 Bom, 1762. Died, 1809. 
 Essay. — Advantages and Disadvantages of Printing. 
 
 118. ELPHINSTONE BALFOUR. ( Admitted, January 6, 1778. 
 
 I Extraordinary, January 15, 1782. 
 
 Afterwards Bookseller, Edinburgh. 
 
 Born, ]75i. Died, 1831. 
 Essays. — Happiness. 
 
 Defects of the Penal Laws of Great Britain. 
 
 Music. 
 
 Study of History. 
 
 119. MARTIN LINDSAY. (Admitted, February 17,1778. 
 
 { Non-Resident, November 16, 1779. 
 
 Afterwards Martin Eccles Lindsay, younger of Kilconquhar, 
 Fifeshire, Commissary-General to the Forces in North Bri- 
 tain. 
 
 Born, 17G2. Died, 1813. 
 Essay. — The Foundation of Virtue. 
 
 120. JOHN SWINTON. J Admitted, Februarj- 24, 1778. 
 
 ( Resigned, December 5, 1780. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1782. Appointed Sheriff of Ber- 
 wickshire in 1793. 
 
 Born, 1761. Died, 1820. 
 Essays. — Self- Partiality. 
 
 Origin of the Amor Patrise. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. I.37 
 
 Nature and Effects of the Roman Patria Po- 
 testafi. 
 
 121. WILLIAM CLEGHORN. ( Admitted, November 24, 1778. 
 
 I Resigned, November 21, 1780. 
 
 He took the degree of Doctor of Medicine at Edinburgh, in 
 1779, when he published an ingenious dissertation, De Igne. 
 He was appointed joint Professor of Anatomy in Dublin 
 University, but his high promise was blighted by an early 
 death. 
 
 Bom, 1754. Died, 1783. 
 Essays. — Characteristic Distinctions of the Female Sex. 
 Nature and Causes of Madness. 
 
 122. PRINCE DASCHKAU. ( Admitted, December l, 1778. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 16, 1779. 
 
 Son of the celebrated Princess of the same name, and author of 
 an essay, De Tragedia. 
 
 Essxvy. — The Origin of Poetry. 
 
 123. JAMES HOME. j Admitted, December l, 1778. 
 
 ( Resigned, January 25, 1780. 
 
 Afterwards AVriter to the Signet. 
 
 Essay. — The Causes of the Variety of Human Sentiment. 
 
 124. ALEXANDER BURNETT. ( Admitted, December l, 1778. 
 
 ( Resigned, January 18, 1780. 
 
 Afterwards Sir Alexander Ramsay, Baronet, of Balmaine. 
 He was second son of Sir Thomas Burnett of Leys. He was 
 called to the Scottish Bar in 1779, appointed Sheriff of Kin- 
 cardineshire in 1783, and in 1806, having succeeded to the 
 estates of his maternal uncle. Sir Alexander Ramsay, he was 
 created a Baronet by the above title. 
 
138 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Born, 1758. Died, 1810. 
 Essay. — Justice and Expediency of Forfeitures in Cases 
 of High Treason. 
 
 1 25. ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, j Admitted, December 1, 1778. 
 
 ( Resigned, February 1, 1780. 
 
 Afterwards the Right Honourable Archibald Campbell Col- 
 quhoun, of Clathick and Killermont. Called to the Scot- 
 tish Bar in 1779. Appointed Sheriflf of Perthshire in 1793. 
 Was Lord Advocate from 1 807 to 1816, when he was ap- 
 pointed Lord Clerk Register. 
 
 Born, 1756. Died, 1820. 
 Essay. — The Causes of the variety of National Character. 
 
 126. ALEXANDER MOIR. (Admitted, January 19, 1779. 
 
 \ Resigned, December 7, 1779. 
 
 Afterwards of Scotstowu. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1782. 
 Appointed Sheriff of Aberdeenshire in 1796, from which 
 office he retired in 1822. 
 
 Born, 1 760. Died, 1 824. 
 Essay. — Comparative excellence of Poetry and Painting. 
 
 127. EDWARD ARMSTRONG, j Admitted, November 23, 1779. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, March 2, 1784. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1781. 
 
 Essays. — Variety of the Human Species. 
 Influence of Custom. 
 
 128. Dr. EDWARD STEVENS, f Admitted, November 23, 1779. 
 
 ( NoN- Resident, March 20, 1781. 
 
 Essay. — Increase of the Weight of Metals during Calcina- 
 tion. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 139 
 
 129. JOSEPH EWART. ( Admitted, November 30, 1779. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 13, 1781. 
 
 Afterwards Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Berlin. 
 Born, 17.59. Died, 1792. 
 Essay. — Physiognomy. 
 
 130. WILLIAM MOODIE. ^Admitted, November 30, 1779. 
 
 < Non-Resident, April 2, 1782. 
 ( Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Divinity. Minister of St. Andrew's 
 Church, Edinburgh, and Professor of Hebrew in the Univer- 
 sity of Edinburgh. He was celebrated as an Oriental scholar. 
 After his death, a volume of his Sermons was published, with 
 a Memoir prefixed. 
 
 Born, 1759. Died, 1812. 
 Essay. — Faculties of the Human Mind. 
 
 131. ROBERT CLEGHORN. ( Admitted, November 30, 1779. 
 
 I Resigned, November 21, 1780. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Medicine, and in the first practice in 
 Glasgow. He was appointed Lecturer on Materia Medica in 
 the University of Glasgow in 1788, and afterwards filled 
 the Chair of Chemistry and Materia Medica there for many 
 years, with great honour to himself and reputation to the 
 College. He was a man of great intellect, and of extensive 
 attainments in Science, and was an able and fluent Lecturer. 
 Bom, 1749. Died, 1821. 
 Essay. — Marriage. 
 
 132. JAMES URQUHART. ( Admitted, November 30, 1779. 
 
 ( Resigned, February 15, 1780. 
 
 Afterwards of Meldrum. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1781. 
 Appointed Sheriff of Banffshire in 1784. 
 
 Born, 1759. Died, 1835. 
 
14(1 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 133. AVILLIAM LISTER. f Admitted, December 7, 1779. 
 
 1 Non-Resident, November 13, 1781. 
 
 Graduated at Edinburgh as Doctor of Medicine in 1781. He 
 
 settled in London, and became one of the Physicians to St. 
 
 Thomas' Hospital, and acquired extensive practice. He was 
 
 the personal friend of Wells, Cline, Astley Cooper, and 
 
 Baillie. 
 
 Born, 1756. Died, 1830. 
 
 " Dr. Lister was a good, kind, and friendly man, and an ex- 
 cellent and safe physician." 
 
 Sir Astley Coopek. 
 Essays. — Progress of Civilization. 
 
 Enquiry into the Activity of the Human Mind. 
 
 134.. ROBERT PERCEVAL. J Admitted, December 7, 1779. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 14, 1780. 
 
 He was descended from the ancient house of Ivery. He took 
 the degree of Doctor of Medicine at the University of Edin- 
 burgh in 1780. In 1783 he was appointed Lecturer, and in 
 1785, Professor, of Chemistry in the University of Dublin, a 
 post which he filled till 1805. He took an active part in the 
 institution of the Royal Irish Academy, and was its Secre- 
 tary for many years. In 1785, he was appointed Inspector 
 of Apothecaries, and in 1807, received from the Court of 
 Directors of Apothecaries Hall, a piece of plate, " in token 
 of their esteem for his attention to the improvement of their 
 profession." He devoted much of his time to the improve- 
 ment of the hospitals, and conduct of the public charities of 
 Dublin, and was not only generous but munificent in his 
 contributions to all benevolent purposes ; so much so, that 
 although no man in Dublin ever reaped greater professional 
 emoluments, no man in proportion ever amassed less wealth. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 
 
 141 
 
 Being appointed trustee to a bequest by Sir Patrick Dunn, 
 he was instrumental in instituting from a part of it, Sir 
 Patrick Dunn's Hospital, one of the most valuable in Dublin. 
 He was a Governor of the Hospital" of Incurables, and was 
 an active member of the Prison Discipline (or Howard) So- 
 ciety, established in 1818. So great were his exertions in 
 this sphere, that Sir W. C. Smith publicly entitled him, 
 " Our Irish Howard." In 1819, he was appointed Physi- 
 cian-General to His Majesty's Forces in Ireland, the highest 
 professional advancement which he could receive. He lived 
 to a good old age, cheered by the hopes of a pious Christian, 
 and by the recollection of a life spent in the service of his 
 fellow-creatures.* 
 
 Born, 1756. Died, 183.9. 
 Essay. — Comparative View of the Faculties of Man and 
 the Lower Animals. 
 
 IS.-J. JAMES CURRIE. 
 
 t Admitted, December 7, 1779. 
 
 i Non-Resident, November 14, 1780. 
 
 In 1771 he went to Virginia, and engaged in mercantile pur- 
 suits. In 1777, he returned to Scotland, and studied medi- 
 cine in Edinburgh. Having graduated at Glasgow in 1780, 
 he commenced practice in Liverpool. He was for eighteen 
 
 . years Physician to the Liverpool Infirmary, and established 
 the Fever Hospital of that city. His Medical Reports on the 
 effects of Water, cold and warm, as a remedy in Fever and 
 other Diseases, were published in 1797, and his edition of 
 the Works of Robert Burns, with a Memoir and Criticism, 
 appeared in 1800. He wrote various papers on medical and 
 
 * The above is condensed from an interesting MS. Memoir, tor wliicli the Society is 
 indebted to the l<indness of Robert Perceval Maxwell, Esq., grandson of Dr. Perceval. 
 
1 42 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 scientific subjects, and published, in 1783, a Letter to Mr. 
 Pitt, by Jasper Wilson, in which he opposed the policy of a 
 war with France. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society. 
 Boru, 1756. Died, 1805. 
 " This practice (the effusion of cold water on the naked body 
 as a remedy in fever,) was introduced to general notice by 
 the late amiable Dr. Currie, whose distinguished talents, both 
 as a physician and a man of letters, will be long remembered. 
 The remedy, indeed, was by no means new. * * We 
 are far from saying this with any view of lessening the 
 merit of Dr. Currie, for, ' if (as Malpighi observes concern- 
 ing our illustrious Harvey,) ' in arts and sciences he is pro- 
 perly to be deemed the discoverer, who by a proper investi- 
 gation unravels Nature's perplexities, and calls in reason and 
 experience to support, and facts to confirm,' then truly will 
 Dr. Currie be esteemed the discoverer of this remedy." 
 
 Edinburgh Review. 
 Essay. — National Prejudice. 
 
 136. HEW DALRYMPLE. jADMlTTED,December 14, 1779. 
 
 ■i Died, while an Ordinary Member, 
 ( July 16, 1783. 
 
 Eldest son of Lord Westhall. 
 
 Born, 1762. Died, 1783. 
 
 Essays. — Origin of Superstitious Rites. 
 
 Proofs of the Immortality of the Soul. 
 
 Advantages and Disadvantages of the Union 
 
 to Scotland. 
 
 Effects of the discovery of America upon the state 
 
 of Europe. 
 
 Propriety of establishing Convents in Britain. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 143 
 
 137. FRANCIS RUSSELL. f Admitted, December 14, 1779. 
 
 ( Dropi from the Roll, March 5, 1782. 
 
 Called to tbe Scottish Bar in 1780. 
 
 Born, 1757. Died, 1800. 
 
 1 38. CHARLES WILLL\M QUIN. f ADMirrEO, December 21, 1779. 
 
 \ NoN- Resident, Nov. 14, 1780. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Medicine, practising in Dublin. 
 
 Essay. — The Causes which have contributed to the pros- 
 perity of the Chinese Empire. 
 
 139. WILLIAM WYLIE. (Admitted, December 21, 1779. 
 
 { Non-Resident, November 14, 1780. 
 
 1 40. CHARLES HOPE. { Admitted, December 21, 1779. 
 
 Extraordinary, January 13, 1784. 
 
 Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Callec' to the Scottish Bar in 1784. Appointed Judge Advo- 
 cate in 1786, and Sheriff of Orkney in 1791. Appointed 
 Lord Advocate of Scotland in 1801, when he was elected 
 Member of Parliament for the City of Edinburgh. In 
 1804, he was raised to the Bench as Lord Justice- Clerk. 
 In 181 1, became Lord President of the Court of Session, and 
 in 1 836 Lord Justice-General. A Privy Councillor, He 
 retired to private life in 1841. 
 
 " I yesterday heard without exception the finest piece of judi- 
 cial eloquence, delivered in the first possible way, by the Lord 
 President Hope. * * This Judge was formerly President 
 of the Criiyinal Court, and after being present at this scene, 
 I have no difficulty in believing, what I hear from every one, 
 that in pronouncing sentence, he far surpassed every Judge 
 whom the present time has witnessed, or of whom any me- 
 
144 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 niory survives. Had any gone before him, liis equal in the 
 terrible graces of judicial eloquence, it is not possible that he 
 should soon have been forgotten. Feelings such as this man 
 possesses, when expressed as he expresses them, produce an 
 effect of which it is not easy to say whether the impression 
 may be likely to abide longest in the bosoms of the good or 
 in those of the wicked." Peter's Letters. 
 
 " The Dean and Faculty of Advocates, on occasion of your 
 retirement from the situation of Lord President of the Court of 
 Session, are desirous of expressing their sense of the distin- 
 guished ability and integrity with which you have discharged 
 the duties of that high office. During a period of more than 
 thirty years, you have devoted your eminent talents and 
 great attainments, with unwearied and successful assiduity, 
 to the administration of justice. Your judicial character has 
 been adorned by learning and eloquence of no ordinary kind. 
 While the strict impartiality and high principle which have 
 guided your judgments, have commanded universal confidence 
 and respect. 
 
 *' The Faculty feel gratefully bound to acknowledge that 
 they have uniformly experienced at your hands that courtesy 
 and kindness of demeanour, which are so necessary to assist 
 the exertions of the advocate, and which, as your example 
 has shown, only confers additional dignity on the judicial sta- 
 tion. The Faculty trust that this sincere expression of their 
 esteem and veneration may not be unacceptable to you at a 
 time when you are quitting the employment and distinction 
 of public life ; and they earnestly hope that you may enjoy 
 in your retirement the repose and happiness which will be the 
 fit reward of your long labours and your many virtues." 
 
 Address by the Dean and Faculty of Advocates. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 145 
 
 Essays. — Origin and Progress of Liberty in Britain. 
 Progress of Law. 
 Nature of Evidence as applicable to Rights and 
 
 to Crimes. 
 Delicacy. 
 
 141. JOHN JOHNSTONE. 
 
 ( Admitted, January 25, 1780. 
 ( Extraordinary, March 30, 1784. 
 
 Afterwards Minister of Crossmichael. He edited the Sermons 
 of his uncle, Dr. Bryce Johnston, to which he prefixed a ju- 
 dicious and spirited Memoir. He was eminent as a Preacher, 
 and a volume of his Sermons was published in 1825. 
 Born, 1757. Died, 1820. 
 Essays. — The Common-sense Philosophy. 
 The Savage state. 
 Nature and Rights of Marriage. 
 
 142. JAMES BROWN, 
 
 I Admitted, February 8, 1780. 
 1 
 
 Resigned, November 20, 1781. 
 
 Afterwards Minister of Newbattle. . 
 
 Born, 1759. Died, 1812. 
 Essay. — Influence of Government upon Manners. 
 
 1 43. JOHN SYME. / Admitted, February 15, 1780. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 24, 1786. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Born, 1761. Died, 1821. 
 Essays. — Advantages and Defects of the British Constitu- 
 tion. 
 The Causes of Error in History. 
 Trial by Jury. 
 
1 46 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 1 44. ALEXANDER CUNINGHAME. f Admitted, March 7, 1780. 
 
 ( Resigned, November 20, 1781. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. He was a friend and com- 
 panion of Robert Burns. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1812. 
 
 Essays. — Population. 
 
 Causes of the Prevalence of Perjury. 
 
 145. THOMAS MACKNIGHT, I Admitted, March 7, 1780. 
 
 ( EXTRAORDINAEY, February 27, 1787. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Divinity, and one of the Ministers of the 
 Old Church, Edinburgh. Was Moderator of the General 
 Assembly in 1820. He was frequently employed to lecture 
 in the University of Edinburgh on subjects connected with Ma- 
 thematics and Natural Philosophy during temporary vacancies. 
 Born, 1762. Died, 1836. 
 " A person of great simplicity of manners, of greater science, 
 and of the greatest possible worth." Lord Cockbcbn. 
 
 Essays. — Origin of the Arts and Sciences. 
 
 The Circumstances which affect National Indus- 
 try. 
 Practicability of an Universal Language. 
 Causes of the Difference of the Military Spirit 
 of Nations. 
 
 146. WILLIAM RITCHIE. J Admitted, March 7,1780. 
 
 { Non-Resident, November 13, 1781. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Divinity. Successively Minister of the 
 Parish of Kilwinning, of St. Andrew's Churcbj Glasgow, and 
 of the High Church, Edinburgh. In 1809, appointed Pro- 
 fessor of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh. 
 Bom, 1747. Died, 1830. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 
 
 147 
 
 Essays. — Effects of the study of Belles-Lettres upon 
 Science. 
 
 U7. JAMES HOME. 
 
 [ Admitted, March 14, 1780. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 13, 1781. 
 
 Afterwards graduated as Doctor of Medicine. Professor of the 
 Practice of Physic in the University of Edinburgh, which 
 office he resigned in 1842. 
 Essay. — The Mental Faculties of Brutes. 
 
 148. JOHN WILDE. 
 
   Admitted, November 28, 1780. 
 Extraordinary, March 9, 1784. 
 . Honorary, February 5, 1793. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1785. Was appointed Professor 
 of Civil Law in the University of Edinburgh in 1792. Con- 
 firmed derangement of mind caused him to spend the last 
 thirty years of his life in retirement. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1 840. 
 
 " Wilde had no precision, and in elegance he copied too much 
 the faults of Mr. Burke's manner. He was, however, full of 
 imagination and knowledge, a most amusing speaker and de- 
 lightful companion, and one of the most generous of men." 
 
 Sir J. Mackintosh. 
 Essays. — The Savage State. 
 
 Origin and Rise of Figurative Language. 
 Rise, Progress, and Effects of the Crusades. 
 The Causes of Oriental Despotism. (Introduc- 
 tory.) 
 The Theory of Causation. 
 The Nature of Evidence. 
 
148 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 j Admitted, November 28, 1780. 
 1l 
 
 149. JACOB PATTISON. 
 
 Died while an Ordinary Member. 
 
 An Englishman who died young. A monument was raised to 
 his memory by the Speculative, Royal Medical, and Physical 
 Societies, of each of which he was one of the Presidents at 
 the time of his death. 
 
 Born, 1769. Died, 1782. 
 Essays. — Origin and Influence of the Crusades. 
 Sleep and Dreaming. 
 
 {Admitted, December S, 1780. 
 1 
 
 150. STEPHEN DICKSON. 
 
 ; Non-Resident, March 30, 1784. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Medicine. Appointed Professor of the 
 Institutes of Medicine in the University of Dublin in 1786, 
 and one of the State Physicians in Ireland in 1788. He 
 subsequently went to America, where he died. 
 
 Born, . Died, . 
 
 Essays. — Beauties and Defects of the English Language. 
 Rise and Political Efl^ects of Oratory. 
 
 151. JAMES LAPSLIE. 
 
 f Admitted, December 5, 1780. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, December 10, 1782. 
 
 Afterwards Minister of Campsie. 
 Born, — 
 
 Died, 1824. 
 
 152. JAMES CAMPBELL. 
 
 Admitted, December 5, 1780. 
 Resigned, March 25, 1783. 
 
 Essays. — The Disposition of Man to Society. 
 Crimes and Punishments. 
 
 153. THOMAS WILSON. 
 
 I Admitted, December 5, 1780. 
 
 i Extraordinary, December 11, 1781. 
 
 Called t« the Scottish Bar in 1781. 
 
 Born, 1758. Died, 1824. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. ] 49 
 
 Essays. — Effects of Opulence and Luxury upon Manners. 
 Effects of the Roman Conquests. 
 Origin and Political Effects of Duelling. 
 
 154. JOHN BROWNRIGG. I Admitted, December 19, 1 780. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 13, 1781. 
 
 Essay. — Pernicious Effects of the Restrictions on the Irish 
 Trade. 
 
 15,5. WILLIAM DAVIDSON. j Admitted, February 13, 1781. 
 
 \ Non-Resident, November 13, 1781. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1781, 
 
 Born, . Died 1792. 
 
 156. WILLIAM CAMPBELL. ( Admitted, March 6, 1781. 
 
 ( Resigned, January 21, 1783. 
 
 Youngest son of Lord Stonefield. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1783. 
 
 Bom, 1763. Died, 1787. 
 
 157i HENRY HILL. f Admitted, November 20, 1781. 
 
 I Extraordinary, December 21, 1784. 
 
 Appointed Professor of Greek in the University of St. Andrews 
 in 1789. 
 
 Born, 1762. Died, 1820. 
 Essays. — Origin and Effects of Chivalry. 
 
 Causes of the Decline of the Feudal System in 
 
 England. 
 Expediency of divesting the East India Com- 
 pany of the management of their territorial 
 possessions. 
 
1 50 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 158. JAMES CLERK. j Admitted, November 20, 1781. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 23, 1784. 
 
 Afterwards Baron Clerk Rattray of Craighall, Perthshire. 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1785. Appointed Sheriff of 
 Edinburgh in 1794, and Baron of Exchequer in 1809. 
 Born, 17G3. Died, 1831. 
 Essays. — The Progress of Justice. 
 
 Utility of the Dramatic Unities. 
 
 159. WILLIAM DURHAM. (Admitted, November 27, 1781. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, January 11, 1785. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1785. 
 
 Born, 1764. Died, 1786. 
 
 Essays. — Origin and Effects of Tragedy. 
 
 Rise and Effects of Entails. 
 
 Effects of Commerce. 
 
 160. PATRICK THRIEPLAND. (Admitted, December 11, 1781. 
 
 I Resigned, November 23, 1784. 
 
 Afterwards Sir Patrick Murray Thriepland, Baronet, of Fin- 
 gask. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1784. He was restored 
 to the honours of his family in 1826, — they having been at- 
 tainted in consequence of his grandfather's participation in 
 the Rebellion of 1715. 
 
 Born, 1762. Died, 1837. 
 Essays. — Origin and Progress of Language. 
 Progress of Government. 
 Use of Foreign Travel as a Branch of Education. 
 
 161. JOHN WHITEBY STOKES, f Admitted, January IS, 1782. 
 
 \ Non-Resident, November 11, 1783. 
 
 Essay. — Rise of the House of Commons. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 151 
 
 162. JOHN ORMSBY. ( Admitted, January 15, 1782. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 12, 1782. 
 
 Essay. — Education. 
 
 163. JOHN HANBURY BEAUFOY. j Admitted, January 22, 1782. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, April 30, 1782. 
 
 Mr. Beaufoy was proprietor of a very extensive vinegar manu- 
 factory, near London, and purchased the estate of Upton- 
 Grey, Hampshire. He was eminent for taste and erudition, 
 and secured universal esteem by the simplicity and urbanity 
 of his manners, his pleasing and instructive conversation, and 
 his unwearied kindness to the peasantry on his estate. He 
 was High-Sheriif of Hampshire in 1806, and was afterwards 
 appointed a Deputy-Lieutenant of the county. He contri- 
 buted some remarks, exhibiting great research, on the original 
 colonisers of Mexico, to a work, entitled, Illustrations of 
 Mexico, published in 1828. A short memoir of Mr. Beaufoy 
 was printed soon after his death, for private circulation.* 
 Born, 1763. Died, 1836. 
 
 164. PETER HILL. i admitted, March 5, 1782. 
 
 I Resigned, December 9, 1783. 
 
 Afterwards Bookseller in Edinburgh. 
 
 Born, 1754. Died, 1837. 
 Essay.— Nature of the Principle of Honour. (Introduc- 
 tory.) 
 
 * The Society are indebted for the materials of the above notice to the kindness of 
 the Rev. Mr. Warren, Rector of South Wamborough, author of the Memoir of Mr. 
 Beaufoy. 
 
152 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 165. DAVID CATHCART. ( Admitted, March 5, 1782. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, April 12, 1785. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1785. Raised to the Bench by 
 the title of Lord AUoway, in 1813. His knowledge of law 
 and of business procured him very extensive practice, al- 
 though he was gifted with no powers as a speaker ; and he 
 made an excellent Judge. 
 
 Born, 1763. Died, 1829. 
 Essays. — Inquiry into the Form of Government that will 
 take place in the American States. 
 Character of Alexander the Great. 
 Antiquity of the English Constitution. 
 
 1 66. The EARL of ANCRUM. ( admitted, March S, 1782. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, March 30, 1784. 
 
 Afterwards sixth Marquis of Lothian. A Knight of the Thistle, 
 and Lord Lieutenant of the County of Midlothian. 
 Bom, 1764. Died, 1824. 
 Essays. — Expediency of the King's Prerogative of pardon- 
 ing Criminals. 
 Nature of Patriotism, and means of exciting 
 it. 
 
 167. ALEXANDER MANNERS. ( Admitted, March 12, 1782. 
 
 •J Extraordinary, March 15, 1785. 
 ( Honorary, February 14, 1797. 
 
 Afterwards Bookseller in Edinburgh, and Librarian to the 
 Faculty of Advocates. 
 
 Born, 1765. Died, 1827. 
 Essays. — Effects of the Introduction of Fire-arras into the 
 Military Art. 
 Expediency and Political Effects of the Athe- 
 nian Ostracism. 
 Justice and Expediency of impressing Seamen. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 1.53 
 
 168. WILLIAM CARLYLE. ^Admitted, March 19, 1782. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, April 10, 1787. 
 
 Afterwards of Drumgau. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1784. 
 Bom, 1759. Died, 1824. 
 Essays. — Influence of Commerce on the Manners of a 
 People. 
 Effects of the Roman Conquests. 
 
 169. PHILIP HOLLAND. ( Admitted, April 2, 1782. 
 
 \ NoN- Resident, November 12, 1782. 
 
 Took the degree of Doctor of Medicine at Edinburgh, in 1782. 
 
 170. EBENEZER MARSHALL, f Admitted, April 16, 1782. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, March 18, 1783. 
 
 Was for some years Chaplain to the Scottish Brigade in Holland, 
 and was ordained Minister of Cockpen in 1784. Author of 
 a History of the Union, and an Essay on the British Con- 
 stitution. 
 
 Bom, 1751. Died, 1813. 
 
 171. MALCOLM LAING. ( Admitted, November 13, 1782. 
 
 I Extraordinary, December 20, 1786. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1785. He was author of a His- 
 tory of Scotland from the L^nion of the Crowns to the Union 
 of the Kingdoms ; and of an edition of Ossian, with Notes 
 and Illustrations, in which he combated the authenticity 
 of these poems ; besides other literary works. During the 
 administration of Mr. Fox, of whom he was a great personal 
 friend, he was elected Member of Parliament for Orkney. 
 Born, 1762. Died, 1818. 
 
 " Mr. Laing's merit as a critical inquirer into history, an en- 
 lightened collector of materials, and a sagacious judge of evi- 
 dence, has never been surpassed. In spite of his ardent love 
 
 V 
 
154 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 of liberty, no man has yet presumed to charge him with the 
 slightest sacrifice of historical integrity to his zeal. That he 
 never perfectly attained the art of full, clear, and easy nar- 
 rative, was owing to the peculiar style of those writers who 
 were popular in his youth, and may be mentioned as a re- 
 markable instance of the disproportion of particular talents to 
 general vigour of mind." 
 
 Edinburgh Review. 
 " Laing was most acute and ingenious, but his meaning 
 was obscured by the brevity which he too much pursued in his 
 writings, and by an inconceivable rapidity of utterance." 
 
 Sir James Mackintosh. 
 
 Essays. — Origin and Effects of Duelling. 
 
 Existence and Qualities of Matter. 
 Origin of the Grecian Theatre. 
 
 172. GEORGE JOHNSTON. ( Admitted, November 19, 1782. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 27, 1785. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. Chiefly distinguished as an 
 
 Oriental scholar. 
 
 Born, 1762. Died, 1801. 
 
 Essays. — Origin and Use of Philosophy. 
 
 Constitution and Government of Britain. 
 
 Universality of the Feudal System. 
 
 173. THOMAS ROBERTSON. ( Admitted, November 26, 1782. 
 
 11 
 
 . Resigned, November 16, 1784. 
 
 Essays. — Slavery. 
 Duelling. 
 Taxation. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 155 
 
 •{i 
 
 Resigned, Nov. 16, 1784. 
 
 Afterwards Baron Wingfield, and fourth Viscount Powerscourt ; 
 he succeeded his father in 1789. 
 
 Born, 1762. Died, 1809. 
 Essay. — Utility of the Cultivation of the Fine Arts. 
 
 175. THOMAS ADDIS EMMET. ( Admitted, November 26, 1782. 
 
 < Non-Resident, April 20, 1785. 
 ( Expelled,* December 11, 1798. 
 
 Studied medicine in Edinburgh, and afterwards practised as a 
 Physician in Dublin. He was subsequently called to the 
 Irish Bar. In 1798 he was arrested, as being engaged in 
 the political disturbances in Ireland, and in the following 
 year was confined in Fort George, in Scotland, where he was 
 detained for three years. At the expiry of that period he 
 received a pardon, when he went to the Continent, and in 
 the year 1 804 proceeded to the United States of America. 
 He practised as a Barrister in New York, and soon rivalled 
 in reputation the most eminent American lawyers. He was 
 appointed Attorney-General of the State of New York in 
 1812, and died in 1827. His death took place when on 
 Circuit, from a stroke of apoplexy, two days after delivering 
 a most animated and powerful address to a Jury in a cause 
 of the greatest importance and difficulty. His funeral was 
 attended by the Judges of the Supreme Court, the Bar, the 
 
 * On the 20tli November 1798, " The Secretary (Mr. Waugh) moved, and was 
 seconded by Mr. Henry Brougham, That as Thomas Addis Emmet has acknowledged 
 himself a Member of the Executive Directory of the Irish Union, and has confessed him- 
 self privy to the carrying on a treasonable correspondence with France, his name should 
 be erased from the List of the Speculative Society." A ballot was taken on this mo- 
 tion, after it had lain on the table for three weeks, and it was carried unanimously. 
 
15C HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Medical Professors, and the Municipal Authorities of New 
 York. A marble monument has been erected to his memory, 
 in the burying-ground in that city, where he is interred, by 
 his countrymen residing in America. 
 
 Born, 1765. Died, 1827. 
 
 " Emmet did not reason, but he was an eloquent declaimer, 
 with the taste which may be called Irish, and which Grattan 
 had then rendered so popular at Dublin." 
 
 Sir James Mackintosh. 
 
 The Court of General Sessions of New York, entered on their 
 minutes two days after his death, — 
 
 " That the Judges of the Court now here will attend the funeral 
 of Thomas Addis Emmet, for the purpose of paying the last 
 tribute of respect to one who by uniting the greatest abilities 
 with the most unsullied integrity, has for more than twenty 
 years thrown a lustre upon the New York Bar. The Judges 
 now present most deeply deplore his death, and will unite 
 with their associate justices, and other public functionaries, 
 and with their fellow-citizens, in testifying their regard for 
 the deceased, their admiration of his talents, and their appro- 
 bation of his virtues. 
 
 " The learned Counsel whose death is thus lamented by 
 the Court, has discharged in the fullest extent all the duties 
 of public and private life, and by his great attainments and 
 excellent qualities has reflected equal honour upon the coun- 
 try of his birth and the country of his adoption." 
 
 Minutes of the Court. 
 " Even while my hand traces this page, I hear the death 
 of Thomas Addis Emmet announced ; the mournful intelli- 
 gence has been conveyed to his country through the journals 
 of the United States. Full of years and full of virtues, he 
 has terminated an eventful but an honourable life, and in his 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. ] 57 
 
 death one of the brightest links that united ' the suffering 
 friends of benevolence/ has been broken. If sentiments, 
 purely disinterested and unambitious, ever influenced the 
 breast of man, it was the breast of Emmet. High-minded, 
 generous, and sincere, he was a self-devoted victim for the 
 preservation of others. Unrivalled in talent, and unbending 
 in misfortune, he won the admiration of a generous people, 
 who were proud to estimate the qualities of the man whose 
 virtues shed a lustre on the land of his adoption ; and while 
 the friends of freedom in the Old and New World shall 
 mourn his loss, the life of Thomas Addis Emmet will be 
 regarded as a model for the patriot of future years." 
 
 Teeling's Personal Narrative. 
 Essays. — Influence of Climate on Natural Character and 
 Manners. 
 Insufficiency of the Historical Evidence of the 
 Irish Massacre. 
 
 176. THOMAS STRANGWAYS HORNER. (Admitted, Dec. 3, 1782. 
 
 < Non-Resident, March 
 I 23,1784. 
 
 Afterwards of Mells, Somersetshire. 
 
 Essay. — Inexpediency of Capital Punishments. 
 
 177. WILLIAM MAXWELL MORRISON. ) Admitted, Dec. 3, 1782. 
 
 I Resigned, Nov. 15, 1785. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1784. Compiler of the Diction- 
 ary of Decisions of the Court of Session. 
 
 Bom, 1761. Died, 1821. 
 Essays. — The Use of Passion in Eloquence. 
 
 Influence of Feudal Tenures upon Government. 
 
158 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 178. JOHN BURNETT. 
 
 I Admitted, December 3, 1782. 
 Extraordinary, January 24, 1786. 
 I Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1785. Appointed SheriflF of 
 Haddingtonshire in 1 803, and Judge-Admiral in 1 8 1 0. He 
 was author of a Treatise on the Criminal Law of Scotland. 
 Born, 1764. Died, 1810, 
 Essays. — Patriotism. 
 
 Style and Composition. 
 
 A comparative View of the two Roads to Fame, — 
 
 War and Letters. 
 Origin of the Roman State. 
 Discourse to prove the Trojan Origin of Rome. 
 
 179. The Right Hon. the EARL of GLASGOW. 
 
 ( Admitted, December 3, 1782. 
 
 \ Non-Resident, November 9, 1784. 
 
 Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Ayr, and President of the 
 Maitland Club. 
 
 Bom, 1766. Died, 1843. 
 Essays. — Causes which produced the four Golden Periods 
 of Literature. 
 The Circumstances which affect Population. 
 
 180. JAMES PATERSON. 
 
 I Admitted, December 3, 1782. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 11, 1783. 
 
 Afterwards of Pynannot and Gairn, Ayrshire, Doctor of Medi- 
 cine. He practised as the principal Physician at Ayr, until 
 1820, after which he resided in London. 
 
 Born, 1763. Died, 1843. 
 EssAY^. — The active Principles in Human Nature. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 
 
 159 
 
 181. JOHN MACKAY. 
 
 f Admitted, December 10, 1782. 
 
 Non-Resident, November 9, 1784. 
 Afterwards of Rockfield. He spent a short time in India, but 
 lost his sight at the age of twenty-nine, and afterwards re- 
 sided in Edinburgh. He was author of Memoirs of General 
 Hugh Mackay of Scourie. 
 
 Born, 1761. Died, 1841. 
 Essays. — Effects of the Union upon Scotland. 
 
 Characteristic Distinctions of the Female Sex. 
 
 {Admitted, January 7, 1783. 
 
 182. JOHN PRESTON, 
 
 Non-Resident, November 11, 1783. 
 
 Afterwards Member of Parliament for the borough of Navan, 
 until, in 1800, the very ancient title of Tara, (which had 
 become extinct in another branch of the house of Preston,) 
 was revived in his favour, and he was called to the House of 
 Lords by the title of Baron Tara of Bellinter. 
 
 Born, 1764. Died, . 
 
 Essay. — Rise and Effects of Tribunitian Power in Rome. 
 
 j Admitted, January 28, 1783. 
 
 1: 
 
 183. JOSIAH WALKER. 
 
 Non-Rbsident, April 26, 1785. 
 
 He was appointed, in 1796, Collector of Customs at Perth. 
 He published a Translation of the Fables of the Due de 
 Nivernois ; the Defence of Order, a poem in support of Mr. 
 Pitt's policy; and a Memoir of Robert Burns. In 1815, he 
 was appointed Professor of Humanity in the University of 
 Glasgow, which situation he held till his death. 
 Bom, 1760. Died, 1831. 
 Essays. — The Lawfulness of Suicide. 
 
 The Circumstances which contributed to form 
 
 the Character of the French. 
 A Pindaric Ode on American Independence. 
 
160 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 184. WILLIAM BENNET. (Admitted, January 28, 1783. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, May 2, 1786. 
 
 Afterwards Minister of Duddingstone. 
 
 Born, 1763. Died, 1805. 
 Essays. — Rise of the Feudal System. 
 
 Character and Effects of the Troubadours. 
 Colonization. 
 
 185. BASIL-WILLIAM LORD DAER, ( Admitted, February 11, 1783. 
 
 \ Non-Resident, March 6, 1787. 
 
 Eldest son of the fourth Earl of Selkirk. Being at Paris at the 
 commencement of the French Revolution, he formed a favour- 
 able opinion of the proceedings of the Constitutional Assem- 
 bly, and became a Member of the Society of Friends of the 
 People, and a warm advocate for Parliamentary Reform. 
 Considering the interpretation of the article of Union, which 
 prevented the eldest sons of Scotch Peers from sitting in 
 Parliament to be doubtful, he tried the question in the Courts 
 of Law, but was unsuccessful. He died in 1794, before his 
 
 father. 
 
 Born, 1763. Died, 1794. 
 
 The modest and unassuming mien of Lord Daer, seems to have 
 
 struck Bums when the humble poet was first introduced to 
 
 the circles of the great. 
 
 " Then from his Lordship I shall learn 
 Henceforth to meet without concern 
 
 One rank as weel's another ; 
 Nae honest worthy man need care 
 To meet with noble youthful Daer, 
 
 For he but meets a brother." 
 
 Burns. 
 Essays. — Origin and Nature of Rights. 
 
 Grounds and Tendency of the Benevolent Sys- 
 tem of Philosophy. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 161 
 
 J Admitted, April 8, 1783. 
 
 1: 
 
 186. JOHN LOCKHART. 
 
 [ Non-Resident, November 15, 178S. 
 Afterwards Doctor of Divinity. Ordained Minister of the Parish 
 of Cambusnethan, in 1786, which charge he held until 1796, 
 when he was translated to the College Church, Glasgow. He 
 waa a warm supporter of the various religious and charitable 
 institutions of Glasgow. He took great interest in astrono- 
 mical science ; had a principal share in the erection of the 
 Observatory on Garnet Hill, and was the first President of 
 the Glasgow Astronomical Society. 
 
 Born, 1761. Died, 1842. 
 Essays. — The Circumstances in Human Nature that affect 
 the Structure of Language. 
 Comparative Merits of Syllogism and Induc- 
 tion. 
 
 187. Sir JAMES HALL, Baronet, of Dunglass. 
 
 {Admitted, April 8, 1783. 
 Non-Resident, May 6, 1783. 
 
 He early applied his mind to the study of mineralogy and 
 geology, and took a deep interest in the controversy which 
 for a long time divided men of science as to the merits of the 
 rival theories of Hutton and Werner. He warmly sup- 
 ported that of the former, and in a number of able Papers 
 read to the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and published in 
 their Transactions, he brought to bear in its illustration and 
 defence, his knowledge of the science of chemistry, his acute 
 observations of natural objects in his travels in England and 
 on the Continent, and the resources of his own sagacity and 
 powers of reasoning. In 1798, he commenced that important 
 series of experiments on the fusion of substances under pres- 
 sure, with which his name is more immediately connected. Dr. 
 Hutton had suggested, in order to meet a formidable objection 
 
 X 
 
162 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 to his theory, that the heat, which when applied to the earthy 
 carbonates of lime in a furnace, calcines them, by driving off the 
 carbonic acid, might, when applied, as in the great operations 
 of nature, under the depths of the ocean, where a sufficient 
 pressure existed to confine the carbonic acid, cause fusion and 
 crystallization to take place. To Sir James Hall it did not 
 appear to be a hopeless task to imitate in the laboratory ope- 
 rations conducted by Nature only on an enormous scale. He 
 accordingly commenced with a vigour, almost an audacity, 
 rarely equalled, a course of experiments which were accumu- 
 lated to the number of several hundreds, and were continued 
 for seven years with unwearied courage and perseverance. 
 In spite of the necessity under which he lay of inventing all 
 his apparatus, repeated failures, and the difficulty, and even 
 danger, attending his experiments, he at length, by his saga- 
 city and fertility in devising exi)edients, his just discrimina- 
 tion of the results obtained, and a resolute determination to 
 be baffled by no obstacles which patient thought, and renewed 
 efforts, might hope to overcome, achieved complete success. 
 He succeeded in fusing carbonate of lime, confined under a 
 great pressure in gun barrels and porcelain tubes, and in con- 
 verting it into a pure and crystalline marble. Thus, by one 
 of the most daring attempts to interrogate Nature, we might 
 almost say, to put her to the question, ever made in the annals 
 of experimental philosophy, he proved- that marbles and lime- 
 stones might have been produced by the action of heat from 
 the earthy carbonate of lime, under a pressure not greater 
 than that of the ocean. By these and other experiments made 
 about the same time, he brought a great accession of strength 
 to the hypothesis of his friend Dr. Hutton. 
 
 Although his fame is most justly connected with this course 
 of experiments, and his researches generally, on the applica- 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 163 
 
 tion of chemistry to geology, his attention was not confined 
 to such subjects. He published, in 1813, an Essay on the 
 Origin and Principles of Gothic Architecture, which, al- 
 though but a playful exercise of fancy, displays much inge- 
 nuity and elegance of mind. He sat in the House of Com- 
 mons from 1808 to 1812, as member for the burgh of St. 
 Michaels, in Cornwall. 
 
 Born, 1761. Died, 1832. 
 
 188. ALLEN DALZELL. 
 
 [ Admitted, November 18, 178.3. 
 1 Non-Resident, November 9, 1784. 
 
 Afterwards held an office in the Commissariat Department in 
 the West Indies. 
 
 Born, 1762. Died, 1825. 
 
 189. BARON BENJAMIN CONSTANT. 
 
 I Admitted, November 18, 1783. 
 ( Non-Resident, April 26, 1785. 
 
 He took a leading part in the proceedings which followed the 
 French Revolution, and after Buonaparte gained the ascend- 
 ancy in affairs, he was recognized as one of the most syste- 
 matic opponents of the Consular Government. He was con- 
 sequently comprehended in Napoleon's first purification of 
 the Assembly. Being compelled to leave Paris, he spent 
 several years in travelling over Europe, and subsequently 
 resided at Gbttingen, where he devoted himself to literary 
 studies, and produced several works, both in prose and verse. 
 After the banishment of Napoleon to Elba, he returned to 
 Paris, and became one of the principal supporters of the 
 Bourbon family. He continued to censure the conduct of 
 Buonaparte, even when he was within a few leagues of Paris, 
 but notwithstanding this, he afterwards accepted office under 
 
164. 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 the Emperor, as one of the Councillors of State, and assisted 
 in drawing up the new constitution, presented to the people 
 at the Champ de Mai. After the overthrow of Napoleon he 
 retired to Brussels, and afterwards to England; but in 1816 
 returned to Paris, where he obtained a seat in the Chamber 
 of Deputies, and continued afterwards one of the principal 
 supporters of liberal principles, both as a writer and as a 
 statesman. In the memorable commotions at Paris in July 
 1830, M. Constant exhibited the utmost ability, and mainly 
 
 "contributed to the success of the Revolution ; but in conse- 
 quence of the exposure and fatigue which he endured, his 
 health gradually declined, and he died on 8tli December of 
 that year. His remains were interred in the cemetery of 
 Pere la Chaise, and his obsequies were attended by the 
 Chamber of Deputies, and a vast multitude of persons. 
 Born, 1767. Died, 1830. 
 
 •' Baron Constant de Rebecque, a Swiss, of singular manners 
 and powerful talents." Sir James Mackintosh. 
 
 •' M. Constant is unquestionably the first political writer of the 
 Continent, and apparently the ablest man in France. With 
 the comprehensive views and the brilliant poignancy of Mon- 
 tesquieu, he unites some of the defects of that great writer. 
 Like him, his mind is too systematical for the irregular va- 
 riety of human affairs, and he sacrifices too many of those 
 exceptions and limitations which political reasonings require 
 to the pointed sentences which compose his nervous and bril- 
 liant style. His answer to the Abbe Montesquieu's foolish 
 plan of restricting the press, is a model of polemical politics, 
 uniting English solidity and strength with French urbanity. 
 His tract on ministerial responsibility, with some errors 
 (though surprisingly few) on English details, is an admirable 
 discussion of one of the most important institutions of a free 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 
 
 165 
 
 government, and though founded on English practice, would 
 
 convey instruction to most of those who have best studied 
 
 the English constitution." 
 
 Edinburgh Review. 
 
 FssAY. — Influence of the Pagan Mythology on Manners 
 
 and Character. 
 
 190. GEORGE BAIRD. 
 
 f Admittkd, November 25, 1783. 
 < Extraordinary, December 5, 1786. 
 ( Honorary, December 10, 1793. 
 
 imH 
 
 Afterwards the Reverend George Husband Baird, Doctor of 
 Divinity. In 1787, he was ordained Minister of Dunkeld, 
 and held that charge until, in 1792, he was appointed Pro- 
 fessor of Oriental Languages in the University of Edinburgh. 
 On the death of Dr. Robertson in 1793, he was (when not 
 more than thirty-three years of age,) elected by the Town- 
 Council Principal of the University. In Edinburgh he was 
 minister successively of the New Greyfriar's Church, the 
 New North Church, and the High Church. At the meeting 
 of the General Assembly in 1824, he brought forward his 
 scheme for increasing the means of education throughout 
 Scotland, but particularly in the Highlands and Islands, and 
 in the large towns. In 1827 and 1828, he made extensive 
 journeys through the Highlands and Islands, to forward his 
 benevolent purpose, and in 1832, the thanks of the General 
 Assembly were conveyed to him by the Moderator. 
 Born, 1761. Died, 1840. 
 
 " The benefits which you have conferred on the cause of education 
 in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, will ever associate 
   your name with the whole of that immense region, and hand 
 down your memory to distant ages, as the moral benefactor 
 of many thousand families. I feel confident that I do not out- 
 run the sympathy of a single individual in our Church, when 
 
 ^ 
 
166 
 
 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 in its name I offer you, as the head of a noble and national 
 enterprise, the meed of our united thanks for the vigour, and 
 activity, and enthusiasm wherewith, at an advanced period 
 of life, you have addressed yourself to this great under- 
 taking, and may now be said to have fully and firmly esta- 
 blished it." 
 
 Dr. Chalmebs (in conveying the thanks of the General 
 Assembly.) 
 Essays. — Principles of Human Action. 
 
 Reciprocal Influence of Mind and Body on each 
 
 other. 
 Study of Oriental Literature. 
 
 191. WILLIAM ELIOTT. (Admitted, November 25, 1783. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 26, 171i6. 
 
 Afterwards William Eliott Lockhart of Borthwickbrae. He 
 was called to the Scottish Bar in 1 786, and represented the 
 County of Selkirk in Parliament from 1806 till 1830. 
 Born, 1764. Died, 1832. 
 Essays. — Propriety of laying a Restraint upon Emigra- 
 tion. 
 Duelling. 
 Effect of Tragic Representations on the mind. 
 
 192. ALEXANDER MUIR MACKENZIE. S Admitted, Dee. 2, 1783. 
 
 ( Resignkd, Nov. 30, 1784. 
 
 Afterwards of Delvine. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1788. 
 Created a Baronet in 1805. 
 
 Bom, 1764. Died, 1835. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 167 
 
 J 93. The Hon. JOHN DOUGLAS. J Admitted, December 'J, 1783. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, Mai;ch 18, 1788. 
 
 Second son of the fourth Earl of Selkirk. Called to the Scot- 
 tish Bar in 1787. Became Lord Daer on his brother's death 
 in 1794. 
 
 Born, 176G. Died, 1797. 
 
 EssAY.-^Expediency of obliging Representatives in Par- 
 liament to obey the Directions of their Con- 
 stituents. 
 
 194. DIMITRI POLTORATSKI. j Admitted, December 16, 1783. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 9, 1784. 
 
 A Native of Russia. 
 
 j Admitted, January 6, 1784. 
 1 
 
 195. JOHN FFRYE. 
 
 1 Resigned, November 22, 1785. 
 
 Afterwards took the degree of Doctor of Medicine. 
 Essay. — Nature of the English Constitution. 
 
 196. ROBERT BIGGAR. 
 
 [ Admitted, January 6, 1784. 
 ; Resigned, December 21, 1784. 
 
 197. THOMAS SKEETE. 
 
 {Admitted, January 13, 1784. 
 Non-Resident, May 3, 1785. 
 
 A Native of Barbadoes. He graduated as Doctor of Medicine 
 at Edinburgh, and at the age of thirty-one was appointed 
 Physician to the Asylum at Guy's Hospital, and to the New 
 Finsbury Dispensary, London. 
 
 Born, 17.57. Died, 1789. 
 Essay. — Justice and Propriety of the present State of Sla- 
 very in the West Indies. 
 
 198. SIMON CLARKE. 
 
 ( Admitted, January 13, 1784. 
 \ Resigned, December 7, 1784. 
 
:% 
 
 168 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 199. LEWIS GRANT. 
 
 ! Admitted, February 10, 1784. 
 Extraordinary, April 3, 1787. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1789. Was Member of Parlia- 
 ment for the County of Elgin. Afterwards, in 1811, fifth 
 Earl of Seafield. The last thirty years of his life were passed 
 in seclusion, owing to incurable mental derangement. 
 Born, 17G7. Died, 1840. 
 " He "was a feeble speaker on popular subjects, and accordingly 
 failed in the House of Commons, but he had great power of 
 invention and discrimination in science, and might have be- 
 come no mean philosopher." Sib J. Mackintosh. 
 Essays. — Impropriety of Great Britain forming Conti- 
 nental Connexions. 
 Effects of the Invention of Printing. 
 The Standard of Taste. 
 Natural Signs. 
 Association of Ideas. 
 The Faculty of Abstraction. 
 Right of Society to punish Crimes, with the 
 Rules to be observed in the Punishment. 
 
 200. DANIEL MACKAY. 
 
 I Admitted, March 9, 1784. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 9, 1784. 
 
 201. ALEXANDER SMOLLETT TELFER. 
 
 j Admitted, March 23, 1784. 
 
 I Non-Resident, March 14, 1786. 
 
 Grand-nephew of Dr. Smollett, the Novelist. He entered the 
 Army, and served in the West Indies, with great talent and 
 bravery. In 1799, he succeeded to the estates of Symington 
 and Bonhillj by the death of his father. A few months after- 
 wards he accompanied the expedition to Holland under Gene- 
 
 * 
 
 
m 
 
 LIST OF MEMBERS. 169 
 
 ral Sir Ralph Abercromby, and was the first officer who fell 
 in that expedition, when a landing was effected at Helder- 
 point. At the time of his death he was Member of Parlia- 
 ment for Dumbartonshire. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1799. 
 
 202. GEORGE ROBERTSON. J Admitted, April 13, 1784. 
 
 { Extraordinary, April 24, 1787. 
 
 Afterwards George Scott Robertson of Benholm, Kincardine- 
 shire. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1786. 
 Born, 1765. Died, 1835. 
 Essays. — The Theology of the Ancients. 
 Ancient Comedy. 
 
 I Admitted, 
 
 ( RraiGNED, ] 
 
 I December 15, 1784. 
 
 A Native of Moscow. Graduated as Doctor of Medicine at 
 Edinburgh in 1786. 
 
 Essay. — Advantages of Foreign Travel as a Part of Edu- 
 cation. 
 
 204. Dr. SAMUEL HINDS. f Admitted, November 16, 1784. 
 
 ( Resigned, November 15, 1785. 
 
 Essay. — Reforms of the Constitution of the House of 
 Commons. 
 
 205. LIONEL BROWNE. J Admitted, November 16, 1784. 
 
 ( Died v.hilean Ordinary Member, 
 
 From Bridport in Dorset. He died while pursuing the study 
 of medicine at Edinburgh. 
 
 Born, 1757. Died, 1785. 
 Essay. — The Causes of the Variety of National Character. 
 
170 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 206. WILLIAM ALEXANDER. (Admitted, December 21, 1784. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, December 16, 1788. 
 
 Afterwards physician in Halifax, Yorkshire, where he enjoyed 
 a very extensive practice. He had a high reputation as a 
 man of liberal education and amiable character. Sir James 
 Mackintosh dedicated his Thesis to him when he graduated 
 at the University of Edinburgh. 
 
 Born, 1763. Died, 1808. 
 Essays. — Effects of the Marriage Act. 
 
 Comparative view of Mr. Fox's and Mr. Pitt's 
 India Bills. 
 
 207. JAMES MACKINTOSH. i Admitted, December 21, 1784. 
 
 < Non-Resident, December 4, 1787. 
 ( Honorary, January 14, 1823. 
 
 Afterwards the Right Honourable Sir James Mackintosh. He 
 took the degree of Doctor of Medicine at Edinburgh in 1787. 
 Was called to the English Bar in 1795. In 1803, he was 
 appointed Recorder of Bombay, when he received the honour 
 of Knighthood. From 1804 to 1811, he filled this high ju- 
 dicial office, and returned to Britain in 1812. The following 
 year he was elected Member of Parliament for Nairnshire. In 
 1818, he was appointed Professor of Law and General Politics 
 at Hayleybury College, and was elected Member for Knares- 
 borough, which he continued to represent in successive Parlia- 
 ments till his death. He was elected Lord Rector of the Uni- 
 versity of Glasgow in 1 823, and was made a Privy Councillor 
 by Mr. Canning in 1 827. He waa author of Vindicia) Galli- 
 cse, — an Introductory Discourse on the Law of Nature and 
 Nations, — a Dissertation on the History and Progress of Ethi- 
 cal Philosophy, — and a History of England, which he left 
 in an incomplete state. His Life and Correspondence and 
 Journals were published by his sons. 
 
 fk 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 171 
 
 Born, 1763. Died, 1832. 
 " His range of study and speculation was nearly as large as 
 that of Bacon ; and there were, in fact, but few branches of 
 learning with which he was not familiar. But in any attempt 
 at delineating his intellectual character, it is necessary to bear 
 in mind that his mastery was in mental philosophy, not 
 merely in its recondite or metaphysical departments, but in 
 its still more important application to conduct and affairs, 
 and in their higher branches of politics and legislation, which 
 derive their proofs and principles from history, and give au- 
 thority to its lessons in return. 
 
 " Upon all these subjects, he was probably the most learned 
 man of his age, and in maturing and digesting his views of 
 them, I am persuaded that tliere have been few in any age who 
 ever brought a more powerful and disciplined understanding 
 to bear with so much candour, caution, and modesty, upon so 
 large a collection of materials. The circumstances of his 
 health and other avocations unfortunately prevented him from 
 leaving to the world any such adequate memorial of his la- 
 bours and accomplishments as might at one time have been 
 expected. But enough, in my opinion, remains to justify the 
 strong expressions I have now employed ; nor do I think any 
 one will be disposed to detract from them who has studied, as 
 they deserve to be studied, either that inimitable ' Disserta- 
 tion on Ethical Philosophy,' which is prefixed to the new edi- 
 tion of the ' Encyclopaedia/ or that precious fragment of the 
 ' History of the Revolution,' which has been given to the 
 world (though with most unseemly accompaniments) since 
 the death of its author. 
 
 " In these, and indeed in all his productions, the riches of 
 his knowledge and the sublety and force of his understanding, 
 are alike conspicuous ; and I am not sure whether his cha- 
 
 fr 
 
172 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 racteristic qualities did not display themselves in a still 
 more striking way in his conversation. It was here, at least, 
 that his astonishing memory — astonishing equally for its ex- 
 tent, exactness, and promptitude — made the greatest impres- 
 sion. Some natural felicity of endowment he probably had 
 in this respect, but it always appeared to me that the extra- 
 ordinary perfection of this faculty was in him, less the gift of 
 nature, or the effect of mere exercise and cultivation, than the 
 result of that accurate and systematic understanding, and 
 that zeal for knowledge, of which it was at once the instru- 
 ment and the reward. He remembered what he learned 
 better than any other person, chiefly because he better un- 
 derstood its value, and its relation to his former acquisitions, 
 and accordingly at once assimilated and fitted it into its 
 proper place in that grand scheme of knowledge, of which it 
 was in some degree complementary, and which he had occa- 
 sion almost every day to be reviewing in its entireness. No 
 one much inferior in intellectual power or love of intellectual 
 excellence need hope for such a memory. * * * 
 
 " But in whatever school it was learned, no man certainly 
 was ever more thoroughly imbued with the spirit of candour 
 and indulgence, or with a purer love of truth ; nor did I 
 ever come in contact with a human being the clearness of 
 whose perceptions was so little disturbed by jealousy or pre- 
 judice, or whose mind was more constantly under the guid- 
 ance of that true wisdom which derives from the largest ex- 
 tent of human knowledge and the happiest efforts of the 
 faculties, but a stronger conviction of the narrow limits within 
 which both must be confined. » * * 
 
 " You invite me only to speak of the intellectual character of 
 my lamented friend, but I cannot leave the subject without 
 bearing my humble and needless testimony to those endearing 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 173 
 
 and ennobling qualities of his moral nature, which chiefly en- 
 gaged the respect and attachment of his friends : I mean that 
 gentleness of temper which made him recoil from giving pain 
 with more sensitiveness than most men shew at enduring it, 
 and that inflexible adherence, through good and through evil 
 report, to the generous principles he imbibed in his earliest 
 youth, and maintained to his latest hour. Whether that 
 more stern and difficult virtue was rewarded as it should 
 have been, I forbear now to inquire ; but his milder virtues 
 rewarded themselves. The most placable of men turned all 
 his enemies into friends, and he who valued the kindness of 
 others beyond all other possessions, died rich in the treasure 
 he valued." Lord Jeffrey. 
 
 Essays. — The omission of Religious Ideas in the Poems of 
 Ossian. 
 
 The Causes which produced the Augustan Ages 
 of Literature. 
 
 Present state of Parties in Great Britain. 
 
 Liberty and Necessity. 
 
 208. ROBERT URQUIIART. 
 
 j Admitted, January 4, 1785. 
 
 ( ExTBAORDiNARY, January 22, 1788. 
 
 Afterwards of Burdysyards, Morayshire, 
 tish Bar in 1788. 
 
 Bom, . Died, — 
 
 Called to the Scot- 
 
 EssAYs. — Political Effects of Gaming. 
 Crimes and Punishments. 
 Conduct of the Reformers and Causes of the 
 Reformation. 
 
 209. THOMAS CLOTHIER. 
 
 I Admitted, January 11, 1785. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 15, 1785. 
 
174 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 i 
 
 Resigned, November 22, 178S. 
 
 211. JAMES MONTGOMERY. (Admitted, January 18, 1785. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 22, 1788. 
 
 Afterwards Sir James Montgomery, Baronet, of Stanhope. 
 Was Lord- Advocate of Scotland from 1804 to 1806, and 
 Member of Parliament for the County of Peebles. 
 Born, 1766. Died, 1839. 
 Essays. — Inconvenience of Republics. 
 Political Effects of Luxury. 
 Comparative View of French and English Tra- 
 gedy. 
 
 212. JOHN TAYLOR. j Admitted, January 18, 1785. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 14, 1792. 
 
 Graduated as Doctor of Medicine in 1 787. 
 Essays. — Idea of a perfect Government. 
 Origin of National Character. 
 Conduct of the Long Parliament as Governors of 
 England. 
 
 213. JAMES SIBTHORPE. .1 Admitted, February 1, 1785. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, March 8, 1785. 
 
 214. WILLIAM BLAIR. r Admitted, November 22, 1785. 
 
 ( Droptfrom the Roll, April 15, 1788. 
 
 Afterwards Colonel Blair of Blair, Ayrshire. 
 Born, 1768. Died, 1841. 
 Essays. — Causes of the Diversity of European and Asiatic 
 Manners. 
 The Moral Faculty. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 175 
 
 215. CRAWFURD TAIT. J Admitted, November 29, 1785. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, December 21, 1790. 
 I Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Afterwards of Harvieston, Writer to the Signet. 
 Born, 1764. Died, 1832. 
 Essays. — Justice. 
 
 Hartley's System of the Origin of our Ideas of 
 
 Morality. 
 Miracles. 
 
 21G. CHARLES ROSS. 
 
 I Admitted, November 29, 1785. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 17, 1789. 
 
 Afterwards of Invercarron. A younger son of Lord Anker- 
 ville. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1789. Subsequently 
 a Judge in the Commissary Court. 
 
 Born, 1767. Died, 1836. 
 Essays. — Influence of Learning on procuring Happiness. 
 The Right of Resistance. 
 The Patria Potestas of the Romans. 
 
 217. JOHN HAY BUSHBY. 
 
 ( Admitted, December 6, 1785. 
 I Expelled, January 19, 1790. 
 
 Afterwards John Hay Bushby Maitland. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1788. Appointed Sheriff of Wigtonshire in 1794. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1822. 
 
 Essays. — Varieties of the Human Species. 
 The Crusades. 
 
 218. JOHN GORDON. 
 
 j Admitted, December 6, 1785. 
 ( Extraordinary, April 27, 1790. 
 
 Essays. — Rise of the Arts and Sciences. 
 The Passions. 
 National Character. 
 
176 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 219. DELAUNAY DE TILLIERE. ( Admitted, December 13, 1785. 
 
 ^ Non-Resident, Nov. 14, 1786. 
 
 m 
 
 220. ROBERT DOUGLAS. 
 
 {Admitted, December 20, 1785. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 14, 1786. 
 Essay. — Constituents and Species of Oratory. 
 
 221. THOMAS SMITH. 
 
 J Admitted, December 27, 1785. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 13, 1787. 
 
 Graduated as Doctor of Medicine in 1787. 
 
 Essays. — Inexpediency of Religious Establishments. 
 Materiality of the Soul. 
 
 222. JAMES ALSTON. j Admitted, December 27, 1785. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 13, 1787. 
 
 Afterwards James Alston Stewart of Urrard. 
 
 Born, 1763. Died, 1833. 
 
 Essays. — The Slave Trade. 
 
 Public Spirit. 
 
 223. JOHN LEIGH. 
 
 j Admitted, January 10, 178fi. 
 ( NoN-F 
 
 -Resident, November 14, 1786. 
 Essay. — Nature and Advantages of the American Go- 
 vernment. 
 
 Extraokdinarv, Feb. 17, 1789. 
 
 Afterwards of Rossie, Perthshire, and principal Writer to the 
 Privy Seal. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1788. 
 Essays. — Civil Society. 
 
 The Olympic Games. 
 
 Rise and Progress of Liberty in Great Britain. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 177 
 
 225. JAMES SMYTH. 
 
 i Admitted, January 24, 17ii6. 
   
 
 I Extraordinary, February 3, 1789. 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Born, 1756. Died, 1827. 
 Essays. — History of Commerce. 
 
 Use of Similes in Poetry. 
 
 Population. 
 
 The Academic Philosophy. 
 
 226. ANDREW STEELE. I Admitted, March 14, 1786. 
 
 j EXTRAORDINARI', April 21, 1789. 
 
 Afterwards of Crosswood Hill. Writer to the Signet. Author 
 of a Treatise on Peat Moss. 
 
 Born, 1758. Died, 1832. 
 Essays. — Expediency of the Marriage Act. 
 
 Utility of Universities for Education. 
 Distinguishing Characteristics of Men and Wo- 
 men. 
 The Marriage Act. 
 
 227. WILLIAM MAXWELL. 
 
 f Admitted, November 21, 178(). 
 ( Non-Resident, i 
 
 , April 17, 1787. 
 
 Afterwards of Carriden. 
 
 Born, 1768. Died,   
 
 228. The Hon. CHARLES TOWNSHEND. 
 
 j Admitted, November 28, 1786. 
 
 ) Non-Resident, November 13, 1787. 
 
 Afterwards Lord Charles Townshend on his father being created 
 
 Marquess of Townshend in 1787. In 1796 he was elected 
 
 Member of Parliament for Yarmouth, and two days after 
 
 was shot by his brother in a fit of insanity. 
 
 z 
 
178 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Born, 1769. Died, 179C. 
 Essay. — On Juries. 
 
 229. ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL. ( Admitted, November 28, 1786. 
 
 I Extraordinary, November 26, 1791. 
 
 Son of Lord President Sir Hay Campbell. Afterwards Sir 
 
 Archibald Campbell of Succoth, Baronet. Called to the 
 
 Scottish Bar in 1 79 1 , and raised to the Bench by the title of 
 
 Lord Succoth, in 1809. He retired from the Bench in 1825. 
 
 Essays. — The Slave Trade. 
 
 Literary Property. 
 
 2.30. JAMES J0HNST(3NE. t Admitted, November 28, 1786. 
 
 \ Rksigned, January 26, 1790. 
 
 Afterwards James Raymond Johnstone of Alva. Called to the 
 
 Scottish Bar in 1791. 
 
 Born, 1768. Died, 1830. 
 Essays. — Slavery. 
 
 Progress and Advantages of Society. 
 
 Government. 
 
 231. PAUL BACOUNIN. j Admitted, November 28, 1786. 
 
 In 
 
 Non-Resident, November 13, 1787. 
 
 A Native of Russia. 
 
 232. ROBERT W. DUFF. j Admitted, November 28, 1786. 
 
 I Non-Resident, March 20, 1787. 
 
 Afterwards of Fetteresso. 
 
 Born, 1767. Died, 1834. 
 
 233. ARTHUR BISHOP. | Admitted, December 5, 1786. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, April 22, 1788. 
 
 Essay. — The Revolution of Denmark in 1 66 0. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 179 
 
 2.34. ALEXANDER IRVING. ( Admitted, December ,5, 178(i. 
 
 < Extraordinary, December 16, 171)9. 
 ( Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1788. Appointed Assistant and 
 Successor to Mr. Wilde, Professor of Civil Law in 1800. 
 Raised to the Bench by the title of Lord Newton, in 1826. 
 He was an excellent lawyer, although his retired manners 
 and habits forbade his obtaining extensive practice ; he made 
 a first-rate judge, and was skilled in physical science, the 
 department in which his taste lay. 
 
 Born, 1766. Died, 1832. 
 Essays. — Distinction of the Faculties of Man from those 
 of the Lower Animals. 
 The Connexion betwixt Cause and Effect. 
 The Faculty of Abstraction. 
 
 2-35. ADAM GILLIES. r Admitted, December 12, 1786. 
 
 I ExTRAORiNARY, February 9, 1790. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1787. Raised to the Bench by 
 the title of Lord Gillies in 1811. He was also, successively, 
 a Judge in the Justiciary Court, a Commissioner of the Jury 
 Court, and a Judge in the Court of Exchequer. At the Bar 
 he was distinguished as a lawyer of great ability, and an 
 orator of very considerable power ; and on the Bench he 
 still retained the rugged but brief and forcible style of elo- 
 quence for which he had been famous. He was a brotlior of 
 Dr. Gillies, the Historiographer-Royal. 
 
 Born, 1766. Died, 184.2. 
 Essays. — Whether the Representatives of the British Par- 
 liament should be obliged to obey the In- 
 structions of their Constituents ? 
 
' «*' HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Distinctive Characteristics of a Free Republic, 
 an Absolute Monarchy, and the British Con- 
 stitution. 
 
 236. JOHN CONNELL. l Admitted December 26, 1786. 
 
 j Dropt prom the Roll, Dec. 23, 1788. 
 
 Afterwards Sir John Connell, Knight. Procurator for the Church 
 of Scotland, Judge of the Admiralty Court, and author of a 
 Treatise on the Law of Tithes. 
 
 Born, 1765. Died, 1831. 
 
 237. GILBERT HUTCHISON. J Admitted, March 6, 1787. 
 
 I Extraordinary, May 4, 1790. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1790. Afterwards Judge- Advo- 
 cate for Scotland, and author of a Treatise on the Office 
 of Justice of the Peace. 
 
 Born, 1767. Died, 1824. 
 Essays. — Sleep. 
 
 The necessary Progression of Nature. 
 Immortality of the Soul. 
 
 238. ROBERT FERGUSON. (Admitted, April 3, 1787. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 27, 1792. 
 
 Afterwards of Raith, Fifeshire. Called to the Scottish Bar in 
 in 1791. He was Lord -Lieutenant of Fifeshire, and Mem- 
 ber of Parliament for the County of Fife in 1806; for the 
 Kirkcaldy Burghs from 1831 to 1834; for Haddingtonshire 
 from 1835 to 1837; and again for Kirkcaldy Burghs in 
 1 837. He was universally esteemed for his public and pri- 
 vate virtues ; and was the model of a liberal and enterpris- 
 ing country gentleman. He was skilled in geology, and 
 was supposed to have the most valuable private collection 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 181 
 
 of minerals in Scotland. A handsome monument, with 
 a statue, has been erected to his memory at Haddington, 
 bearing this inscription : — " To R. F., &c., a kind land- 
 lord, a liberal dispenser of wealth, a generous patron of lite- 
 rature, science, and art, an enlightened supporter of the in- 
 terests of his country, this monument was erected by the 
 tenantry of East-Lothian, and many friends, of all classes, 
 who united in admiring his public virtues, and to whom he 
 was endeared by every quality which flows from goodness of 
 heart." 
 
 Born, 1769. Died, 1840. 
 Essays. — On that Period in the Progress of Society which 
 is most favourable to the Virtue aud Happi- 
 ness of a Nation. 
 The Period of Society most conducive to Hap- 
 piness. 
 Advantages of Travelling. 
 
 23it. JAMES WAUCHOPE. j Admitted, April 3, 1787. 
 
 I Resigned, February 10, 178!». 
 
 Younger of Edmonstone. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1789. 
 Born, 1767. Died, 1797. 
 Essay. — Education. 
 
 240. .JOHN M'FARLANE. f Admitted, November 20, 1787. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 7, 1790. 
 
 Afterwards of Ballincleroch, (otherwise Kirkton) Stirling- 
 shire. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1789. Author of an ac- 
 count of the Philosophy of Kant, and several able pamphlets. 
 Essays. — Dreaming. 
 
 The Fine Arts. 
 Freedom of Inquiry. 
 
1 82 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Natural Rights of Mankind. 
 The Cause of Laughter. 
 
 241. ANDREW GRANT. j admitted, November 20, 1787. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 18, 1788. 
 
 Essays. — Tragedy. 
 
 The Causes which hinder the different Kinds of 
 Lower Animals from improving. 
 
 242. JAMES OSWALD. (Admitted, November 20, 1787. 
 
 \ ExTRAOKDiiNABY, December 6, 1791. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1791. 
 
 Born, 1770. Died, 1802. 
 Essays. — The Stoical Philosophy. 
 
 The late Revolution in France. 
 
 243. ROBERT HAMILTON. r Admitted, November 27, 1787. 
 
 ) Extraohdinary, December 7, 17i)0. 
 
 Entered the Array at the age of fourteen, and served during 
 the American War. After the Peace of 1783, he left the 
 Military Service, and commenced the study of Law. In 
 1788 he was called to the Scottish Bar, at which he soon ob- 
 tained extensive practice. In 1797, he highly distinguished 
 himself by his appearance in the trial of Robert Watt, who 
 was executed for High Treason. He was appointed Sheriff 
 of the County of Lanark. He afterwards held the Chair 
 of Public Law in the X'niversity of Edinburgh, and in 1823 
 was appointed one of the Principal Clerks of Session. 
 Born, 1763. Died, 1831. 
 Essays. — Internal Springs of the British Government. 
 
 Influence of Moral Causes on National Character. 
 Hartley's Theory of the Human Mind. 
 
^ LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 183 
 
 244. JAMES GORDON. r Admitted, November 27, 1787. 
 
 -! Extraordinary, December 21, U-OO. 
 ( Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Afterwards of Craig. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1790. 
 Essays. — Superiority of Happiness in Human Life. 
 Friendship. 
 Criminal Law. 
 Colonization. 
 
 245. JOHN BUCHAN HEPBURN. ( Admitted, December 4, 1787. 
 
 { Extraordinary, December 21, 1790. 
 
 Afterwards Sir John Buehan Hepburn of Smeaton-Hepburn, 
 Baronet. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1790. 
 Born, 1766. Died, 1833. 
 Essays. — Advantages of Printing. 
 Mitigation of Penal Laws. 
 Origin of the Feudal System. 
 
 246. ASTLEY PASTON COOPER. (Admitted, December 4, 1787. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 18, 1788. 
 
 Afterwards Sir Astley Paston Cooper of Gadesbridge, Hert- 
 fordshire. Surgical Lecturer at St. Thomas' and Guy's Hos- 
 pitals for more than thirty years, during which time he used 
 to say he had educated 8000 surgeons. An original member 
 of the Medico-Chirurgical Society, and an extensive contri- 
 butor to its Transactions. President of the Royal College of 
 Surgeons, London, Sergeant Surgeon to George IV., William 
 IV., and Queen Victoria, created a Baronet in 1821. Author 
 of Surgical Essays, a work on the Anatomy of the Breast, 
 and several others. 
 
 Born, 1768. Died, 1841. 
 
 " Sir Astley Cooper has received from nature a happy mixture 
 of boldness and caution, and it is the spirit thence derived 
 
184 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 which has guided him in the study of all diseases, and led hira 
 to improve or modify tlie old treatment, where it has not 
 prompted him to have recourse to new measures. His ge- 
 nius has not been manifested by his brilliant discoveries 
 alone. It has moulded his whole practice, and he has always 
 been as philosophical in the rationale of his treatment of 
 slight cases from which nothing novel or striking was to be 
 elicited, and as careful in the details of its execution, as in 
 the performance of those more heroic feats which have carried 
 his fame to the ends of the earth. * * * As a teacher, 
 Sir Astley Cooper has never been excelled by any English 
 surgeon. His discoveries were not hidden treasures ; no 
 •sooner had he made them than he hastened, with a liberal 
 enthusiasm and a winning affability, to diffuse a knowledge 
 of them among a large class of pupils. The whole present 
 generation of English surgeons may indeed be said to have 
 studied directly or indirectly in his school, and assuredly no 
 master was ever more beloved and honoured, or sent more 
 enthusiastic and grateful followers abroad iuto the world to 
 propagate his doctrines. * * * His love for science and 
 zeal in his pursuits, have never cooled from the time he first 
 entered the profession. Even at the period of his life when 
 his days were unceasingly occupied by the demands of his 
 public and private practice, he would spend the greatest part 
 of his nights in dissection, and even now, when nature usu- 
 ally diminishes, if she does not entirely destroy, the power of 
 the understanding, to exercise its highest faculties, we find him 
 still proceeding in the same course, working incessantly, and 
 ever and anon giving to the world some elaborate work, dis- 
 playing all the zeal and lively interest in the subject which 
 are commonly regarded as the exclusive attributes of youth." 
 British and Foreign Medical Review. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 185 
 
 Essay. — Denying the Existence of Matter. 
 
 247. GEORGE STEWART. j Admitted, December 18, 1787. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, January 25, 1791. 
 
 Afterwards of Tanacliy, Banffshire. 
 
 Born, 1769. Died, 1814. 
 Essays. — Immateriality of the Mind. 
 
 Comparison betwixt the Ancients and Moderns 
 with regard to their Characters and Manners. 
 National Character. 
 
 248. BENJAMIN SMITH BARTON. 
 
 f Admitted, January 15, 1788. 
 
 ( Dropt from the Roll, April 15, 1788. 
 
 Graduated as Doctor of Medicine at the University of Gottin- 
 gen. Professor successively of Botany and Natural History, 
 and of the Theory and Practice of Medicine, in the Univer- 
 sity of Philadelphia. He was author of several valuable 
 Papers on Natural History, published in the Transactions of 
 the American Philosophical Society. 
 
 Born, 1766. Died, 1815. 
 Essay. — Natural History of the American Savages. 
 
 24i). The Hon. DUNBAR DOUGLAS. I Admitted, January IS, 1788. 
 
 j Non-Resident, April 28, 1789. 
 
 Third son of the fourth Earl of Selkirk. A Captain in the 
 Royal Navy. 
 
 Born, 1767. Died, 1796. 
 Essays. — Natural Strength. 
 Penal Laws. 
 
 2 a 
 
18C 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 250. HENRI DE MESTRAL ST. SAPHORIN. 
 
 j Admitted, February 12, !7f!8. 
 ( Non-Resident, May 5, 1789. 
 
 Essay. — Effects of the Division of Labour. 
 
 251. ROBERT DUNDAS. 
 
 I Admitted, February 26, 1788. 
 
 I Dropt from the Roll, April 20, 1790. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1790. 
 
 Born, 1769. Died, 1839. 
 Essay. — Commerce. 
 
 J Admitted, March 4, 1788. 
 (Non- 
 
 252. CHARLES DUNCOMBE. 
 
 ; Non-Resident, April 7, 1789. 
 
 Was Member of Parliament for various places ; and in 1826 
 was raised to the Peerage by the title of Baron Fevershani 
 of Duncombe Park. 
 
 Bom, 1764. Died, 1841. 
 Essay.— The Slave Trade. 
 
 253. DAVID MONYPENNY. 
 
 I Admitted, April IS, 1788. 
 
 I Extraordinary, December 4, 1792. 
 
 I Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1791. Afterwards Sheriff ol 
 Fife, and Solicitor-General for Scotland. Raised to the 
 Bench by the title of Lord Pitmilly, in 1813, and retired in 
 1 830. Author of several valuable Treatises on the Poor 
 Laws. 
 Essays. — Impropriety of fixing a legal Rate of Interest. 
 Methods afforded by Nature for computing 
 
 Time. 
 Triennial Parliaments. 
 The Anti-Usurious Laws. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 187 
 
 2.54. ARMAND ST. SAPHORIN.j Admitted, November 25, 1782. 
 
 \ Non-Resident, May 5, 1789. 
 
 Essays. — State of the Mind during Sleep. 
 
 Effect of Rewards in Political Establishments. 
 
 2.55. JOHN BENJAMIN JACHMANN. i Admitted, December 3, 1788. 
 
 I Non-Resident, Dec. 15, 1789. 
 
 A Native of Konigsberg. Graduated at Edinburgh as Doctor 
 of Medicine in 1789. 
 
 Essay. — Difference of Synthetical and Analytical Propo- 
 sitions. 
 
 2.56. .JAMES FERGUSSON. f Admitted, December 9, 1788. 
 
 ^ Extraordinary, January 17, 1792. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1791. A Judge in the Consisto- 
 rial Court. Afterwards one of the Principal Clerks of the 
 Court of Session. He published, in 1817, Reports of Deci- 
 sions by the Consistorial Court of Scotland in Actions of 
 Divorce; and, in 1829, A Treatise on the present State of 
 the Consistorial Law in Scotland, with Reports of Decided 
 
 Cases. 
 
 Born, 1769. Died, 1842. 
 
 Essays. — Political Parties. 
 
 Present Tendencies of the British Constitution. 
 
 257. JOHN THOMAS STANLEY. ( Admitted, December 16, 1788. _ 
 
 \ Non-Resident, December 22, 1789. 
 
 Afterwards Sir John Thomas Stanley, Baronet, of Alderley. 
 Raised to the Peerage in 1839, by the title of Baron Stanley 
 of Alderley. 
 
 Essay. — Advantages arising from Commerce and Manu- 
 factures to a Free Nation. 
 
188 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 258. J A MES TURNBULL. / Admitted, February 24, 1789. 
 
 I Dropt from the Roll, Jan. 18, 1791. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1789. 
 
 Born, 1762. Died, 1802. 
 Essays. — Mode of Assessment for the Maintenance of the 
 Poor in a Commercial Country. 
 Circumstances in the State of England favour- 
 able to the Establishment of Liberty. 
 The Pleasure we receive from the Representa- 
 tion of Natural Objects in Poetry and Paint- 
 ing. 
 
 259. -JOHN MILLER. r Admitted, March 24, 1789. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 16, 17.90. 
 
 Essays. — The Standard of Taste. 
 
 The Principle of Risibility. 
 
 260. RICHARD VARRAL. j Admitted, January S, 1790. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 16, 1790. 
 
 Essay. — Demonstrative Reasoning. 
 
 261. The Hon. THOMAS DOUGLAS. 
 
 {Admitted, January 6, 1790. 
 Non-Resident, November 15, 1791. 
 
 Afterwards fifth Earl of Selkirk. This nobleman visited Ame- 
 rica in 1803, and formed a settlement in Prince Edward's 
 Island. He was author of several able pamphlets on Emi- 
 gration, Parliamentary Reform, and National Expense. 
 Born, 1771. Died, 1820. 
 
 " Lord Selkirk's Tract on the State of the Highlands and Emi- 
 gration, excited much attention ; it is a valuable piece of 
 descriptive history as well as political economy, and though 
 I had long known his accomplished understanding, it has 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 1 89 
 
 raised my admiration of that as well as of his exalted and 
 practical benevolence." Francis Horner. 
 
 Essays. — The Territorial Tax. 
 
 Foundation and Extent of the Right of Pro- 
 perty in Land. 
 
 262. ROBERT AINSLIE. j Admitted, January 26, 1790. 
 
 \ Resigned, November 23, 1790. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. A friend and correspond- 
 ent of the poet Burns. Author of " Reasons of the Hope 
 that is in us," and other works. 
 
 Born, 1766. Died, 1839. 
 
 263. RICHARD FOWLER. ( Admitted, November 30, 1790. 
 
 I Non-Resident, April 10, 1793. 
 
 Graduated as Doctor of Medicine at Edinburgh in 1793. Has 
 practised as a Physician in Salisbury. Is author of an In- 
 quiry concerning Animal Electricity, Observations on the 
 Mental State of the Blind and Deaf and Dumb, and various 
 detached Medical Papers. 
 
 Essays. — Population, and the Causes which promote or 
 obstruct it. 
 Effects of Grief and Fear upon the Human 
 
 Frame. 
 Belief. 
 
 264. ADAM DOUGLAS. « Admitted, November 30, 1790. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 15, 1791. 
 
 From Ireland. Graduated at Edinburgh as Doctor of Medi- 
 cine, in 1791. 
 Essays. — Genius. 
 
1 90 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Effect of Government upon the Arts and Sci- 
 ences. 
 
 265. DAVID DOUGLAS. ( Admitted, November 30, 1790. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1791. Sheriff of Berwickshire 
 from 1809 to 1813. Promoted to the Bench under the title 
 of Lord Reston in 1813. 
 
 Born, 1769. Died, 1819. 
 Essay. — Effect of Taxation on the Necessaries of Life. 
 
 266. WILLIAM RAE. ( Admitted, December 7, 1790. 
 
 Afterwards Sir William Rae of St. Catherine's, Baronet. 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1791. He was Sheriff of the 
 County of Edinburgh from 1810 to 1819. Was Lord Ad- 
 vocate of Scotland successively during the Liverpool, Can- 
 ning, Goderich, and Wellington administrations, from 1819 
 to 1830, and held the same appointment from December 
 1 834 to April 1 835, when he resigned, but was again pro- 
 moted to the office on Sir Robert Peel becoming Prime Mi 
 nister in 1841. Represented the borough of Crail in Par- 
 liament from 1820 to 182G — Harwich in 1827 — and the 
 County of Bute from 1 830 till the period of his death, except 
 in 1833. 
 
 Sir William was a Privy Councillor, and had the merit of in- 
 troducing a number of valuable statutory reforms in the prac- 
 tical administration of Criminal Justice in Scotland. 
 
 * Tlie Minutes were at this time inaccurately kept, and it is impossible to state 
 whether this gentleman, and the three Members next admitted, became Extraordinary 
 Members or resigned, or what the period of their attendance was. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 191 
 
 Born, 1771. Died, 1842. 
 Essay. — Effects of a Free Government in France with 
 Regard to Britain. 
 
 267. JAMES GLASSFORD. ( Admitted, December 7, 1790. 
 
 Afterwards of Dugalston. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1793. 
 Appointed Sheriff of Dumbartonshire in 1805, and resigned 
 that office in 1815. Author of an Essay on the Principles of 
 Evidence, a Translation of Bacon's Exemplum, Tractatus de 
 Fontlbus Juris, and other Latin Pieces, of Translations from 
 the Italian Lyrical Poets, and other works. 
 Essays. — The Causes of the Difference betwixt Ancient 
 and Modern Eloquence. 
 The Imitative Arts. 
 
 ■268. JAMES THOMAS GIBSON, l Admitted, December U, 17.W. 
 Essay. — The Standard of Taste. 
 
 269. WALTER SCOTT. ( Admitted, December 21, 1790. 
 
 ( HoNOKARY, January 28, 1794. 
 
 Afterwards Sir Walter Scott, Baronet, of Abbotsford. 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1792. Appointed Sheriff of 
 Selkirkshire in 1800, and conjunct Clerk of Session in 1806. 
 Created a Baronet in 1820. Author of Waverley. The 
 following is the Inscription engraved on the Plate deposited 
 with the Foundation Stone of the Monument recently erected 
 by subscription in the Metropolis of Scotland to her renowned 
 Novelist and Bard. It is due to the pen of Lord Jeffrey. 
 
 * Vide Note p. 190. 
 
192 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 THIS GRAVEN PLATE, 
 
 DEPOSITED IN THE VASE OF A VOTIVE BUILDING, 
 
 ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF AUGUST IN THE YEAR OF CHRIST 1840, 
 
 AND NEVER LIKELY TO SEE THE LIGHT AGAIN, 
 
 TILL ALL THE SURROUNDING STRUCTURES ARE CRUMBLED 
 
 TO DUST 
 
 BY THE DECAY OF TIME OR BY HUMAN OR ELEMENTAL VIOLENCE, 
 
 MAY THEN TESTIFY TO A DISTANT POSTERITY THAT 
 
 HIS COUNTRYMEN BEGAN ON THAT DAY 
 
 TO RAISE AN EFFIGY AND ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENT 
 
 TO THE MEMORY OF 
 
 SIR WALTER SCOTT, Bart., 
 
 WHOSE ADMIRABLE 'WRITINGS WERE THEN ALLOWED 
 
 TO HAVE GIVEN MORE DELIGHT, AND SUGGESTED 
 
 BETTER FEELING, 
 
 TO A LARGER CLASS OF READERS IN EVERY RANK OF 
 
 SOCIETY, 
 
 • THAN THOSE OF ANY OTHER AUTHOR, WITH THE EXCEPTION 
 
 OF SHAKSPEARE ALONE, 
 
 AND WHICH WERE THEREFORE THOUGHT LIKELY TO BE 
 
 REMEMBERED 
 
 LONG AFTER THIS ACT OF GRATITUDE 
 
 ON THE PART OP THE FIRST GENERATION OF HIS ADMIRERS 
 
 SHOULD BE FORGOTTEN. 
 
 He WAS Born at Edinburgh, ISth August 177L 
 And Died at Abbotsford, 21st September 1832. 
 
 Essays. — Origin of the Feudal System. 
 
 Authenticity of the Poems of Ossiaii. 
 Origin of the Scandinavian Mythology. 
 Authenticity of Ossian's Poems. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 193 
 
 270. GEORGE GREENLAW. (Admitted, December 21, 1790. 
 
 ( Resigned, December 20, 1791. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Bom, 17C9. Died, 1834. 
 Essay. — The Olympic Gaines. 
 
 271. FRANCIS RIGBY BRODBELT. (Admiited, January 18,1791. 
 
 \ Nok-Resident, March 11, 1794. 
 
 Graduated as Doctor of Medicine in 1794. He was a Native 
 of Jamaica, and afterwards practised his profession there. 
 Essay. — Education. 
 
 272. M. TERRA Y. f Admitted, January 25, 1791. 
 
 j Non-Resident, November 15, 1791. 
 
 On the 19th February 1793, a letter was received from M. 
 Terray, stating that his life and fortune depended on his being 
 able to establish by documents that he had been in Edin- 
 j^ burgh for the purpose of prosecuting his studies only, other- 
 
 wise he would be included in the Edict recently passed by 
 the Government of France against emigrants. A Committee 
 was accordingly appointed to transmit a certificate under the 
 Society's Seal, that Mr. Terray had been a member, and 
 while in Edinburgh had taken the usual share in the literary 
 business. The result is not noticed in the Minutes. 
 
 273. JOSEPH GAHAGAN. ( Admitted, February is, 1791 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 15, 1791. 
 
 From Ireland. Graduated as Doctor of Medicine in 1791. 
 
 271. PATRICK MURRAY. f Admitted, March l, 1791. 
 
 \ ExTRAORDiNAKY, January 20, 1795. 
 
 Afterwards of Simprim, Perthshire. 
 2 B 
 
1 94 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Essays. — The Law of Primogeniture. 
 
 Importance of Religious Sentiments in Society. 
 
 275. JOHN THOMSON. (Admitted, November 26, 1791. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 20, 1795. 
 
 Afterwards graduated as Doctor of Medicine. Appointed Pro- 
 fessor of Military Surgery in the University of Edinburgh 
 in 1806, and resigned the Chair in 1823. Appointed Pro- 
 fessor of General Pathology in 1831, and retired in 1842. 
 He is one of the most learned Physicians in Europe, — being 
 known by his Lectures on Inflammation, his History of 
 the Small Pox, his Reports on the Wounded in Belgium, 
 (1815) and his Life of CuUen, which, although not brought 
 to a close, is a curious and valuable repository of facts in 
 the history of medical science during its brightest age in Scot- 
 land. He has published also several Pamphlets on Medical 
 Education and other professional subjects. The volume of 
 his Certificates, when a candidate for the Chair of Practice 
 of Physic in the University, contains a body of homage^ to 
 his talents and knowledge such as few men in Europe could 
 have produced. 
 
 Essays. — Perception. 
 
 Formation of the Passions. 
 
 276. JOHN ALLEN. J Admitted, November 26, 1791. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 20, 1795. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Medicine, and Fellow of the Royal Col- 
 lege of Surgeons, Edinburgh. Master of Dulwich College. 
 First known by his Lectures on the Animal Economy, de- 
 livered in Edinburgh from 1798 to 1801. It was said by 
 good judges, that he was the best physiological lecturer in 
 Europe, certainly the best that ever appeared in Scotland. 
 Born, 1770. Died, 1843. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 195 
 
 It would be a very imperfect account of Lord Holland which 
 should make no mention of the friend who, for the latter and 
 more imjiortant part of his life, shared all his thoughts, and 
 was never a day apart from him, Mr. John Allen ; or the 
 loss which in him the world of politics and science, but still 
 more our private circle, has lately had to deplore, — another 
 blank which assuredly cannot be filled up. He was educated 
 at Edinburgh as a physician, and stood far at the head of all 
 his contemporaries as a student of the sciences connected with 
 the healing art ; but he also cultivated most successfully all 
 the branches of intellectual philosophy, and was eminent in 
 that famous school of metaphysics for his extensive learning 
 and his unrivalled power of subtle reasoning. For some 
 years he lectured most ably on Physiology ; but before enter- 
 ing on practice, he accepted an invitation to attend Lord 
 Holland's family, during the peace of Amiens, on their jour- 
 ney, first to France, and then to Spain, where they remained 
 till fhe year 1805. # * • * 
 
 " Although Mr. Allen, during the latter and principal part 
 of his life, never abandoned his scientific pursuits, retaining his 
 full knowledge of physical and moral science, and his early 
 taste for such speculations, yet it was chiefly between the 
 politics of the day and the constitutional history of this 
 country that he divided his time. No one could be more 
 useful as an advisor upon all political measures, because he 
 clearly saw their tendency, and never for a moment suffered 
 himself to be led astray by party prejudice or popular 
 clamour. * * If it be asked, what was the peculiar merit, 
 the characteristic excellence of Mr. Allen's understanding, 
 the answer is not difficult to make. It was the rare faculty 
 of combining general views with details of fact, and thus at 
 once availing himself of all that theory or speculation presents 
 
1 9e HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 for our guide, with all that practical experience affords to 
 correct those results of general reasoning. This great excel- 
 lence was displayed by him in every thing to which he 
 directed his mind, whether it were the political questions of 
 the day, which he treated as practically as the veriest drudge 
 in any of the public offices, and yet with all the enlargement 
 of view which marked the statesman and the philosopher, or 
 the speculations of history, which he studied at once with the 
 a«umen which extracts from it as an essence the general pro- 
 gress of our species, after the manner of Voltaire and Millar ; 
 and with the minute observation of facts and weighing of 
 evidence which we trace through the luminous and picturesque 
 pages of Robertson and Gibbon. He for whom no theory 
 was too abstract, no speculation too general, could so far 
 stoop to the details of practical statesmanship as to give a 
 friend proceeding for the first time on a delicate and import- 
 ant mission this sound advice : — ' Don't ever appear anxious 
 about any point, either in arguing to convince those you are 
 treating with, or in trying to obtain a concession from them. 
 It often may happen that your indifference will gain a much 
 readier access to their minds. Earnestness and anxiety are 
 necessary for one addressing a public assembly, not so for a 
 negotiator.' 
 
 " The character of Mr. Allen was of the highest order — his 
 integrity was sterling — his honour pure and untarnished. 
 No one had a more lofty disdain of those mean tricks to 
 which, whether in trifles or matters of importance, worldly 
 men have too frequent recourse. * * His feelings, too, were 
 warm, his nature kind and affectionate. No man was a 
 more steady or sincere friend, and his enmity, though fierce, 
 was placable." 
 
 Lord Brougham. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 197 
 
 I# 
 
 Essays. — Miracles. 
 Necessity. 
 
 277. GEORGE ABERCROMBY. (Admitted, December 13, 1790. 
 
 I Resigned, March 1, 1796. 
 
 Eldest Son of General Sir Ralph Abercromby. On the death 
 
 of his Mother, the Baroness Abercromby, in 1821, he became 
 
 Baron Abercromby of Aboukir and Tullibody. He was 
 
 called to the Scottish Bar in 1794, and was Lord-Lieutenant 
 
 of Stirlingshire. 
 
 Born, 1770. Died, 1843. 
 
 ( Admitted, January 17, 1792. 
 1' 
 
 278. JOHN VIVIAN. 
 
 Non-Resident, November 19, 1793. 
 
 Afterwards of Pencalonie, in the county of Cornwall, Barrister. 
 A Magistrate, and, in 1812, High-SheriflF of the county. 
 Born, 1772. Died, 1817. 
 Essays. — Effects produced by the introduction of Gun- 
 powder into the Military Art. 
 Ostracism. 
 
 f Admitted, January 17, 1792. 
 \ Nc 
 
 279. JOHN PEARSON. , ... 
 
 Xon-Resident, November 27, 1792. 
 
 Of Shrewsbury. 
 
 Essay. — Character and Writings of Rousseau. 
 
 280. DAVID BOYLE. f Admitted, November 27, 1792. 
 
 } Extraordinary, December 1, 179S. 
 ( Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Afterwards the Right Honourable David Boyle of Shewalton, 
 Ayrshire. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1793. Was Mem- 
 ber of Parliament for Ayrshire, from 1807 till 1811. Ap- 
 pointed Solicitor-General for Scotland in 1807. Raised to 
 the Bench as Lord Justice -Clerk in 1811. Lord Rector of 
 the University of Glasgow in 1815. Appointed Lord Pre- 
 
# 
 
 *'* 
 
 198 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 ► 
 
 sident of the Court of Session and Lord Justice-General in 
 1841. His Lordship is a Privy Councillor. 
 At a Meeting of the Faculty of Advocates, on 1 2th November 
 1841, Mr. Andrew Rutherfurd moved an address of Con- 
 gratulation by that Body to the Lord Justice-General and 
 Lord President on his promotion, and spoke as follows : — " The 
 task might well have fallen to abler hands, but I undertake 
 it with pleasure, because of the profound respect which I en- 
 tertain for that distinguished person, and because its perform- 
 ance cannot be a matter of difficulty, since I speak to those 
 who have had the opportunity, many of them equally with 
 myself, of observing the course of his judicial life. Had I to 
 address others, I should have to speak of his great learning, 
 great ability, large professional resource, and habit of judg- 
 ment, matured by the practice and experience of many years 
 — I should have much to say of his integrity, which has been 
 well called ' the portion and proper virtue of a Judge' — I 
 should have much to say of his candour and purity — of his 
 anxiety to free himself from the prejudices and prepossessions, 
 which will beset all men, and insidiously yet widely divert 
 the course of justice ; and of his firm resolution in all circum- 
 stances to make between suitors inequality even. I should 
 have much to say of his indulgence to the Bar, which has 
 rendered the performance of our duty more agreeable and 
 efficient, without injuring the discipline necessary in the 
 administration of his Court. But I should dwell eminently 
 upon this — that his whole heart was in his duty, and that 
 presiding so many years, both in civil and criminal courts, 
 he has ever and remarkably evinced a deep conviction that 
 he who takes upon himself the sacred function of a Judge, is 
 bound to devote to it his whole mind and strength, in dis- 
 regard of every other consideration, and is only the more 
 
mi^ 
 
 LIST OP MEMBERS. 
 
 199 
 
 # 
 
 obliged to utmost exertion — that he then makes it less for 
 himself and more for his country. I should not hesitate to 
 say, that in this respect he has elevated the judicial character 
 in Scotland, and that he has established a standard by which 
 all those who succeed him in the high office to which he is 
 now called, or who may fill judicial stations less exalted, 
 must submit to be tried, and as they shall answer the test, 
 applied to every day and hour of their judicial life, must 
 consent to relinquish oflice with honour or without it." 
 Essays. — Propriety of laying open the Trade to the East 
 Indies. 
 
 Duration of Parliaments. 
 
 Entails. 
 
 
 281. 
 
 JOHNSTONE. 
 
 j Admitted, November 27, 1792. 
 I Resigned, Februarj- 10, 179.'>. 
 
 282. JOHN SMYTH. 
 
 [ Admitted, 
 
 I Non-Residbnt, April 10, 1793. 
 
 Afterwards of Balhary, Perthshire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1793. 
 Essay. — Experience. 
 
 283. JAMES GORDON. 
 
 Admitted, December II, 1792. 
 Extraordinary, March 8, 1791). 
 Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Afterwards of Culvennau. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1793. 
 A Judge in the Commissary Court. 
 Essays. — The French Revolution. 
 
 Theatrical Representations. 
 
 Duelling. 
 
 Entails. 
 
,v?; 
 
 200 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 284. JOHN BOYD GREENSHIELDS. j Admitted, December 11, 1792. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, Jan. 26, 1796. 
 
 Afterwards of Drum. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1793. 
 He had a very extensive practice, and was remarkable for 
 the excellence of his written pleadings. 
 Essays. — Entails. 
 Taxation. 
 Public Debts. 
 
 The Judicial Establishments of England and 
 Scotland. 
 
 » 
 
 285. 
 
 LAING. 
 
 I Admitted, December 11, 1792. 
 
 1 Non-Resident, November 19, 1793. 
 
 286. FRANCIS JEFFREY. I Admitted, December 11, 1792. 
 
 < KxTBAORDiNARY, January 26, 1796. 
 ( Honorary, November 19, 1799. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1794 ; in 1820, elected Lord Rector 
 of the University of Glasgow ; in 1829, chosen Dean of the 
 Faculty of Advocates ; in 1 830, appointed Lord Advocate 
 of Scotland ; in 1833, elected one of the Members of Parlia- 
 ment for Edinburgh, being the first representative of that 
 city under the Reform Bill; in 1834, raised to the Bench 
 by the title of Lord Jeffrey. Editor of the Edinburgh 
 Review for twenty-seven years. A selection of his own con- 
 tributions has just been published in four volumes. 
 
 "^We saw for the first time Playfair and Jeffrey ; the first a 
 person very remarkable for understanding, calmness, and 
 simplicity ; the second more lively, fertile, and brilliant, than 
 any Scotchman of letters, with more imagery and illustration, 
 added to the knowledge and argumentative powers of his 
 country, and more sure than any native of this island whom 
 I have seen, to have had splendid success in the Literary So- 
 cieties of Paris." Sir Ja.mes Mackintosh. {Diary.) 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 201 
 
 " He is a man at least as much beloved as he is admired by 
 his readers and his hearers. He is as much the darling of 
 those circles of which he is an individual member, as he is 
 almost a solitary instance of a long and brilliant literary re- 
 putation, joined to a professional career of equal length and 
 brilliancy." 
 
 Sir James Mackintosh. (^Inaugural Address as Lord 
 Rector of Glasgow University.^ 
 
 " It has been his enviable lot, if not to attain all the prizes of 
 ambition for which men strive, at least to unite in himself 
 those qualities which, in many, would have secured them all. 
 A place in the front rank of literature in a most literary age 
 — the highest honour of his profession spontaneously con- 
 ferred by the Members of a Bar strong in talent and learning 
 — ■eloquence among the first of our orators, and wisdom 
 among the wisest, and universal reverence on that judicial 
 seat, which has derived increased celebrity from his demean- 
 our — a youth of enterprise — a manhood of brilliant success — 
 and ' honour, love, obedience, troops of friends,' encircling 
 his later years — mark him out for veneration to every son of 
 that country, whose name he has exalted throughout Eu- 
 rope. We need not speak here of those graces of mind and 
 of character which have thrown fascination over his society, 
 and made his friendship a privilege." 
 
 NoETH British Review. 
 
 Essays. — Nobility. 
 
 Effects derived to Europe from the Discovery of 
 
 America. 
 Authenticity of Ossian's Poems. 
 Metrical Harmony. 
 
 The Character of Commercial Nations. 
 2 c 
 
202 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 287. JOHN MOREHEAD. (Admitted, December ll, 1792. 
 
 ( EXTRAOBDINABY, February 2, 1796. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 17941. Afterwards Collector of 
 Customs at Grangemouth. 
 
 Born, 1773. Died, 1837. 
 Essays. — Religion of the Celtic Nations. 
 Entails. 
 
 288. MASTERTON ROBERTSON, j Admitted, February 12, 1793. 
 
 \ Dropt from the Roll, Mar.4, 1794. 
 
 Afterwards of Inshes, Inverness-shire. Called to the Scottisli 
 Bar in 1794. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1822. 
 
 Essays. — Effects of Climate upon National Character. 
 
 Whether the Savage or Civilized State is the 
 Happier ? 
 
 28.9. R. E. WURSLEY. J Admitted, December 3, 1793. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, January 28, 1794. 
 
 290. MARTIN DALRYMPLE. j Admitted, December 10, 1793. 
 
 t Non-Resident, March 18, 1794. 
 
 Afterwards of Fordel. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1809. 
 
 Essay. — Colonies. 
 
 291 . ALEXANDER WHYTE. \ Admitted, December 16, 1794. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 12, 1797. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1797. 
 
 Essays. — Rise and Progress of Knowledge. 
 Division of Labour. 
 Effects of Superstition upon the Human Mind. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 203 
 
 292. JOHN WILSON RAE. 
 
 J Admittkd, December 16, 1794. 
 1 
 
 ; NoN- Resident, February 24, 1795. 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1795. 
 
 Born, 1774. Died, 1838. 
 
 293. JOHN WAUGH. 
 
 { Admitted, January 20, 179S. 
 -< Extraordinary, January 16, 1798. 
 I Honorary, April 30, 1799. 
 
 Afterwards Bookseller in Edinburgh. He was Secretary of 
 the Society for some years, and for upwards of thirty filled 
 the office of Treasurer. In 1803, a piece of plate was pre- 
 sented to him by the Society, in acknowledgment of his abi- 
 lity and zeal in their service.* Emigrated to Australia in 
 1837. 
 
 Essays. — The Causes that restrain the Passions of Men in 
 Civilized Society. 
 Influence of the Passions upon the Judgment. 
 ESects of the Imitative Principle upon the Sen- 
 timents and Conduct. (Valedictory.) 
 
 294. ALEXANDER BRUNTON. J Admitted, January 20, 1795. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, January 16, 1798. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Divinity. Minister of the Tron Church, 
 Edinburgh. Professor of Hebrew in the University of Edin- 
 burgh. Librarian to the University, and Moderator of the 
 General Assembly in 1823. 
 
 Essays. — Present State of the German Stage 
 
 Rise of Mabomedanism, and its Progress during 
 the Life of its Author. 
 
 * Vide ante, p. 39. 
 
204 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 295. JOSEPH M'COEMICK. (Admitted, January 20, 1795. 
 
 "I Extraordinary, January 16, 1738. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1796. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1806. 
 
 Essays. — Advantages of studying History. 
 A Sketch of History. 
 Genius. 
 
 296. ADAM DUFF. ( Admitted, March 3, 179.i. 
 
 \ Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1799, and appointed Sheriff of 
 Forfarshire in 1807, and of Mid-Lothian in 1819. 
 Born, 1775. Died, 1840. 
 Essays. — Difference between Epic Poetry and Tragedy. 
 Instinct of Animals. 
 
 297. GEORGE ROSS. j Admitted, December 1, 1795. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, December 11, 1798. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1797. A Judge in the Commis- 
 sary Court. 
 
 Essays. — The State of Europe at the Time of the Crusades. 
 Varieties of Appearance of the Human Species. 
 
 29S. LEWIS FERRIER. J Admitted, December l, 179.5. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 11, 1798. 
 
 Afterwards of Bellside, Linlithgowshire. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1798. A Commissioner of the Customs in Scotland, 
 and appointed Collector of Customs at Quebec in 1830. 
 Born, 1777. Died, 1833. 
 Essays. — Origin of Laws and Government. 
 Effects of Commerce on a Nation. 
 Origin of Laws and Government. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 205 
 
 299. ALEXANDER OSWALD. ( Admitted, December 15, 1795. 
 
 I Dropt from the Roll, Mar. 14, 1797. 
 
 A younger son of George Oswald of Scotstoun and Auchen- 
 cruive. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1798. 
 Born, 1777. Died, 1822. 
 Essays. — Lyric Poetry. 
 
 The Feudal System. 
 
 300. JAMES HAMILTON. j Admitted, January 26, 1796. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February S, 1799. 
 
 Afterwards of Kairaes, Buteshire. Writer to the Signet. 
 Essays. — Influence of Climate. 
 The Pathetic. 
 
 301. WILLIAM FULLARTON. ( Admitted, January 25, 1796. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 5, 1799. , 
 
 Afterwards of Skeldon, Ayrshire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1798. 
 
 Born, 1775. Died, 1835. 
 Essays. — Distinction of Ranks in Society. 
 Entails. 
 
 302. WILLIAM BALDWIN. | Admitted, December 6, 1796. 
 
 i Non-Resident, May 9, 1797. 
 
 From Ireland. Graduated as Doctor of Medicine at Edinburgh, 
 in 1797. 
 
 Essay. — Happiness. 
 
 303. PHILIP DO WE. | Admitted, December 6, 1796. 
 
 ( Resigned, November 13, 1798. 
 
 From Ireland. Graduated as Doctor of Medicine at Edinburgh, 
 in 1799. 
 
 Essays. — Animal Instinct. 
 Good Manners. 
 
206 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 304. THEODORE FORBES LEITH. 
 
 {Admitted, December 6, 1796. 
 Dropt from the Roll, April 14, 1797. 
 
 Younger of Whitehaugh, Aberdeenshire. 
 
 Born, 1777. Died, 1802-3. 
 
 305. JOHN ARCHIBALD MURRAY. 
 
 j Admitted, December 13, 1796. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 17, 1799. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1799. Member of Parliament 
 
 for the Leith District of Burghs, from 1833 to 1839, and 
 
 Lord-Advocate of Scotland from 183.5 to 1839, when he was 
 
 raised to the Bench by the title of Lord Murray, and 
 
 Knighted. 
 
 Essays. — Divine Love. 
 
 Observations on Professor Stewart's Essay on 
 
 Dreaming. 
 
 306. JOHN OGSTON. 
 
 Essay. — Effects of exclusive Studies upon Happiness. 
 
 j Admitted, December 13, 1796. 
 ( Non-Resident, January 30, 1798. 
 
 307. LORD HENRY PETTY. 
 
 j Admitted, January 17, 1797. 
 ( HoNORAKT, May 1, 1798. 
 
 Afterwards Marquis of Lansdowne. Chancellor of the Exche- 
 quer in 1806. Secretary of State for the Home Department, 
 in 1827. Lord Rector of the University of Glasgow in 1830. 
 President of the Council in 1835. Lord Henry Petty was 
 the only Member of the Society who ever received the distinc- 
 tion of Honorary Membership before completing the usual 
 probation of three years. 
 
 " T.ansdowne, while still at College, had acquired and practised 
 the powers which, at almost the earliest possible period, ena- 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 207 
 
 bled him to take nearly the highest place in the councils of 
 his country." 
 
 LoED CocKBURN. {Inaugural Address as Lord Rector 
 of Glasgow University.^ 
 Essay. — On the advantages of Insular Situation. 
 
 308. JOHN HAY FORBES. ( Admitted, January 17, 1797. 
 
 ( Resigned, January 22, 1799. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1799. Appointed Sheriff of 
 Perthshire in 1807, and raised to the Bench by the title of 
 Lord Medwyn, in 1825. 
 
 Essays. — National Character. 
 
 Constitution of the Scottish Parliament. 
 
 309. ALEXANDER MACONOCHIE. ( Admitted, January 17, 1797. 
 
 ( Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Afterwards of Meadowbank. Called to the Scottish Bar in 
 1799. He was appointed Sheriff of Haddingtonshire in 
 181!, Solicitor-General of Scotland in 1813, and Lord- Ad- 
 vocate in 1816 ; and was raised to the Bench by the title of 
 Lord Meadowbank, in 1819. He retired in 1843. 
 Essays. — Varieties of the Human Species. 
 Natural Character. 
 
 {, 
 
 Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 Son of Henry Mackenzie, author of the Man of Feeling. Called 
 to the Scottish Bar in 1799. Appointed Sheriff of Linlith- 
 gow in 1811, and raised to the Bench by the title of Lord 
 Mackenzie, in 1822. 
 Essays. — Novels. 
 Luxury. 
 
208 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 ( Admitted, January 24, 1797. 
 
 1l 
 
 311. WILLIAM FRASER TYTLER. _ 
 
 [ Resigned, January 22, 1799. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1799. Succeeded his father Lord 
 Woodhouselee as Professor of Universal History in the Uni- 
 versity of Edinburgh. Appointed Sheriff of Inverness-shire 
 in ISIO. 
 
 Essay. — Comparison of the Satires of Horace and Juvenal. 
 
 {Admitted, February 7, 1797. 
 
 812. LORD BINNING. 
 
 Non-Resident, November 13, 1798. 
 
 Afterwards ninth Earl of Haddington. Baron Melrose in the 
 Peerage of the United Kingdom. A Privy Councillor. 
 Appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland in 1834, and First 
 Lord of the Admiralty in 1841. 
 
 Essay. — Public Character of Queen Elizabeth. 
 
 313. JOHN KIRTON. 
 
 314. ARCHIBALD BELL. 
 
 j Admitted, February 7, 1797. 
 
 I Dropt from the Roll, March 14, 1797. 
 
 f Admitted, February 21, 1797. 
 I Resigned, April 16, 1799. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1798. Appointed Sheriff of Ayr- 
 shire in 1815. He published a pamphlet on the Prohibition 
 of the Use of Grain in Distilleries, &c., described in the 
 Edinburgh Review as " a very able and judicious perform- 
 ance ;" and afterwards two volumes of essays, called the 
 Cabinet, and a volume of Tragedies. He is Treasurer to the 
 Faculty of Advocates. 
 
 Essays. — Dramatic Composition. 
 
 Philosophical Criticism chiefly with respect to 
 Ludicrous Composition. 
 
 315. HENRY DUNCAN. f 
 
 Afterwards the Reverend Henry Duncan, Doctor of Divinity. 
 
 I Admitted, March 28, 1797. 
 Non-Resident, November 20, 1798. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 209 
 
 Ordained Minister of the Parish of Ruthwell in 1799, which 
 charge he resigned in 1843, when he joined the Free Church. 
 Moderator of the General Assembly in 1 839. Author of the 
 Cottage Fireside, the Sacred Philosophy of the Seasons, and 
 an Essay on the Nature and Advantages of Parish Banks, 
 published in 1815, one of the first treatises, if not the very 
 first, which called public attention to the important subject 
 of Savings Banks. 
 
 Essay. — Influence of Commerce on the Situation and 
 Relations of Society. 
 
 316. HENRY BROUGHAM. (Admitted, November 21, 1797. 
 
 s Extraordinary, December 2, 1800. 
 ( Honorary, April 19, 1803. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1800. Called to the English Bar 
 in 1807. Appointed Attorney-General to Queen Caroline 
 in 1820. Was Lord Chancellor of England from 1830 to 
 1 834, and created a Peer by the title of Baron Brougham 
 and Vaux, of Brougham, in the county of Westmoreland. 
 Lord Rector of Glasgow University, in 1825. A Member 
 of the House of Commons from 1812 to 1830. A Privy 
 Councillor. President of University College, London. Au- 
 thor of a work on the Colonial Policy of the European States, 
 and of Characters of Statesmen of the reign of George III., 
 besides many articles in the Edinburgh Review ; and of 
 various other publications. 
 
 " The name which I have now to utter is one which has 
 for many years been more before the public than any other 
 name in this country, for praise and for blame, and I hope 
 so to present it to you as to insure your universal and cor- 
 dial approbation. The high talents and extraordinary powers 
 which the individual to whom I allude brought into pub- 
 lic life, early arrested the attention of the country. But 
 2d 
 
210 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 they who ascend into high places cannot hope to escape un- 
 scathed by the lightnings, or unruffled by the storms which 
 prevail in those exalted regions. In the wars of the giants 
 heavy blows must be given and received. It is not, how- 
 ever, in this more imposing character, that I now beg to 
 oifer to your notice the name of Henry Brougham. I 
 wish you to consider him now, as one of the brightest or- 
 naments of this Society, and still more as the unwearied and 
 distinguished friend from his youth up to the present day, 
 of education, of literature, of science, and of general instruc- 
 tion, and I recommend him to your kind consideration as the 
 most distinguished advocate of all the great and important 
 branches of human culture and natural improvement which 
 this or any other age has beheld. From the time at which 
 he first delighted his contemporaries in this Society, — from 
 the time when, yet in his nonage, he produced a work of pro- 
 found science, which strongly attracted the attention of all 
 the learned men in Europe from Syracuse to Copenhagen, — 
 from those periods down to the time when seated on the 
 Woolsack as Lord Chancellor of England, amongst his multi- 
 farious avocations, and amidst the toils of state, he still found 
 leisure to lay the foundations of societies for the information 
 of the lower orders, and to write elementary works for their 
 instruction, — he has never ceased to pursue with untiring zeal 
 the same great object of promoting the education and intellec- 
 tual and moral improvement of every order in the commu- 
 nity ; — whether, as in his earlier efforts, ho combated narrow 
 prejudices against the admirable improvements of Bell and 
 Lancaster, or, in his place in Parliament, underwent Hercu- 
 lean labour in endeavouring to reclaim the funds which the 
 wisdom of our pious ancestors had dedicated to the purposes of 
 education from the perversions of after indolence or cupidity. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 211 
 
 — or, as at a later period, he encouraged the establishment of 
 mechanic's institutes and schools of arts, in every part of the 
 empire, and that not merely by giving and soliciting large 
 pecuniary contributions, but by procuring for them the still 
 more invaluable benefits of safe and zealous intellectual guid- 
 ance, and actually furnishing them with patterns and models 
 of the sort of discourses and expositions with which they 
 ought to bo supplied, or organized the publication of cheap 
 and instructive treatises upon every subject of useful and en- 
 tertaining knowledge, and actually, in the midst of the infinite 
 toils, cares, and distractions, of the last four eventful years, 
 wrote with his own hand, treatises of this description, and 
 made large contributions to new editions of works, in which 
 religion and philosophy were blended. During this long 
 period of more than thirty years, he has never for an hour 
 rested, or paused, or turned aside, from the great task to 
 which his life has been devoted, and for his efforts in which 
 I know that he is most desirous to be remembered. Among 
 the many wonderful things that belong to him, it is not the 
 least, that of him only it can be said with truth, that in 
 the midst of his many professional and political avocations, 
 he has done more in support of literature, general instruc- 
 tion, and philanthropy, than any individual whom I can name 
 or call to my recollection, who has devoted his whole life to 
 these pursuits alone. I cannot propose Lord Brougham's 
 health without recalling to my own recollection, and to that 
 of some present, the effect which his early appearances had 
 upon this Society — the admiration excited by the versatility 
 of his talents — his fertile and exhaustless fancy — his power 
 of illustration — his intrepidity, and even apparent rashness in 
 encountering all subjects, which proved in the end to be but 
 the instinctive consciousness of power — and that ardent and 
 
212 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 somewhat ferocious eloquence with which he scorched, and 
 
 blasted, and overthrew all those who dared to give him battle." 
 
 Lord Jeffrey. (At the Dinner in celebrating the T0<^ 
 
 Anniversary of the Society.) 
 Essays. — Political Remarks on the Union. 
 The Balance of Power. 
 Indirect Influence of the People. 
 Influence of National Opinion on External Re- 
 lations. 
 An Examination of certain Plans that are at 
 present entertained of cultivating the Crown 
 Lands in the Ceded Islands. 
 
 317. FRANCIS HORNER. ( admitted, November 21, 1797. 
 
 I Extraordinary, December 2, 1800. 
 ( Honorary, March 29, 1803. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 800. After practising there for 
 three years he went to London, studied at the Temple, and 
 was called to the English Bar in 1 807. In the previous year 
 he was appointed one of the Board of Commissioners for in- 
 vestigating the Nabob of Arcot's debts, and entered the House 
 of Commons as Member for St. Ives. Several articles on 
 Political Economy and Finance were at this time contributed 
 by him to the Edinburgh Review. From 1808 till 1812, he 
 represented the borough of Wendover. In 1810, he brought 
 the subject of the State of the Currency under the notice of 
 Parliament, and drew up the laborious report of the Bullion 
 Committee, presented in that year. After a short interval, 
 he again, in 1814, entered the House of Commons as ]\Iember 
 for St. Mawes, but his Parliamentary exertions did not pre- 
 vent the vigorous prosecution of his professional pursuits ; 
 and he was rapidly attaining a high position both as a lawyer 
 and as a statesman, when the state of his health made it neces- 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 213 
 
 sary for liim to tty the effects of a southern climate. His ill- 
 ness terminated fatally at Pisa, on the 8th February 1817. 
 A monument was erected to his memory in the churchyard 
 at Leghorn, where he was interred ; and a statue of him by 
 Chantrey, was placed in Westminster Abbey, beside those 
 of Chatham, Mansfield, and Fox. 
 
 Born, 1778. Died, 1817. 
 
 When a new writ was moved for St. Mawes, the following 
 among other high tributes were paid to the memory of Mr. 
 Horner by members of the House of Commons. 
 
 " My lamened friend, of whom I can never speak without 
 feelings of the deepest regret, had been rendered incapable 
 for some time past, in consequence of the bad state of his 
 health, of applying to the labours of his profession or the 
 discharge of bis Parliamentary duties. Pie was prevailed 
 upon to try the effects of a milder and more genial climate — 
 the hope was vain and the attempt fruitless — he sunk be- 
 neath the slow but destructive effects of a lingering disease, 
 which baffled the power of medicine and the influence of 
 climate — but under the pressure of increasing infirmity — un- 
 der the infliction of a debilitating and exhausting malady, he 
 preserved undiminished the serenity of his amiable temper, 
 and the composure, the vigour, and the firmness of his excel- 
 lent and enlightened understanding. I may perhaps be per- 
 mitted, without penetrating too far into the more sequestered 
 paths of private life, to allude to those mild virtues, those 
 domestic charities, which embellished while they dignified his 
 private character. I may be permitted to observe, that as a 
 son and as a brother he was eminently dutiful and affectionate ; 
 but I am aware that these qualities, however amiable, can 
 hardly with strict propriety be addressed to the consideration 
 of Parliament. When, however, they are blended, inter- 
 
214 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 woven, and incorporated in the character of a public man, 
 they become a species of public property, and by their influ- 
 ence and example essentially augment the stock of public 
 virtue. For bis qualifications as a public man, I can confi- 
 dently appeal to a wider circle, to that learned profession of 
 which he was a distinguished ornament — to this House, where 
 his exertions will be long remembered with mingled feelings 
 of regret and admiration. It is not necessary for me to enter 
 into a detail of his graver studies and occupations. I may 
 be allowed to say generally, that he raised the edifice of his 
 fair fame on a good and solid foundation — upon the firm basis 
 of conscientious principle. He was ardent in the pursuit of 
 truth — he was inflexible in his adherence to the great prin- 
 ciples of justice and of right. Whenever he delivered in this 
 House the ideas of his clear and intelligent mind, he employed 
 that chaste, simple, but, at the same time, nervous and im- 
 pressive style of oratory which seemed admirably adapted to 
 the elucidation and discussion of important business — it seemed 
 to combine the force and precision of legal argument with 
 the acquirements and knowledge of a statesman." 
 
 Lord Morpeth. 
 " He had indeed qualifications eminently calculated to obtain 
 and to deserve success. His sound principles, his enlarged 
 views, his various and accurate knowledge, the even tenor of 
 his manly and temperate eloquence, the genuineness of his 
 warmth, when into warmth he was betrayed, and, above all, 
 the singular modesty with which he bore his faculties, and 
 which shed a grace and lustre over them all ; these qualifi- 
 cations, added to the well-known blamelessness and purity 
 of his private character, did not more endear him to his 
 friends than they commanded the respect of those to whom 
 he was opposed in adverse politics — they insured to every 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 215 
 
 effort of his abilities an attentive and favouring audience, and 
 secured for him, as the result of all, a solid and unenvied 
 reputation." Mr. Canning. 
 
 " In these times, indeed in all times, so perfect a combination 
 of commanding talents, indefatigable industry, and stem in- 
 tegrity, must be a severe public loss ; but no man who has not 
 had the happiness — the blessing I might say — to have known 
 him as a friend, who has not witnessed the many virtues and 
 endearing qualities that characterized him in the circle of his 
 acquaintance, can adequately conceive the irreparable chasm 
 in private life this lamentable event has made. In my con- 
 science, I believe there never lived the man of whom it could 
 more truly be said, that whenever he was found in public life 
 he was respected and admired, whenever he was known in 
 private life he was most affectionately beloved." 
 
 Mr. Manners Sutton. 
 
 The following extract refers to the above, and the other speeches 
 on the same occasion. 
 
 " I may say, without exaggeration, that there never were so 
 many words uttered without the least suspicion of exaggera- 
 tion — and that never was so much honour paid in any age 
 or nation to intrinsic claims alone. A Howard introduced, 
 and an English House of Commons adopted, the proposition 
 of thus honouring the memory of a man of thirty-eight, the 
 son of a shop-keeper, who had never filled an office, or had 
 the power of obliging a living creature, and whose grand 
 title to this distinction was the belief of his virtue. IIow 
 honourable to the age and to the House ! A country where 
 such sentiments prevail is not ripe for destruction." 
 
 Sir James Mackintosh. (Diart/.) 
 Essays. — Political Effects of the general Diffusion of 
 Knowledsre. 
 
2 1 C HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Remarks on the Opposition Party in the British 
 
 Parliament. 
 The Overgrowth of the Metropolis. 
 
 318. The Hon. CHARLES FRANCIS STEWART. 
 
 j Admitted, November 21, 1797. 
 ( Extraordinary, April 26, 180.3. 
 
 Son of the tenth Lord Blantyre. Barrister-at-Law. 
 Essays. — Character of Henry VIII. 
 
 Causes of the Decline of Nations. 
 
 319. WILLIAM BOSWELL. j Admitted, November 21, 1797. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, April 26, 1803. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1800. Appointed Sheriff of Ber- 
 wickshire in 1814. 
 
 Born, 1779. Died, 1841. 
 Essays. — Whether a natural Decline of Political Power 
 be necessarily preceded by a Decline of Reli- 
 gion and Morality ? 
 Luxury. 
 Executive Power. 
 
 320. COLIN DUNLOP. j Admitted, November 28, 1797. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, December 18, 1798. 
 
 Afterwards of Tolcross, Lanarkshire. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1798. He was Proprietor of the Clyde Iron Works, 
 and was one of the Representatives of the City of Glasgow, 
 in the Parliament of 1835-6. 
 
 Born, 1775. Died, 1837. 
 Essay. — Whether there ought to be a legal Rate of In- 
 terest ? 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 217 
 
 321. ROBERT DAVIDSON. l Admitted, December 12, 1797. 
 
 ( Resigned, January 22, 1799. 
 
 Afterwards of Ravelrig, Mid-Lothian. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1798. 
 
 Essay. — Influence of Commerce on the Nations of Anti- 
 quity. 
 
 322. JOHN SWINTON. l admitted, December I2, 1797. 
 
 ( Non-Residbnt, November 13, 1798. 
 
 Afterwards of Broadmeadows. 
 
 Essay. — Natural Equity of the Law of Prescription. 
 
 323. "WILLIAM SCOTT. j Admitted, December 12, 1797. 
 
 1 Extraordinary, December 23, 1800. 
 
 Afterwards of Well, Selkirkshire. Collector of Customs at 
 
 Quebec. 
 
 Born, 1778. Died, 1820. 
 
 Essays. — The Constitution of Cities and Royal Burghs.   
 
 Imitation. 
 
 The Progress of Knowledge. 
 
 324. JAMES ROBERTSON. r Admitted, January 9, 1798. 
 
 ( NoN- Resident, March 13, 1798. 
 
 Essay. — Origin of Parliaments in England. 
 
 325. WILLIAM A. CADELL. I Admitted, January 16,1798. 
 
 ( Resigned, January 14, 1800. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1798. Author of Travels in 
 Carniola, Italy, and France. 
 Essays. — The Savage State. 
 Taste. 
 
 326. WILLIAM ANGLIN SCARLETT. 
 
 ! Admitted, February 6, 1798. 
 Non-Resident, November 13, 1798. 
 
 Afterwards Sir William Anglin Scarlett, Knight, younger 
 2 E 
 
218 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 brother of Lord Abinger. He settled as a Barrister in Ja- 
 maica, and held the office of Lord Chief Justice of that island 
 for ten years before his death. 
 
 Born, 1777. Died, 1832. 
 Essay. — On Perception. 
 " As a barrister his talents were well known ; as a Judge he 
 was unequalled in this colony, and those who were ready to 
 condemn, will now admit his impartiality, his love of jus- 
 tice, his beneficence, his unostentatious moral worth." 
 
 Jamaica Newspaper. 
 
 327. THOMAS HAMILTON MILLER. 
 
 I Admitted, February 13, 1798. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 16, 1802. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 802. Sheriff of Selkirkshire. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1843. 
 
 Essays. — The Funding System. 
 
 Indefinite Perfectibility of the Human Species. 
 Relative Situation of the Agriculture and Com- 
 merce of Great Britain. 
 Expediency of Capital Punishments. 
 Origin and Progress of Superstition, and its In- 
 fluence on the Human Mind and Character. 
 
 328. ANTHONY TODD THOMSON. 
 
 ( Admitted, February 27, 1798. 
 ( Non-Rbsident, January 14, 1800. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Medicine, and Physician in London. 
 Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics, and Profes- 
 sor of Forensic Medicine in University College, London. 
 Member of the Societe d' Emulation of Paris, the Societe de 
 Medicine of Marseilles, and the Imperial Mcdico-Chirurgical 
 Academy of St. Petersburgh. Author of Conspectus of the 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 219 
 
 rharmacopoeias of the London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Col- 
 leges of Physicians, and of the London Dispensatory, both 
 of which have passed through many editions, the former 
 having been translated into several languages. He is also 
 author of Lectures on the Elements of Botany, Elements of 
 Materia Medica, Commentaries on Diseases of the Skin, and 
 of many other valuable medical and literary works. 
 Essays. — Instinct. 
 
 Tragedy, and its Utility to Society. 
 
 329. JAMES LOCH. 
 
 j Admitted, March 27, 1798. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 8, 1801. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1801. Previous to 1830, he was 
 Member of Parliament for St. Germains, and has since repre- 
 sented the Wick Burghs. He has been for many years 
 Manager of the extensive Estates of the Sutherland Family, 
 and published in 1820 an Account of the Improvements on 
 the Estates of the Marquis of Stafford. 
 
 Essays. — Whether a National Establishment of Religion 
 be necessary for the Political Existence of a 
 State ? 
 Ancient and Jlodern Finance. 
 Insular Situation. 
 
 330. The Hon. CHARLES KINNAIRD. 
 
 1 Admitted, April 24, 1798. 
 
 \ Non-Resident, November 19, 1799. 
 
 Afterwards Lord Kinnaird. Represented Leominster in the 
 
 House of Commons before succeeding to the Peerage, and 
 
 afterwards was elected one of the Representative Peers of 
 
 Scotland, in 1806. To enlightened views as a statesman, 
 
 his Lordship added great ability as a speaker and as a political 
 
 writer. 
 
220 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Born, 1780. Died, 1826. 
 " Amongst the most quick and delightful, as well as honour- 
 able of men." Lord Brougham. 
 
 331. JOHN JARDINE. r Admitted, November 20, 1798. 
 
 \ Resigned, November 26, 1799. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1799. Sheriff of Ross and Cro- 
 marty. One of the Collectors of Decisions of the Court of 
 Session from 1801 till 1807. 
 
 Essay. — Idea of Rousseau's System of Education. 
 
 ( Admitted, November 20, 1798. 
 
 1: 
 
 332. JAMES SIMPSON. 
 
 Extraordinary, November 24, 1801. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 180i. Mr. Simpson, by his work 
 on the Philosophy of Education, and other publications, was 
 among the first who called the public attention to the import- 
 ance of education as a national object. He has the merit of 
 having aroused the interest of the working classes themselves 
 to the means of improving their character and condition — by 
 several series of Lectures addressed to numerous audiences 
 in all parts of the kingdom — and by his indefatigable exer- 
 tions for their social improvement. 
 
 Essays. — Remarks on the Philosophy of Godwin. 
 
 The Drama. 
 
 Remarks on the Extension of the British Power 
 in India. 
 
 The Practice of Duelling. 
 
 Scarcity. 
 
 f Admitted, November 20, 1798. 
 
 333. ANDREW CLEPHANE. 
 
 Resigned, May 7, 1799. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1800. Was appointed Sheriff of 
 Peebles-shire in 1816, and of Fifeshire in 1819. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 
 
 221 
 
 Born, 1780. Died, 1838. 
 Essay. — Colonies. 
 
 f Admitted, November 27, 1798. 
 1 
 
 334. WILLIAM THOMPSON. 
 
 Non-Resident, November 19, 1799. 
 
 Afterwards Solicitor in London. He died many years ago. 
 Essay. — Human Testimony. 
 
 335. JAMES FERGUSON. 
 
 j Admitted, January 8, 1799. 
 ( Non-Resident, March 19, 1799. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel in the Service of the Honourable the East 
 India Company. 
 
 33C. JAMES BROUGHAM. J Admitted, January 8, 1799. 
 
 ( Resigned, March 11, 1800. 
 
 Brother of Lord Brougham. Barrister at Law. Member of 
 
 Parliament for various places from 1829 until his death. 
 
 Born, 1780. Died, 1833. 
 
 " He was highly respected for his good sense and intelligence 
 
 and amiable manners by those who had the pleasure of his 
 
 acquaintance ; and although he seldom spoke in Parliament, 
 
 was far from being inactive as a public man." 
 
 Annual Biography. 
 
 Essay. — The Feudal System. 
 
 337. JOHN RUSSELL. 
 
 j Admitted, January IS, 1799. 
 ( Resigned, February 16, 1799. 
 
 Writer to the Signet, and Principal Clerk of the Court of 
 Session. 
 
 338. WILLIAM GEORGE ADAM. 
 
 f Admitted, January 29, 1799. 
 
 1 Non-Resident, November 19, 1799. 
 
 Third son of the late Lord Chief Commissioner. Entered at 
 Lincoln's Inn in 1799. Was called to the English Bar in 
 
222 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 1806. Appointed King's Counsel in 1824, and Accountant- 
 General of the Court of Chancery in 1831. 
 Born, 1781. Died, 1839. 
 
 339. WILLIAM TAYLOR. 
 
 I Admitted, January 29, 1799. 
 ( Non-Resident, April 15, 1800. 
 
 Afterwards called to the English Bar. 
 
 Essay. — The Conquests of the Roman Republic. 
 
 340. ALEXANDER COPLAND, f Admitted, January 29, 1799. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 2, 1802. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 799. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1 809. 
 
 " A curious, able, and very promising young man. He was in 
 the Society with Brougham, Horner, Jeffrey, Kinnaird, Mon- 
 creiff, &c., and kept his place against all of them. Given to 
 Metaphysics, which sharpened his wits ; a great student ; 
 somewhat absent ; and with a peculiar clearness of rapid 
 fluent diction. For a person of his original and abstruse ideas, 
 he was a singularly transparent speaker. Single-hearted, 
 kind, cheerful, and honest, every body liked Copland. Had 
 he lived, acuteness, industry, and worth, would certainly 
 have raised, and indeed were raising him, high in his profes- 
 sion. But he died of consumption when little more than 
 thirty." Lord Cockburn. 
 
 It is no slight proof of his power as a Member of the Society, 
 that Horner felt him worthy to be selected as the speaker 
 in replying to whom he ought to practice. 
 
 " I mean to practice myself in replying, and I think it 
 will be a good plan to confine myself at first to one antago- 
 nist — Copland, for instance — and to study most accurately 
 his peculiar style of speaking, his habits of association, both 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 223 
 
 in point of illustration and argument, and the most successful 
 plan of encountering him. * * In pursuance of my plan, 
 I laid myself out to reply to Copland, who made a speech 
 abounding with information and ingenious argumentation on 
 the affirmative side. I succeeded tolerably well in criticising 
 his arguments." Francis Horner. {Diary.') 
 
 Essays. — Charitable Institutions. 
 
 Hypocrisy. 
 
 Imperfection of the Human Understanding. 
 
 The Feudal System. 
 
 341. JAMES MONCREIFF. 
 
 I Admitted, January 29, 1799. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 2, 1802. 
 
 Afterwards Sir James Wellwood Moncreiff of TuUibole, Ba- 
 ronet. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1796. Dean of Faculty 
 in 1826. He was raised to the Bench in 1829, by the title 
 of Lord Moncreiff. 
 
 " He has a countenance full of the expression of quicksighted- 
 ness and logical power, and his voice and manner of deliver- 
 ing himself are such as to add much to this the natural 
 language of his countenance. He speaks in a firm, harsh 
 tone, and his phraseology aspires to no merit beyond that of 
 closeness and precision ; and yet, although entirely without 
 display of imagination, and although apparently scornful to 
 excess of every merely ornamental part of rhetorical art, it 
 is singular that Mr. Moncreiff should be not only a fervid 
 and animated speaker, but infinitely more keen and fervid 
 throughout the whole tenor of his discourse, and more given 
 to assist his words by violence of gesture, than any of the 
 more imaginative speakers whom I have already endeavoured 
 to describe. When he addresses a Jury, he does not seem 
 ever to think of attacking their feelings, but he is determined 
 
224 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 and resolved that he will omit no exertion which may enable 
 him to get the command over their reason. He plants him- 
 self before them in an attitude of open defiance ; he takes it 
 for granted that they are against him, and he must and will 
 subdue them to his power. Whenever there is room to lay a 
 finger, he fixes a grappling iron, and continues to tear and 
 tug at every thing that opposes him, till the most stubborn 
 and obstinate incredulity is glad to purchase repose by assent- 
 ing to all he demands." Peter's Letters. 
 Essays. — National Character. 
 
 Restrictions on the right of making Wills. 
 
 Federal Government. 
 
 Testamentary Succession. 
 
 Foundation of the Right of Society to punish 
 the Oifences committed by its Members. 
 
 34.2. WILLIAM GORDON. 
 
 Essay. — Instinct. 
 
 ( Admitted, January 29, 1799. 
 ( Non-Resident, April 22, 1800. 
 
 343. ARCHIBALD DOUGLAS. 
 
 j Admitted, January 29, 1799. 
 
 1: 
 
 ExTRAOHDlNART, February 2, 1802. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1801. 
 
 Born, 1781. Died, 1833. 
 
 Essays. — On Granting Protection to Alien Enemies. 
 Modern Innovations. 
 
 344. WILLIAM THOMAS RUSSELL. 
 
 {Admitted, January 29, 1799. 
 
 ExTBAORDlNART, February 4, 1800. 
 
 From Ireland. Graduated as Doctor of Medicine at Edinburgh 
 in 1800. 
 
 Essay. — Perfectibility of the Human Mind. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 
 
 225 
 
 345. JOHN BOOTH. 
 
 ( Admitted, February 12, 1799. 
 
 11 
 
 I Resigned, December 14, 1802. 
 From Ireland. Graduated as Doctor of Medicine. 
 
 346. Dr. ANDREW DUNCAN, Junior. 
 
 {Admitted, March 12, 1799. 
 Resigned, November 25, 18U0. 
 
 Son of Dr. Andrew Duncan, senior. In 1 805, he became sole 
 Editor of the Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal. Ap- 
 pointed Professor of Medical Jurisprudence on the institution 
 of that Chair in 1807, — in 1819, Joint Professor with his 
 father of the Theory of Medicine — and in 1821, Professor of 
 Materia Medica and Pharmacy, — in the University of Edin- 
 burgh. He was distinguished for devotedness to the duties 
 of his Chair, and zeal in the investigation of science. His 
 most valuable work was the Edinburgh Dispensatory, pub- 
 lished in 1803, and since translated into German and French. 
 Born, 1773. Died, 1832. 
 Essay. — Institutions for the maintenance of Destitute 
 Children. 
 
 347. JOSEPH GORDON. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 348. HENRY COCKBURN. 
 
 ( Admitted, March 12, 1799. 
 I Resigned, November 18, 1800. 
 
 t Admitted, November 26, 1799. 
 < Extraordinary, November 23, 1802. 
 ( HoNOEAEY, December 6, 1814. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1800. Appointed Solicitor-Gene- 
 ral in 1830, and raised to the Bench by the title of Lord 
 Cockburn in 1834. He was elected Lord Rector of the Uni- 
 versity of Glasgow in 1831. 
 
 " Of all the great pleaders of the Scottish Bar, he is the only 
 one who is capable of touching, with a bold and assured 
 2 F 
 
226 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 hand, the chords of feeling, who can, by one plain word and 
 one plain look, convey the whole soul of tenderness, or ap- 
 peal, with the authority of a true prophet, to a yet higher 
 class of feelings, which slumber in many bosoms, but are dead 
 in none. * * He utters no word which he is not perfect- 
 ly certain his hearers understand, and he points out no infer- 
 ence before he has prepared the way for it, by making his 
 hearers understand perfectly how he himself has been brought 
 to adopt it. He puts himself in the place of his audience ; 
 an obvious rule, no doubt ; but in practice above all others 
 difficult, and which it requires the skill of a very master in 
 the knowledge of human nature to follow with precision. 
 *   * His use of the language, and his still more exquisite 
 use of the images and allusions of common Scottish life, must 
 contribute, in the most powerful manner, to his success in this 
 first great object of all his rhetoric. There is an air of broad 
 and undisguised serenity in the simple tones and energetic 
 phrases he employs, which finds its way like a charm to the 
 very bottom of the hearts around him. He sees it painted in 
 their beaming and expanding faces, and sees, and knows, and 
 feels at once, that his eloquence is persuasive. Once so far 
 victorious, he is thenceforth irresistible. He has established 
 an understanding between himself and his audience, a feeling 
 of fellowship and confidence of communion, which nothing 
 can disturb." Peter's Letters. 
 
 Essays. — The Causes of the slow Progress of Govern- 
 ment. 
 
 The Removal of Mercantile Restraints. 
 
 Submission to Despotism. 
 
 Influence one Government has upon another. 
 
 The Decline of Spain. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 227 
 
 349. CHARLES ANDERSON. j admitted, November 26, 1790. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 23, 1802. 
 
 Afterwards Minister of Gask, Perthshire, and subsequently of 
 Closeburn, Dumfries-shire. 
 
 Born, 1779. Died, 1829. 
 Essays. — Effect of the Discovery of America in accele- 
 rating the Progress of the Improvement of 
 the Human Mind. 
 Popular Education. 
 
 A Systematic Opposition in the House of Com- 
 mons. 
 The proper Objects of Legislative Interference. 
 
 350. DANIEL AINSLIE. f Admitted, November 26, 1793. 
 
 ( Rksigned, November 18, 1800. 
 
 Graduated as Doctor of Medicine at Edinburgh, in 1801. Af- 
 terwards of the Honourable East India Company's Service, 
 Bengal Establishment. 
 
 Born, 1777. Died, . 
 
 Essay. — Rise of Mahometanism, and its Progress during 
 the Life of its Author. 
 
 351. JAMES FORREST. ( Admitted, November 26, 1799. 
 
 I Extraordinary, November 23, 1802. 
 
 Afterwards Sir James Forrest of Comiston, Baronet. Called to 
 the Scottish Bar in 1803. Lord Provost of the City of 
 Edinburgh from 1837 till 1843. 
 Essays. — Ambition. 
 Novelty. 
 
 Dramatic Composition. 
 
 Effects in the Art of "War produced by the In- 
 troduction of Gunpowder. 
 Poors' Rates. 
 
228 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 352. WILLIAM MACDONALD. (Admitted, December lO, 1799. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 14, 1802. 
 
 Afterwards of St. Martin's, Perthshire. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1802. 
 
 Born, 1780. Died, 1841. 
 
 Essays. — Divorce. 
 
 Effects of Printing upon the Literary and Moral 
 
 World. 
 Effects of Enthusiasm upon the Human Character. 
 Republics. 
 Consequences of Precedents being adopted as 
 
 Laws. 
 Education. 
 
 353. THOMAS EMERSON HEADLAM. 
 
 ( Admitted, December 17, 1799. 
 tNoN- 
 
 ; Non-Resident, April 15, 1800. 
 Afterwards Doctor of Medicine. Since 1805 a resident Phy- 
 sician at Newcastle, and connected with the principal medical 
 and literary institutions there. 
 Essay. — Imitation. 
 
 354. DAVID MURRAY SNODGRASS. 
 
 j Admitted, January 14, 1800. 
 
 I Extraordinary, January 18, 1803. 
 
 Afterwards David Murray Snodgrass Buchanan, of Cunning- 
 
 hamhead. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1803. 
 
 Born, 1779. Died, 1836. 
 
 Essays. — Influence of Philosophy on the Fine Arts. 
 
 Progress of Civilization in Modern Europe. 
 
 Historical Composition. 
 
 355. A. CAMPBELL. ( Admitted, February 4, 1800. 
 
 t Resigned, November 25, 1800. 
 
 Essay. — Punishments. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 229 
 
 356. JOHN HUTTON. ( Admitted, November 25, 1800. 
 
 ( Resigned, January 20, 1801. 
 
 357. JOHN GORDON. r Admitted, January 13, 1801. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, February 2, 1803. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1801, but afterwards entered the 
 army. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1826. 
 
 Essays. — Effect of Physical Causes on the Human Cha- 
 racter. 
 Influence of the People upon Government. 
 
 358. "WILLIAM BUCHANAN. J Admitted, January 27, 1801. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 25, 1806. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1806. Author of a volume of 
 Reports of some remarkable Cases in the Court of Session 
 and High Court of Justiciary. 
 
 Essays. — The Causes that produce the Fall of Empires. 
 The necessity of Human Actions. 
 Nature and Properties of a Metallic Currency. 
 The proper Objects of Legislative Interference. 
 
 359. DAVID BEATSON. r Admitted, December l, 1801. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, February 21, 1804. 
 
 Essays. — Emigration. 
 Intolerance. 
 Theory. 
 Origin and Progress of the Sciences. 
 
 360. ROBERT HUNTER. f Admitted, December l, 1801. 
 
 \ Dropt prom the Roll, Feb. 23, 1802. 
 
 361. WILLIAM LANG. ( Admitted, December 8, 1801. 
 
 \ Resigned, December 14, 1802. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1802. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1 SOT. 
 
230 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Essays. — The Representative System of Legislation. 
 Tlie Personal Privileges of the Subject. 
 
 362. WILLIAM MUIRHEAD HERRIES. 
 
 i 
 
 Admitted, December 8, 1801. 
 Extraordinary, December 4, 1804. 
 
 Afterwards of Spottes, in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1802. 
 
 Born, 1778-9. Died, 1823. 
 Essays. — Rise, Progress, and Decline of the Arts and 
 Sciences. 
 Imagination. 
 Crimes. 
 Charitable Institutions. 
 
 363. CHARLES GRANT. j Admiited, January 12, 1802. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, April 27, 1802. 
 
 Member of Parliament for the Inverness Burghs from 1807 
 to 1818, and for Inverness-shire from 1818 to 1835. In 
 183.5, created a Peer by the title of Lord Glenelg. He has 
 held the offices of Chief Secretary for Ireland, President of 
 the Board of Trade, President of the Board of Control, and 
 Secretary for the Colonies, and is a Member of the Privy 
 Council. 
 
 Essay. — Usefulness of the Study of Mythology. 
 
 364. ROBERT GRANT. ( admitted, January 12, 1 802. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, April 27, 1802. 
 
 Afterwards Sir Robert Grant, G.C.II. Brother of Lord Glenelg. 
 Called to the English Bar in 1807. In 1813 he published 
 two pamphlets, entitled, " The Expediency maintained of 
 continuing the System by which the Trade and Government 
 
 ' of India are now regulated ;" and " A Sketch of the History 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 231 
 
 of the East India Company from its Foundation to the Pass- 
 ing of the Regulation Act of 1773." In 182G, he was elected 
 Member of Parliament for the Inverness Burghs, and in 1 830, 
 for Norwich and Finsbury. In 1831, he became a Member 
 of the Privy Council, and a Commissioner of the Board of 
 Control. In 1832, he was appointed Judge- Advocate Gene- 
 ral, and in 1834, Governor of Bombay, which situation he 
 held till his death. A small volume of his Poems was pub- 
 lished in 1839. 
 
 Born, 1785. Died, 1838. 
 Essay. — Inquiiy whether Science originated in the Orien- 
 tal Countries. 
 
 j Admitted, January 26, 1802. 
 t Non- 
 
 365. GEORGE STRICKLAND. , 
 
 <on-Resident, November 20, 1804. 
 
 Afterwards Sir George Strickland, Baronet, of Boynton, York- 
 shire. Barrister-at-Law. A Deputy-Lieutenant of York- 
 shire. He was Member of Parliament for the Western Dis- 
 trict of Yorkshire, from 1831 to 1841, and now represents 
 the Borough of Preston. 
 
 Essays. — The Political and Commercial Advantages of 
 Egypt. 
 The Study of Mathematics. 
 Theoretical History of Property. 
 Population as connected with National Pros- 
 perity. 
 
 366. ROBERT KENNEDY. 
 
 I Admitted, March 9, 1802. 
 
 \ Died while an Ordinary Member. 
 
 Younger of Underwood. Was called to the Scottish Bar in 
 
 1804. 
 
 Born, 1783. Died, 1805. 
 
 From the notices of his death, which appeared in the Scots 
 
232 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Magazine and the London Monthly Magazine, it appears 
 that even at the early age of twenty-two, his talents, in- 
 dustry, and amiable manners, had attracted general atten- 
 tion. 
 Essays. — Intellectual Diversities of the Human Species. 
 Political Effects of Manufactures. 
 The Salt Laws. 
 
 367. ALEXANDER IRVINE. 
 
 f Admitted, November 30, 1802. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 3, 1805. 
 
 Afterwards Alexander Forbes Irvine of Schivas, Aberdeenshire. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1802. 
 
 Essays. — Disadvantages of Colonies. 
 
 Comparison of the Ancient Poets with those of 
 
 the Age of Chivalry. 
 
 Pastoral Poetry. 
 
 The Colonization of India. 
 
 Expediency of a Free Colonization of India. 
 
 The Commerce of India. 
 
 J Admitted, November 30, 1802. 
 (Ex 
 
 368. JOHN MILLER. 
 
 t Extraordinary, December 3, 1805. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1806. Afterwards a Barrister of 
 Lincoln's Inn, and a King's Counsel. Author of an Inquiry 
 into the present State of the Statute and Criminal Law of 
 England ; an Inquiry into the present State of the Civil Law 
 in England ; and of the articles on Chancery Reform, in the 
 Quarterly Review. 
 
 Born, 1783. Died, 1841. 
 Essays. — Life and Character of Cicero. 
 
 Some of the Consequences of the Invention of 
 Printing. 
 
 ^PPP 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 233 
 
 36.9. ANDREW MURRAY. 
 
 i Admitted, December 7, 1802. 
 
 I Extraordinary, December 10, 1805. 
 
 Afterwards of Murrayshall, Perthshire. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1803. Sheriff of Aberdeenshire. 
 Essays. — Distilleries. 
 
 Comparison of Ancient and Modern Manners. 
 Remarks on the History of the Constitution of 
 the Earth. 
 
 370. Dr. ALEXANDER HENDERSON. 
 
 ! AajMiTiED, December 21, 1802. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 20, 1804. 
 
 Afterwards of Caskieben, Aberdeenshire. Physician in Lon- 
 don. Honorary Secretary of the Horticultural Society of 
 London, and author of a History of Ancient and Modem 
 Wines. 
 Essays. — Progress of Inductive Philosophy. 
 
 Kirwan's Remarks on Hume's Philosophy. 
 
 371. HENRY REEVE. 
 
 i Admitted, December 21, 1802. 
 1 
 
 < Non-Resident, November 15, 1803. 
 
 Took the degree of Doctor of Medicine at the University of 
 Edinburgh in 1803. In his Thesis de Animalibus Hyeme 
 Sopitis, he announced his intention of farther studying the 
 subject, and accordingly he produced in 1809 his only pub- 
 lished work, an Essay on the Torpidity of Animals. He 
 practised as a physician at Norwich, and was one of the Phy- 
 sicians to the Lunatic Asylum, and other Institutions in that 
 place, and the chief Founder of the Philosophical Society of 
 Norwich. He was a Fellow of the Royal and London Socie- 
 ties. In 1811, he delivered a course of Lectures on the 
 Animal Economy, which William Taylor praises highly. 
 2 G 
 
234. 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Born, 1780. Died, 1814. 
 " Whether called on to pursue the chemical analysis of indigo, 
 or to detect the causes that colour shadows, or to defend the 
 prospects of the mountaineer against the citizen, he needed 
 no preparation. His colloquial facility, his various know- 
 ledge, his ready talent, never forsook him. No subject 
 seemed sufficiently examined in our disputations until the 
 light of Dr. Reeve's mind had shone and dwelt upon it ; and 
 it was a light equally the reverse of obscurity and of splen- 
 dour, neither flashy nor intermittent, which cleared up with- 
 out dazzling, day rather than sunshine, a steady serenity, 
 aiming less at effect than at elucidation. The correct taste of 
 Dr. Reeve seemed always aware how foreign to the purposes 
 of philosophy, is an ambitious and garish eloquence. His 
 object was much more to inform than to amuse, and he con- 
 stantly found some neglected side of the topic under notice, 
 which required to be explained by dilation, or corroborated 
 by additional argument, or illustrated by analogous facts — 
 which had perhaps escaped the very opener's research." 
 
 William Taylor of Norwich. 
 Essay. — The Epochs of Literature and Science. 
 
 372. WILLIAM WRIGHT. 
 
 ! Admitted, February 15, 1803. 
 
 NoN- Resident, March 26, 180.5. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Medicine. 
 
 Essays. — The rational Arguments for a Future State. 
 The Principles of Taste. 
 
 373. THOMAS ALLAN. f Admitted, February 15, 1803. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, February 21, 1804. 
 
 Aiterwards of Lauriston, Banker in Edinburgh. 
 
 Born, 1777. Died, 1833. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 235 
 
 Essays. — Probable Effects of the Union with Ireland upon 
 the Commercial Interests of that Country. 
 Paper Currency, with a View of its Success in 
 Britain, compared with other Countries. 
 
 374. FERDINAND WESTON. ( admitted, March 22, 1803. 
 
 i Non-Resident, February 21, 1804. 
 
 Studied Medicine at Edinburgh. 
 Essay. — Luxury. 
 
 375. PATRICK CLEGHORN. ( Admitted, December 13, ISnS. 
 
 ( Resigned, March G, 1804. 
 
 Called to the English Bar in 1810. Held the Office of Regis- 
 trar to the Supreme Court of Judicature at Madras, from 1816 
 till 1828, when he returned to Scotland. 
 Essay. — Abolition of Domestic Slavery. 
 
 376. HENRY HERBERT SOUTHEY. ( admitted, January 10, 1804. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, Nov. 24, 1807. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Medicine, and Physician in Loudon. He 
 was Physician in Ordinary to George the Fourth, and for 
 many years Physician to the Middlesex Hospital. Author 
 of Observations on Pulmonary Consumption. He is a bro- 
 ther of the late Poet Laureate. 
 Essays. — The Crusades. 
 
 Civilization of India. 
 
 377. WILLIAM DOUGLAS. f Admitted, February 28, 1804. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, March 17, 1807. 
 
 Afterwards of Almoness and Orchardton, in the Stewartry of 
 Kirkcudbright. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1806. Was 
 Member of Parliament for the Borough of Plympton. 
 Born, 1784. Died, 1821. 
 
236 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 {Admitted, November 27, 1804. 
 1 
 
 378. iENEAS MACBEAN. 
 
 I Extraordinary, December 8, 1807. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Essays. — Some of the Causes that retard the Progress of 
 
 Knowledge. 
 
 The Corn Laws. 
 
 379. 
 
 From Spain. 
 
 ESSAY.- 
 
 -Hope. 
 
 380. ROBERT GOOCH. 
 
 t Non-Resident, April 16, 1805. 
 
 j Admitted, November 27, 1804. 
 
 { Extraordinary, November 24, 1807. 
 
 He was a Native of Yarmouth, but studied Medicine at Edin- 
 burgh, where he graduated in 1807- In 1808, he began to 
 contribute to the London Medical Review. In 1812, he was 
 appointed Lecturer of Midwifery at St. Bartholomew's Hos- 
 pital, and continued to practise in London with great success 
 until his death. He wrote an Essay on the Contagious Na- 
 ture of Plague, and other articles in the Quarterly Review ; 
 and, in 1829, published a work on the Diseases peculiar to 
 Women, which Dr. Southey calls " the most valuable work 
 on that subject in any language." 
 
 Born, 1784. Died, 1830. 
 
 " During a short life embittered by almost constant illness, he 
 succeeded in attaining to great eminence in his profession, 
 and left behind him valuable contributions to medical know- 
 ledtre." Dr. Southey. 
 
 Essays. — Character of Peter the Great. 
 
 The Connexion between Pleasure and Pain. 
 
 m 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 
 
 237 
 
 f Admitted, November 27, 1804. 
 
 381. ARTHUR STRICKLAND. 
 
 ExTnAORDiNART, November 24, 1807. 
 
 A younger brother of Sir George Strickland, Baronet, of Boyn- 
 ton. He is well known to the cultivators of Natural His- 
 tory, by his researches in that branch of science. 
 Essays. — The Importance of Agriculture. 
 Poos Laws. 
 
 382. ANDREW SKENE. 
 
 ( Admitted, November 27, 1804. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 8, 1807. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1806. Appointed Solicitor- 
 General in 1834. 
 
 Born, 1784.. Died, 1835. 
 
 " Without the influence of higher official connexions, Mr. Skene 
 had made his way to the elevated position which he occupied 
 by the energy and perseverance of his own mind, the high 
 honour of his principles and conduct, and that conscientious 
 discharge of his duties, which distinguished him from the 
 commencement of his career to its abrupt and melancholy 
 close. His mind, remarkably lucid in its perceptions, and 
 logical in its habits of thought, rendered his apprehension 
 of legal principles equal, rapid, and just, while a strong vein 
 of practical good sense, tempering his acuteness, prevented 
 him from pushing abstract reasoning beyond its due bounds, 
 or aiming at the display of subtlety, where his object was to 
 produce conviction. * * * Mr. Skene carried into his 
 political many of the same qualities which were conspicuous 
 
 ' in his professional life ; the same high and punctilious sense 
 of honour, the same disregard of all interested views, and the 
 same straight-forwardness of conduct. * * * His talents, his 
 principles, the qualities of his head and heart, had no warmer 
 admirers than among the very party to whom in politics he 
 had been all his life opposed; and his elevation to the office 
 
238 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 of Solicitor- General, was cordially hailed by them as a tri- 
 bute equally just, whether paid to the well-earned reputation 
 of the advocate, the dignified consistency of the politician, or 
 the sterling qualities and virtues of the man. * * * Such 
 was the natural and ever-springing activity of his mind, that 
 even amidst a course of professional labour, under which or- 
 dinary minds would have sunk, he found time steadily to 
 pursue his classical studies, and to acquire a perfect acquaint- 
 ance with several of the modern languages. With even the 
 latest productions of English literature he was familiar ; his 
 sensibility to the beauties of poetry and art was lively and 
 just. It was a beautiful feature of his mind, too, that these 
 studies were pursued by him for no purpose of display, but 
 solely from the pleasure which they afforded, and from the 
 high standard which he had formed for himself as to the 
 character of the advocate, and the liberal and refined studies 
 by which it might be elevated and adorned. * * * Of 
 the kindness and benevolence of his private character, we 
 can hardly trust ourselves to speak. His disposition was 
 openness itself ; sensibility and warmth of heart were so in- 
 herent in his nature, that it seemed to be a positive pleasure 
 to him to confer a favour with whatever inconvenience and 
 trouble it might be attended." 
 
 George Moir, Esq., Advocate. 
 Essays. — The Study of the Roman Law. 
 
 The Internal Evidence of the Trojan War. 
 
 383. WILLIAM GUNNING CAMPBELL. 
 
 f Admitted, November 27, 1804. 
 
 \ Deopt from the Roll, December 9, 1806. 
 
 Afterwards of Fairfield, Ayrshire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1805. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 239 
 
 Essay. — Civil Liberty. 
 
 384. JOHN COLIN DUNLOP. J Admitted, November 27, 1804. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 8, 1807. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1807. Appointed Sheriff of Ren- 
 frewshire in 1816. Author of a History of Fiction, a His- 
 tory of Roman Literature, a History of Spain, and other 
 works. 
 
 Born, 1786. Died, 1843. 
 Essays. — Life and Character of Socrates. 
 
 Origin of Romantic Fiction in Europe. 
 
 385. JAMES MARSHALL. f Admitted, November 27, 1804. 
 
 ( Resigned, December 16, 1806. 
 
 Afterwards Secretary of the Provincial Bank of Ireland, Lon- 
 don. 
 
 Essay. — Origin and Prevention of Crimes. 
 
 386. SAMUEL BARBER. J Admitted, November 27, 1804. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 19, 1805. 
 
 387. JOHN "WILLIAM MACKIE. J Admitted, December 4, 1804. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, April 23, 1811. 
 
 Afterwards Student* of Christ Church, Oxford, and in orders 
 in the Church of England. 
 
 Essay. — The Luxury of the present age. 
 
 388. JOHN CAMPBELL COLQUHOUN. 
 
 j Admitted, December 11, 1804. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, December 22, 1807. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 806. Sheriff of Dumbartonshire. 
 Author of a work on Animal Magnetism. 
 
 * Equivalent to Fellow in the other Colleges. 
 
240 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Essay. — Progress of Political Improvement in Europe 
 during the Middle Ages. 
 
 389. LORD MAITLAND. j Admitted, December 18, 1804. 
 
 ( NoN- Resident, April 16, 1805. 
 
 Succeeded his father as ninth Earl of Lauderdale in 1839. 
 
 Essay. — The question of the expediency of Government 
 interfering in the Com Trade. 
 
 390. RODERICK M'LEOD. r Admitted, December 18, 1804. 
 
 ( ExiBAORDlNARY, January 15, 1808. 
 
 Younger of Cadboll. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1810. 
 Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Cromarty. Was Mem- 
 ber of Parliament for Nairn and Cromarty from 1818 till 
 1820, and of Sutherlandshire from 1831 till 1838. 
 Essays. — The Causes of the Aggrandizement of France. 
 Emigration from the Highlands, 
 
 391. HUGH MACKENZIE. ( Admitted, February 12, 1805. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 22, 1808. 
 
 Son of Henry Mackenzie, author of the Man of Feeling. 
 Afterwards called to the English Bar. 
 
 Born, 1783. Died, 1814. 
 
 Essay. — Patriotism. 
 
 392. HENRY FEARON. r Admitted, February 26, 1805. 
 
 I Resigned, December 17, 1805. 
 
 A Surgeon in the Coldstream Guards. After taking his degree 
 at Edinburgh, he practised as a Physician at Sunderland. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1816. 
 
 " A man whom no one could know without loving; cheerful 
 and liberal, full of knowledge, with a clear head and a warm 
 heart, free from every selfish feeling." Dr. Southey. 
 
 Essay. — The Character of Cicero. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 241 
 
 393. ROBERT GRAHAM. (Admitted, February 26, 1805. 
 
 -j Extraordinary, March 8, 1808. 
 ( HoNORART, December 13, 1814. 
 
 Afterwards of Redgorton. He succeeded to the estates of his 
 cousin Lord Lynedoch in 1844. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1805. He was for a short period, before the resignation of 
 Lord Melbourne in 1841, one of the Lords of the Treasury. 
 Essays. — Posthumous Fame. 
 
 The Causes why Men of Eminence have always 
 appeared in considerable numbers at one time. 
 Duelling. 
 
 394. EDMUND LOCKYER. ( Admitted, March S, 1805. 
 
 ") NoN- Resident, April 9, 1805. 
 
 Doctor of Medicine, and Fellow of the Linnean Society. Younger 
 of Plymouth, the family seat, Devonshire. He predeceased 
 his father. 
 
 Born, 1782. Died, 1816. 
 
 395. JOHN INGLIS.* j Admitted, March 5, 1805. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 20, 1808. 
 
 Afterwards of Redhall, Mid-Lothian. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1805. 
 
 Essays. — The Advantages of Insular Situation. 
 
 Effects of the Subdivision of Labour upon Na- 
 tional Character. 
 History. 
 
 396. THOMAS GILLESPIE. f Admitted, March 12, 1805. 
 
 ( Resigned, December 16, 1806. 
 
 Afterwards Do6tor of Laws. Was ordained Minister of Cults 
 in 1813, Appointed Assistant and Successor to Dr. John 
 Hunter, Professor of Humanity, St. Andrews, in 1825, and 
 became sole Professor on his death, in 1836. Author of a 
 
242 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 volume of Sermons, entitled, " The Seasons contemplated in 
 the Spirit of the Gospel," and of many contributions to per- 
 iodical publications. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1844. 
 
 Essay. — The Crusades. 
 
 397. JOHN ENNIS VIVIAN. f Admitted, March J 9, 1805. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, April 29, 1806. 
 
 Afterwards of Truro and Tregavethan, in the county of Corn- 
 wall. A Barrister, a Deputy-Lieutena t, and Magistrate 
 for the County. Has been for three successive Parliaments, 
 and now is Member of Parliament for Truro. 
 
 Essay. — The Advancement and Decline of Nations. 
 
 398. EDWARD LUCAS. f Admitted, March 19, 1805. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, April 29, 1806. 
 
 Afterwards of Castleshane, Monaghan. Represented the county 
 of Monaghan in Parliament, from 1834 to 1841. Under Se- 
 cretary of State for Ireland, and Raiger of the Phcenix Park. 
 Essay. — The Culture and Practice of Benevolence. 
 
 399. JAMES CAMPBELL. f Admitted, April 2, ISOS. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, April 12, 1808. 
 
 Afterwards of Craigie. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1805. 
 Essay. — The System of Defence which Britain ought to 
 adopt. 
 
 400. DAVID RAMSAY. J Admitted, April 9, 1805. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, April 19, 1808. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Bom, 1784. Died, 1828. 
 Essays. — Corporations. 
 
 Paper Currency. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 243 
 
 {i 
 
 Non-Resident, April 21, 1807. 
 Essays. — Macliiavelism. 
 
 The Utility of Classical Learning. 
 
 402. DUNCAN M'FARLANE. f Admitted, December 3, 1805. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 10, 1809. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1806. 
 
 Essays. — Remarks on the Philosophical Character of the 
 1 8th Century. 
 The Principle of Imitation. 
 Philosophical Character of the 18th Century. 
 
 403. HENRY BRIGHT. J Admitted, December 3, 1805. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 18, 1806. 
 
 Held a Fellowship of Peterhara College, Cambridge, for some 
 years. Was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1810, and 
 practised in the common law courts. He represented his 
 native city of Bristol in three Parliaments. 
 
 Essay. — The moral tendency of the Writings of Dr. 
 Samuel Johnson. 
 
 404. RICHARD RAYLEY. ( Admitted, December 17, 1805. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 18, 1806. 
 
 Called to the English Bar in 1806. Was a Fellow of Clare 
 Hall, Cambridge, but vacated his Fellowship by not taking 
 orders. 
 
 Essay. — The Commerce and Legislation of Grain. 
 
 405. JOHN VANS AGNEW. l AoMirrEO, December 24, 1805. 
 
 ( Resigned, November 22, 1808. 
 
 Afterwards of Barnbarroch and Sheuchan, Wigtonshire. 
 Bom, 1780. Died, 1825. 
 
244 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 406. WILLIAM AUGUSTUS CUNNINGHAME. 
 
 j Admitted, January 7, 1806. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 15, 1808. 
 
 Called to the English Bar, and practised on the Northern Cir- 
 cuit. 
 
 Born, 1788. Died, 1827. 
 Essays. — The comparative utility of Ancient and Modern 
 Language. 
 The Slave Trade. 
 
 407. JOHN GORDON. ( Admitted, January 28, 1806. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, February 3, 1807. 
 
 A Native of Dumfries. He was an excellent classical Scholar. 
 Born, 1781. Died, 1807. 
 EssAT. — The Causes which have contributed to form the 
 National Character of the Scotch Highlanders. 
 
 408. The Hon. "WILLIAM TEMPLE. J Admitted, February 4, 1806. 
 
 \ Non-Kesident, Nov. 18, 1806. 
 
 Brother and presumptive heir of Viscount Palmerston. Minis- 
 ter Plenipotentiary at the Court of Naples. 
 
 Essay. — The Causes that favour the prosperity of the Fine 
 Arts. 
 
 409. WILLIAM BRODIE. J Admitted, February 4, 1806. 
 
 ( ExTRAORDiNABY, February 14, 1809. 
 
 Afterwards of Milton, Morayshire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1810. 
 
 Essays. — The beauties of Poetry. 
 
 The love of Literature and Science. 
 
 410. JOSEPH MURRAY. ( admitted, February 4, 1806. 
 
 ( Resigned, February 3, 1807. 
 
 Afterwards of Aiton, Perthshire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 245 
 
 in 1808. Principal Clerk of the Jury Court. Author of 
 Reports of Cases in the Jury Court from 1815 to 1830. 
 Essay. — Influence of the Passions on the Judgment. 
 
 411. ARTHUR CLIFFORD. f Admitted, February 18, 1806. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, March 25, 1806. 
 
 A younger son of the Honourable Thomas Clifibrd of Tixall, 
 Stafibrdshire. He published a Collection of the State Papers 
 of Sir Ralph Sadler, Tixall Poetry with Notes and Illustra- 
 tions, several works connected with the Parish of Tixall and 
 the family of Clifford, and other Essays and Poems. 
 Born, 1777. Died, 1830. 
 
 412. DOMINICK BROWNE. j Admitted, February 25, 1806. 
 
 { Non-Resident, November 18, 1806. 
 
 Afterwards Baron Oranmore and Browne, of Carra Browne 
 Castle, in the County of the Town of Galway, and of Castle 
 Macgarrett, County of Mayo, in the Peerage of Ireland. 
 Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Mayo, which he repre- 
 sented in Parliament from 1813 to 1835, with the exception 
 of the Parliament of 1826. Raised to the Peerage in 1836. 
 A Privy Councillor in Ireland. 
 Essay. — The Spirit of Party. 
 
 413. HENRY EDGEWORTH. ( Admitted, March 18, 1806. 
 
 \ Non-Resident, November 18, 1806. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Medicine and a Physician at Clifton. A 
 brother of the celebrated Miss Edgeworth. 
 Born, 1782. Died, 1813. 
 Essay. — The Telegraphic Art. 
 
246 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 414. TIMOTHY BROWN. 
 
 EssAT. — The Utility of Chemistry. 
 
 415. ELTON HAMOND. 
 
 Born, 1786. Died, 1820 
 
 j Admitted, November 25, 1806. 
 ( NoN- Resident, March 18, 1807. 
 
 i Admitted, November 25, 1806. 
 Resigned, March 17, 1807. 
 
 416. HENRY HOME DRUMMOND. 
 
 I Admitted, November 25, 1806. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 28, 1809. 
 
 Afterwards of Blair Drummond, Perthshire. Called to tlie Scot- 
 tish Bar in 1808. Represented Stirlingshire in Parliament 
 from 1821 to 1831, and since 1841 has represented the 
 County of Perth. 
 
 Essays. — The Weakness of Human Reason. 
 The Perfectibility of Man. 
 
 417. THOMAS KNOX. 
 
 I Admitted, November 25, 1806. 
 I Non-Resident, January 24, 1809. 
 
 Afterwards Earl of Ranfurly, Viscount Northland, and Baron 
 Wells, of Dungannon, County of Tyrone, in the Peerage of 
 Ireland. Baron Ranfurly, of Ramphorlie, County of Ren- 
 frew, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. Represented 
 Dungannon in Parliament in 1837-8. Succeeded his father 
 in 1840. 
 
 Essay. — The Perfectibility of Man. 
 
 418. WILLIAM MOUETT. 
 
 I Admitted, November 25, 1806. 
 
 I Dropt from the Roll, April 24, 1809. 
 
 Afterwards of Garth. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 807. 
 Born, 1785. Died, 1836. 
 Essays. — The Effects of exclusive trading privileges upon 
 Commerce. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 247 
 
 Usury. 
 
 The Character of William III. 
 
 419. JAMES WILSON. 
 
 ; Admitted, November 25, 1806. 
 [ Extraordinary, February 6, 1810. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1807, and to the English Bar in 
 1829. He conducted, along with Mr. Shaw, Reports of 
 Appeal Cases in the House of Lords from 182,5 to 1834. 
 He is now Judge and First President of the Supreme Court 
 at the Mauritius. 
 
 Essays. — Permissive Laws. 
 
 The difficulty of finding a Subject for an Essay. 
 
 420. DUNCAN MATHESON. 
 
 f Admitted, December 2, 1806. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 5, 1809. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1808. Sheriif-Substitute for 
 
 Leith. 
 
 Bom, 1786. Died, 1838. 
 
 Essays. — Enquiry into the Expediency of an exclusive 
 
 Established Religion. 
 
 421. STEPHEN GEARY WILKES. 
 
 ( Admitted, December 2, 1806. 
 ( Expelled, March 3, 1807. 
 
 Physician in Sydney, New South Wales. 
 
 Essay. — The Pleasure which the Mind receives from con- 
 templating Objects of Distress. 
 
 422. GEORGE BLAMIRE. 
 
 I Adhitteo, December 2, 1806. 
 
 I Non-Rbsident, November 17, 1807. 
 
 423. JOHN DONALDSON. 
 
 I Admitted, December 16, 1806. 
 ( Extraordinary, January 9, 1810. 
 
 Afterwards of Auchaime, Ayrshire. Writer to the Signet. He 
 
248 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 took the degree of Master of Arts at the University of Glas- 
 gow, in 1801. 
 
 Essays. — Account of the Stoical System concerning the 
 summum bonum. 
 Illustration of the Arguments derived from Rea- 
 son in support of the Immortality of the Soul. 
 
 4.24.. WILLIAM HORNE. I Admitted, December 23, 1806. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 16, 1810. 
 
 Afterwards of Stirkoke, Caithness-shire. Called to the Scottish 
 
 Bar in 1806. Sheriff of Haddingtonshire. 
 
 Essays. — Suicide. 
 
 The policy of renewing the Charter of the East 
 
 India Company. 
 
 Popular Instruction. 
 
 425. ROBERT JAMESON. ( Admitted, January 6, 1807. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 16, 1810. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1808. 
 
 Born, 1784. Died, 1834. 
 Essay. — The Influence of Society in restraining the Passions. 
 
 " It is a remarkable coincidence that the Bar of Scotland, after 
 suffering a similar loss so recently before, has thus been de- 
 prived of another of its greatest ornaments, cut off in the prime 
 of life, and in the height of professional exertion and fame. 
 Mr. Jameson and Mr. Skene were contemporaries, attached 
 friends, and generous rivals, without a single feeling of jea- 
 lousy; and though rather equal than similar in their talents 
 and dispositions, they strongly resembled each other in the 
 possession of the most distinguished qualities that could cha- 
 racterise their profession. In these two esteemed and highly- 
 gifted, men, the public have to regret the most assiduous, 
 skilful, and conscientious advocates that have perhaps ever 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 249 
 
 been produced at the same period ; and their brethren at the 
 Bar have lost the best guides to professional learning and 
 success, and the brightest examples of professional integrity 
 and honour." Charles Neaves, Esq. Advocate. 
 
 I Admitted, January 6, 1807. 
 1l 
 
 426. JAMES WEDDERBURN. 
 
 1 ExTKAORDiNART, January 16, 1810. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1803. Appointed Solicitor-Gene- 
 ral of Scotland in 1816. 
 
 Born, 1782. Died, 1822. 
 Essay. — Remarks on the Criticism on the Life and Writ- 
 ings of Dr. Reid contained in the Edinburgh 
 Review. 
 
 427. CHARLES GORDON URQUHART. 
 
 I Admitted, February 3, 1807. 
 
 I Dbopt from the Roll, Feb. 28, 1809. 
 
 Younger of Braelangwell, Cromartyshire. He studied for the 
 Scottish Bar, but eventually entered the Greek Military Ser- 
 vice, in which he continued till his death at about the age of 
 thirty. 
 
 Essay. — Patriotism. 
 
 428. JAMES ALLAN MACONOCHIE. 
 
 f Admitted, March 10, 1807. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, March 13, 1810. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1813. Sheriff of Orkney. 
 
 Essays. — Origin of Natural Religion. 
 
 Philosophical Necessity. 
 
 429. CHARLES KNOWLES ROBISON. 
 
 1 Admitted, March 17, 1807. 
 
 j ExTRAORDiNAbT, March 27, 1810. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. One of the Magistrates of 
 
 Calcutta. 
 
 2i 
 
250 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Essays.' — The Liberty of the Press. 
 Duelling. 
 
 430. SAMUEL BARRETT MOULTON BARRETT. 
 
 ( Adjiitted, April 21, 1807. 
 
 j Non-Resident, February 6, 1810. 
 
 Afterwards of Carlton Hall, Yorkshire, and subsequently of 
 
 Cinnamon Hill, Jamaica. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1837. 
 
 EssAT. — Patriotism. 
 
 431. JOHN BORTHWICK. J Admitted, April 27, 1807. 
 
 { Extraordinary, November 27, 1810. 
 
 Afterwards of Crookston. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1810. 
 Author of a Treatise on the Law of Libel and Slander, and 
 other legal works. 
 
 Essays. — The Balance of Power. 
 Education. 
 
 432. JOHN MILLER. I Admitted, April 27, 1807. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 4, 1810. 
 
 Afterwards of StewaTtfield, Roxburghshire. 
 Essays. — The Demon of Socrates. 
 The Three Unities. 
 The Character of Cicero. 
 
 433. Sir GEORGE CLERK, Bart., of Pennycuick. 
 
 f Admitted, November 24, 1807. 
 
 < Extraordinary, December 11, 1810. 
 
 ( Honorary, December 13, 1814. 
 
 A Lord of the Admiralty from 1819 to 1830, with the excep- 
 tion of a short interval. Secretary to the Treasury during 
 Sir Robert Peel's administration in 1834-5, and since 1841. 
 Member of Parliament for the county of Edinburgh, for many 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 251 
 
 years previous to 1832, from 1835 to ]837, and since 1838, 
 for tlie borough of Stamford. 
 
 Essays. — Comparative Merits of Sculpture, Painting, and 
 Poetry. 
 Origin and Progress of the Arts and Sciences. 
 
 434, THOMAS FRANCIS KENNEDY. 
 
 {Admitted, December 8, 1807. 
 Extraordinary, December 18, 1810. 
 
 Afterwards of Dunure, Ayrshire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1811. Lately Member of Parliament for the Ayr Burghs. 
 A Privy Councillor in Ireland. Paymaster of Civil Services 
 in the Treasury-Office in Ireland. 
 Essays. — On Value. 
 On Party. 
 " It was he who introduced, and in reality, though not in form, 
 carried the bill for depriving the presiding judge in criminal 
 trials in Scotland, of the old and intolerable power of pack- 
 ing the jury, and for making them be chosen by ballot, cor- 
 rected by the peremptory challenge — ^by far the greatest 
 modern improvement in the practice of Scotch penal justice." 
 
 Lord Cockburn. 
 
 , f Admit 
 ■j Non-Reside.nt, March 28, 1809. 
 
 Afterwards of Cannon Hall, Yorkshire. His family is a branch 
 
 of the noble House of Chesterfield. Fellow of the Royal 
 
 Society of London, and corresponding Member of the Royal 
 
 Institute of France. Author of Topography illustrative of the 
 
 Battle of Platsea and Olympia, or Topography illustrative of 
 
 the Ancient State of the Plain of Olympia, and of the Ruins 
 
 of the City of Elis. 
 
262 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 436. BENJAMIN HEYWOOD BRIGHT. 
 
 {Admitted, December 15, 1807. 
 Non-Resident, November 15, 1808. 
 
 Afterwards called to the Chancery Bar. Mr. Bright was an ar- 
 dent cultivator of literature, particularly of old English Poetry. 
 Born, 1787-8. Died, 1843. 
 Essay. — The Art of Plagiarism. 
 
 437. ROBERT NEWBIGGING. f admitted, December 15, 1807. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 11, 1810. 
 
 Afterwards Robert Newbigging Cairncross. Called to the Scot- 
 tish Bar in 1807- 
 
 Essays. — The Abuse of the Imagination. 
 Property. 
 
 438. ROBERT W. RUTHERFORD, f Admitted, December 22, 1807. 
 
 I Non-Resident, April 6, 1808. 
 
 From the United States of America. 
 
 Essay. — Effects which Moral and Physical Causes have 
 on the Mind. 
 
 439. ROBERT PRICE. j Admitted, December 22, 1807. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, April 26, 1808. 
 
 Afterwards Sir Robert Price, Baronet, of Foxley, Herefordshire. 
 He Represented the County of Hereford in Parliament from 
 1818 to 1841, and is a Deputy-Lieutenant of that County. 
 Essay. — Public Education. 
 
 440. ROBERT SHAPLAND CAREW. 
 
 J Admitted, January 12, 1808. 
 ( Non-Resident, March 15, 1808. 
 
 Afterwards of Castleboro', County of Wexford. He was Mem- 
 ber of Parliament for the county of Wexford from 1812 to 
 1834, when he was created Baron Carew in Ireland. In 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 253 
 
 1838, he was created Baron Carew of the United Kingdom. 
 Lord Lieutenant of the county of Wexford. 
 
 441. JOHN HAY. I Admitted, February 16, 1808. 
 
 I ExTRAORDlNART, February 19, 1811. 
 
 Afterwards Sir John Hay of Smithfield and Haystoun, Baronet. 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1810. Member of Parliament 
 for Peebles-shire. 
 
 Bom, 1788. Died, 1838. 
 Essay. — The History of the Arabs of Spain. 
 
 442. JOHN NICOLAS FAZAKERLY. 
 
 {Admitted, March 22, 1808. 
 Non-Resident, April 9, 1808. 
 
 Afterwards of Stoodley, Devonshire. Member of Parliament 
 for Great Grimsby in 1818, for Lincoln in 1826, and for 
 Peterborough from 1830 to 1841. 
 
 " He is a very agreeable man, and has travelled more than 
 anybody of his age, having been, like the Spectator, to Grand 
 Cairo, to take the measure of a pyramid ; besides being a 
 great deal in Spain and Italy, he was of the party that some 
 years ago visited the Grecian Islands, and spent a winter at 
 Athens. With all this he has excellent and moderate opi- 
 nions in politics, such as become the descendant of a Whig 
 lawyer." Francis Horner. 
 
 443. JAMES ERSKINE. j Admitted, March 22, 1808. 
 
 I Dropt from the Roll, Feb. 6, 1810. 
 
 Afterwards of Aberdona. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1808. 
 Essays. — National Prejudices. 
 A General Peace. 
 
254 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 444. ALEXANDER MAITLAND. J Admitted, March 29, 1808. 
 
 1 Resigned, January 17, 1809. 
 
 Afterwards Alexander Maitland Gibson, younger of Clifton- 
 hall. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1810. 
 Bom, 1787. Died, 1828. 
 Essay. — Emigration. 
 
 i Admitted, April 5, 1808. 
 
 445. PATRICK TENNENT. 
 
 [ Extraordinary, December 18, 1810. 
 
 Afterwards "Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Essays. — The Circulating Medium. 
 
 The Use and Credibility of History. 
 
 44C. ALEXANDER GREENHILL. j Admitted, April 26, 1808. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, Feb. 18, 1812. 
 
 Afterwards of Fearn. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1810. 
 
 Born, 1788. Died, 1832. 
 
 Essays. — Capital. 
 
 Conquest. 
 
 The Wages of Labour. 
 
 447. DAVID BAILLIE. I Admitted, November 22, 1808. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 14, 1809. 
 
 Afterwards of Hill Park, Seven Oakes, Kent. Merchant in 
 London, and Fellow of the Royal Society. 
 
 448. MARTIN SANDYS WALL, j Admitted, November 29, 1808. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 13, 1810. 
 
 Afterwards the Reverend Martin Sandys Wall, M. A., Student* 
 
 of Christ's Church, Oxford. His father, the late Dr. Martin 
 
 Wall of Oxford, was the author of numerous wel 1-known works. 
 
 * Vide note on p. 23. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 255 
 
 Essay. — The Influence of Monarchical and Free Govern- 
 ment upon the Intellectual and Moral Cha- 
 racter. 
 
 ( Admitted, November 29, 1808. 
 
 449. JAMES WALKER. 
 
 Extraordinary, December 3, 1811. 
 
 Afterwards of Dairy, Mid-Lothian. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in T811. Appointed SheriiF of Wigtonshire in 1820, which 
 office he resigned on being appointed one of the Principal 
 Clerks of Session in 1843. 
 
 Essays. — The Summum Bonum. 
 The Balance of Power. 
 
   {■ 
 
 \ Non-Resident, Nov. 13, 1810. 
 
 A younger Brother of Sir George Strickland, Baronet, of Boyn - 
 ton. Called to the English Bar, and practised his profession 
 chiefly on the Northern Circuit. He was author of a work 
 on the Law of Evidence. 
 
 Born, 1789. Died, 1840. 
 Essay. — The Prerogative of the Crown under the House 
 of Tudor. 
 
 451. CHARLES SINCLAIR CULLEN. 
 
 j Admitted, November 29, 1808. 
 \ Non-Resident, April 3, 1810. 
 
 Afterwards called to the English Bar. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1830. 
 
 Essay. — The Love of Fame. 
 
 452. ROBERT PEARSE GILLIES. ( Admitted, December 6, 1808. 
 
 \ Non-Resident, Nov. 19, 1811. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1812. Formerly of Balmakewan. 
 Author of Childe Alarique, and other poems. Translator of 
 
256 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 various works from the German, and for some time Editor of 
 the Foreign Quarterly Review. 
 Essay. — The Poetical Character. 
 
 453. WILLIAM BELL. 
 
 ( Admitted, January 17, 1809. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 18, 1812. 
 
 Afterwards "Writer to the Signet. 
 454. CHARLES SNEYD EDGEWORTH. 
 
 1 Admitted, January 24, 1809. 
 Non-Resident, November 14, 1809. 
 
 Afterwards of Edgeworthstown, County of Longford. Author 
 of Memoirs of the Abbe Edgeworth. A brother of the cele- 
 brated Miss Edgeworth. 
 
 455. GEORGE TRAILL. 
 
 j Admitted, February 21, 1809. 
 ( Resig.ned, January 22, 1811. 
 
 Afterwards of Ratter, Caithness. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1811. He was Member of Parliament for Orkney and 
 Shetland from 1830 till 1835, and now represents the county 
 of Caithness. 
 
 456. HENRY FOX. J Admitted, March 7, 1809. 
 
 { Non-Resident, November 13, 1810. 
 
 Essay. — The Causes of Variety in the Human Species. 
 
 457. GEORGE HENRY AMES, j Admitted, March 14, 1809. 
 
 \ Non-Resident, March 21, 1809. 
 
 Afterwards Banker in Bristol. 
 
 458. ANDREW RUTHERFURD. j Admitted, March 21, 1809. 
 
 j Extraordinary, February 25, 1812. 
 
 Afterwards of Lauriston, Mid-Lothian. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1812. Member of Parliament for the Leith District 
 of Burghs. Solicitor-General of Scotland from 1 837 to 1 839, 
 
 ' and Lord Advocate from 1 839 to 1841. Elected Lord Rector 
 of the University of Glasgow in 1844. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 
 
 257 
 
 Essays. — Some of the Causes of the Decline of the Roman 
 Republic. 
 Ecclesiastical Establishments. 
 
 459. The Hon. FREDERICK WILLIAM MACKENZIE. 
 
 j Admitted, March 28, 1809. 
 1 Non-Resident, April 11, 1809. 
 
 Eldest surviving son of Lord Seaforth. Member of Parliament 
 for the County of Ross. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1814. 
 
 460. THOMAS CORRIE. 
 
 j Admitted, March 28, 1809. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 1, 1812. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1811. Afterwards Writer to the 
 Signet. Manager of the British Linen Company. 
 Essays. — Duelling. 
 
 The Sacrifices of the Ancients. 
 
 The Character of Henry IV. of France. 
 
 461. SYDNEY SHORE. 
 
 ( Admitted, March 28, 1809. 
 ( Non-Resident, April 10, 1810. 
 
 Essay. — Criminal Law. 
 
 462. FREDERICK PIGOU. 
 
 ( Admitted, November 28, 1809. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 13, 1810. 
 
 463. CORNWALLIS HEWETT. j Admitted, November 28, 1809. 
 
 \ Dropt from the Roll, Jan. 8, 1811. 
 
 He practised as a Physician in London, and was appointed one 
 of the Metropolitan Commissioners of Lunacy in 1839. 
 
 464. LORD CALTHORPE. 
 
 Admitted, December 5, 1809. 
 Non-Resident, November 13, 1810. 
 
 Third Baron Calthorpe of Calthorpe, in the County of Norfolk. 
 Succeeded his brother in 1807- 
 2 K 
 
258 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 465. The Hon. FRED'' SYLVESTER NORTH DOUGLAS. 
 
 ( Admitted, December 5, 1809. 
 I NoN- Resident, February 27, 1810. 
 
 Only son of Sylvester Douglas, Lord Glenbervie. Member 
 of Parliament for Banbury. He was author of several able 
 articles in the Edinburgh Review, and of a valuable work 
 entitled " Certain points of resemblance between the Ancient 
 and Modern Greeks," derived from the observations made 
 during his travels in Greece. 
 
 Born, 1791. Died, 1819. 
 
 " The death of this gentleman has excited more than common 
 interest. Indefatigable in his attention to public business, 
 he brought to the consideration of every subject a clear, vigor- 
 ous, and active understanding, a copious fund of information, 
 the spirit and the tact of a man of business. He had devot- 
 ed at an early age all his faculties to public life, and in the 
 opinion of the most judicious among his contemporaries, he 
 would have attained the highest distinctions of Parliament 
 and of the State. As a classical and a general scholar, 
 greatly accomplished in languages and letters, few were his 
 superiors ; but it is for his friends alone to speak with justice 
 of his social merits. Inheriting with the name the humour 
 of Lord North, the characteristic humour of his family, which 
 appeared to be rather the effusion of playful spirits and of 
 social enjoyment than the effort of wit, and being free from 
 spleen or vanity, he was incapable of inflicting pain, and en- 
 livened every society by his presence. He was a cheerful 
 and agreeable companion, a warm and generous friend, and a 
 kind and affectionate son." Gentleman's Magazine. 
 
 466. HENRY WEBSTER. | Admitted, December 12, 1809. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, April 17, 1810. 
 
 Afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Henry Vassall Webster, 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. . 259 
 
 Knight Bachelor. He served in Portugal, Spain, Holland, 
 Belgium, and France. Was nominated a Knight of Wilhelm 
 of the Netherlands in 1815. Knight-Commander of the Tower 
 and Sword of Portugal in 1832, and of St. Bento d'Avis in 
 1835. He received a medal for Waterloo, having been at 
 that memorable engagement aide-de-camp to the Prince of 
 Orange. 
 
 467. DAVID ANDERSON. I Admitted, Januarj- 9, 1810. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 19, 1811. 
 
 Afterwards David Anderson Blair. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1811. Subsequently in the Civil Service, Ceylon. 
 Essay. — Friendship. 
 
 468. GEORGE FORBES. J Admitted, January 23, 1 81 0. 
 
 ( Non-Rbsident, February 4, 1812. 
 
 Youngest son of Sir William Forbes, Baronet, of Pitsligo. In 
 1815, Mr. Forbes became a partner of the firm of Sir Wil- 
 liam Forbes, James Hunter, and Company, bankers. On the 
 junction of that firm with the Glasgow Union Bank, under 
 the name of the Union Bank of Scotland, Mr. Forbes became 
 a Managing Director of the Institution. 
 Essays. — On Reviews. 
 On Memory. 
 
 469. THOMAS MAITLAND. ( Admitted, January 23, 1810. 
 
 f Extbaokdinabt, January 19, 1813. 
 
 Afterwards of Dundrennan, in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1813. Solicitor-General for 
 Scotland, under Lord Melbourne's administration in 1840-1. 
 Essays. — The comparative Merits of Herodotus and Thu- 
 cydides. 
 Ancient and Modern Drama. 
 
260 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Connexion between Slavery and Civilization. 
 Eloquence of the Greeks. (Introductory.) 
 The Character of Mahomet. 
 The African Standard of Beauty and Virtue. 
 
 470. RICHARD BRIGHT. 
 
 J Admitted, January 23, 1810. 
 j Resigned, February 9, 1813. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Medicine, London, Lecturer at Guy's 
 Hospital, and one of the Physicians Extraordinary to the 
 Queen. He travelled in Iceland with Sir George Mackenzie, 
 and wrote an account of the Zoology and Botany of the 
 Island. He published Travels in Hungary, in 1818 ; in 
 1827, a volume of Reports of Medical Cases, which has been 
 called " one of the most valuable contributions to morbid 
 anatomy which the country has ever produced." * And in 
 1831, another volume of Reports on Diseases of the Brain 
 and Nervous System, besides contributing many papers to the 
 Transactions of the Medico-Chirurgical Society. 
 Essay. — Domestic Happiness. 
 
 471. GEORGE AUGUSTUS CUNNINGHAME. 
 
 ( Admitted, February 13, 1810. 
 
 I Extraordinary, February 9, 1813. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1812. Afterwards in the Army. 
 
 Essays. — Sketch of Republican and Imperial Rome. 
 
 The Influence of Philosophy on the Fine Arts. 
 
 Russian Commerce. 
 
 472. The Hon. CHARLES STOURTON. 
 
 j Admitted, March 6, 1810. 
 
 { Non-Resident, November 13, 1810. 
 
 Third Son of the sixteenth Baron Stourton. Assumed in 1815 
 
 * Pettigrew's Medical Portraits. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 261 
 
 the surname of Langdale, on succeeding to the estate of 
 Houghton, Yorkshire, the property of his cousin. Repre- 
 sented the Borough of Beverley in Parliament during Ses- 
 sions 1834-5, and Knaresborough from J 838 to 1841. 
 
 473. THOMAS CHARLES HORNYOLD. 
 
 {Admitted, April 3, 1810. 
 Non-Resident, November 13, 1810. 
 
 Afterwards of Blackmore Park and Hanley Castle, Worcester- 
 shire. He is a Magistrate and Deputy-Lieutenant of that 
 County. 
 
 474. HENRY PORTER. ( Admitted, April 10, 1810. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, April 9, 1811. 
 
 Afterwards of Winslade, Devonshire. 
 
 Essay. — The advantage which Greece derived from the 
 Olympic Games. 
 
 475. LORD JOHN RUSSELL. f Admitted, April 24, 1810. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 17, 1812. 
 
 One of the Representatives of the City of London in Parliament. 
 Author of an Essay on the History of the English Constitution ; 
 Don Carlos, a Tragedy ; Life of William Lord Russell, and 
 Memoirs of the Affairs of Europe from the Peace of Utrecht. 
 Lord John was a Member of Earl Grey's administration, and 
 introduced the Reform Bill into the House of Commons in 
 1831. Was Paymaster of the Forces from 1830 to 1834. 
 Secretary of State for the Home Department, under Lord 
 Melbourne's administration, from 1835 to 1839, and for the 
 Colonies from 1839 to 1841. 
 
 " Lord John Russell has that degree of imagination which, 
 though evinced rather in sentiment than in expression, still 
 enables him to generalize from the details of his reading and 
 
262 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 experience, and to take those comprehensive views which, 
 however easily depreciated by ordinary men in an age of 
 routine, are indispensable to a statesman in the conjunctures 
 in which we live. He understands therefore his position, 
 and he has the moral intrepidity which prompts him ever to 
 dare that which his intellect assures him is politic. He is 
 consequently at the same time sagacious and bold in council. 
 As an administrator he is prompt and indefatigable. He is 
 not a natural orator, and labours under physical difficulties, 
 which even a Demosthenic impulse could scarcely overcome. 
 But he is experienced in debate ; quick in reply, fertile in 
 resource, takes large views, and frequently compensates for 
 a dry and hesitating manner by the expression of those 
 noble truths that flash across the fancy, and rise spontane- 
 ously to the lips of men of poetic temperament when address- 
 ing popular assemblies. If we add to this a private life of 
 dignified repute, the accidents of his birth and rank, which 
 can never be severed from a man, the scion of a great his- 
 toric family, and born, as it were, to the hereditary service 
 of the State, it is difficult to ascertain at what period, or un- 
 der what circumstances, the Whig party have ever possessed 
 or could obtain a more efficient leader." D'Israeli. 
 
 Essays. — The Proceedings of the Cortes of Spain from 
 24.th September to 15th November 1810. 
 The Beauty of the Material World. 
 
 476. LORD KILLEEN. i admitted, April 24, 1810. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, April 16, 1811. 
 
 In 1836, succeeded his Father as ninth Earl of Fingall. His 
 Lordship is a Privy Counsellor in Ireland, and a Visitor and 
 Trustee of Maynooth College. 
 
 Essay. — The Diflference between the Moral Character in 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 263 
 
 a State of Civilization and that in a State of 
 Barbarism. 
 
 477. JOHN DONELLAN. j Admitted, November 20, 1810. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, April 16, 1811. 
 
 Afterwards of Bally-Donellan, County of Galway. He died 
 several years ago. 
 
 Essay. — The advantages derived from the Art of Printing. 
 
 478. MARRIOTT CHADWICK WALKER AYTOUN. 
 
 {Admitted, November 20, 1810. 
 Extraordinary, March 28, 1820. 
 
 Afterwards of Purin, Fifeshire. Captain in the Royal Artillery. 
 
 479. JAMES GRAHAME. r Admitted, November 20, 1810. 
 
 \ Resigned, December 15, 1812. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1812. Author of a History of 
 the Rise and Progress of the United States of North Ame- 
 rica, and a work on Population. 
 
 Bom, 1790. Died, 1842. 
 Essays. — Capital Punishments. 
 The Exclusion Bill. 
 
 480. JOHN TAAFFE. ( Admitted, November 20, I8IO. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, February 18, 1812. 
 
 Younger of Smarmore Castle, County of Lowth. 
 
 Essay. — On the Public Character of Cromwell. 
 
 481. JAMES BELL. - j Admitted, November 20, I8IO. 
 
 ( Resigned, April 2, 1811. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1809. 
 
 Born, 1783. Died, 1826. 
 Essays. — The Opinions which have prevailed regarding 
 the true Foundation of Legitimate Govern- 
 ment. 
 
264 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Application of the Property Tax to Foreign 
 Property in the British Funds. 
 
 482. SAMUEL M'CORMICK. \ Admitted, November 27, 1810. 
 
 \ Resigned, February 9, 1813. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1811. Appointed Sheriff of Bute- 
 shire in 1818. 
 
 Born, 1787. Died, 1834. 
 Essays. — Influence of Moral and Physical Causes on the 
 Character and Condition of Nations. 
 The Means of Civilizing India. 
 War. 
 
 483. DONALD MACINTOSH. i Admitted, November 27, 1810. 
 
 j Extraordinary, January 28, 1812. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1833. 
 
 EssAT. — The pernicious Tendency of Novels and Ro- 
 mances. 
 
 484. HENRY STEWART VANS. J Admitted, November 27, 1810. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 16, 1813. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 18 1 1. 
 
 Essays. — The comparative Degrees of Encouragement 
 afforded to Luxury by the different Govern- 
 ments with which we are acquainted. 
 Thoughts on the Origin of our Constitution, and 
 
 the Use of the House of Commons. 
 Luxury. 
 
 485. STEPHEN TEMPEST. r Admitted, December 4, ISIO. 
 
 ) Rbsiqmed, January 7, 1812. 
 
 Younger of Broughton Hall, Yorkshire. 
 
 Born, 1790. Died, 1822. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 265 
 
 Essay. — Moral Certainty. 
 
 486. JOHN FITZHERBERT RUXTON. 
 
 j Admitted, December 11, 1810. 
 ( Non-Resident, April 16, 1811. 
 
 Afterwards of Ardeo House, in the County of Lowth, and of 
 
 Shercock, in the County of Cavan. 
 
 Born, 1790. Died, 1826. 
 
 Essay. — The present Political Aspect of Europe. 
 
 487. JOHN FARQUHAR FRAZER.j Admitted, December 11, 1810. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, Feb. 11, 1812. 
 
 Afterwards Barrister-at-Law. He edited an edition of Coke 
 upon Littleton. 
 
 Essay. — Origin of the Moral Sense. 
 
 488. JOSEPH ROBLEY. ( Admitted, December 18, 1810. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 19, 1811. 
 
 Afterwards Merchant in Glasgow. 
 
 Born, 1788. Died, 1832. 
 Essay. — Condemnation. 
 
 489. JOHN WILSON. j Admitted, January 15, 1811. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, January 21, 1817. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1815. Appointed Professor of 
 Moral Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh in 1820. 
 Author of the Isle of Palms, the City of the Plague, and 
 other Poems, of Lights and Shadows of Scottish Life, and 
 of the Trials of Margaret Lyndesay. He wrote the greater 
 part of that very remarkable series of papers, the Noctes Am- 
 brosianaa, which have lately been reprinted in a separate form 
 in America ; and many other articles in Blackwood's Maga- 
 zine, a selection of which were recently published in three 
 volumes, with the title of " Recreations of Christopher North." 
 
 " We need say little, we presume, of the imaginary personage 
 
 2 L 
 
266 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 who claims their authorship, (Recreations of Christopher 
 North) except that, notwithstanding the palpably incon- 
 gruous assemblage of qualities with which he is invested, 
 such are the vivacity and picturesque truth with which his 
 sayings and doings have been here depicted, that few crea- 
 tures of the imagination have succeeded in impressing their 
 image on the public with more distinctness of protraiture, 
 or a stronger sense of reality. Few, indeed, find any diffi- 
 culty in calling up before the mind's eye, with nearly the 
 same vividness as that of an ordinary acquaintance, the image 
 of this venerable JEHdolon — who unites the fire of youth with 
 the wisdom of age, retains an equal interest in poetry, philo- 
 sophy, pugilism, and political economy — in short, in all the 
 on-goings of the world around him, in which either matter or 
 spirit have a part ; and who passes from a fit of the gout 
 to a feat of gymnastics, and carries his crutch obviously less 
 for purposes of use than of intimidation." 
 
 Edinburgh Review. 
 Essay. — Some Political Institutions of Military Origin. 
 
 490. HENRY JOHN PARSONS, j Admitied, January 15, 1811. 
 
 ( NoN- Resident, April 2, 1811. 
 
 Afterwards Master of Arts, and Fellow of Magdalene College, 
 Oxford. Rector of Saunderton, Buckinghamshire, and Vicar 
 of Arundel, Sussex. 
 
 Bom, . Died, 184,4. 
 
 491. THOMAS GEORGE APREECE. 
 
 J Admitted, February 6, 181 1. 
 
 \ Dropt from the Roll, November 26, 1811. 
 
 Afterwards Sir Thomas George Apreece, Bart., of Washingley, 
 
 Huntingdonshire. He was Deputy-Lieutenant of that county. 
 
 Born, 1791, Died, 1842. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 267 
 
 492. RICHARD NAPIER. j Admitted, November 26, 1811. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 17, 1812. 
 
 Afterwards called to the English Bar. 
 Essays. — Idolatry. 
 
 The Use of Illustration in Argument. 
 
 493. JAMES CLARKE. J Admitted, December 3, 1811. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, March 10, 1812. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Medicine, Dublin. He died several 
 years ago. 
 
 494. DAVID ANDERSON. J Admitted, December 3, 1811. 
 
 ( ExTKAORDiNABY, December 13, 1814. 
 
 Afterwards of St. Germains, Haddingtonshire. Called to the 
 Scottish Bar in 1814. 
 
 Essay. — The Force of Example. 
 
 495. JAMES CALEB ANDERSON. ( Admitted, December 3, 1811. 
 
 ( Non-Residknt, November 17, 1812. 
 
 Afterwards Sir James Caleb Anderson, Baronet, of Fermoy. 
 Essay. — Inquiry into the Policy of Buonaparte with Re- 
 gard to Ireland. 
 
 496. ALEXANDER M'LEOD. j Admitted, February 4, 1812. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 28, 1817. 
 
 Afterwards of Harris. A Stipendiary Magistrate in Jamaica. 
 Essays. — Exile. 
 
 The probable Political Consequences of the pre- 
 sent rapid Secession from the National Church. 
 
 497. JOHN SHAW STEWART, j Admitted, February 11, 1812. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 14, 1815. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1816. Appointed Sheriff of Stir- 
 lingshire in 1839. 
 
268 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Born, 1793. Died, 1840. 
 " With deep regret we announce the death of John Shaw 
 Stewart, Esquire, Advocate, Sheriff of Stirlingshire. Multis 
 ille bonis fiehilis occidit. He was in all relations of life 
 esteemed, respected, and beloved, and will be affectionately 
 remembered, and long and truly mourned by those who knew 
 his worth. He was a man of sincere and unaffected piety, 
 and in his upright and benevolent character, the influence of 
 pure religious principle was happily exemplified." 
 
 Caledonian Mercury. 
 Essays. — The Art of Printing. 
 Agriculture. 
 The Study of Political Philosophy. 
 
 498. THOMAS ERSKINE. l Admitted, November 24, 1812. 
 
 j ExTKAOEDiNARTj November 28, 1815. 
 
 Afterwards of Linlathen, Forfarshire. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1810. Author of Internal Evidences of Religion, and 
 other theological works. 
 
 Essays. — Effects of Opinion. 
 
 The great Reign of Henry IV. 
 
 499. ADAM URQUHART. ( Admitted, November 24, 1812. 
 
 I ExTRAOEDlNABY, November 28, 1815. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1815. Appointed Sheriff of Wig- 
 tonshire in 1843. 
 
 Essays. — The Reign of Louis XIII. 
 
 History of the Influence of Woman on Society. 
 Authenticity of some Points in the Spanish His- 
 torians of their Conquests in America. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 269 
 
 500. JAMES JOSEPH HOPE VERB. 
 
 f Admitted, November 24, 1812. 
 
 ( Dropt from the Roll, April 19, 1814. 
 
 Afterwards of Craigiehall, in the County of Edinburgh, and 
 Blackwood, Lanarkshire. 
 
 Bom, 1785. Died, 1843. 
 
 501. JAMES HENRY DUNLOP.f Admitted, November 24, I8I2. 
 
 ( ExTRAOEDiNABY, December 5, 1815. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1815. 
 
 Born, 1791. Died, 1821. 
 
 Essays. — The Long Parliament. 
 
 The Stability of Government. 
 
 502. ROBERT HUNTER. j Admitted, December 1, I8I2. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, December 5, 1815. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1814. Sheriff of Buteshire 
 Author of a work on the Law of Landlord and Tenant. 
 Essays. — The Policy of Entails. 
 
 The Right of searching Neutral Vessels. 
 The Character and Genius of Burke. 
 
 503. ROBERT DUFF. ( Admitted, December 1, I8I2. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 5, 1816. 
 
 Afterwards of Fetteresso. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1812. 
 Essay. — Improvement in Eloquence. 
 
 ( Admitted, December 1, 1812. 
 
 504. JOHN DEWAR. 
 
 [ Extraordinary, November 25, 1817. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 181 8. 
 
 Essays. — Analysis of Longinus' Treatise concerning the 
 Sublime. 
 The Varieties of the Human Species. 
 
270 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Historical account of Thomas Kuli Khan, com- 
 monly called Nadir Shah, Emperor of Persia. 
 
 505. JAMES ERSKINE. f Admitted, December l, 1812. 
 
 ( Dropt from the Roll, April 19, 1814. 
 
 506. WILLIAM HAMILTON. ( AoiMiTTED, December 8, 1812. 
 
 \ Dropt from the Roll, April 19, 1814. 
 
 Afterwards Sir William Hamilton Baronet, of Preston, Had- 
 dingtonshire. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1813. Profes- 
 sor of Logic and Metaphysics in the University of Edin- 
 burgh. Author of several profound Articles on Metaphysi- 
 cal subjects in the Edinburgh Eeview. 
 
 " There is but one man in Great Britain who is qualified to be 
 the representative of Scotland in the great council of Euro- 
 pean philosophers — and that man is Sir William Hamilton. 
 It is a loss to his own fame, to Scotland, and to Europe, that 
 Sir William Hamilton has never written a book. * * * 
 Inferior to Reid in invention and originality, and to Stewart 
 in grace and delicacy, he is perhaps superior to both, and 
 certainly to the latter, by the vigour of his dialectic ; I add, 
 and by the extent of his erudition. Sir William Hamilton 
 knows all systems, ancient and modern, and he examines 
 them by the criticism of the Scottish intellect. His indepen- 
 dence is equal to his knowledge. He is, above all, eminent 
 in logic." Victor Cousin. 
 
 " There probably is not in existence an individual who has 
 so completely mastered the whole learning which relates to 
 the philosophy of mind, as Sir William Hamilton, or who 
 has brought to the application and digestion of his learning, 
 a more vigorous and original understanding." 
 
 Lord Jeffrey. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 
 
 271 
 
 507. ALEXANDER DUNLOP. f Admitted, December 8, 1812. 
 
 I Extraordinary, January 30, 1816. 
 
 Afterwards of Clober, Stirlingshire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1817. 
 
 Essay. — The Comparison of Ancient and Modern Elo- 
 quence. 
 
 {Admitted, December 8, 1812. 
 1 
 
 508. JOHN KIRKPATRICK. 
 
 Dropt from the Roll, April 19, 1814. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1809. He was for some time 
 
 Chief- Justice of the Ionian Islands. 
 
 509. WILLIAM AMHERST. 
 
 {Admitted, December 8, 1812. 
 Dropt from the Roll, April 19, 1814. 
 
 510. WILLIAM LOGAN WHITE. ( Admitted, December 8, 1812. 
 
 I Extraordinary, Dec. 19, 1815. 
 
 Afterwards of Kellerstane, Mid-Lothian. Called to the Scot- 
 tish Bar in 1816. 
 
 EssAr. — The prominent Defects of the English Criminal 
 System. 
 
 511. J. O. LOCKHART MURE. ( Admitted, December is, I8I2. 
 
 I Extraordinabt, January 9, 1816. 
 
 Afterwards of Livingston, in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. 
 Essay. — The Origin of Languages. 
 
 512. RICHARD HAY NEWTON, i Admitted, December is, I8I2. 
 
 I Extraordinary, December 19, 1815. 
 
 Afterwards of Newton Hall, East-Lothian. Called to the 
 Scottish Bar in 1815. 
 Essay — The India BUI. 
 
 513. MILES ANGUS FLETCHER, i Admitted, December 22, I8I2. 
 
 j Extraordinary, January 16, 1816. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1813. 
 
272 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Born, 1792. Died, 1831. 
 Essay. — Considerations on the Policy of Restrictions on 
 the Corn Trade of this Country. 
 
 514. HUGH LYLE. j Admitted, December 22, 1812. 
 
 J NoN- Resident, November 23, 1813. 
 
 Afterwards of Jackson Hall, Coleraine, Ireland. 
 
 515. THOMAS HENRY STIRLING. ( Admitted, December 22, 1812 . 
 
 ( Non-Resident, Feb. 16, 1813. 
 
 Afterwards called to the English Bar. 
 
 516. PAULUS IRVING. I Admitted, Januarys, 1813. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 23, 1813. 
 
 Afterwards Sir Paulus .SimiHus Irving, Baronet, of Woodhouse 
 and Robgill-Tower, Dumfries-shire. 
 
 Born, 1792. Died, . 
 
 517. JOHNCURRAN SAMPSON (Admitted, January 26, 1813. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, February 16, 1813. 
 
 518. BRODER KNUDTZON. \ Admitted, March 23, 1813. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 23, 1813. 
 
 Afterwards Merchant at Drontheim, Norway. 
 
 519. JAMES CAMPBELL HOZIER. 
 
 j Admitted, November 30, 1813. 
 
 ( Dropi from the Roll, Jan. IS, 1816. 
 
 Afterwards of Newlands and Barrowfield, Lanarkshire. Called 
 to the Scottish Bar in 1815. 
 
 520. WILLIAM M'DOWALL. ( Admitted, November 30, 1813. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, December 10, 1816. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 18IC. 
 
 Born, 1793. Died, 1836. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 
 
 273 
 
 Essays. — Character of the Roman Republicans. 
 Education. 
 
 Effects of Physical and Moral Causes on Na- 
 tional Character. 
 
 521. EDWARD HORNE. 
 
 ( Admitted, November 30, 1813. 
 (Nc 
 
 ! Admitted, Nov 
 Non-Resident, 
 
 November 30, 1813. 
 April 12, 1814. 
 
 V'on-Resident, April 12, 1814. 
 Essay. — The Pleasure derived from Dramatic Represen- 
 tations. 
 
 522. JOHN SHEPPARD. 
 
 Essay. — Prej udice. 
 
 523. WILLIAM MENZIES. ( Admitted, December 14, 1813. 
 
 ( Extbaordinabt, December 17, 1816. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1816. One of the Judges at the 
 Cape of Good Hope. 
 
 Essays. — Character of Marcus Brutus. 
 Punishment. 
 Character of Marcus Brutus. 
 
 524. DUNCAN M'NEILL. l Admitted, December 14, 1813. 
 
 I Extraordinary, December 17, 1816. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1816. Held the office of Soli- 
 citor-General of Scotland under the administration of Sir 
 Robert Peel in 1834-5. In 1841, again appointed Solicitor- 
 General, and in 1842 Lord Advocate. In 1843, elected 
 Member of Parliament for Argyllshire, and chosen Dean of 
 the Faculty of Advocates. 
 Essays. — Superstitions. 
 
 Some of the Opinions entertained as to the pre- 
 sent State of Agriculture. 
 2 M 
 
274 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 525. ROBERT HANNAY. I Admitted, December U, 1813. 
 
 j.ExTKAORDiNARY, December 17, 1816. 
 
 Bachelor of Arts at Oxford. Called to the Scottish Bar in 181 4, 
 
 and afterwards to the English Bar. Sometime of Blairinnie, 
 
 in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. 
 
 Essays. — Policy of introducing the Laws and Religion of 
 
 England into India. 
 
 Popular Commotions. 
 
 .)20. DAVID HANNAY. ( Admiited, December 14, Uii 3. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, April .5, 1814. 
 
 Sometime of Carlinwark, in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, 
 
 and afterwards Banker in London. 
 
 Essay. — Character of Charles I. 
 
 527. JOHN BURN. ( Admitted, February l, 1814. 
 
 j Extraordinary, February 4, 1817. 
 
 Afterwards John Burn Murdoch of Gartincaber, Perthshire. 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1816. 
 
 Essay. — Hereditary Succession of Government. 
 
 528. JOHN STAINTON. (Admitted, February 15, 1814. 
 
 \ Dropt from thb Roll, Nov. 28, 1815. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1816. He died several years ago. 
 Essay. — Political, Literary, and Philosophical Character 
 of Cicero. 
 
 529. Dr. JOHN WILLIAM POLIDORI. 
 
 ( Admitted, February 15, 1814. 
 I Non-Resident, Nov. 14, 1815. 
 
 From Italy. For some time Travelling Physician to Lord 
 Byron. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1821. 
 
 Essay. — Whether the Catholic Religion be as favourable 
 to Liberty as the Reformed ? 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 275 
 
 530. RALPH JAMES DUNDAS. \ Admitted, April 19, 1814. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 17, 1816. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Born, 1796. Died, 1824. 
 Essays. — Character of Mahomet and his Religion. 
 The foundation of Language. 
 
 631. JAMES STUART MENTEATH. 
 
 I Admitted, April 19, 1814. 
 
 j Non-Resident, January 28, 1817. 
 
 Younger of Closeburn, Dumfries-shire. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1816. 
 
 Essays. — The Study of History. 
 
 Causes which produced the Reformation in Eu- 
 rope. 
 
 532. ALEXANDER ROBERTSON, j Admitted, November 29, 1814. 
 
 j Extraordinary, Dec. 9, 1817. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. Manager of the London 
 Edinburgh, and Dublin Life Assurance Company, London. 
 Essay. — Savings' Banks. 
 
 533. HENRY R. FERGUSON. (Admitted, November 29, 1814. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, January 20, 1818. 
 
 Afterwards Colonel in the Grenadier Guards. 
 
 534. WILLIAM BATTIE WRIGHTSON. 
 
 I Admitted, December 6, 1814. 
 j Non-Resident, January 3, 1815. 
 
 Afterwards of Cusworth, Yorkshire. Member of Parliament 
 for Northallerton. One of the Commissioners of Inquiry 
 into the State of the Poor in Ireland. 
 
 Essay. — Defect of the English System of Parochial Re- 
 lief. 
 
276 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 535. H. D. HUTCHESON. i Admitted, December 6, 1814. 
 
 I Non-Resident, March 14, 181,5. 
 
 Essay. — The Feudal System. 
 
 536. W. THACKERY. ( Admitted, December 6, 1814. 
 
 j Non-Resident, November 14, IBIS. 
 
 Essay. — Comparison between the respective Merits of 
 Catherine of Russia and Elizabeth of Eng- 
 land. 
 
 537. JAMES WHITSHED HAWKINS. 
 
 j Admitted, December 13, 1814. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 23, 1817. 
 
 Afterwards of Dunnichen, Forfarshire. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1816. 
 
 Born, 1796-7. Died, 1841. 
 Essays. — Comparison of the Merits of the Poetry of By- 
 ron and Scott. 
 The Duties of an Historian. 
 
 538. ROBERT MACLACHLAN. ( Admitted, December 13, 1814. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 23, 1817. 
 
 Afterwards of Maclachlan. Called to the Scottish Bar in 
 1816. 
 Essay. — Credit in the Reports of Others as an original 
 Principle of Belief. 
 
 539. HENRY GORDON. l Admitted, December 13, 1814. 
 
 j Extraordinary, December 16, 1817. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet, and subsequently Presbyterian 
 Minister at Gananoque, Upper Canada. 
 EssAYS.-^Modern Eloquence. 
 
 The Habeas Corpus Act. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 277 
 
 540. JOHN GREGORY. ( Admitted, December 13, 1814. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, January 27, 1818. 
 
 Eldest Son of Dr. James Gregory, author of the Conspectus 
 Medicinae Theoreticse. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1820. 
 Essays. — Arts and Literature of Ancient Rome. 
 Memory. 
 Observations on the present State of Italy. 
 
 511. ROBERT HERON. ( Admitted, January 3, 1815. 
 
 I Non-Resident, March 7, 1815. 
 
 A Son of the late John Heron of Ingliston, Kirkcudbright- 
 shire. He was in the Army. 
 
 Born, 1796. Died, 1829. 
 
 542. DAVID ERSKINE DEWAR. I Admitted, January 3, 1815. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 20, 1818. 
 
 Afterwards of Gilston. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1819. 
 Boru, . Died, 1821. 
 
 Essays. — Poetry. 
 
 Union of Power with Liberty in Government. 
 
 543. JAMES WIGHT. I Admitted, January lO, 1815. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, March 23, 1819. 
 
 544. JAMES TRAILL. (Admitted, March 21, 1815. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, January 16, 1816. 
 
 Essay. — Origin of Religious Worship, as illustrated by 
 the prevailing Opinions of Antiquity. 
 
 545. ROBERT SMITH. ( Admitted, March 21, 1815. 
 
 I Extraordinary, December 8, 1818. 
 
 Essay. — Whether Brutus was justified in killing Cajsar ? 
 
278 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 54C. ROBERT WHIGHAM. ( Admitted, March 21, 1815. 
 
 j ExTRAORDiNAUT, March 24, 1818. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1816. Sheriff of Perthshire. 
 
 Essays. — Inquiry whether Entails are politically advan- 
 tageous. 
 The future Prospects of America. 
 
 547. DOUGLAS CHEAPE. (Admitted, November 21, 1815. 
 
 j Extraordinary, December 1, 1818. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1819. Appointed Professor of 
 Civil Law in the University of Edinburgh in 1827, which 
 office he resigned in 1 842. 
 
 Essays. — Probable Effects of the late great Events in pro- 
 moting the general Prosperity of Europe. 
 Prejudice. 
 
 548. RICHARD LEWIN PENNELL. (Admitted, November 28, 1815. 
 
 I Resigned, November 12, 1816. 
 
 Essay. — Comparative advantages of a Public and Private 
 Education. 
 
 549. JOHN GIBSON LOCKHART. (Admitted, November 28, 1816. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, Dec. 1, 1818. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1816. Author of Translations of 
 Ancient Spanish Ballads, a History of Napoleon Bonaparte, 
 and a Life of Robert Burns. He is Editor of the Quarterly 
 Review, and Son-in-law and Biographer of Sir Walter Scott. 
 Essays. — Some general Causes which contributed to the 
 Perfection of the Fine Arts, and more parti- 
 cularly the art of Sculpture among the Athe- 
 nians. 
 The present State of Germany, 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 279 
 
 550. JOHN DALZEL. ( Admitted, November 28, 1815. 
 
 ( ExTRAORDlNART, December 8, 1818. 
 
 Son of Professor Dalzel. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1818. 
 Born, 1796. Died, 1823. 
 Essays. — On Party, and the Utility of Political Party, 
 with respect to the Stability of the British 
 Constitution. 
 National Felicity. 
 
 Remarks on the English and French Tragic 
 Authors. 
 
 551. ELIAS CATHCART. ( Admitted, December 5, 1815. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, December 8, 1818. 
 
 Afterwards of Auchindrain, Ayrshire. Doctor of Laws. Called 
 to the Scottish Bar in 1817. 
 Essays. — Divorce. 
 
 Forms of Marriage. 
 Insanity. 
 
 352. WILLIAM URQUHART. Uumitted, December S, 1815. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, March 9, 1819. 
 
 Afterwards of Byth, Aberdeenshire. He served in the South 
 of France during the Campaign of 1813-14, and was severely 
 wounded at the siege of Toulouse. He was called to the 
 Scottish Bar in 1818. 
 Essay. — Civil Liberty. 
 
 Born, 1789. Died, 1829. 
 
 553. WILLIAM PATRICK GRANT. 
 
 ( Admitted, December 5, 1815. 
 [ Extraordinary, March 16, 1819. 
 
 Younger of Rothiemurchus. Master in Equity in the Supreme 
 
 Court, Calcutta. 
 
280 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 554. JOHN AYTOUN. (Admitted, Decembers, 181.5. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, March 9, 1819. 
 
 Afterwards of Inchdairnie, Fifeshire. 
 
 Bom, 1785. Died, 1831. 
 Essay. — Present State and future Prospects of Europe. 
 
 555. ROBERT INNES. (Admitted, December 19, 1815. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 12, 1816. 
 
 Essay. — The Oracles of the Ancients. 
 
 556. JOHN M'NEILL. ( Admitted, January 23, 1816. 
 
 I Non-Resident, February 27, 1816. 
 
 Afterwards Sir John M'Neill, Knight Grand Cross of the Most 
 Honourable Military Order of the Bath, and of the Order of 
 the Lion and Sun of Persia. Lately her Majesty's Envoy 
 Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of 
 Persia. 
 
 Essay. — Intellectual Character. 
 
 557. M. C. PATERSON. (Admitted, January 23, 1816. 
 
 I Non-Resident, March 12, 1816. 
 
 From the United States of America. 
 
 Essay. — Influence of Religion on National Character. 
 
 558. JAMES DONALD. S Admitted, January 23, 1816. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 2, 1819. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1822. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1828. 
 
 Essays. — The Study of Political Economy. 
 Taxation. 
 The present Commercial Difficulties of Great 
 
 Britain. 
 Policy of Great Britain in Relation to her Asia- 
 tic Dominions. 
 
LIST OK MEMBERS. 281 
 
 559. JAMES WILLIAMSON". ( Admitted, February 6, 1816. 
 
 ( Dkopt from the Roll, Feb. 27, 181G. 
 
 560. JAMES AYTOUN. l Admitted, December 3, 1816. 
 
 I ExTRAORDiNAKT, December 14, 1819. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1818. 
 
 Essays. — Effects of Imagination on the Character and Ac- 
 tions of Men. 
 State of the Country in November 1819. 
 
 561. DAVID JOBSON. ( Admitted, December 3, 1816. 
 
 I Non-Resident, January 13, 1818. 
 
 Afterwards Writer, Dundee. 
 
 562. ALEXANDER DUNLOP. (Admitted, December 10, 1816. 
 
 I Extraordinary, December 15, 1818. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1820. Author of a valuable work 
 on the Parochial Law of Scotland, and various Tracts con- 
 nected with the recent controversy in the Church of Scotland. 
 Essays. — Comparative Excellence of Britain and Athens 
 considered as Schools of Eloquence. 
 Character and Conduct of Mr. Pitt. 
 A permanent Remedy for the Disturbances in 
 Ireland. 
 
 563. ALEXANDER CARNEGIE RITCHIE. 
 
 I Admitted, December 10, 1816. 
 
 j Extraordinary, December 14, 1819. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1823. 
 
 Essays. — Some of the principal Causes which raised 
 
 Athens to a superiority over the other States 
 
 of Greece in Eloquence. 
 
 Causes of the French Revolution. 
 
 The Evidence of Common Sense or Reason. 
 
 2 .N 
 
282 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Advantages to be derived from the Study of the 
 Classics. 
 
 5(54. ROBERT MEIKLEJOHN. j Admitted, December 17, I8I6. 
 
 i Extraordinary, January 18, 1820. 
 
 Afterwards Minister of Strathdon, Aberdeenshire. 
 Essays. — The Sublime. 
 
 Causes of the diversity of Style. 
 
 565. JAMES SMITH. \ Admitted, January 14, 1817. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, January 13, 1818. 
 
 From the West Indies. 
 
 Essay. — Some of the principal Causes that raised Athens 
 
 to superiority in Literature and the Arts over 
 
 the Grecian States. 
 
 566. HENRY GOFFE PARKIN. ( Admitted, January 21, 1817. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, January 25, 1820. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Medicine, and a Surgeon in the Army. 
 
 567. HANNANEL MENDEZ DA COSTA. 
 
 I Admitted, February 4, 1817. 
 
 I Non-Resident, January 13, 1818. 
 
 From Spain. Afterwards Doctor of Medicine. 
 
 568. CHRISTOPHER KANE. | admitted, February 11, 1817. 
 
 I Dropt from the Roll, Mar. 24, 1818. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Medicine. Of the Honourable the Fast 
 India Company Bombay Establishment. Superintending 
 Surgeon South Division, Deccan. 
 
 569. S. LEONARD. ( Admitted, February 18, 1817. 
 
 I Resigned, November 17, 1818. 
 
 Essay. — Party Spirit. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 283 
 
 570. Dr. J. WALSH. ( Admitted, February 18, 1817. 
 
 I Dkopt from the Roll, Nov. 28, 1820. 
 
 From the West Indies. 
 
 Essay. — The Evidence of Memory. 
 
 571. WILLIAM GIBSON. ( Admitted, March 25, 1817. 
 
 j Extraordinary, February 22, 1820. 
 
 Afterwards William Gibson Craig, younger of Riccarton, Mid - 
 Lothian. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1820. He repre- 
 sented the County of Edinburgh in Parliament from 1837 to 
 1841, and has since been one of the Representatives of the 
 City of Edinburgh. 
 
 572. GEORGE JAMES CAMPBELL. 
 
 J Admitted, April 1, 1817. 
 
 ( Dropt from the Roll, Dec. 16, 1817. 
 
 Afterwards of Treesbank, Ayrshire. 
 
 573. DAVID ROSS. ( Admitted, November 25, 1817. 
 
 I Extraordinary, February 15, 1820. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1820. 
 
 Essays. — Genius and Character of Dr. Samuel Johnson. 
 Early History of the English Constitution. 
 Instinct. 
 
 Progress of Eloquence. 
 The Associating Principle. 
 Origin of Trial by Jury. 
 
 574. ALEXANDER GRAHAM. \ Admitted, November 25, 1817. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 19, 1820. 
 
 Afterwards of Capellie, Renfrewshire. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1831. 
 
284 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Essays. — Universal Suffrage. 
 The Slave Trade. 
 Cliaracter of Washington. 
 Duelling. 
 Character of Washington. 
 
 57.5. JOHN MARSHALL. I admitted, December 2, I8I7. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 12, 1820. 
 
 Afterwanls of Curriehill, Mid-Lothian. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1818. 
 
 Essay. — The Ancient Parliament of Scotland. 
 
 576. GILBERT ELLIOT. l Admitted, December 2, I8I7. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 17, 1818. 
 
 Afterwards Master of Arts. Rector of Brougham and of Kirby- 
 Thore, Westmoreland. Chaplain to His Royal Highness the 
 Duke of Cambridge. 
 
 577. ALEXANDER THOMSON. (Admitted, December 9, ISir. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 19, 1820. 
 
 Afterwards of Banchory, Kincardineshire. Called to the Scot- 
 tish Bar in 1820. 
 
 Essay. — The Poor Laws. 
 
 578. HENRY BAXTER. I Admitted, December 9, 1817. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 23, 1827. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1828. 
 
 Born, 1799. Died, 1837. 
 Essay. — The present State of Italy. 
 
 579. RICHARD OSWALD. I Admitted, December 9, 1817. 
 
 I Dropt from the Roll, Mar. 24, 1818. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 285 
 
 580. ALEXANDER BAXTER. (Admitted, December 23,1817. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 17, ,181 8. 
 
 Essay. — French and English Tragedy. 
 
 .581. DAVID CONSTABLE. (Admitted, January 13, 1818. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 11, 1820. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1819. 
 Essay. — The Congress at Vienna. 
 
 582. GEORGE KINLOCH. (Admitted, January 13, 1818. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 9, 1821. 
 
 Afterwards of Kinloch, Perthshire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 182.3. 
 
 583. ARCHIBALD T. F. FRASER. 
 
 I Admitted, January 20, 1818. 
 
 I Dropt from the Roll, Dec. 5, 1821. 
 
 Afterwards of Abertarif, Inverness-shire. 
 
 Essay. — Authenticity of the Poems of Ossian. 
 
 584. DUNCAN DAVIDSON. ( Admitted, January 20, 1818. 
 
 j Dropt from the Roll, Mar. 17, 1818. 
 
 585. GEORGE WILLIAM STEDMAN. 
 
 ( Admitted, January 20, 1818. 
 
 j Extraordinary, January 23, 1821. 
 
 From the West Indies. Afterwards Doctor of Medicine. 
 
 58G. ROBERT SANDILANDS. (Admitted, February 17, 1818. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 20, 1821. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. Assistant-Judge at Nassau, 
 in the Island of New Providence. 
 Essay. — Crimes and Punishments. 
 
286 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 587. JOHN WARRAND. J Admitted, March 17, 1818. 
 
 ( Non-Residbnt, March 23, 1819. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 820. 
 
 Essay. — Advantages and Disadvantages of the Union to 
 Scotland. 
 
 588. ARTHUR BURNETT. l Admitted, March 24, 1818. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, March 27, 1821. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1819. SherifF-Substitute of Pee- 
 bles-shire. 
 
 Essays. — Origin and Progress of Burghs. 
 Currency. 
 
 589. HUGH BRUCE. l Admitted, March 31, 1818. 
 
 I Extraordinary, December 12, 1820. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1821. 
 
 Essay. — Origin and Progress of Modern Eloquence. 
 
 590. GRAHAM SPEIRS. (Admitted, November 24, 1818. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 27, 1821. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1820. Sheriff of Edinburgh- 
 shire. 
 
 Essays. — Political Life of the Right Honourable Charles 
 James Fox. 
 Causes of the present Commercial Distresses of 
 
 the Country. 
 The Principle of Alien Bills. 
 
 591. JOHN DUNLOP. f Admitted, November 24, 1818. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 27, 1821. 
 
 Afterwards of Brockloch, Ayrshire. 
 
 Essays. — The Causes which have chiefly promoted the 
 Rise of Freedom in England and Despotism 
 in France. 
 Commentary on Hume's History of Charles I. 
 
LIST OF MRMBERS. 287 
 
 592. JOHN DRUMMOND. (Admittkd, November 24, 1818. 
 
 I Extraordinary, November 27, 1821. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1831. A Stipendiary Magis- 
 trate in Ireland. 
 
 593. JOHN HAMILTON. I Admitted, November 24, 1818. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 9, 1821. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1821. Author of several able 
 Tracts on the recent Controversy in the Church of Scotland. 
 Essays. — The Moral Principle. 
 
 Some Observations on the Political History of 
 
 the Roman Republic. 
 An attempt to state and illustrate certain Gene- 
 ral and Fundamental Principles of Political 
 Government, with some application to the 
 existing State of the British Constitution. 
 
 594. DAVID CATHCART. (Admitted, November 24, 1818. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 27, 1821. 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Essays. — Expediency of universal Religious Toleration. 
 
 Expediency of the late act of the Cortes of Spain 
 for abolishing Entails. 
 
 595. CHARLES PASLEY VIVIAN. ( Admitted, December 8, 1818. 
 
 I Non-Resident, Nov. 23, 1819. 
 
 Afterwards of Hatton Hall, Northamptonshire. Rector of 
 Wellingborough, in that county. 
 
 Born, 1800. Died, 1841. 
 Essay. — Simplicity of Style. 
 
 596-. GERMAIN LA VIE. ( Admitted, December 8, 1818. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 16, 1819. 
 
 Afterwards Attorney, London. 
 
 Essay. — Dramatic Exhibitions. 
 
288 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 597. R. CHAMPNEYS MUNDELL. (Admitted, December 15, 1818. 
 
 I EXTKAORDINABY, Nov. 26, 1822. 
 
 Essays. — Parliamentary Reform. 
 
 Causes which promote Literature, Art, and 
 Science, and their Utility and Influence. 
 
 598. RALPH SMYTH. (Admitted, January 5, ISl."). 
 
 j NoN- Resident, November 16, 1819. 
 
 A Landed Proprietor in the County of 'West Meath. 
 Essay. — The Irish Union. 
 
 599. C. D. STRAKER. ( Admitted, January 12, 1819. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 8, 1822. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Medicine. 
 
 Essays. — The Cockney School of Poetry. 
 Chivalry. 
 
 600. EDWARD BROUGIITON. (Admitted, January 26, 1819. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 5, 1822. 
 
 Afterwards at the head of the Classical Academy, Newington. 
 Essays. — Liberty. 
 
 The present Penal Laws concerning Forgery. 
 
 601. GEORGE WEBSTER. (Admitted, February 2, 1819. 
 
 j Extraordinary, March 5, 1822. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet, and Scotch Solicitor, London. 
 Essays. — Crimes and Punishments. 
 
 Influence of the Crusades on the Society of 
 Europe. 
 
 602. HARRY MAXWELL INGLIS. S Admitted, March 30, 1819. 
 
 i Extraordinary, April 2, 1822. 
 
 Afterwards of Loganbank, Mid-Lothian. Writer to the Signet. 
 Essays. — The Beautiful. 
 Veracity. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 289 
 
 603. JOHN BARCLAY SHIEL. (Admitted, March 30, 1819. 
 
 ( Dropt fbom the Roll, Nov. 28, 1820. 
 
 From Ireland. Afterwards Doctor of Medicine. 
 Essay. — Public Character of Mr. Canning. 
 
 604. JAMES CREELMAN. ( Admitted, April 6, 1819. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, November 19, 1822. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1819. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1836. 
 
 "■{• 
 
 I NoN- Resident, March 12, 1822. 
 Brother of the late Earl of Durham. Member of Parliament 
 for North Durham since 1832. 
 
 Essays. — The present State of France. 
 Interest. 
 The Corn Trade. 
 
 606. JAMES M ACDONALD. f Admitted, November 30, 1819. 
 
 J Extraordinary, December 4, 1821. 
 
 Afterwards of Dalness. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1821. 
 Sheriflf-Substitute of Edinburghshire. 
 Essays. — The Causes of the Pleasure derived from repre- 
 sented Distress. 
 Divorces. 
 
 607. PETER FREELAND AIKEN. (Admitted, November 30, 1819. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 4, 1821. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1822. Afterwards Banker in 
 Bristol. Author of a Comparative View of the Constitution 
 of Great Britain, and other useful publications. 
 
 Essay. — Nature and Causes of Courage in Individuals and 
 Nations. 
 2o 
 
290 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 608. WILLIAM DAUNEY. \ Admitted, December 14, 1819. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 25, 1823. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1823. Afterwards Solicitor- 
 General at British Guiana. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1843. 
 
 Essays. — The Law of Libel. 
 
 The Government of the United States. 
 
 609. ROSE-LAMBART PRICE, j Admitted, December 14, 1819. 
 
 { Dropt from the Roll, Nov. 28, 1820. 
 
 Eldest Son of the deceased Sir Rose Price, Baronet, of Treng- 
 wainton, Cornwall. Afterwards of the 78th Regiment. He 
 was author of a poem entitled ' Ireland.' 
 Bom, 1799. Died, 1826. 
 " His talents, which were of the highest order, presented to 
 Ireland a pledge for his well -directed exertions in her cause, 
 which his characteristic zeal and fearless energy could not 
 have failed to redeem. The county in which he has resided 
 since his marriage, has lost a powerful champion. Mr. Price 
 produced a poem entitled, ' Ireland,' which abounds with 
 spirited description and well-pointed satire." 
 
 Gentleman's Magazine. 
 Essay. — Character and Tendency of Lord Byron's Poems. 
 
 610. JOHN BARTHOLOMEW. ( Admitfed, January 4, 1820. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 14, 1823. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1825. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1836. 
 
 Essays. — Duelling. 
 
 The Paternal Consent to Marriage. 
 Legitimation by subsequent Marriage. ' 
 
 611. GEORGE RAYMOND. j admitted, January 25, 1820. 
 
 ( Dropt from the Roll, Nov. 28, 1820. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 291 
 
 612. JOHN RICHARDSON. j Admitted, January 25, 1820. 
 
 ( Resigned, February 11, 1823. 
 
 Afterwards Sir John Stewart Richardson, Baronet, of Pitfour, 
 Perthshire. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1822. 
 
 613. Sir JOHN HAY, Bart. ( Admitted, February l, 1820. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 26, 1822. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1821. Sheriff-Substitute of Stir- 
 lingshire. 
 
 EssAT. — The Usury Laws. 
 
 614. ROBERT HANDYSIDE. I Admitted, February 15, 1820. 
 
 ( ExTRAORDlNARY,'February 25, 1823. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1822. Sheriff of Stirlingshire. 
 Essays. — Parties. 
 
 Influence of the Crown, and the personal Cha- 
 racter of the Sovereign in the British Con- 
 stitution. 
 
 615. ALEXANDER HALDANE. f Admitted, March 14, 1820. 
 
 \ Non-Resident, November 13, 1821. 
 
 Afterwards of the Inner Temple, Barrister. 
 
 016. GEORGE CALLENDER. r Admitted, March 28, 1820. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, April 8, 1823. 
 
 Afterwards called to the English Bar at Lincoln's Inn. 
 
 Bom, 1798. Died, 1830. 
 
 Essay. — Distinction. 
 
 617. PATRICK BOYLE MURE. J Admitted, December 5, 1820. 
 
 I Extraordinary, December 16, 1823. 
 
 Afterwards Patrick Boyle Mure Macredie of Perceton, Ayr- 
 shire. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1822. 
 Essays. — German Universities. 
 
 Remarks on the Theory of Gall and Spurzheim. 
 Patriotism. 
 
292 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 6] 8. JOHN HOLMES BASS. j Admitted, December 5, 1820. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 13, 1821. 
 
 619. JAMES THOMSON GIBSON. 1 Admitted, December 12, 1 820. 
 
 j Extraordinary, Dec. 9, 1823. 
 
 Afterwards James Thomson Gibson Craig. Writer to the 
 Signet. 
 
 620. JAMES WEBSTER. ( Admitted, December 12, 1820. 
 
 j Extraordinary, January 20, 1824. 
 
 In 1823 he graduated as Master of Arts at the University of 
 St. Andrews, and in the same year became a Member of the 
 Inner Temple, with a view to studying for the English Bar. 
 In the following year he went abroad, and pursued his travels 
 on the Continent and in the East until his death, which took 
 place in 1828, at Grand Cairo, in consequence of the fatigue 
 of a journey to Mount Sinai. Part of his notes were arranged 
 and published under the title of ' Travels through the Cri- 
 mea, Turkey, and Egypt, during the years 1825-28.' 
 Born, 1802. Died, 1828. 
 
 " No young man ever quitted the University of Edinburgh 
 with more general commendation and esteem. No young 
 man ever excited greater hopes of excellence ; or ever in a 
 greater degree commanded the admiration of those whom he 
 even casually met in his intercourse with society. * * * He 
 left this country upwards of three years ago, and, led onward 
 by a daring spirit, visited Constantinople at a most critical 
 period — when the news of the disaster at Navarino reached 
 that eastern capital — whence, after a short sojourn, he de- 
 parted for Smyrna and Alexandria. For many months he 
 prosecuted his researches in Egypt with unshrinking courage, 
 and with that ardour and activity of which conscious talent 
 alone is capable, whenever it would aim at the loftiest and 
 most honourable ends. Patient and acute in his investiga- 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 293 
 
 tione, he had collected an ample store of materials of the 
 deepest interest." Foreign Review. 
 
 Essay. — The Style of Dr. Johnson. 
 
 621. COUNT CONSTANTINE ZAMOYSKI. 
 
 ( Admitted, December 19, 1820. 
 ( Non-Resident, April 10, 1821. 
 
 Inherited the estate of Podzamicze, in Poland. In 1830, he 
 
 took part in the war against Russia, and served as a Captain 
 
 in the Zamoyski Regiment of Cavalry, raised by that family 
 
 at their own expense. He distinguished himself in the battle 
 
 of Grochow, and several other engagements in 1831. He 
 
 took the benefit of the Amnesty, and haa since resided in 
 
 Poland. 
 
 C22. COUNT ARTHUR ZAMOYSKI. 
 
 j Admitted, December 19, 1820. 
 ( Non-Resident, April 10, 1821. 
 
 Was appointed Referendaire in the administrative Council of 
 the Kingdom of Poland, and continued in the same branch 
 of public service during the War in 1830-1. He still re- 
 sides in Poland. 
 
 623. RICHARD BECKWITH CRAIK. 
 
 I Admitted, January 9, 1821. 
 
 ( Died, while an Ordinary Member. 
 
 Younger of Arbigland, in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1822. 
 
 Born, 1799-1800. Died, 1824. 
 Essays. — Enthusiasm. 
 
 Application of the Inductive Philosophy to In- 
 tellectual Science. 
 
294 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 624. DAVID MAITLAND. (Admitted, January 9, 1821. 
 
 j Extraordinary, January 20, 1824. 
 
 Afterwards David Maitland Makgill Crichton of Rankeillor, 
 Fifeshire. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1822. 
 
 Essays. — The Policy of Great Britain in Relation to her 
 Asiatic Dominions. 
 The supposed Danger of promoting Education . 
 among the Working Classes. 
 
 625. AUGUSTUS MAITLAND. ( Admitted, January 23, 1821. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, February 3, 1824. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Essays. — The most prominent Deficiencies of the English 
 Criminal System. 
 Difference between the Ancient and Modern 
 Drama. 
 
 626. ALEXANDER MURRAY. (Admitted, February 13,1821. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, February 18, 1823. 
 
 Graduated as Master of Arts at Oxford. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1819. He afterwards entered the Church of England, 
 and is at present Incumbent of St. John's Church, Clapham. 
 Essay. — Character and Views of the Gracchi. 
 
 627. JAMES MAITLAND HOG. (Admitted, February 20, 1821. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, March 2, 1824. 
 
 Afterwards of Newliston. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1822. 
 Essays. — Rise and Progress of British Liberty. 
 Party. 
 Comparative View of the Wernerian and Hut- 
 
 tonian Theories of the Earth. 
 Poetry. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 295 
 
 628. ADAM PATERSON. ( Admitted, March 20, 18-21. 
 
 ) Extraordinary, March 25, 1823. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1822. His abilities and integrity 
 
 of character had excited the greatest hopes of his success in 
 
 the profession he had chosen, when his career waa cut short 
 
 by consumption. 
 
 Born, 1800. Died, 1832. 
 
 Essays. — Prejudice. 
 
 Life and Opinions of Mahomet. 
 
 029. JAMES ASHWELL. ( Admitted, March 27, 1821. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 19, 1822. 
 
 630. JOHN SPEAR. ( Admitted, April 3, 1821. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 18, 1823. 
 
 Essays. — A critical Essay on the comparative Merits of 
 Hume and Robertson as Historians. 
 The Faculty of Taste. 
 The Right of International Interference. 
 
 631. PRINCE ADAM CZARTORISKI. 
 
 {Admitted, November 27, 1821. 
 Non-Resident, November 18, 1823. 
 
 Son of Prince Constantino, and nephew of Prince Adam Czar- 
 toriski, the late President of the National Government of the 
 kingdom of Poland. In 1830, he took an active share in 
 the war of independence of Poland, and fought in the cele- 
 brated battle of Grochow against Russia. He was afterwards 
 sent by the Polish Government on a diplomatic mission to 
 the Court of Berlin. Since the fatal issue of his country's 
 affairs he has continued to reside partly in Berlin and partly 
 in Prussian Silesia, having become nearly connected with the 
 Royal Family of Prussia, by his marriage with a daughter of 
 Prince Radziwil, Grand Duke of Posen. 
 
296 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Essay. — The character of Augustus. 
 
 632. ROBERT AYTOUN. (Admitted, November 27, 1821. 
 
 ^ Extraordinary, February 24, 1824. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 Essay.— The Slave Trade. 
 
 633. ALEXANDER MELDRUM. ( Admitted, December 18, 1821. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 21, 1824. 
 
 Afterwards of Craigfoodie, Fifeshire. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1822. 
 
 Essays. — The Origin of Ranks, and the Causes of their 
 Diflference. 
 The love of Fame. 
 
 634. JAMES MACFARLANE. I Admitted, January 8, 1822. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 18, 182S. 
 
 Afterwards Minister of Muiravonside. 
 
 Essays. — Ancient Philosophy of India and Greece. 
 Antiquity of Oriental Science. 
 Condition of the Natives of the British Posses- 
 sions in India. 
 
 635. ALEXANDER M'NEILL. ( Admitted, January 15, 1822. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, January 25, 1825. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1822. 
 
 Essay. — On Proceedings in Parliament by a Bill of Pains 
 and Penalties. 
 
 636. THOMAS FALCONER. ( Admitted, January 22, 1822. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, March 18, 1823. 
 
 Called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1830. 
 
 Essays. — Influence of the Scenery of a country on the 
 Manners of its Inhabitants. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 297 
 
 Influence of Literature and the Arts on Man- 
 kind. 
 
 637. DAVID SYME. j Admitted, February 19, 1822. 
 
 I Resigned, November 19, 1822. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1819. Sheriflf-Substitute of Kin- 
 ross-shire . 
 
 638. JOHN COWAN. l Admitted, March 5, 1822. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, March 19, 1824. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in ] 822. 
 
 Essays. — The true foundation of Civil Government. 
 
 Internal Sensibility ; its origin and relations. 
 The present state of Ireland. 
 
 639. CHARLES FERGUSSON. ( Admitted, March 12, 1822. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 16, 1824. 
 
 Afterwards Sir Charles Dalryniple Fergusson, Baronet, of Kil- 
 kerran and Hailes. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1822. 
 Essays. — Origin and Progress of Criminal Jurisprudence. 
 The History of Painting. 
 
 640. GEORGE ROBINSON. ( Admitted, March 19, 1822. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, March 29, 1825. 
 
 Barrister at Law. Author of Reports of Cases decided in the 
 House of Lords on Appeal from Scotland, in 1839-41. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1841. 
 
 Essays. — The Increase and Diffusion of Knowledge, and 
 its advantages to National Security and Hap- 
 piness. 
 The Abolition of Slavery in the West Indies. 
 Expediency of establishing a Legal Provision 
 for the Poor. 
 2p 
 
298 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 641. HUGH SPENCER STANHOPE. 
 
 {Admitted, November 26, 1822. 
 Resigned, March 18, 1823. 
 
 A younger brother of Mr. Spencer Stanhope, of Cannon Hall, 
 Yorkshire. Barrister at Law, Sheffield. He was for some- 
 time one of the Commissioners in Bankruptcy. 
 
 642. LORD WRIOTHESLEY RUSSELL. 
 
 j Admitted, January 21, 1823. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 18, 1823. 
 
 Afterwards the Honourable and Reverend Lord Wriothesley 
 Russell, Rector of Chenies, Bucks, and a Canon of Windsor. 
 A younger Son of the late Duke of Bedford. 
 
 643. THOMAS CARLYLE. (Admitted, January 21, 1823. 
 
 ( ExTRAOBDiNARY, January 31,1826. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1824. 
 Essays. — Origin of Language. 
 
 Joint Stock Companies. 
 
 Nature, Origin, and Distribution of Value. 
 
 Nature, Origin, and Distribution of Value. 
 
 644. J. W. TOMLINSON. r Admitted, February ll, 1823. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 18, 1823. 
 
 Afterwards in Orders in the Church of England. 
 
 645. JOHN KING. J Admitted, March 4, 1823. 
 
 ( Dropt from the Roll, Nov. 23, 1823. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1823. 
 
 646. JAMES JOHNSTON. J Admitted, November 2S, 1823. 
 
 \ Dropt from the Roll, March 7, 1826. 
 
 Afterwards of Kincardine Castle. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1824. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 
 
 299 
 
 Essay. — The Causes of diversity of Style in Literary Com- 
 position. 
 
 647. JOHN MONTGOMERY BELL. 
 
 I Admitted, December 2, 1823. 
 
 j ExTRAORDiNABY, December 13, 1825. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1825. 
 
 Essays. — Use of Capital Punishments. 
 
 The probable future Fate of England. 
 
 648. ALEXANDER SMOLLETT, j Admitted, December 9, 1823. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, December 5, 1826. 
 
 Afterwards of Bonhill, Dumbartonsliire. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1824. Member of Parliament for Dumbartonshire 
 since 1841. 
 
 Essay. — The History of Spain. 
 
 649. CHARLES NEAVES. j Admiited, December 9, 1823. 
 
 I Extraordinary, January 10, 1826. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1822. 
 
 Essays. — Influence of Italian upon English Literature. 
 
 The Pleasures arising from represented Distress. 
 
 650. GEORGE KINNEAR. 
 
 {Admitted, December 16, 1823. 
 Resigned, January 24, 1826. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1826. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1829. 
 
 Essays. — Literature of the present day. 
 The Development of Genius. 
 
 651. DAVID SCOTT MONCREIFF. ( Admitted, December 16, 1823. 
 
 1 Extraordinary, Dec. 19, 1823. 
 
 Afterwards David Dundas Scott, author of Nugm Semitarice, 
 
 and Translator and Editor of ' The Suppression of the Refor- 
 
300 
 
 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 mation in France,' ' Memoirs of Gaspar de Coligny,' and 
 ' Merle d'Aubigne s History of the Reformation.' 
 Essays. — Society. Part I. 
 
 Society. Part II. 
 
 Society. Part III. 
 
 Subordination in Morals and Politics. 
 
 652. JOHN ARBUTHNOT. 
 
 j Admitted, January 13, 1824. 
 (1 
 
 I Dropt from the Roll, April 12, 1825. 
 Essay. — Comparison between Ancient and Modern Elo- 
 quence. 
 
 653. 
 
 i Admitted, January 13, 1824. 
 I 
 
 ROBERT HALDANE. 
 
 Extraordinary, December 12, 1826. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Essays. — The Character of Augustus. 
 
 The DiflFusion of Knowledge among the Lower 
 Classes. 
 
 ( Admitted, January 20, 1824. 
 1l 
 
 654. HENRY INGLIS. 
 
 I Extraordinary, January 16, 1827. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Essays. — The Inductive Philosophy. 
 Lyric Poetry. 
 Islamism. 
 Painting. 
 
 I Admitted, January 20, 1824. 
 1l 
 
 655. JOHN PARNELL. 
 
 I Resigned, January 17, 1826. 
 
 Afterwards John Vesey Pamell, Baron Congleton of Rath- 
 league, Queen's-County, having succeeded his father (Sir 
 Henry Parnell) in 1842. 
 Essay. — Education. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 301 
 
 656. THOMAS HOG. I Admitted, January 20, 1824. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, February 7, 1826. 
 
 Afterwards Merchant in London. 
 Essay. — Chivalry. 
 
 657. JOHN CAMPBELL COLQUHOUN. 
 
 j Admitted, January 27, 1824. 
 ( Non-Residbnt, March 30, 1824. 
 
 Afterwards of KiJlermont. Member of Parliament for New- 
 castle-under-Lyne since 1841. Formerly for Dumbarton- 
 shire and the Kilmarnock Burghs. 
 
 658. JOSEPH BAIN. J Admitted, February 17, 1824. 
 
 ( Dkopt from the Roll, Jan. 25, 1825. 
 
 Younger of Morriston. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1823. 
 Born, . Died, 1832. 
 
 659. WILLIAM SHEE. r Admitted, March 2, 1824. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 16, 1824. 
 
 Called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1828. Sergeant-at-Law. 
 
 660. GEORGE BIRRELL. r Admitted, March 2, 1824. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, February 13, 1827. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet, and subsequently Attorney- 
 General of the Bahama Islands. 
 
 Born, 1798-9. Died, 1837. 
 Essays. — Outlines of an Inquiry whether Beauty can ex- 
 ist without Association. 
 Reflections on the Life and Character, cursory 
 Criticisms on the Tragedies, and Notice of 
 the lesser known Writings of Alfieri. 
 
302 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 661. JOHN MAITLAND. j Admitted, November 16, 1824. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 20, 1827. 
 
 Afterwards Accountant. Actuary of the National Security 
 Savings' Bank, Edinburgh. The system of Book-keeping 
 devised by Mr. Maitlaud for the Management of this Insti- 
 tution, has received the special commendation of the Comp- 
 troller-General of the National Debt Office, and has been 
 adopted as a model by other similar Establishments. 
 
 662. ALLAN MENZIES. ( Admitted, November 23, 1824. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 20, 1827. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. Author of two valuable Re- 
 ports to the Trustees of the Dick Bequest, for the benefit of 
 the Parochial Schoolmasters and Schools in the Counties of 
 Aberdeen, Banff, and Moray. 
 
 Essays. — The proper Object of the Science of Mind. 
 
 Poetical and Moral Character of Lord Byron's 
 
 Works. 
 National Character of the Athenians. 
 
 663. JOHN FREDERICK STODDART. 
 
 ( Admitted, November 23, 1824. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 20, 1827. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1827. Appointed one of the 
 Judges of the Supreme Court, Ceylon, in 1836. Of gentle 
 and affectionate disposition, and of pure feeling and high 
 principle, his early death was deplored by a large circle of 
 attached friends. In the Society he was distinguished by his 
 graceful and fervid elocution in debate, and by the perspi- 
 cacity and vigour of his intellect, especially on metaphysical 
 questions, in which, however, he approached the confines of 
 subtlety and over-refinement. He was also an accomplished 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS.1 
 
 303 
 
 scholar, and his mind waa richly stored with the English, 
 Roman, and Italian classics. 
 
 Born, 1805. Died, 1839. 
 Essays. — The moral Influence of Poetry. 
 
 The fundamental Discovery in the Philosophy 
 of Immanuel Kant, with an Historical Sketch 
 of the principal Metaphysical Doctrines which 
 it has subverted. 
 Expediency of an Aristocracy. 
 History of the Law of Nations in Europe, from 
 the Reformation to the Treaty of Utrecht. 
 (Part I.) 
 History of the Law of Nations in Europe, from 
 the Reformation to the Treaty of Utrecht. 
 (Part II.) 
 
 664. AUGUSTUS FREDERICK BLYTH. 
 
 J Admitted, November 30, 1824. 
 ( Non-Resident, November 15, 1825. 
 
 Afterwards Captain in the 1.5th Hussars. 
 
 Essay. — Progress of the Establishment of Property. 
 
 665. ALEXANDER SKENE THOMSON. 
 
 j Admitted, November 30, 1824. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 4, 1827. 
 
 Afterwards a Licentiate of the Church of Scotland. He dis- 
 tinguished himself on several occasions at the University of 
 Edinburgh, especially by his mathematical attainments. 
 Born, 1806. Died, 1833. 
 Essay. — The Love of Country. 
 
304 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 666. JAMES SINCLAIR. j Admitted, December 7, 1824. 
 
 \ Non-Resident, April 3, 1827. 
 
 Afterwards of Forss, Caithness-shire. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1827. 
 
 Essay. — Errors of the Imagination. 
 
 667. ABRAHAM INGLIS. f Admitted, December 21, 1824. 
 
 \ Non-Resident, November 15, 1825. 
 
 Afterwards of the 42d Regiment. Residing in Canada. 
 Essay. — Taxation. 
 
 668. RICHARD TROTTER. j Admitted, January ll, 1825. 
 
 ( ExTRAOUDlNARY, January 16, 1827. 
 
 Afterwards of Mortonhall, Mid-Lothian. Called to the Scot- 
 tish Bar in 1823. 
 
 Essays. — The Law of Primogeniture. 
 Liberty of the Press. 
 
 669. THOMAS GRAHAME. j Admitted, January 18, 1825. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 28, 1827. 
 
 Of the Moat, Annan, Dumfries-shire. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1825. Eldest son of the Author of ' The Sabbath.' 
 Bom, 1804. Died, 1838. 
 Essays. — Essay Writing. 
 
 The Choice of a Profession. 
 
 670. JOHN TAYLOR. « Admitted, March l, 1825. 
 
 I Resigned, November 14, 1826. 
 
 A younger son of the late John Taylor of Kirktonhill, Kin- 
 cardineshire. He had resolved to enter the Church, when his 
 lamented death prevented the accomplishment of his purpose. 
 He was considered a person of remarkable promise ; and while 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 305 
 
 in the Society, his great argumentative powers, and the co- 
 piousness of illustration and felicity of language with which 
 he enforced his sentiments, placed him among the first deba- 
 ters of his time. He naturally took very decided views, and 
 expressed them fearlessly, but the vigour and firmness of his 
 character, were so tempered by candour, gentleness, and mo- 
 desty, that he never for an instant raised an angry or un- 
 comfortable feeling in the breast of an opponent. An ardent 
 zeal for the moral and intellectual elevation of his country- 
 men was his ruling impulse. 
 
 Born, 1805. Died, 1827. 
 Essays. — Party Spirit. 
 
 The Moral Efi^ects of War. 
 Intellectual Energy. (Introductory.) 
 
 C71. CRAWFURD TAIT. J Admitted, March l, 1825. 
 
 ( Non-Residknt, November 13, 1827. 
 
 Afterwards in the Military Service of the Honourable the East 
 India Company, Bengal Establishment. 
 Born, 1807. Died, 1828. 
 
 672. ROBERT BRUCE BOSWELL. 
 
 {Admitted, March 22, 1825. 
 Non-Resident, November 15, 1825. 
 
 Afterwards of Trinity College, Cambridge, and Bachelor of 
 Arts there. Chaplain to the Honourable the East India 
 Company, Bengal Establishment, and Minister of St. James' 
 Church, Calcutta. 
 
 673. ALEXANDER CAMERON, j Admitted, March 29, 18-25 
 
 ( Extraordinary, Apnl 1, IB^ib. 
 
 Second Sou of the late Donald Cameron of Lochiel. Called to 
 
 2 Q 
 
306 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 the Scottish Bar in 1829. Afterwards entered the Church 
 of England, and is at present Perpetual Curate of Hurst, 
 Berkshire. 
 
 Essay. — Satirical Poetry, with a Comparison of Juvenal, 
 
 Horace, and Pope, considered as satirical 
 
 writers. 
 
 674.. JOHN MABERLY. ( Admitted, March 29, 182S. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 14, 1826. 
 
 He took the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Oxford, in 1 828. 
 
 Born, 1808. Died, 1829. 
 
 675. WILLIAM CALLENDER. ( Admitted, March 29, 1825. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, March 18, 1823. 
 
 Afterwards Accountant in Edinburgh. 
 
 Born, 1804. Died, 1837. 
 Essays. — The Punishment of Death. 
 
 The Study of History as a Branch of Educa- 
 tion. 
 
 676. JOHN BUCHAN HEPBURN. ( Admitted, April 19, 1825. 
 
 \ Resigned, November 21, 1826. 
 
 A youuger son of the late Sir John Buchan Hepburn, Baronet. 
 
 677. JAMES JOHN REID. i Admitted, November 15, 1825. 
 
 j Extraordinary, February 10, 1829. 
 
 Afterwards Sir James John Reid, Knight. Called to the Scot- 
 tish Bar in 1 827. One of the Judges of the Ionian Islands. 
 Essays. — The Representative System. 
 
 Comparison of English Literature at the begin- 
 ning of the 17th and 19th Centuries. 
 Character of the Republican Party during the 
 Commonwealth. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 307 
 
 fi78. JOHN REDDIE. (Admitted, November 22, 182S. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 9, 1828. 
 
 Afterwards Doctor of Laws. Called to the Scottish Bar in 
 
 1826. Chief Justice of St. Lucie. 
 
 Essays. — The Philosophy of Legislation and Jurisprudence. 
 
 Origin and Progress of the Right of Property 
 
 in Civil Society. 
 
 Inexpediency of Codification. 
 
 The earliest Maritime Regulations of Modern 
 
 Europe. • 
 
 Manners and Customs of the Eboe Nation. 
 
 679. ALLAN ALEXANDER MACONOCHIE. 
 
 j Admitted, November 22, 1825. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 9, 1828. 
 
 Younger of Meadowbank, Mid-Lothian. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in J 829. Professor of Civil and Scottish Law in the 
 University of Glasgow. 
 
 Essays. — Terror, and the best Means of representing the 
 Terrible in Literary Compositions. 
 The Sublime. 
 
 Rise of Religion, and of the Natural Mytho- 
 logy of Original Nations. 
 
 680. WILLIAM WEIR. (Admitted, November 29, 1825. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, January 27, 1829. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 826. 
 Essays. — The Church of Rome. 
 
 The Spirit of Modern Literature. 
 
 Political Parties of Britain during the Reign of 
 
 George III. 
 The American Revolution. 
 Mr. Canning as Prime Minister. 
 
308 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Mr. Canning as Prime Minister. 
 
 The Change in the Management of the Public 
 Revenue introduced at the Revohition, and 
 its Consequences on the Spirit of Government, 
 ■with Remarks on the Influence of the Na- 
 tional Debt on the Welfare of the Country. 
 
 081. WILLIAM RICHARD GRAHAME. 
 
 ( Admitted, November 29, 1825. 
 • j ExTRAORDiNABY, December 16, 1828. 
 
 Afterwards Proprietor of Lands near Toronto, in Canada, and 
 
 at present residing there. Second Son of the Author of ' The 
 
 Sabbath,' and now Proprietor of the Moat, Annan, and other 
 
 estates in Dumfries-shire. 
 
 Essays. — The Naval Power of Britain. 
 
 The Law of Primogeniture. 
 
 682. ALEXANDER BINNING MONRO. 
 
 i Admitted, December 6, 1825. 
 Dropt from the Roll, Dec. 11, 1827. 
 
 Afterwards of Auchinbowie, Stirlingshire. Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Essay. — Tragedy, and its Moral Effects. 
 
 683. JOHN PETER GRANT. ( Admitted, December 13, 1825. 
 
 I Non-Resident, November 13, 1827. 
 
 Afterwards of the Honourable the East India Company's Civil 
 Service, Bengal Establishment. 
 
 684. ALEXANDER WELLESLEY LEITH. 
 
 I Admitted, December 20, 1825. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 23, 1828. 
 
 Afterwards Sir Alexander Wellesley Leith, Baronet, of Burgh 
 
 St. Peter's, County of Norfolk. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 
 in 1829. 
 
   Born, 1806. Died, 1842. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 309 
 
 Essays. — Poetical Literature of Ancient Greece. 
 Poetical Literature of Ancient Greece. 
 History of Constantinople under the French Em- 
 perors. 
 
 685. ARCHIBALD DAVIDSON, f Admitted, January 10, 1826. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 5, 1828. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1827. 
 
 Essay. — The Improvement of Society. 
 
 686. JAMES CRAUFURD. l Admitted, January 24, 1826. 
 
 j ExTRAORDiNARV, February 10, 1829. 
 
 Younger of Ardmillan, Ayrshire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1829. 
 
 Essays. — National Character of the Irish People. 
 The Court of Charles II. 
 
 687. JOHN NAIRNE FORMAN.f Admitted, January 31, 1826. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 3, 1829. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Essay Influence of Commerce on National Character. 
 
 688. WILLIAM FORBES. I Admitted, February 7, 1826. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 2, 1828. 
 
 Younger of Echt, Aberdeenshire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1827, and to the English Bar in 1842. 
 Essay. — Selfishness. 
 
 689. ALEXANDER DICKSON, f Admitted, March 14, 1826. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, Decemberlo, 1828. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1826. 
 Essays. — Classical Education. 
 
 Expediency of adopting a Political Party. 
 
310 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 690. EDMOND LOGAN. (Admitted, November 21, 1826. 
 
 ( Resigned, November 20, 1827. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 691. WILLIAM MAXWELL. (Admitted, November 21, 1826. 
 
 j Extraordinary, December 1, 1829. 
 
 Younger of Cardoness, in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1831. 
 Essays. — Eloquence. 
 
 Dr. Smith's Doctrine on the Origin and Effects 
 of Rent. 
 
 692. CHARLES RITCHIE. ( Admitted, November 21, 1826. 
 
 ( ExTRAORDiNART, December 15, 1829. 
 
 Essay. — Advantages to be derived from the Study of the 
 Classics. 
 
 693. WILLIAM RATHBONE GREG. 
 
 ( Admitted, November 21, 1826. 
 
 [ Non-Resident, November 13, 1827. 
 Afterwards Manufacturer, Wansfell, near Kendal, Westmore- 
 land. 
 
 Essay. — The Disadvantages of Civilization. 
 
 694. MACDUFF RHIND. /Admitted, November 21, 1826. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, December 1, 1829. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1826. 
 Essays. — Criminal Law. 
 
 The Police of the Metropolis. 
 
 695. THOMAS W. WEBSTER. ( Admitted, December S, 1826. 
 
 j Extraordinary, December 8, 1829. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1829. Scottish Parliamentary So- 
 licitor, London. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 31 1 
 
 Essays. — The Political Situation of Europe at the Acces- 
 sion of the House of Stuart to the English 
 Throne. 
 A Preliminary Sketch of the Religious Persecu- 
 tions in France during the 16 th and 17th 
 Centuries, and of tiie immediate Causes of the 
 War in the Cevennes. 
 
 C9C. ANGUS FLETCHER. j Admitted, December 12, 1826. 
 
 I Extraordinary, December 8, 1829. 
 
 Of Dunans, Argyleshire. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1826. 
 Afterwards Solicitor of Stamps and Taxes for Scotland. 
 Essays. — The Songs of J. P. de Beranger. 
 
 Administration of Cardinal Richelieu. 
 Administration of Cardinal Richelieu. 
 Foreign Policy of Louis XIV. 
 State of Manners in France during the Reign 
 
 of Louis XIV. , 
 Literature and Manners of France during the 
 
 Reign of Louis XIV. 
 Causes of the Decline of the Spanish Monarchy. 
 
 697. ROBERT MARK CRAIG. (Admitted, January 26, 1827. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 2, 1830. 
 
 Afterwards Manufacturer, Prestonholm, Lasswade. 
 
 Essays. — Systems of External Policy. 
 
 The Balance of Power. 
 
 698. HENRY PHILIP COCKBURN. j Admitted, January 26, 1827. 
 
 ( Resigned, December 18, 1827. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1827. 
 
312 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 699. JOHN MURRAY. (Admitted, March 13, 1827. 
 
 ( ExTRAOEDiNARY, March 16, 1830. 
 
 Younger of Murraysliall, Perthshire. Master of Arts. Called 
 to the Scottish Bar in 1831. 
 
 Essays. — The National Character of the Athenians, and 
 the Causes of its distinctive Peculiarities. 
 
 Short Inquiry into the respective Merits of the 
 Agricultural and Commercial Systems. 
 
 Agriculture as a Means of National Wealth. 
 
 Sketch of the Decline and Fall of the House of 
 Stuart. 
 
 The Revolution of 1688. 
 
 The Court of the Pretender, and the Fortunes of 
 his Adherents from the Revolution to the Ac- 
 cession of the House of Hanover. 
 
 Improvement which took place in the internal 
 Condition of Scotland towards the middle of 
 the 1 8th Century. 
 
 700. WILLIAM ROBERT INGLIS. j Admitted, March 13, 1827. 
 
 \ Non-Resident, Nov. 18, 1828. 
 
 Afterwards Merchant, Surinam. 
 
 701. JOHN WILLIAM SEMPLE. j Admitted, March 13, 1827. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 15, 1829. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1827. Afterwards at the Bar of 
 St. liucie, where he held the appointment of Solicitor-General 
 for a short time. Author of two volumes of Translations 
 from Kant's Metaphysics of Ethics, Theory of Religion, and 
 other works, with Introductions. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1842. 
 
 Essays. — A Search for a Criterion whereby to discover the 
 Radical Diversities of Language. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 313 
 
 luquiry into the present State of Metaphysical 
 
 Science. 
 Prolegomena explanatory of Kant's Philosophy. 
 History of Philosophy from Leibnitz to Kant. 
 Life and Character of Lord Somers. 
 Life and Character of Frederick the Great. 
 History of Europe from the termination of the 
 
 War in 1815, to the present time. 
 The Constitution of England and the spirit of 
 
 its Government under Elizabeth. 
 The Philosophy of Cudworth. 
 
 702. GEORGE HANDASYDE PATTISON. 
 
 ( Admitted, April 3, 1827. 
 I Extraordinary, November 23, 1830. 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1834. 
 
 Essay. — History of the Protestant Dissenters in England, 
 from the Restoration to the death of Queen 
 Anne. 
 
 703. Sib WILLIAM COOTE SETON, Bart. 
 
 I Admitted, November 13, 1827. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 8, 1831. 
 
 Of Pitmedden, Aberdeenshire. Called to the Scottish Bar in 
 
 1831. 
 
 704. ANDREW COVENTRY DICK. 
 
 I Admitted, November 20, 1827. 
 
 j Extraordinary, December 15, 1829. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1829. Author of a Dissertation 
 on Church Polity. 
 
 Essays. — Nature of some of the ancient Political Con- 
 stitutions. 
 The more immediate cause of the Great Rebellion. 
 The Darien Expedition. 
 2 R 
 
314 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 705. DONALD MACKENZIE DUNLOP. 
 
 \ Admitted, November 20, 1827. 
 
 ! Extraordinary, November 23, 1830. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1829, and to the English Bar in 
 
 1834. 
 
 Essay. — Mary Queen of Scots. 
 
 706. GODFREY SINCLAIR. ( Admitted, November 25, 1828. 
 
 j. Resigned, December 13, 1831. 
 
 Youngest son of the late Right Honourable Sir John Sinclair, 
 Baronet. Secretary to the Agricultural Society for North 
 Northumberland. 
 
 707. DAVID KINNEAR. ( Admitted, November 2S, 1828. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 21, 1832. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1829. Now residing in Montreal. 
 
 708. GEORGE DEAS. l admitted, November 25, 1828. 
 
 j Extraordinary, November 29, 1831. 
 
 Master of Arts. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1828. 
 
 Essays. — Remarks on the Emotions excited by Poetry. 
 
 Conduct and relative position of the Whig and 
 Tory parties during the reigns of George I. 
 and George II. 
 Literature of the Elizabethan Era. 
 
 709. ROBERT HAMILTON. I Admitted, November 25, 1828. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 20, 1831. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 710. THOMAS BALFOUR. ( Admitted, December 2, 1828. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 13, 1831 . 
 
 Younger of Elwick, Orkney. Fellow of the Royal Society. 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1831. He represented Orkney 
 and Shetland in Parliament from 1835 to 1837. 
 Born, 1810. Died, 1838. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 315 
 
 711. ROBERT ALLAN. \ Admitted, December 9, 1828. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 17, 1832. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1829. 
 
 Essay. — Life and Character of John De Witt. 
 
 712. SYDNEY SMITH BELL. ( Admitted, December 9, 1828. 
 
 ( Resigned, December 21, 1830. 
 
 Of the Inner Temple, Barrister at Law. Author of a Dic- 
 tionary of Decisions of the Court of Session from 1808 to 
 1833, and Reporter of Cases decided in the House of Lords 
 on Appeal from the Courts of Scotland. 
 
 713. The Hon. CHARLES HOPE. \ Admitted, December 9, 1828. 
 
 j Extraordinary, December 13, 1831. 
 
 Brother of John, fifth Earl of Hopetoun. Called to the Scot- 
 tish Bar in 1831. He was elected Member of Parliament 
 for Linlithgowshire in 1 838. One of the Commissioners of 
 Greenwich Hospital. 
 
 Essays. — The Court of Louis XIV. 
 
 The Wars in Canada previous to 1763, with a 
 Sketch of the Manners and Warfare of the 
 North American Indians. 
 Mercantile and Agricultural Systems of Politi- 
 cal Economy. 
 
 714. WILLIAM HENRY RAINSFORD. 
 
 Admitted, December 16, 1828. 
 Dropt from the Roll, Feb. 14, 1832. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1829. British Consul at Bogota, 
 
 New Granada. 
 
 715. ARTHUR DINGWALL. ( Admitted, January 27, 1829. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, February 7, 1832. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1827. 
 
316 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Essays. — Political State of Europe at the death of Queen 
 
 Anne. 
 Political Life and Character of Lord Boling- 
 
 broke. 
 The Fine Arts. 
 Rise and Progress of the Science of Political 
 
 Economy in England, and on the Writings 
 
 of Adam Smith. 
 Character of Napoleon. 
 
 716. JOHN WILSON HAY. ( Admitted, March 17, 1829. 
 
 j Extraordinary, March 27, 1832. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1826. Afterwards Assistant- 
 Judge, Bahama Islands. 
 
 Born, 1802. Died, 1837. 
 
 717. JOHN CLERK BRODIE. ( Admitted, December 8, 1829. 
 
 I Extraordinary, December 11, 1832. 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Essays. — A Comparative View of the conduct of the 
 Whig and Tory Parties during the reign of 
 William III. 
 The Civil Government of Ireland, and the Le- 
 gislative Measures regarding Roman Catho- 
 lics during the Reigns of George I. and 
 George II. 
 
 718. ALEXANDER SOUTER. \ Admitted, January 19, 1830. 
 
 j Extraordinary, January 29, 1839. 
 Afterwards Writer, Banff. 
 
 719. GEORGE STUART NEWBIGGING. 
 
 \ Admitted, January 19, 1830. 
 
 I Extraordinary, January 26, 1833. 
 
 Graduated as Master of Arts at the University of Edinburgh in 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 317 
 
 1831, and as Doctor of Medicine in 1837. Elected one of 
 the Presidents of the Royal Medical Society in 1836, and 
 was a Corresponding Member of the Medical Societies of 
 Hamburgh and Naples. 
 
 Bom, 1811. Died, 1840. 
 
 720. JOHN PARK. l Admitted, February 2, 1830. 
 
 I Resigned, January 10, 1832. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1829. 
 
 721. THOMAS JAMIESON TORRIE. 
 
 j Admitted, February 23, 1830. 
 
 \ Extraordinary, February 4, 1834. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1830. 
 
 722. "WILLIAM GO WAN. I Admitted, March 2, 1830. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, March 6, 1833. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1831, and to the English Bar in 
 1842. 
 Essays. — Life and Character of Sarah Duchess of Marl- 
 borough. 
 Rise and Progress of Civilization in Russia dur- 
 ing the reign of Peter the Great. 
 Rise and Progress of the Political Influence of 
 
 Russia, and its probable Eflfects. 
 History of Ireland from the Union to the pre- 
 sent time. 
 
 723. BENJAMIN ROBERT BELL. ( Admitted, March 16,1830. 
 
 i Extraordinary, March 26, 1833. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1832. Author of a Supplement 
 to Baron Hume's Commentaries on the Law of Scotland re- 
 specting Crimes. 
 
 Essays. — History of the state of Manners in England 
 
318 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 during the reigns of William III. and Queen 
 Anne 
 
 The Walpole Administration. 
 
 The Commercial Effects of American Indepen- 
 dence. 
 
 Origin, Principlej and Operation of the English 
 Poor Laws. 
 
 State of the English Nation at the Restoration. 
 
 724. JAMES MONCREIFF. ( Admitted, March 16, 1830. 
 
 ( ExTRAOKDiNABy, November 12, 1833. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1833. 
 
 Essays. — The History of Parliamentary Corruption from 
 
 the Restoration to the Administration of Sir 
 
 Robert Walpole. 
 The Political Power of the People. 
 The State of English Literature during the 
 
 Reigns of George I. and II. 
 Taxation. 
 
 Mr. Pitt's Financial Measures. 
 Oliver Cromwell. 
 
 725. HENRY MONCREIFF. I Admitted, December 7, 1830. 
 
 I Extraordinary, December 3, 1833. 
 
 Younger of Tulliebole, Kinross-shire. Bachelor of Arts, Ox- 
 ford. Afterwards Minister of the Established Church, and 
 since ] 843 of the Free Church, East Kilbride. 
 
 Essays — A sketch of those Religious Sects which arose in 
 Great Britain during the Reigns of George I. 
 and George II. 
 The Causes of the French ReTolution. 
 An Account of the Nonconformers of the Reign 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 
 
 319 
 
 of Elizabeth and James I., with the Measures 
 adopted for their Suppression. 
 The Theological Controversies during the Com- 
 monwealth. 
 
 726. WILLIAM SPALDING. 
 
 Admitted, December 14, 1830. 
 Resigned, November 20, 1832. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1833. Professor of Rhetoric and 
 Belles Lettres in the University of Edinburgh. Author of 
 a work comprising three volumes of the Edinburgh Cabinet 
 Library, entitled, ' Italy and the Italian Islands,' and of the 
 article Rhetoric, in the Encyclopaedia Britannica. 
 
 Essays. — The State of the Fine Arts in England at the 
 Death of George II. 
 The Political Character of Lord Chatham. 
 
 727. DAVID MURE. i Admitted, December 21, 1830. 
 
 I Extraordinary, December 2, 1834. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1831. 
 
 Essay. — A Sketch of the Mississippi Scheme. 
 
 728. CHARLES ROBERTSON. (Admitted, January 11,1831. 
 
 I Resigned, January 8, 1833. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1834. 
 
 729. COUNT LEON LUBIENSKI. \ Admitted, January 25, 1831. 
 
 j Extraordinary, December 13, 1831. 
 
 From Poland. On returning to his native country, he received 
 
 an appointment in the Bank of Poland. 
 
 730. CHARLES JOHN COOTE. \ Admitted, January 25, 1831. 
 
 I Extraordinary, January 29, 1839. 
 
 Essay. — History of the Jacobites after the Death of Queen 
 Anne. 
 
320 
 
 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 731. JOHN THOMSON GORDON. 
 
 Admitted, March 1, 1831. 
 Extraordinary, Nov. 22, 1836. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1835. 
 
 Essay. — The Literary Character of Burke. 
 
 732. JOHN MACKINTOSH BALFOUR. 
 
 ! Admitted, March 1, 1831. 
 Extraordinary, December 2, 1834. 
 
 Younger of Pilrig. Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Essays. — Effects of the French Revolution on the State 
 
 of Parties in England. 
 
 State of Spain during the Reign of Charles V. 
 
 Rise and Progress of the Dutch Republic. 
 
 The Statesmen of the Reign of Charles II. 
 
 The Statesmen of the Reign of Queen Anne. 
 
 State of English Poetry during the latter half of 
 
 the eighteenth Century. 
 
 Egyptian Hieroglyphics. 
 
 The Philosophy of Lord Bacon. 
 
 733. HENRY HAGART. 
 
 ( Admitted, March 15, 1831. 
 
 I Extraordinary, November 18, 1834. 
 
 734. ALEXANDER ADRIAN FERRIER. 
 
 Admitted, November 22, 1831. 
 Non-Resident, November 27, 1832. 
 
 Son of Sir Alexander Terrier, British Consul, Rotterdam. He 
 died several years ago. 
 
 735. JOHN DICK LAUDER. I Admitted, November 29, 1831. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 13, 1838. 
 
 Younger of Fountainhall. Afterwards in the Military Service 
 of the Honourable the East India Company, Bengal Esta- 
 blishment. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 321 
 
 736. MALCOLM COWAN. I Admitted, December 13, 1831. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, January 21, 1834. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1832. 
 
 Essays. — The Poetry and Literature of Portugal and the 
 Brazils. 
 The Genius of Burke. 
 
 737. ARCHIBALD SWINTON. ( Admitted, December 13, 1831. 
 
 ( Extraordinart, February 3, 1835. 
 
 Bachelor of Laws, Glasgow. Called to the Scottish Bar in 
 1833. Professor of Civil Law in the University of Edin- 
 burgh. Author of Reports of Cases before the High Court 
 and Circuit Courts of Justiciary, from 1835 to 1841. 
 Essays. — Municipal Law and Moral Science. 
 
 State of European Politics at the Peace of Paris. 
 The Causes which led to Buonaparte being de- 
 clared Emperor of the French. 
 Rise of the Middle Orders in England. 
 
 738. THOMAS TOD STODDART. (Admitted, December 13,1831. 
 
 j Extraordinary, Dec. 23, 1834. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1833. Author of 'The Death 
 Wake,' and other Poems, and of ' Angling Reminiscences.' 
 Essays. — Poetry and Genius of Wordsworth. 
 Ancient Government of Hindostan. 
 
 739. ALEXANDER WOOD. I Admitted, December 20, 1831. 
 
 I Extraordinary, Jauuary 13, 1835. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1834. 
 
 740. CHARLES WELD. \ Admitted, January 10, 1832. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 29, 1839. 
 
 Called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1838. 
 
 Essay. — Establishment of the Independence of the Irish 
 Parliament in 1782, and its History from 
 that Period to the Union. 
 2s 
 
822 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 741. WILLIAM EDMONSTONE AYTOUN. 
 
 i Admitted, January 17, 1832. 
 Extraordinary, January 27, 1835. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1840. Author of ' Poland, Ho- 
 mer, and other Poems,' and a Life of Richard the First. 
 Essays. — State of English Literature at the Commence- 
 ment of the 1 9th Century down to the present 
 Time, with an Outline of its Condition at 
 the close of the 18th Century. 
 The Magic and Witchcraft of the 16th and 17th 
 
 Centuries. 
 The early English Dramatists. 
 State of the Fine Arts in England during the 
 18th Century. 
 
 74.2. EDWARD HORSMAN. ( Admitted, February 7, 1832. 
 
 I ExTBAORDiNART, November 22, 1836. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1831. He has represented the 
 Borough of Cockermouth in Parliament since 1837, and was 
 a Lord of the Treasury under Viscount Melbourne's Admin- 
 istration. 
 
 Essay. — Lord North's Administration. 
 
 743. R. C. WADE. 
 
 Admitted, February 7, 1832. 
 ExTRAORDiNART, January 29, 1839. 
 
 744. GEORGE MAKGILL. 
 
 Of Kemback, Fifeshire. 
 
 Admitted, February 21, 1832. 
 ExTRAORDiNART, March 29, 1836. 
 
 745. JOHN POTTER. (Admitted, February 21, 1832. 
 
 j Extraordinary, March 29, 1836. 
 
 Afterwards of Buile Hill, Merchant in Manchester. 
 
 Essay. — The remote and immediate Causes of the Irish 
 
 Rebellion. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 323 
 
 746. JOHN SCOTT. l Admitted, November 20, 1832. 
 
 I Extraordinary, November 24, 1835. 
 
 Afterwards of Teviotbank, Roxburghshire. Writer to the Signet. 
 Essay. — Character of George III. 
 
 747. DAVID OGILVY. \ Admitted, November 20, 1832. 
 
 j Extraordinary, January 29, 1839. 
 
 Called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1 836. 
 
 748. ARCHIBALD CUNINGHAME. ( Admitted, November 20, 1832. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, Dec. 13, 1836. 
 
 Younger of Caddell and Thornton, Ayrshire. Called to the 
 Scottish Bar in 1 834. 
 
 Essays. — Genius of the Pitt Administration. 
 
 State of France at the Accession of Henry IV. 
 
 749. JOHN STUART BLACKIE. ( Admitted, November 27, 1832. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 1, 1835. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1834. Professor of Humanity in 
 Marischal College, Aberdeen. Author of a Translation of 
 Goethe's Faust. 
 Essays. — Rise and Progress of German Literature. 
 The Greek Drama. 
 
 The Generals of the Thirty Years' War. 
 Goethe. 
 
 Rise of the House of Brandenburg. 
 .Slschylus. 
 
 750. GEORGE TAYLOR, (Admitted, December 11, 1832. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, February 9, 1836. 
 
 Afterwards "Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Essays. — State of Europe during the Addington Adminis- 
 tration. 
 Spenser. 
 
 The Early Scottish Poets. 
 The Peace of Amiens. 
 
324 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 751. JOHN HAMILTON. I Admitted, January 29, 1833. 
 
 I ExTRAOEDiNARi-, February 9, 1836. 
 
 Afterwards Writer, Edinburgh. 
 
 Essay. — Character of Cardinal Wolsey. 
 
 752. GEORGE ROSS, Junior. i Admitted, April 2,1833. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 22, 1836. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1835. 
 Essays. — Character of Hampden. 
 
 The Philosophy of Berkeley. 
 
 The great Military Commanders of the Age of 
 
 Queen Anne. 
 Characters of Fox and Pitt. 
 Constitution of the Venetian Republic. 
 
 753. CHARLES MORRISON. I Admitted, December 3, 1833. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, April 3, 1838. 
 
 Younger of FonthiU, Wiltshire. 
 
 Essay. — State of Ireland from the Beginning to the Mid- 
 dle of the 17th Century. 
 
 754. JAMES FORMAN. ( Admitted, December 3, 1833. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 1.3, 1836. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1834. 
 
 Essay. — Character and Administration of Richlieu. 
 
 755. CHARLES FORBES DAVIDSON. 
 
 ( Admitted, December 17, 1833. 
 ( Non-Resident, March 20, 1838. 
 
 t56. ROBERT BELL. i Admitted, November 2S, 1834. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 12, 1837. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1836. SheriflF-Substitute of 
 Orkney. 
 
 Essay. — Rise of the English Colonies in America. 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 325 
 
 757. ALEXANDER EDWARD MACKNIGHT. 
 
 J Admitted, November 25, 1834. 
 
 \ ExTBAORDiNARY, December 12, 1837. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1841. 
 
 Essays. — The Philosophy of Locke. 
 
 The Scottish Metaphysical Writers. 
 
 758. ROBERT ROBERTSON GLASGOW. 
 
 {Admitted, NoTember 25, 1834. 
 Extraordinary, December 12, 1837. 
 
 Younger of Montgreenan, Ayrshire. Called to the Scottish 
 
 Bar in 1835. 
 
 Essay. — France during the Reign of Louis XIV. 
 
 759. CHARLES FARQUHAR SHAND. 
 
 ( Admitted, December 2, 1834. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 9, 1838. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 834. 
 
 Essays. — On Charles XII. and Peter the Great. 
 
 The Union between England and Scotland. 
 
 The British Essayists. 
 
 760. WILLIAM MONCREIFF. j Admitted, December 23, 1834. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 16, 1838. 
 
 Afterwards Accountant in Edinburgh. 
 
 Essay. — State of Scotland from the Union of the Crowns 
 to the Union of the Kingdoms. 
 
 761. WILLIAM WARDLAW RAMSAY. 
 
 {Admitted, December 23, 1834. 
 Non-Resident, March 29, 1835. 
 
 Younger of Whitehill, Mid-Lothian. He died at Damascus 
 while travelling in Syria, having survived his father only 
 two months. 
 
 Born, . Died, 1837. 
 
326 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 762. JAMES BALFOUR, Junior. (Admitted, January 13, 1835. 
 
 I Extraordinary, January 23, 1838. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Essays. — Rise of the Naval Power of England, and its 
 State previous to the Revolution. 
 Character and Administration of Walpole. 
 Grattan and Irish Oratory. 
 The Inquisition. 
 
 The Puritan and other Religious Parties in 
 England at the time of the Great Rebellion. 
 
 763. FRANCIS BROWN DOUGLAS. 
 
 j Admitted, January 13, 1835. 
 
 ( ExTRAOEDiNART, January 23, 1838. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in ] 837. 
 
 Essays. — Character and Administration of Chatham. 
 
 A Sketch of the Political Parties in France at 
 
 the time of the Revolution. 
 Character of Canning. 
 The recent Geological Discoveries. 
 The Treaty of Union between Scotland and 
 
 England. 
 The Modern History and Constitution of the 
 
 Austrian Empire. 
 
 764. SPENCER PERCEVAL. ( Admitted, January 19, 1835. 
 
 j Dropt from the Roll, Jan. 29, 1839. 
 
 Afterwards Lieutenant and Captain in the Coldstream Guards. 
 
 765. COLIN BLACKBURN. f Admitted, March 3, 1835. 
 
 I Non-Resident, March 31, 1835. 
 
 Of the Inner Temple. Barrister-at-Law. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 327 
 
 766. WILLIAM SMILLIE. \ Admitted, March 24, 1835. 
 
 j Extraordinary, January 15, 1839. 
 
 Afterwards Advocate-General, and Crown Solicitor, Adelaide, 
 South Australia, and one of the Members of the Legislative 
 Council of that colony. 
 
 Essays. — State of French Literature in the Age of Louis 
 XIV. 
 Rise of German Literature. 
 
 767. THOMAS INNES. f Admitted, November 24, 1835. 
 
 { Extraordinary, January 15, 1839. 
 
 Younger of Raemoir, Kincardineshire. Called to the Scottish 
 Bar in 1836. 
 
 Essays. — Theatrical Representation in Great Britain. 
 The Gipsies. 
 
 768. JOHN CLERK. j admitted, December l, 1835. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 12, 1841. 
 
 A younger son of Sir George Clerk, Bart., of Pennycuik. Of 
 the Inner Temple, Barrister-at-Law. 
 
 Essay. — The French Literature of the 18th Century. 
 
 769. JOHN MURRAY. (Admitted, December 15, 1835. 
 
 < Extraordinary, January 22, 1839. 
 ( Honorary, March 8, 1842. 
 
 Mr. Murray was a Master of Arts of Trinity College, Cam- 
 bridge, where he was highly distinguished, having carried off 
 the Hulsean and the Seatonian prizes, two of the crowning 
 honours of the English Universities. He was called to the 
 Scottish Bar in 1836, but afterwards took orders in the 
 Church of England, and was appointed Curate of Halifax. 
 In token of the estimation in which Mr. Murray was held, a 
 monument has been erected to his memory by his Parishioners 
 within the Church in which he officiated. 
 
 In the year 1842 there was conferred on him, 'in considera- 
 
328 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 tion of the high sense entertained by the Society of his great 
 ability and sterling worth,' the comparatively rare distinc- 
 tion of honorary membership, and on the announcement of 
 his death being made not many months afterwards, the fol- 
 lowing motion was unanimously agreed to. 
 
 " That the Society having heard of the death of the Rev. 
 John Murray, record their sense of deep regret at this event, 
 which has so prematurely cut off one whose great abilities, 
 extensive information, and unaffected kindness of disposition, 
 were often exhibited within its walls, and to whom, in token 
 of his excellence and merits, the Society so lately awarded 
 their diploma of honorary membership." 
 
 Born, 1814. Died, 1842. 
 Essays. — Genius and Writings of Pope. 
 Life and Writings of Burke. 
 The Waverley Novels. 
 Character and Writings of Machiavelli. 
 
 770. FRANCIS WALKER DRUMMOND. 
 
 I Admitted, January 12, 1836. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 22, 1836. 
 
 A younger son of the late Sir Francis Walker Drummond, Bar- 
 onet, of Hawthornden. Afterwards in the Military Service of 
 the Honourable the East India Company, Bengal Establishment. 
 
 771. ALEXANDER CUMINE. I Admitted, January 19, 1836. 
 
 j Died, while an Ordinary Member. 
 
 Master of Arts of Trinity College, Cambridge. Called to the 
 
 Scottish Bar in 1836. 
 
 Born, 1815. Died, 1839. 
 The Rev. Mr. Murray, in the Seatonian Prize Poem mentioned 
 
 in the preceding page, thus feelingly alludes to the early death 
 
 of his companion and friend : — 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 Ye who have seen earth close above 
 The friend, the brother of your love, 
 
 In his cold and narrow bed ; 
 Seen him in youth's unclouded morn, 
 From life, from hope, from friendship torn, 
 
 And numbered with the dead ; 
 And felt, as ye have turned to part. 
 How large a portion of your heart 
 
 Lay buried with him there ; 
 How much to which the memory clings. 
 Visions of old familiar things. 
 Thoughts which were twined with your heart strings, 
 
 Which none but he could share ; 
 Ye know how poor a thing appears 
 All the success of after years, 
 
 Now he is gone. 
 That fate's best blessings here below, 
 Have less of pleasure than of woe. 
 
 Enjoyed alone. 
 
 329 
 
 •f.' 
 
 Essays. — Rise of the British Power in India. 
 
 The Military Genius of the Duke of Wellington. 
 
 772. ARCHIBALD BROUN. I Admitted, December 6, 18a6. 
 
 j ExTRAOEDiNARY, December 10, 1839. 
 
 Of Johnstonbum, Haddingtonshire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1838. Author of Reports of Cases before the High Court 
 and Circuit Courts of Justiciary since 1841. 
 
 Essays. — Character of Milton as a Prose Writer. 
 Genius and Character of Buonaparte. 
 The Scottish Reformation. 
 The Jesuits. 
 
 Revolutions of France and England. 
 The Scottish Covenanters. 
 Constitution of the Church of Scotland. 
 2 T 
 
 <«r- 
 
330 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 773. PATRICK ARKLEY. 
 
   Admitted, March 28, 1837. 
 Extraordinary, April 7, 1840. 
 
 Of Dunninald, Forfarshire. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1838. 
 Essays. — Eloquence of the British Senate. 
 
 Present State of Poetry in France. 
 
 The Writings of Junius. 
 
 Rise and Progress of the Russian Power. 
 
 Present State of the South American Rej)ublics. 
 
 774. CHARLES GREENSHIELDS REID. 
 
 f Admitted, April 4, 1837. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 17, 1840. 
 
 Younger of Grangehill, Ayrshire. Afterwards Writer to the 
 Signet, and Joint Secretary to Trinity College, Perthshire. 
 Essays. — Life and Writings of Burns. 
 
 Causes which retarded the Spread of Protest- 
 antism since the Reformation. 
 
 j Admitted, February 5, 1838. 
 1 
 
 775. THOMAS CLEGHORN. 
 
 Extraordinary, February 16, 1841. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 830. 
 
 Essays. — Religitm and Character of the Hindoos. 
 The Poetry of Wordsworth. 
 Character and Policy of Pope Gregory VI L 
 The Religious Wars of France, and Character 
 
 of Henry IV. 
 Spenser's Faery Queen. 
 The Greek Drama. 
 Life and Character of Sir Matthew Hale. 
 
 i 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 331 
 
 m % 
 
 77C. JOHN FREDEllICK DREYER. I Admitted, Febiuary 12, 1B38. 
 
 I NoN-RESiDiiNT, Dec. 18, 1838. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 8-38. A native of the Cape 
 of Good Hope, and afterwards practising at the Bar of that 
 Colony. 
 
 777. JACOB HENRY DREYER. | Admitted, February 1-2, 1838. 
 
 \ Non-Resi DENT, December 18, 1838. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 18S8. A native of the Cape 
 of Good Hope, and afterwards practising at the Bar of that 
 Colony. 
 
 778. JOHN MUDIE. j Ad.mitted, March 20, 1838. 
 
 \ Resigned, December 17, 1839. 
 
 Younger of Pitrauies, Forfarshire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1838. 
 Essay. — The Literature of America. 
 
 779. HirrroN avilson. 
 
 ( Admitted, March 20, 1838. 
 \ E.ktraordinary, April 6, 1841. 
 
 Afterwards Writer to the Signet. 
 
 Essays. — Character of Cardinal Wolsey. 
 
 Character of Sir Walter Raleigh. 
 History of the Application of Steam to Ma- 
 chinery. 
 African Discovery. 
 
 780. ALEXANDER HAY MILN. ( Admitted, April 3, 1838. 
 
 \ Resigned, December 22, 1840. 
 
 Younger of Woodhill, Forfarshire. Afterwards AVriter to the 
 
 Signet. 
 
 Essay. — The Chinese. 
 
332 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 781. JAMES DOBIE. l ADMriTED, April 3, 1838. 
 
 ( Died, while an Ordinary Member. 
 
 Born, 1817. Died, 1840. 
 Essay. — The Druids. 
 
 782. ROBERT BALFOUR. I Admitted, December 4, 1838. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, December 14, 1841. 
 
 Afterwards Accountant in Edinburgh. 
 
 Essays. — Alcliemy, Astrology, and Palmistry. 
 Character and Works of Chatterton. 
 Mahommedanism. 
 The Writings of Dickens. 
 History and present State of the Ottoman Em- 
 pire. 
 The Statesmen of the latter part of the 1 8tli 
 Century. 
 
 783. HENRY MACDOUGALL. (Admitted, December 11,1838. 
 
 I Non-Resident, April 9, 1839. 
 
 Essay. — The Study of Music. 
 
 784. ROBERT CAMPBELL. l admitted, December 18, 1838. 
 
 I Extraordinary, January 25, 1842. 
 
 Of Skerrington, Ayrshire. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1837. 
 Essays. — The Constitutional History of Spain. 
 
 Constitutional Principles established by the Re- 
 volution of 1 688. 
 The Utilitarian System of Philosophy. 
 
 785. THOMAS IVORY. 
 
 786. WILLIAM MACBEAN 
 
 j Admitted, January 15, 1839. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, January 31, 1843. 
 
 J Admitted, March 26, 1839. 
 
 ( Died, while an Ordinary Member. 
 
 The tribute to Mr. Macbean's memory, already mentioned,* 
 * Supra, page 46. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 333 
 
 is the best proof of the estimation in which he was held 
 by his fellow-members. The ability and industry which 
 he displayed in the Debates, afforded great promise of future 
 eminence and usefulness, while his amiable qualities and 
 gentle manners endeared him to all his companions. 
 Born, J822. Died, 1842. 
 Essays. — Character of Mirabeau. 
 The Italian Republics. 
 Life and Discoveries of Galileo. 
 
 787. WILLIAM PAUL STOTHERT PAUL. 
 
 {Admitted, November 26, 1839. 
 Extraordinary, December 13, 1842. 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1842. 
 
 Essays. — Scandinavian Mythology. Part I. 
 Scandinavian Mythology. Part II. 
 
 788. JOHN FRANCIS CAMPBELL. ( Admitted, December 10, 1839. 
 
 \ Non-Resident, Nov. 21. 1840. 
 
 Younger of Islay, Argyleshire. 
 
 789. WILLIAM CLARK WILKIE. (Admitted, January 21, 1840. 
 
 \ Died, while an Ordinary Member. 
 
 Born, 1814. Died, 1840. 
 
 790. WILLIAM GILLIES TYTLER. f Admitted, January 28, 1840. 
 
 ( Extraordinart, Feb. 7, 1843. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1844. 
 
 Essays. — Oriental Poetry. 
 
 The Thirty Years' War. 
 
 Origin of Chivalry in Europe. 
 
 Character of Oliver Cromwell. 
 
 The Moors in Spain. 
 
331. 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 7,91. WEDDERBURNE DUNDAS. j ADMiirEo.M.irci. a, 1840. 
 
 jP ( ExTRAORDi.NAKY, Mai'ph 2(i, 1043. 
 
 Afternards of the 83d Regiment. 
 
 Essay. — Tiie Eloquence of Demosthenes. 
 
 792. FRANCIS RUSSELL. f Admitted, March 10, 1840. 
 
 ) Extraordinary, January 23, 1844. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 836. 
 
 Essays. — The Female Characters of Shakesijeare's Plays. 
 
 History and present State of Hungary. 
 
 The Revolution of 1C88. 
 
 The Writings of Thomas Carlyle. 
 
 j Admitted, November 24, 1840. 
 (1 
 
 7.03. GORDON FORLONG. 
 
 1 Extraordinary, Uec. 12, 1843. 
 
 Essays. — Character of Napoleon. 
 Formation of Character. 
 
 794. JOHN CAMERON MACDONALD. 
 
 ) Admitted, December 1, 1840. 
 Non-Resident, November 9, 1841. 
 
 Essay. — Character and Works of Cowper. 
 
 795. ALEXANDER LEITH. ( Admitted, January 12, 1841. 
 
 I Extraordinary, January 23, 1844. 
 
 Younger of Freefield and Glenkindie, Aberdeenshire. Called 
 to the Scottish Bar in 1 843. 
 
 Essay. — The Writings of Goldsmith. 
 
 796. JAMES CAMPBELL. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1843. 
 Essays. — The Works of Cowley. 
 The Works of Chaucer. 
 
 {Admitted, November 16, 1841. 
 Extraordinary, November 26, 1844. 
 
 # 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 335 
 
 797. KENNETH JOHN MACKENZIE. 
 
 ( Admitted, November 16, 1841. 
 
 ( Extraordinary, November 26, 1844. 
 
 Younger of Applecross, Ross-shire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 
 in 1843. 
 
 7.98. NEIL COLQUHOITN CAMPBELL. 
 
 f Admitted, November 23, 1841. 
 
 ( ExTRAORDiNABT, December 3, 1844. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1842. 
 
 Essay. — Tlie Prose Works of Milton. 
 
 799. ARCHIBALD THOMAS BOYLE. 
 
 j Admitted, November 23, 1841. 
 
 I Extraordinary, December 3, 1844. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 843. 
 
 Essays. — The Poems of Coleridge. 
 
 Life and Writings of Sir Philip Sydney. 
 
 800. FREDERICK LEWIS MAITLAND HERIOT. 
 
 {Admitted, November 30, 1841. 
 Extraordinary, December 19, 1844. 
 
 Younger of Raniornie, Fifeshire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 
 in 1839. 
 
 Essays. — Bunyan's Life and Pilgrim's Progress. 
 
 The History of Architecture. 
 
 801. JOHN BLACKWOOD GREENSHIELDS. 
 
 ( Admitted, December 14, 1841. 
 ( Non-Resident, January 16, 1844. 
 
 Younger of Kerse, Lanarkshire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 
 in 1843. 
 
 Essay. — History and Condition of Canada previous to the 
 
 conclusion of the European War in 1815. 
 
336 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 ( Admit! 
 
 { Extraordinary, January 7, 1845. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1842. 
 
 Essay. — Rise and Fall of the Power of Spain. 
 
 803. JAMES FRANCIS MONTGOMERY. 
 
 1 Admitted, January H, 1842. 
 Extraordinary, January21, 1845. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1840. 
 
 Essays. — History and present State of Norway. 
 
 The Hanseatic League. 
 
 804.* JOHN TURNBULL. Admitted, March 8, 1842. 
 
 Younger of Abbey St. Bathans, Berwickshire. Writer to the 
 Signet. 
 
 Essays. — Meteorology. 
 
 The Discoveries of Newton. 
 
 805.* JAMES MACKONOCHIE. Admitted, March 15, 1842. 
 
 Essays. — The English Reformers. 
 
 The later English Reformers. 
 On the present Condition of Painting, as con- 
 trasted with the State of the Art during the 
 Middle Ages. 
 
 806.* FREDERICK HALLARD. admitted, March 29, 1842. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1844. 
 Essays. — The Genius of Pascal. 
 
 The Philosophy of Montaigne. 
 History of the Parliament of Paris. 
 Life and Writings of Horace Walpole. 
 
 * The asterislis denote the Resident Ordinary Members at 2lBt January 1845. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 337 
 
 807. JOHN GORDON. j Admitted, April S, 1842. 
 
 ( No.N- Resident, January 24, 1843. 
 
 808.* ENEAS RONALD MACDONELL. 
 
 Admitted, November 15, 1842. 
 
 Essays. — The Age of Louis XIV. 
 The Orations of Cicero. 
 
 809.» EDWARD W. LANE. Admittsd, November 15, 1842. 
 
 810.* GEORGE FERGUSSON MAITLAND. 
 
 Admitted, November 22, 1842. 
 
 Of Hermand, Mid-Lothian. Called to the Scottish Bar in 
 1843. 
 
 811.* ARCHIBALD GR AH AME. Admitted, November 22, 1842. 
 
 Essays. — The AVritings of Cervantes. 
 Life and Writings of Tasso. 
 
 812. ANDREW MITCHELL. ( Admitted, November 22, 1842. 
 
 I Resigned, November 28, 1843. 
 
 Afterwards AVriter in Glasgow. 
 
 813.* JOHN MACGREGOR M'CANDLISH. 
 
 Admitted, November 22, 1842. 
 
 Essays. — Causes of the Reformation in Germany. 
 The Philosophy of Vision. 
 History of the National Debt. 
 2 u 
 
338 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 814. The LORD BERNARD HOWARD. 
 
 ( Admitted, November 29, 1842. 
 \ Non-Resident, November 7, 1843. 
 
 Third Son of His Grace the Duke of Norfolk. 
 
 815. ALEXANDER OSWALD BRODIE. 
 
 J Admitted, December 6, 1 842. 
 ( Non-Resident, January 7, 1845. 
 
 Essay. — History of the House of Hapsburg. 
 
 816.* ALEXANDER FORBES IRVINE, Junior. 
 
 Admitted, December 13, 1842. 
 
 Younger of Drum, Aberdeenshire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1843. 
 
 817. FREDERICK WILLIAM TORRANCE. 
 
 {Admitted, December 20, 1842. 
 Non-Resident, November 12, 1843. 
 
 818. JULES BOUCHET. I Admitted, January 24, 1843. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, November 5, 1844. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1843. A native of Mauritius, and 
 returned to practice at the Bar of that Colony. 
 
 819.* JOHN PETTIGREW WILSON. Admitted, February 7, 1843. 
 
 820.* ALEXANDER CAMPBELL. Admitted, March 14, 1843. 
 
 Of Auchendarroch, Argyleshire. Called to the Scottish Bar 
 in 1844. 
 
 821.* JOHN MACKINTOSH. Admitted, November 21, 1843. 
 
 Essay. — Life and Writings of Dr. Samuel Johnson. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 339 
 
 822. ALEXANDER MACLENNAN.j admitted, November 21, 1843. 
 
 ( Non-Resident, April 2, 1844. 
 
 823.* JOHN CRAWFURD TAIT. Admitted, Noyember 28, 1843. 
 Essay. — The English Prose Fictions of the present day. 
 
 824.* WILLIAM THOMSON. Admitted, January 10, 1844. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1843. 
 Ess A Y. — Witchcraft. 
 
 825.* JOHN MAY WELSH. admitted, February 27, 1844. 
 
 Essay. — The Poems of Crabbe. 
 
 826.* JOHN BORTHWICK. Admitted, March 19, 1844. 
 
 Younger of Crookston. 
 
 Essay. — The Remains of Servitude in Europe. 
 
 827.* JOHN WARRACK. Admitted, November 19, 1844. 
 
 Merchant in Leith. 
 
 828.* ROBERT RAINY. Admitted, November 19, 1844. 
 
 829.* WILLIAM IVORY. Admitted, November 19, 1844. 
 
 830.* HEYWORTH WATSON. Admitted, November 19, 1844. 
 
 831.* JAMES LORIMER. Admitted, November 19, 1844. 
 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1 845. 
 
 832.* ALEXANDER BENNET M'GRIGOR. 
 
 Admitted, November 19, 1844. 
 
340 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 833.* JOHN MORISON DUNCAN. Admitted, November 26, 1844. 
 
 834.* WILLIAM BENNET CLARK. Admitted, November 26, 1844. 
 Called to the Scottish Bar in 1843. 
 
 835.* ALEXANDER SMITH. Admitted, Decembers, 1844. 
 
 836.* CLEMENT JEAN A. ULCOQ. admitted, December 17, 1844. 
 A native of Mauritius. Called to the Scottish Bar in 1845. 
 
 837.* WILLIAM HUGH MURRAY. Admitted, .January 14, 1845. 
 
 Of Geanies, Ross-shire. 
 
 N.B.^An Alphabetical List of Members will be found at the end of the work, with i 
 reference to the page of the foregoing List where each name appears. 
 
VI. 
 
 SUBJECTS OF DEBATE, 
 
 AND NAMES OP THE MEMBERS BY WHOM THE SEVERAL 
 DISCUSSIONS WERE OPENED. 
 
 FIRST SESSION— 1764-5.* 
 
 Nov. 30. Have the theatre and theatrical representations been ad- 
 vantageous or prejudicial to mankind ? Mr. Belsches 
 and Mr. Stuart. 
 Dec. 7. Whether is a private or a public education most proper for 
 youth ? Mr. Gilchrist and Mr. Bruce. 
 
 14. Whether does a married or a single state tend most to pro- 
 
 mote virtue ? Mr. Bonar and Mr. Mackenzie. 
 2 1 . Can friendship exist between wicked persons or not ? Mr. 
 
 Creech. 
 28. Is it lawful to kill a tyrant or usurper? Mr. Muat and 
 Mr. Caw. 
 Jan. 4. What is the ruling passion of the mind? Mr. Maconochie. 
 1 1 . Have Romances been upon the whole of advantage or of 
 hurt to mankind ? Mr. Plummer and Mr. Belsches. 
 18. Is popular applause the test of merit ? Mr. Touch. 
 25. Whether has custom or novelty the greater influence on 
 mankind ? Mr. Bruce and Mr. Bonar. 
 Feb. 1. Is a recluse life consistent with religion? Mr. Stuart. 
 8. Whether is avarice or prodigality the more hurtful to so- 
 ciety ? Mr. Mackenzie and Mr. Caw. 
 
 1 5. What is the criterion of true genius ? Mr. Gilchrist. 
 
 * The Meetings were at this time held on Friday evenings. 
 
342 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVK SOCIETY. 
 
 Feb. 22. Whether is adversity or prosperity the more favourable to 
 
 virtue ? Mr. Sxuaet and Mr. Muat. 
 March 1 . What are the causes of the different dispositions of man- 
 kind ? Mr. Maconochie. 
 8. Do the ancients or the moderns excel most in the various 
 species of composition ? Mr. Creech and Mr. Touch. 
 
 22. Are slavery and the slave trade consistent with the na- 
 tural rights of mankind ? Mr. Stuart. 
 
 29. Is the poet or the philosopher most serviceable to the 
 cause of virtue ? Mr. Plummer and Mr. M'Mutrie. 
 April 5. Whether may a man be most serviceable to his country in a 
 civil or in a military life ? Mr. Torrence. 
 
 1 2. Has eloquence been of use to mankind ? Mr. Mackenzie 
 and Mr. MACONOcniE. 
 
 ] 9. Did Virginius do right in killing his daughter ? Mr. Stuart. 
 
 26. Is any faith to be given to dreams ? Mr Bonar and Mr. 
 Belsches. 
 May 3. Is truth to be told in all circumstances, and upon every 
 occasion ? Mr. Bruce. 
 
 10. Whether has love or ambition been most hurtful to man- 
 kind ? Mr. Caw and Mr. Stuart. 
 
 17. Whether does hope or fear predominate in the human breast ? 
 Mr. Baillie. 
 
 24. Whether has a rude or a polished state the greater chance 
 of happiness ? Mr. Stuart and Mr. Scott. 
 
 SECOND SESSION— 1765-6. 
 
 Nov. 1. Are the actions of men more influenced by imitation or by 
 reason ? Mr. Hepburn. 
 8 . Whether is a free or a despotic government most favourable 
 to letters ? Mr. Maconochie and Mr. Muat. 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 343 
 
 Nov. 29. Whether is the reception or the communication of knowledge 
 more agreeable to an ingenuous mind ? Mr. Caw. 
 Dec. 6. Whether does tragedy or comedy tend most to the encou- 
 ragement of virtue ? Mr. Gilchrist and Mr. Bruce. 
 
 13. Oan the characters of men be known from the features of 
 
 their faces ? Mr. Wilson. 
 
 20. Is a man of ordinary abilities and possessed of common 
 
 sense, or one of extraordinary parts, most advantageous 
 to society ? Mr. Muat and Mr. Kay. 
 
 27. What has principally contributed to the restoration of the 
 
 arts and sciences ? Mr. Plummer. 
 Jan. 3. Whether ought we to pay greater regard to the interest of 
 
 our country or to that of our friend ? Mr. Creech and 
 
 Mr. MuAT. 
 1 0. Whether is the character of Cato or of Atticus the more 
 
 amiable ? Mr. Torrence. 
 17. Ought a promise extorted from us by unlawful means to 
 
 be performed ? Mr. Maconochie and Mr. M'Mdtrie. 
 24. Was it a virtuous action in Brutus to kill Cresar ? Mr. 
 
 BONAR. 
 
 31. Is virtue more the product of nature or of education ? Mr. 
 Wilson and Mr. Plummer. 
 Feb. 7. Can a particular Providence bo proved from the light of 
 nature ? Mr. Bruce. 
 
 14. Whether is a rude or a polished state the more happy ? 
 
 Mr. Caw and Mr. Tytler. 
 
 21. Is there any reality in the second sight; and if there be, its 
 
 cause ? Mr. Whytt. 
 
 28. Is duelling allowable by the laws of Nature ? Mr. M'Mu- 
 
 TRiE and Mr. Kemp. 
 March 7. Is every thing in the visible creation formed for the use of 
 man ? Mr. Creech. 
 
344 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 March 2 1 . Is virtue its own reward ? Mr. Bruce and Mr. Creech. 
 28. Is a fear of supernatural appearances implanted in the 
 mind of man ? Mr. Maconociiie. 
 April 4. Does the mind always think ? Mr. Bonae and Mr. 
 Tytler. 
 11. Was the death of King Charles I. of Britain justifiable? 
 
 Mr. Caw. 
 18. Whether is presentation or popular election the better mode 
 of settling parishes ? Mr. Mcat and Mr. Caw. 
 
 25. Whence arises our attachment to objects in distress ? Mr. 
 
 M'MUTRIE. 
 
 May 2. Is ridicule the test of truth ? Mr. Hepburn. 
 
 .9. Ought instrumental music to be allowed in churches ? Mr. 
 Maconociiie and Mr. Wilson. 
 1 6. What are the causes of the declension of eloquence in mo- 
 dem from what it was in ancient times ? Mr. Bonar. 
 23. Are set forms of prayer agreeable to Scripture and Rea- 
 son ? Mr. Tytler and Mr. Hepburn. 
 30. Is man a free agent ? Mr. Kay. 
 
 THIRD SESSION— 1766-7.* 
 
 Nov. 1 9. What are the causes of a more remarkable corruption of 
 manners in jjopulous cities than is in country places ? 
 Mr. AVhytt. 
 
 26. Whether do the ages from the commencement of the Re- 
 
 formation to the Revolution, or from that period down 
 to the present times, most deserve admiration? Mr. 
 Maconochie and Mr. Muat. 
 Dec. 3. Ought a king to have the power of pardoning criminals con- 
 demned to death ? Mr. Bruce. 
 
 * The Meetings at this time were held on Wednesday evenings. 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 345 
 
 Dec. 17. Have the theatre and theatrical entertainments been hurt- 
 ful or favourable to the interests of virtue ? Mr. 
 M'MuTRiE and Mr. Boswell. 
 
 24. Has the invention of money been of any use to society ? 
 
 Mr. BoNAK. 
 Jan. 7. Has the revival of the Arts and Sciences contributed to 
 
 render our manners more pure ? Mr. Plummer and 
 
 Mr. Stuart. 
 14. Whether is the state of youth, of manhood, or of old age, 
 
 the most productive of happiness ? Mr. Caw. 
 2 1 . Whether is a descriptive florid manner or a neat plain style 
 
 in general the more convincing ? Mr. Torrence and 
 
 Mr. Tytler. 
 28. Does superior understanding confer superior happiness ? 
 
 Mr. M'MuTRiE. 
 Feb. 4. Whether is friendship or love the nobler passion ? Mr. 
 
 Bruce and Mr. Wilson. 
 11. What are the causes of the rise and suppression of chivalry ? 
 
 Mr. Tytler. 
 18. Are severe penalties a pt-oper method of banishing crimes 
 
 from a state ? Mr. Whytt and Mr. Caw. 
 
 25. Whether has Atheism or Superstition produced the worse 
 
 effects in society ? Mr. Kemp. 
 March 4. Whether do the good or bad effects of trade preponderate ? 
 
 Mr. Boswell and Mr. Kemp. 
 1 1 . Whether is genius or application to bo preferred ? Mr. 
 
 Dallas. 
 18. Whether is that modesty which is the characteristic of the 
 
 fair sex natural to them, or acquired by education ? 
 
 Mr. Laurie and Mr. Whytt. 
 25. Are the laws against treason, whereby a father forfeits 
 
 2 X 
 
846 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 not only for himself but for his children, agreeable to 
 equity or useful to society ? Mr. Bonar. 
 April 1. Can the immortality of the soul be proved from the light of 
 nature merely ? Mr. Maconochie and Mr. Kemp. 
 8. Are the rights of primogeniture agreeable to equity and con- 
 sistent with sound policy ? Mr. Belsciies. 
 1 5. Is revenge contrary to the law of Nature ? Mr. Boswell 
 
 and Mr. Bruce. 
 22. "What is the foundation of morality ? Mr. Maconochie. 
 29. Whether is the pulpit or the bar the nobler field for elo- 
 quence ? Mr. Bonar and Mr. Whytt. 
 May 6. What are the causes of the variety of sentiments concerning 
 beauty ? Mr. Gordon. 
 
 FOURTH SESSION— 1767-8. 
 
 Nov. 18. Can a man be happy in this world without experiencing 
 
 adverse fortune ? Mr. Caw. 
 25. Have romances been of advantage or of hurt to mankind ? 
 
 Mr. Bruce and Mr. Torrence. 
 Dec. 2. What is the vice that is most prevalent in, and has done 
 
 most harm to society ? Mr. M'Mutrib. 
 1 6. The advantage of entails to this country. Mr. Tttler and 
 
 Mr. Belsches. 
 23. Whence is the origin of poetry ? Mr. Bonab, 
 Jan. 6. The Liberty of the Press. Mr. Bonar. 
 
 13. The utility and disadvantages of paper and public credit. 
 
 Mr. Gordon. 
 20. Are there sufficient obligations to morality independent of 
 
 revelation ? Mr. Maconochie and Mr. M'Mutrie. 
 27. Can any fact which is contrary to the known laws of na- 
 ture, be received on human testimony ? Mr. Gordon. 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 
 
 347 
 
 Feb. 3. 
 
 10. 
 
 17. 
 
 24. 
 
 March 2. 
 
 9. 
 
 23. 
 
 April 5. 
 
 12. 
 
 20. 
 
 27. 
 May 4. 
 
 Ought the Marriage Act of 1763 to be enforced? Mr. 
 
 Plummer and Mr. Belsciies. 
 Is the punishment of death really useful or necessary for the 
 
 safety and good order of society ? Mr. David Stuart. 
 Whether has profanity or hypocrisy been most hurtful to 
 
 the interests of society ? Mr. Kemp and Mr. Creech. 
 Does the married or the single state give the greater chance 
 
 for happiness ? Mr. Burgoyne. 
 Is virtue its own reward ? Mr. Bruce and Mr. Maco- 
 
 NOCUIE. 
 
 Whether is a free or a despotic Government most favour- 
 able to letters ? Mr. Wiiytt. 
 
 Whether are the benevolent or selfish passions the more 
 powerful ? Mr. Plummer and Mr. Dalrymple. 
 
 Is the establishment of slavery consistent with the principles 
 of sound policy, and the natural rights of mankind ? 
 Mr. Neil Fergcsgn. 
 
 Ought the clergy to be admitted to a share in the govern- 
 ment of a well-regulated state ? Mr. M'Mutrie and 
 Mr. Keitu. 
 
 In which of the three great professions, Physic, Law, and 
 Divinity, lies the most extensive sphere of usefulness ? 
 Mr. Belsciies. 
 
 Whether is the English or Scots method of choosing' Repre- 
 sentatives in Parliament best ? Mr. Maconochie and 
 Mr. Bruce. 
 
 Has the Union of England and Scotland been of advantage 
 to the two kingdoms ? Lord Balgonie. 
 
348 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 FIFTH SESSIO N_1768-9.* 
 
 Nov. 16. Would it be for the advantage of this country if civil 
 causes were tried by Juries as in England ? Mr. Whytt 
 and Mr. M'Mutrie. 
 23. Are hereditary honours a requisite part of the constitution 
 
 of a limited monarchy ? Mr. Tytleb. 
 30. Is man a free agent ? Mr. Creech. 
 Dec. 7. Is luxury advantageous to any State ? Mr. Maconochie. 
 
 14. la a landed or a commercial interest most favourable to 
 
 liberty? Mr. Bruce. 
 21. Has the British Legislature a right to impose taxes on the 
 American Colonies ? Mr. M'Mutrie. 
 Jan. 4. Did Socrates do vcell in refusing to escape from prison ? 
 Mr. BoNAR. 
 11. Are large or small farms most advantageous to this country ? 
 
 Mr. Sherriff. 
 18. Does the growing power of a neighbouring nation authorize 
 
 hostilities? Mr. Caw. 
 25. Is paper credit of advantage ? Mr. M'Mutrie. 
 Feb. 1. Whether does poetry, painting, or music, produce the strong- 
 est effects on the imagination and heart ? Mr. Tytler, 
 8. Whether do the ancients or the moderns excel most in poeti- 
 cal writing ? Mr. Whytt and Mr. Maconochie. 
 
 15. Is the institution of slavery consistent with justice, and of 
 
 advantage to the free ? Mr. Plummer. 
 
 * From the commencement of this Session till the year 1807, with a very few excep- 
 tions, only one Opener of the Debate was appointed by the Society, and there is nothing 
 in the Minutes to indicate which side of the question he supported. 
 
SUBJECTS OP DEBATE. 849 
 
 Feb. 22. "WTietter is classical learning oftener productive of generous 
 
 sentiments or of pedantry ? Mr. Blane. 
 March 1 . Are the laws against treason, whereby a father forfeits not 
 only for himself but for his posterity, consistent with equi- 
 ty or agreeable to sound policy ? Mr. David Stuart. 
 8. Are the sulijects of an absolute government justifiable if they 
 endeavour to establish a free ? Mr. Keith. 
 22. Are incomprehensible articles of faith any objection to the 
 
 religion that enjoins them ? Mr. Charles Stuart. 
 29. Is the law of nature perfect ? Mr. Bonar. 
 April 5. Is Suicide justifiable on the principles of natural and revealed 
 law ? Mr. Currie and Mr. Bonar. 
 
 1 2. Has the discovery of America been of advantage to Europe ? 
 
 Mr. Adam. 
 19. Whether is a rude or a polished state the more happy ? Mr. 
 
 Mackenzie. 
 26. Is it consistent with our ideas of the Deity that eternal pu- 
 uishments should be inflicted for temporal crimes ? Mr. 
 Chalmers and Mr. Bonar. 
 May 3. Would a general Excise be the best mode of levying the 
 public money ? Lord Dalrymple. 
 
 SIXTH SESSION— 1769-70. 
 
 Nov. 29. Would a Commonwealth be more advantageous to the Bri- 
 tish Empire, than its present form of government ? Mr. 
 Whytt. 
 Dec. 6. Does superior understanding confer superior happiness ? 
 Mr. Keith. 
 
 13. Are the laws that prohibit Roman Catholics from being 
 
 admitted into places of trust and employment in Great 
 Britain just and expedient ? Mr. Griffin. 
 
350 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Dec. 20. What is the best duration of Parliaments ? Mr. Skene. 
 
 27. Is polygamy to be tolerated ? Mr. Currie. 
 
 Jan. 3. Is the indictment at the instance of Archibald Earl of 
 Eglinton against Mungo Campbell, for the killing of 
 the late Lord Eglinton, relevant to infer the pains of 
 law ? Mr. BoNAR and Mr. Belsches. 
 
 1 7. Is Episcopacy consistent with and agreeable to the genius 
 
 and spirit of the British Constitution ? Mr. M'Mu- 
 
 trie. 
 24. Had the House of Commons power to declare Colonel Lut- 
 
 trell duly elected a member ? Mr. Hay. 
 31. Ought a person's doubts with regard to the religion of his 
 
 country, to be kept secret or published ? Mr. Neil 
 
 Ferguson. 
 Feb. 7. Does matter exist ? Mr. Gregory. 
 
 14. Would an established system of Deism be more favourable 
 
 than Christianity to the happiness of mankind as mem- 
 bers of society ? Mr, Maconochie. 
 21. Does the property of a master in a Negro slave determine 
 
 on the slave's coming into Britain ? Mr. Creech. 
 
 28. Is suicide lawful ? Mr. Arnot. 
 
 March 7. Is the Patria Potestas of the ancients agreeable to the law 
 of nature, and for the good of mankind ? Mr. Adam. 
 
 1 4. Are private vices public benefits ? Mr. Maconochie. 
 
 21. Is moral obligation founded on argument ? Mr. Gregory. 
 
 28. Whether would the liberty and the security of Great Bri- 
 tain be better maintained by a Militia or by a Standing 
 Army ? Mr. M'Dowall. 
 April 4. Is the law of Patronge expedient ? Mr. Belsches. 
 
 11. Were the Europeans justifiable in taking possession of Ame- 
 rica? Mr. M'MuTRiE. 
 
 18. Is Christianity founded on argument ? Mr. Bonar. 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 351 
 
 April 25. Whether does Great Britain in its present state tend most 
 to a monarchical or to a democratical form of govern- 
 ment? Mr. Bruce. 
 May 2. Is the love of fame a virtuous passion ? Mr. Henderson. 
 
 SEVENTH SESSION— 1770-1 ."• 
 
 Nov. 21, Ought Representatives in Parliament to be bound by the 
 instructions of their constituents ? Mr. Adam. 
 
 28. Is it proper and legal to impress men for the ser- 
 
 vice of His Majesty's Navy in Great Britain ? Mr. 
 Tytler. 
 Dec. 5. Are hereditary honours consistent with the spirit of the 
 British Government ? Mr. Bruce. 
 
 12. Ought duelling to be allowed ? Mr. Gregory. 
 
 19. Ought the Crown of Britain to be elective or hereditary? 
 Dr. Duncan. 
 
 26. Are subjects on any occasion justifiable in taking away 
 the life of their Sovereign ? Mr. Blane. 
 Jan. 8. Whether is a landed or a commercial interest most favour- 
 able to liberty ? Mr. Bruce. 
 
 15. Whence arises the right of primogeniture, and would it be 
 better for Great Britain if it were abolished ? Mr. 
 Belsches. 
 
 22. Does national character depend more on moral or on physi- 
 cal causes ? Mr. Robertson. 
 
 29. Would it be of advantage to Great Britain if entails were 
 
 abolished ? Mr. Hay. 
 Feb. 5. Ought the king to have the power of pardoning criminals 
 condemned to death ? Mr. Adam. 
 
 • The Meetings were held this Session on Tuesday evenings, and have continued so 
 ever since. 
 
352 
 
 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Feb. 12. Is popular applause the test of merit ? Mr. Cleghorn. 
 
 1&. Would the discharge of the National Debt be of advantage 
 to Great Britain ? Mr. Skene. 
 
 26. What is the foundation of virtue ? Mr. Cuerie. 
 March 5. Ought divorce by mutual consent to be allowed? Mr. 
 Gregory. 
 
 12. Has a married or a single state the greater chance for hap- 
 piness ? Mr. Arnot. 
 
 19. Are capital punishments really useful or necessary in a 
 State ? Mr. Barclay. 
 
 26. Ought theatrical representations to be encouraged ? Mr. 
 
 BONAR. 
 
 April 2. Ought the labouring poor to be taught to read and write ? 
 Mr. Tytler. 
 9. Is it practicable and expedient for the Americans to have 
 representatives in the British Parliament ? Mr. Beau- 
 
 FOY. 
 
 23. Ought the Liberty of the Press, in its greatest extent, to be 
 allowed in Great Britain ? Mr. Gregory. 
 
 30. Does the growing power of a neighbouring nation justify 
 the commencement of hostilities ? Mr. Robertson. 
 May 7- Is the Marriage Act of 1753 of advantage to Great Britain ? 
 Mr. Arnot. 
 
 EIGHTH SESSION— 1771-2. 
 
 Nov. 1 9. Are charitable institutions of advantage ? Mr. Whytt. 
 26. Is ridicule the test of truth ? Mr. Cleghorn. 
 Dec. 3. Are the laws of forfeiture in cases of high treason in 
 Great Britain consistent with justice and expediency ? 
 Mr. Hat. 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 
 
 353 
 
 Dec. 1 0. Would sumptuary laws be proper in such a government as 
 Great Britain ? Dr. Bcchan. 
 
 17. Is the Test Act agreeable to justice and the constitution of 
 
 Great Britain ? Mr. George Hill. 
 
 31. Is Man a free agent ? Mr. Gregory. 
 Jan. 7   Ought the House of Commons to have the power of prohi- 
 biting their speeches from being published ? Mr. 
 Bruce. 
 
 1 4. Would it be of advantage to Scotland if the kws of Englaild 
 were extended to it ?* 
 
 2 1 . Are Confessions of Faith proper or expedient ? Mr. Bel- 
 
 SCHES. 
 
 28. Would a Commonwealth be more advantageous to Great 
 Britain than its present form of Government ? Mr Bo- 
 
 NAR. 
 
 Feb. 4. Would a militia or a standing army be the most proper de- 
 fence for Great Britain ? Mr. M'Motrie. 
 
 1 8. Is the law of patronage expedient ? Mr. Charles Stuart. 
 25. Same subject continued. 
 
 March 3. Would septennial or triennial Parliaments be most advan- 
 tageous to Great Britain ? 
 
 1 0. Is Episcopacy suitable to the genius and constitution of 
 Great Britain ? Mr. Arnot. 
 
 1 7 Are the present laws in relation to game consistent with the 
 principles of equity and sound policy ? Lord Balgonie. 
 
 24. Would an union with Ireland be of advantage to Great Bri- 
 tain? Mr. Hay. 
 
 31. Is convention the origin of civil society? Mr. Playfair. 
 April 7. Whether does happiness depend most on personal qualities 
 or on external circumstances ? 
 
 * In a few instances the name of the opener does not appear in the Minutes. 
 
 2 Y 
 
354 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 April 14. Is the Royal Marriage Bill just or expedient? Mr. John 
 Russell. 
 21. Are the arguments of national law against slavery super- 
 seded by the political good of a state ? Mr. Beaufoy. 
 28. Would the naturalization of foreign Protestants be for the 
 advantage of Great Britain ? Mr. William Robertson. 
 ilay 5. Is the monopoly of the trade to the East Indies of advan- 
 tage to Great Britain ? Mr. John Russell. 
 
 NINTH SE SSI 0N_1 772-3. 
 
 Nov. 24. Whether is paper credit of utility or of disadvantage ? 
 Mr. M'MuTRiE. 
 Dec. 1 . Have the modem ideas of honour tended to the improve- 
 ment of morals ? Mr. Sinclair. 
 
 8. Ought any crime except murder to be punished with death ? 
 
 Dr. BucHAN. 
 
 1.5. Has the union of England and Scotland been of advantage 
 to both kingdoms ? Mr. Mobthland. 
 < 22. Is succession to any office by hereditary right consistent 
 -with the greatest political good, in any form of govern- 
 ment ? Mr. Marshall. 
 Jan. 5. Whether is scepticism or superstition most prejudicial to 
 mankind ? Mr. Fullerton. 
 
 12. Ought any court of judicature to have the power of dispens- 
 ing with strict law in their decisions, and determining 
 according to the equity of the case ? Mr. Sinclair. 
 
 2R. Are there sufficient obligations to the practice of morality 
 independent of revelation ? Mr. Aitken. 
 Feb. 2. Ought there to be any national established religion ? Mr. 
 Fullerton. 
 
 9. Does the present state of society in the most civilized coun- 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 355 
 
 tries in Europe, promise any further advancements ad- 
 vantageous to mankind ? Mr. Alexander. 
 Feb. 16. Whether does commerce or agriculture tend most to render 
 a state flourishing ? Mr. Kerb. 
 
 23. Ought the Liberty of the Press to be indulged in its fullest 
 extent ? Mr. William Stewart. 
 March 2. Is it agreeable to the principles or spirit of the British con- 
 stitution that the King, without the special advice and 
 consent of both Houses of Parliament, should have the 
 power of forming and altering at pleasure the legislature 
 of its colonies ? Mr. Robert Whytt. 
 
 1 6. Is suicide justifiable ? Mr. Dugald Stewart. 
 
 2-3. Whether is national greatness most likely to be durable 
 when acquired by success in war, or when founded on 
 success in commerce ? Mr. Marshall. 
 
 30. Ought the improvement of national knowledge to be made 
 an object of national attention ? Dr. Buchan. 
 April 13. Is the East India trade of advantage to Europe ? Mr. John 
 Whytt. 
 
 27. Is the national debt of Great Britain of advantage ? Mr. 
 Lewis. 
 May 4. Whether is a personal or a territorial nobility most consist- 
 ent with the constitution of Great Britain ? Mr. Mac- 
 
 ONOCHIE. 
 
 TENTH SESSION— 1773-4. 
 
 Nov. 30. What are the original capacities in human nature which 
 distinguish man from the brute creation ? Mr. Alex- 
 ander Tytler. 
 Dec. 7. Ought all restrictions on the rate of interest for borrowed 
 money to be taken off? Mr. Maconochie. 
 
356 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Dec. 1 4. Ought there to be any prescription in crimes ? Mr. Charles 
 Hay. 
 
 21. Whether is monarchy or democracy the more ancient form 
 
 of government ? Mr. William Robertson. 
 Jan. 4. Ought polygamy to be tolerated ? Mr. Bonar. 
 
 18. Ought all restrictions on commerce to be taken off? Mr. 
 
 Maconochie. 
 Feb. 8. Are the endowments of universities of advantage to learn- 
 ing? Mr. DuGALD Stewart. 
 
 22. Is there a determinate standard in nioralSj whereby we can 
 
 ascertain the merit of human actions ? Mr. William 
 
 Miller. 
 March 1 . Is there reason to believe that the population of Europe has 
 
 increased or decreased since the beginning of the 16th 
 
 century ? Mr. Fullerton. 
 8. Would an abolition of all restraint with respect to the com- 
 merce of the sexes, tend most to promote or to diminish 
 
 population in a state otherwise civilized ? Mr. Aitken. 
 22. Would it be expedient to admit representatives from the 
 
 Colonies into the British Parliament ? Mr. James Hay. 
 29. Would the abolition of slavery in the British Colonies be 
 
 expedient ? Mr. William Stewart. 
 April 5. Is the present situation of Great Britain favourable to the 
 
 exertions of genius ? Mr. Dugald Stewart. 
 12. Ought the Royal Family of Great Britain to be allowed to 
 
 intermarry with subjects ? Mr. Dalrymple. 
 
 1 9. What natural causes can be assigned for the peculiar situa- 
 
 tion of the Jews ? Mr. Alexander Millar. 
 ^lay 3. Would an established system of Deism be more conducive 
 than Christianity to the happiness of mankind as mem- 
 bers of society ? Mr. Dugald Stewart. 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 357 
 
 ELEVENTH SESSI N_l 774-5. 
 
 Nov. 22. Would it;* be for the advantage of Great Britain if the 
 colonies were rendered independent of the mother coun- 
 try ? Mr. John Whytt. 
 29. Is there a standard of taste, and how is it to be ascertain- 
 ed ? Mr. James Russell. 
 Dec. 6. Is suicide justifiable ? Mr. James Robertson. 
 
 13. Are the laws against treason, whereby the father forfeits 
 not only for himself but also for his children, agreeable 
 to equity or useful to society ? Mr. John Russell. 
 
 20. Ought not a wise nation to govern by rewards as well ai? 
 
 punishments? The Hon. Mr. Hope. 
 Jan. 3. Can qualities with propriety be divided into primary and 
 
 secondary, and what is the distinction between them ? 
 
 Mr. William Miller. 
 24. Was the death of King Charles the First justifiable ? Mr. 
 
 Home. 
 Feb. 7. To what form of government does the British constitution 
 
 most incline ? Mr. Mure. 
 
 21. What political connection with America would secure the 
 
 greatest and most permanent advantages to Britain ? 
 Mr. William Miller. 
 
 28. Ought divorce by mutual consent to be allowed ? Mr. 
 Aitken. 
 March 14. Is Christianity more favourable to the happiness of man- 
 kind as members of society, than an established system 
 of Deism would be ? Mr. Dugald Stewart. 
 
 28. Is the law of primogeniture, as at present established in 
 Great Britain, just and expedient ? Mr. Walker. 
 April 4. Are corporations advantageous to trade and manufactures ? 
 Mr. Alexander Millar. 
 
358 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 April 11. Whether is man's greatest excellence and happiness to be 
 found in a rude or in a civilized state ? Mr. Pringle. 
 
 18. Is the notion of a particular Providence justified by the 
 
 phenomena of the natural and moral vs^orld ? Mr. 
 Alexander Millar. 
 25. Is it useful for a community to put any of its members 
 to death ? Mr. John Whytt. 
 May 2. Can the conduct of Queen Elizabeth to Queen Mary be jus- 
 tified ? Mr. James Russell. 
 
 TWELFTH SESS10N_177S-6. 
 
 Nov. 28. Has the institution of priesthood been favourable or preju- 
 dicial to science ? Dr. Buchan. 
 Dec. 5. Is the power of government, whereby the minority submit 
 to the majority, founded on justice or reason ? Mr. 
 George Stewart. 
 1 2. Have the revolutions of states been most owing to moral or 
 to political causes ? Mr. Alexander Millar. 
 
 1 9. Ought the crimes of theft and robbery to be punished capi- 
 
 tally in this country ? Mr. Dalzel. 
 Jan. 9. Do the advantages arising from a militia to a free and com- 
 mercial people, exceed the disadvantages? Lord Mait- 
 
 LAND. 
 
 23. Whether did the state of society, or the efforts of the men 
 called Reformers, contribute most to bring about the 
 Reformation ? Mr. Walker. 
 
 30. Are coercive or conciliatory measures most expedient in the 
 present state of affairs, with respect to Great Britain 
 and her American colonies ? Mr. Hamilton. 
 Feb. 6, Whether has war been upon the whole beneficial or hurtful 
 to mankind ? Mr. Arnot. 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 
 
 359 
 
 Feb. 13. Are there sufTicient obligations to the practice of morality 
 independent of revelation ? Dr. Buciian. 
 20. To what causes are we to impute the general prevalence of 
 despotism among eastern nations ? Mr. Aitken. 
 March 5. Would Great Britain be a loser, in point of trade, by giv- 
 ing up all claims of authority over America? Mr. 
 Alexander Millar. 
 19. Is suicide justifiable ? Mr. William Stewart. 
 26. Is the practice of duelling of advantage or disadvantage to 
 society ? Mr. Vivian. 
 April 2. Has the union of England and Scotland been of advantage 
 to the two kingdoms ? Mr. Honyman. 
 9. Are religious establishments useful or pernicious ? Mr. 
 
 Alston. 
 ] 6. To what form of government does the British constitution 
 
 most incline ? Mr. Hamilton. 
 23. Whether are the qualities which distinguish man from the 
 other animals different in kind or in degree ? Mr. Al- 
 ston. 
 
 THIRTEENTH S ESS 1 O N_1776-7. 
 
 Nov. 26. Is the law of primogeniture, as established in Great Bri- 
 tain, just and expedient ? The Hon. Mr. Maitland. 
 
 Dec. 1 0. Has the invention of printing been of advantage to litera- 
 ture ? Dr. BucHAN. 
 17. Ought slavery to be permitted ? Mr. Vivian. 
 
 Jan. 21. Whether do the characters of men depend more upon phy- 
 sical or upon moral causes ? The Hon. Mr. Maitlaxd. 
 28. Is the use of artificial language previous and necessary to 
 the establishment of civil society ? Mr. Panton. 
 
 Feb. 1 1 . Does the soul always think ? Mr. Mitchell. 
 
360 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Feb. 18. Can the present state of the Jews be accounted for from 
 natural causes ? Mr. William Miller. 
 25. Would sumptuary laws be beneficial under such a form of 
 goYernment as that of Great Britain ? Mr. Scott. 
 March 4. Would extensive colonies be beneficial to such a form of 
 government as that of Great Britain ? Mr. William 
 Miller. 
 18. Ought prescription to take place with respect to crimes ? Mr. 
 Alexander Millar. 
 April 8. Is paper credit of advantage to Great Britain ? Mr. Wells. 
 
 1 5. Are the three unities, as at present established, well founded 
 
 in nature ? Mr. William Miller. 
 29. Has the institution of compulsory law tended to promote 
 virtue ? Mr. Hamilton. 
 
 FOURTEENTH SESS I N_1777-8. 
 
 Nov. 25. Is suicide justifiable according to the light of nature? Mr. 
 Alston. 
 Dec. 9. Is man a necessary agent ? Mr. William Miller. 
 
 16. Would a federal union betwixt England and Scotland have 
 
 been of more advantage to the two kingdoms than the 
 
 incorporating union which has taken place ? Mr. 
 
 Alexander Millar. 
 23. Is that law by which a man convicted of treason forfeits not 
 
 only for himself but also for his children, founded 
 
 on justice, and consistent with the spirit of the British 
 
 constitution ? Mr. Tait. 
 Jan. 6. Was Coriolanus justifiable in raising the siege of Rome ? 
 
 Mr. Scott. 
 1 3. Is it advantageous for a nation to have a religion established 
 
 by law ? Mr. James Russell. 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 361 
 
 Jan. 20. Is the practice of polygamy conducive to private happine.s.s 
 
 and public utility ? Mr. Home. 
 27. Can any testimony be received as a proof of miracles ? 
 Feb. 3. Ought the number of the British peerage to be limited ? 
 
 Mr. Fraser. 
 10. Would it be of advantage to exclude placemen from tlie 
 
 House of Commons ? Mr. John Gregory. 
 17. Is the stage calculated to promote virtue ? Mr. Carnecsv. 
 24. Was the execution of Charles the First justifiable? Mr. 
 
 John Bonar. 
 March 3. Ought monopolies to be allowed ? Mr. John Clerk. 
 
 10. Is the practice of duelling justifiable and expedient? Mr. 
 
 Arbuthnot. 
 17. Would a militia or a standing army be the most proper de- 
 fence for Great Britain ? Mr. Balfour. 
 24. Was Brutus justifiable in killing Csesar ? Mr. Lindsay. 
 3 1 . Whether ought the industry of the town or of the country 
 
 to be most encouraged by the legislature of Great Britain ? 
 
 Mr. SwiNTON. 
 April 7. Ought education to be carried on by private tutors or by 
 
 public establishments ? Mr. Cay. 
 14. Has religion any influence on morality? Mr. James Bonar. 
 
 FIFTEENTH SESSIO N—1 778-9. 
 
 Nov. 24. Are there sufficient motives to the practice of morality in- 
 dependent of a future state ? Mr. Hume. 
 Dec. 1. Ought the penal laws in Scotland respecting Koman Catho- 
 lics to be repealed ? Mr. Scott. 
 8. Ought divorces to be allowed on mutual consent ? Mr. 
 James Russell. 
 
 2 z 
 
362 
 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Dec 
 
 15. 
 
 Ought there to be any restriction on the rate of interest ? 
 Mr. Burnett. 
 
 
 22. 
 
 Is the institution of Universities attended with advantage 
 to a state ? Mr. James Bonar. 
 
 Jan. 
 
 12. 
 
 Have the rules established by critics been of advantage to 
 genius? Mr. James Russell. 
 
 
 19. 
 
 Ought trade to be encouraged by bounties and drawbacks ? 
 Mr. James Russell. 
 
 
 26. 
 
 Would the sovereignty of Great Britain, as at present ex- 
 ercised by King, Lords, and Commons, be better lodged 
 in the hands of the representatives of the people ? 
 
 Fel 
 
 . 2. 
 
 Whether is. a rude or a civilized state of society the most 
 favourable to virtue? Mr. William Cleghorn. 
 
 
 23. 
 
 Ought every man in Great Britain to be trained to the use 
 of arms ? Prince Daschkau. 
 
 March 2. 
 
 Would it be for the political advantage of Great Britain 
 
 
 
 to discharge the national debt? Mr. Home. 
 
 
 9. 
 
 Whether has the British Government a greater tendency 
 to become free or absolute? Mr. Tait. 
 
 
 Ifi. 
 
 Ought the poor of a country to be maintained by stated funds 
 or by voluntary contributions? Mr. Campbell. 
 
 
 30. 
 
 Whether is the labour of slaves or of freemen the more pro- 
 fitable? Mr. MoiR. 
 
 April G. 
 
 Whether has the treatment of women in ancient or in mo- 
 
 
 
 dem times had the more beneficial effect upon manners ? 
 
 
 
 Mr. Hume. 
 
 
 
 SIXTEENTH SE SS I ON— 1779-80. 
 
 Nov 
 
 23. 
 
 Might not the excise laws be extended with advantage to 
 several articles of the customs ? Mr. James Russell, 
 
SU&IECTS OF DEBATE. 
 
 363 
 
 Nov. 30. Whence arises the pleasure we receive from the representa- 
 tion of scenes of distre.ss? Mr. Tait. 
 Dec. 7. Is public or private education preferable ? Mr. Cay. 
 
 14. Has the conduct of opposition during the present Parlia- 
 
 ment been of advantage to Great Britain? Mr. Hume. 
 
 21. Are the poems of Ossian authentic? Mr. James Bonar. 
 
 28. Are religious establishments useful or pernicious ? Mr. 
 
 John Clerk. 
 Jan. 4. Ought a King of Great Britain to be responsible for his 
 actions ? Mr. Balfour. 
 1 1 . Ought the penal laws against Roman Catholics to be re- 
 pealed ? Mr. James Russell. 
 18. Is any evidence sufficient to prove a miracle? Dr. Wil- 
 liam Cleghorn. 
 2.5. Are the laws of right and wrong which are binding on in- 
 dividuals, applicable to nations? Mr. Currie. 
 Feb. I. Whether is enthusiasm or superstition most hurtful to a 
 state ? Mr. Armstrong. 
 8. Would it be for the interest of Great Britain to declare 
 America independent ? Dr. Stevens. 
 
 1 5. Would the abrogation of the law of primogeniture, and the 
 
 consequent more equal distribution of property, be of 
 advantage to Great Britain 1 Mr. Cay. 
 
 22. Whether are the circumstances in ancient or in modern 
 
 times more favourable to literature? Mr. Moodie. 
 
 29. Can the present state of the Jews be accounted for from 
 
 natural causes? Mr. Robert Cleghorn. 
 March 7. Whether is Atheism or Polytheism most natural to a rude 
 state ? Mr. Lister. 
 1 4. Ought the clergy to be admitted to any share in the go- 
 vernment of the state ? Mr. Perceval. 
 21. Is suicide in any case justifiable ? Mr. Armstrong. 
 
364 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 April 4. Has the discovery of America been of advantage to Europe ? 
 Mr. DaIjKymple. 
 
 1 1 . Whether did the state of society, or the efforts of the Re- 
 formers, contribute most to bring about the Reformation ? 
 Mr. EwART. 
 
 18. Is the punishment of death justifiable or expedient ? Mr. 
 Wylie. 
 
 25. Are the laws against treason, whereby a father forfeits for 
 his children, founded in justice and agreeable to the 
 spirit of the British constitution ? Mr. Charles Hope. 
 !May 2. Would a militia or standing army be the most proper de- 
 fence for Great Britain? Mr. John Johnstone. 
 
 SEVENTEENTH SE SS I N_1780~l. 
 
 Nov. 21. Is the practice of slavery justifiable f Mr. Brown. 
 Dec. 12. Ought Members of Parliament to be bound to obey the 
 orders of their constituents ? Mr. Syme. 
 1 9. Ought an address to be presented to his Majesty praying 
 him to dismiss the present ministry? Mr. John John- 
 stone. 
 Jan. 2. Is that law of Solon, by which it was made infamous for a 
 citizen not to take part in a civil dissension, consistent 
 with public utility ? Mr. Macknight. 
 9. Is it for the advantage of Great Britain that its inhabitants 
 should have unlimited liberty of emigration ? Mr. Dal- 
 
 RYMPLE. 
 
 1 6. Can the defection of General Arnold from the American 
 
 service be justified ? Mr. Ritchie. 
 23. Is paper credit of advantage to Great Britain ? Mr. 
 
 Wilde. 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 365 
 
 Feb. 6. Ought the British Navy to be manned by iuipressiug sea- 
 men ? Mr. Pattison. 
 
 13. Ought Divorces to be allowed upon mutual consent? Mr. 
 Dickson. 
 
 20. Is the Marriage Act of 1753 consistent with public utility ? 
 Mr. Brownrigg. 
 
 27. Ought Trial by Jury to be admitted in all cases, both civil 
 and criminal ? Mr. "Wilson. 
 March 13. Is the institution of religious houses, as it takes place in 
 Roman Catholic countries, productive of advantage to 
 society ? Mr. Dalrymple. 
 
 20. Whether is an inland or a foreign commerce most beneficial 
 to a state? Mr. John Clerk. 
 
 27. Has the treatment of women in ancient or in modern times 
 been productive of the most beneficial efiects upon so- 
 ciety ? Mr. Davidson. 
 April 3. Can the present state of the Jews be accounted for from 
 natural causes ? Mr. Francis Russell. 
 
 10. To what causes are wc to ascribe the progress of Christian- 
 ity? Mr. Tait. 
 
 ] 7. Are triennial or septennial parliaments preferable ? Mr. 
 Balfour. 
 May 1 . What are the circumstances that occasion the difference iu 
 the military spirit of nations ? Mr. John Clerk. 
 
 EIGHTEENTH SESSION_1781-2. 
 
 Nov. 20. Is the institution of universities attended with advantage to 
 a state? Mr. James Bonar. 
 27. Ought Scotland to have a militia ? Mr. Armstrong. 
 Dec. 4. Does the growing power of a neighbouring nation authorize 
 
366 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 the commencement of hostilities? Mr. Francis Rus- 
 sell. 
 Dec. 1 1 . Was the mode of banishment in use at Athens, called the 
 Ostracism, justifiable ? Mr. Dalrymple. 
 
 1 8. Ought Atheistical or immoral opinions to be tolerated in a 
 
 state ? Mr. Charles Hope. 
 24. Whether are the circumstances in ancient or in modern 
 
 times most favourable to literature? Mr. Syme. 
 ■Jan. 8. Was the Union of advantage to Scotland? Mr.MACKNiGHx. 
 22. Whether is the British constitution in greater danger from 
 
 the influence of the Crown, or from the encroachments of 
 
 the people? Mr. John Johnstone. 
 29. Are the laws of the three unities, as at present established, 
 
 founded in nature, and conducive to the perfection of the 
 
 drama? Mr. Wilde. 
 Feb. 1 2. Is it for the advantage of the other powers of Europe, that 
 
 America should be independent of Britain ? Mr. Pat- 
 
 TISON. 
 
 1.9. Whether ought the poor to be maintained by voluntary con- 
 tributions or by established funds ? Mr. Wilson. 
 
 26. Ought the British forces to be withdrawn from America? 
 Mr. Charles Hope. 
 March 5. Has the refinement of the arts and sciences contributed to 
 the happiness of society ? Mr. Henry Hill. 
 
 1 2. Had Britain, previous to the present war, derived advan- 
 tage from her foreign territories? Mr. James Bonar. 
 
 19. Is suicide in any case justifiable ? Mr. Durham. 
 
 26. Is it just or expedient that government should take into its 
 own hands the management of the East Indian territo- 
 ries ? Mr. Wilde. 
 April 2. Ought the clergy to be admitted to a share in the govern- 
 ment of the state ? Mr. Ormsby. 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 367 
 
 April 9. In a free country ought there to be any restrictions on the 
 liberty of the press ? Mr. Stokes. 
 
 1(5. Can any circumstances justify a people in putting their 
 sovereign to death f Mr. Beaupoy. 
 
 2.3. Ouglit divorces to be allowed on mutual consent? Mr. 
 Peter Hill. 
 
 30. Is the present change of ministry of advantage to this coun- 
 try ? Mr. Gatiicart. 
 
 NINETEENTH SESSIO N_1782-3. 
 
 Nov. 19. Whether has the invention of machines for shortening labour 
 a tendency to increase or to check population ? Lord 
 Ancrum. 
 
 2f). Whether ought an university education to be open to all or 
 to be purchased by fees? Mr. Manners. 
 Dec. 3. Ought the law of primogeniture to be allowed in Britain i' 
 Mr. Carlyle. 
 
 1 0. Ought every man in Britain to be trained to the use of arms ? 
 Mr. Peter Hill. 
 
 J 7. Are good qualities of heart and principles of integrity in 
 a prime minister of any use in this country, where he is 
 responsible for his conduct ? Mr. Dalrymple. 
 Jan. 7. Will the commercial and political interests of Great Britain 
 be materially affected by the independence of America ? 
 Mr. Charles Hope. 
 
 14. Ought the Britisii Legislature to interfere in the education 
 of youth ? Mr. Laing. 
 
 2 1 . Ought any alteration to be made at present in the mode of 
 Parliamentary representation? Mr. George John- 
 ston. 
 
368 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Feb. 4. Ought the law of patronage to be abolished ? Mr. John 
 Johnstone. (5 — 17.)* 
 
 1 ] . Whether was the establishment of liberty in Britain the 
 effect of fixed political causes, or produced by accidental 
 circumstances? Mr. Wilde. (13 — 10.) 
 
 1 8. Whether is the finer field for eloquence to be found in ancient 
 Athens, or in Great Britain at the present times ? Mr. 
 Henry Hill. (17—7.) 
 
 2f>. Ought the British Legislature to interfere to prevent emi- 
 gration ? Mr. James Clerk. (2 — 22.) 
 March 4. Are the laws concerning high treason, by which a father 
 forfeits for his children, founded in justice, and agreeable 
 to the spirit of the British constitution 1 Mr. Durham. 
 (12-8.) 
 
 25. Are capital punishments just and expedient ? Mr. Thriep- 
 LAND. (12 — 10.) 
 April]. Is the impressing of seamen just and expedient ? Mr. Man- 
 ners. (8 — 15.) 
 8. Ought Britain to have any controul over the commerce of 
 Ireland? Mr. Dickson. (8—14.) 
 
 15. Was Brutus justifiable in putting CsBsar to death ? Mr. 
 Stokes. (12—11.) 
 
 22. Has the liberty of the press been upon the whole beneficial 
 to Great Britain ? Mr. Peter Hill. (Carried unani- 
 mously in the affirmative.) 
 
 29. Ought the duration of Parliaments to be shortened? Mr. 
 Cathcart. (12—6.) 
 May 6. Ought Members of Parliament to be bound to obey the or- 
 ders of their constituents? Mr. Manners. (8 — 7.) 
 
 * The numbers within brackets indicate the state of the vote on a dingion, the 
 affirmative side or first alternative being always placed first. 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 369 
 
 TWENTIETH SESS I N— 1783-4. 
 
 Nov. 18. Ought the King to have the power of pardoning criminals ? 
 Mr. Manners. (14 — 1.) 
 25. Are the proceedings by which the men of Ireland are at- 
 tempting to establish a parliamentary reform warrant- 
 able ? Mr. "Wilde. (10—13.) 
 Dec. 2. Are the poems of Ossian authentic ? Mr. Malcolm Laing. 
 (Carried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 9. Was the conduct of Queen Elizabeth to Queen Mary justi- 
 fiable 1 Mr. George Johnston. (Carried unanimously 
 in the negative.) 
 
 16. Ought the clergy to have a share iu the government? Mr. 
 
 Thomas Robertson. (6 — 10.) 
 Jan. 6. Was the execution of Charles the First justifiable ? Mr. 
 
 Emmet. (8—10.) 
 13. Whether ought the defence of a free state to be entrusted to 
 
 a militia or to a standing army ? Mr. Horner. (19 — 3.) 
 20. Is faction useful in a free state ? Mr. Wilde. (15 — 7.) 
 Feb. 3. Can the late exertion of secret influence in the House of 
 
 Peers be justified ? Mr. Mackay. (11—10.) 
 1 0. Was the death of the Gracchi justifiable ? Mr. Walker. 
 
 (8-15.) 
 
 17. Was the union of advantage to Scotland? Mr. Bennet. 
 
 (10-5.) 
 24. Are incorporations of advantage to a commercial nation ? 
 Mr. Hill. (11-12.) 
 March 9. Ought the Marriage Act to be repealed? Mr. Lockhart. 
 (18—5.) 
 16. Ought universal toleration to be allowed? Baron Con- 
 stant. (11 — 6.) 
 
 3 a 
 
370 
 
 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Marcb 23. Is it consistent with the spirit of the British constitution that 
 
 a minister should remain in office contrary to the sense 
 
 of the House of Commons ? Mr. Dalzell. (11 — 10.) 
 
 30. Were the Crusades of advantage to Europe ? Mr. Baird. 
 
 (6-12.) 
 
 April e. Is the practice of duelling justifiable? Mr. Eliott. (8 — 14.) 
 
 13. Have the states of Europe any reason to dread the power 
 
 of Russia becoming the highest in the political scale ? 
 
 Mr. POLTORATSKI.* 
 
 20. Are the conduct and character of King Richard the Third 
 defensible? The Hon. John Douglas. (5 — 14.) 
 
 27. Whether has the treatment of women in ancient or in mo- 
 dem times had the most beneficial influence on manners ? 
 Mr. MuiR Mackenzie. (Carried unanimously, Their 
 treatment in modern times.) 
 May 4. Was the character of Cicero a proper model for a statesman ? 
 Mr. Ffrye. 
 
 TWENTY-FIRST SE SS I O N— 1784-6. 
 
 Nov. 16. Will the independence of America materially afi'ect the in- 
 terest of the European states ? Mr. Wilde. (9 — 8.) 
 
 23. Can a sufficient apology be offered for the conduct of Sylla ? 
 Mr. Skeete. (8—11.) 
 Dec. 7. Was it constitutional in the Parliament of George the First 
 to extend its own duration from three to seven years ? 
 Mr. Grant. (7—12.) 
 
 14. Is the imprisonment of debtors justifiable and expedient? 
 Mr. George Robertson.* 
 
 21. Would it be for the advantage of society to bestow on wo- 
 men a learned education ? Mr. Bachmatiev. (5 — 1 2.) 
 
 * The division is not recorded in the Minutes. 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 
 
 371 
 
 Dec. 
 
 28. 
 
 Jan. 
 
 11. 
 
 
 18. 
 
 
 25. 
 
 Fel 
 
 . 1. 
 
 
 8. 
 
 
 15. 
 
 
 22. 
 
 March ]. 
 
 
 8. 
 
 
 15. 
 
 
 22. 
 
 April 5. 
 
 
 12. 
 
 
 19. 
 
 Was the act for restoring the forfeited estates founded on 
 sound policy? Mr. Wilde. (6—5.) 
 
 Was Brutus justifiable in killing Caesar? Mr. Durham. 
 (13—4.) 
 
 Would the independence of Ireland on Great Britain be of 
 material advantage to either country ? Mr. Cathcart. 
 (10-8.) 
 
 Is it the interest of Britain to maintain the political inde- 
 pendence of Holland? Mr. Manners. (8 — 7.) 
 
 Ought the number of the peerage to be limited ? Mr. Car- 
 LYLE. (15 — 6.) 
 
 Has the revival of ancient literature been of any advantage 
 to the moderns 1 Mr. Laing. ( 1 1 — G.) 
 
 Is an established religion of any advantage to a country ? 
 Mr. George Johnston. (11 — 10.) 
 
 Are representatives bound to obey the orders of their con- 
 stituents? Dr. Emmet. (11 — 10.) 
 
 Ought juries to be judges both of law and fact ? Mr. Mor- 
 isoN. (14—2.) 
 
 Was the ancient art of war preferable to the modern ? Mr. 
 Burnett. (5 — 13.) 
 
 Was the conduct of the King of Sweden at the revolution 
 in 1772 justifiable ? Mr. Walker. (9—7.) 
 
 Whether are the circumstances in ancient or in modern 
 times most favourable to literature ? Mr. Bennet 
 (4—15.) 
 
 Does national character depend most upon moral or upon 
 physical causes ? Baron Constant. (12 — 6.) 
 
 Is the institution of universities attended with advantages to 
 a state ? Mr. James Bonar. (8 — 6.) 
 
 Ought the law of primogeniture to be allowed in Great Bri- 
 tain ? Mr. Eliott. (2—9.) 
 
372 
 
 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 May 3. Ought the defence of a free country to be entrusted to a 
 standing army ? Mr. Ffbye. (2 — 10.) 
 
 TWENTY-SECOND S ES SI N_l 786-6. 
 
 Nov. 22. Has the discovery of the East Indies been of advantage to 
 Great Britain ? Mr. Tait. (8—3.) 
 29. Whether did ancient Athens or does Great Britain afiTord the 
 nobler field for eloquence ? Mr. George Robertson. 
 (8—4.) 
 Dec. 6. Was the conduct of Coriolanus justifiable ? Mr. Cathcart. 
 (4-8.) 
 1 3. Was the Athenian Ostracism proper ? Mr. Cathcart. 
 
 20. Is the law of forfeiture for high treason just and expedient ? 
 
 Mr. Grant. (8 — 3.) 
 Jan. 3. Are the Irish propositions such as promise to be mutually 
 beneficial to both countries ? Mr. Mackintosh. (2 — 14.) 
 
 10. Is suicide in any case justifiable? Mr. Laing. (6 — 9.) 
 
 17. Is the present age inferior in elegant literature to that of 
 Queen Anne ? Mr. Manners. (3 — 14.) 
 
 24. Whether ought the industry of the town or of the country 
 to be most encouraged by the legislature ? Mr. Mont- 
 gomery. (10 — 6.) 
 
 31. Can the present state of the Jews be accounted for from 
 natural causes ? Mr. Mackintosh. (2 — 12.) 
 Feb. 7. Were the Crusades of advantage to Europe ? Mr. Blair. 
 (5—14.) 
 
 J 4. Would an aristocracy in Britain be preferable to an abso- 
 lute monarchy? Mr. Tait. (5 — 8.) 
 
 21. Whether is the constitution of the ancient or of the modem 
 
 drama preferable ? Mr. Ross. (9 — 4.) 
 28. Is there sufficient evidence that Mary Queen of Scots was 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 
 
 373 
 
 14. 
 
 21. 
 
 28. 
 
 accessary to the death of her husband ? Mr. Bushby. 
 (10-6.) 
 March 7- Whether was liberty in Britain the effect of fixed political 
 causes, or produced by accidental circumstances ? Mr. 
 John Gordon. (10 — 6.) 
 Whether did the state of society or the efforts of the Re- 
 formers contribute most to bring about the Reformation ? 
 Mr. Grant. (3—6.) 
 Have the public sufficient reason to put confidence in the 
 
 present ministry ? Mr. Robert Douglas. (7 — 9.) 
 Is the representation of scenes of fictitious distress favour- 
 able to humanity ? Mr. Thomas Smith. (10 — 5.) 
 April 4. Is the constitution of the East India Company, by exclu- 
 sive charter, consistent with good commercial policy ? 
 Mr. Alston. (5 — 8.) 
 1 1 . Whether was it the impolitic conduct of Britain, or the 
 natural situation of America, that gave rise to the late 
 revolution? Mr. Leigh. (12 — 2.) 
 18. Ought the duration of Parliaments to be shortened? Mr. 
 
 Oliphant. (5 — 11.) 
 25. Whether ought the defence of Britain to be entrusted to a mil- 
 itia or to a standing army ? Mr. James Smyth. (3 — 13.) 
 
 TWENTY-THIRD S ESS I ON— 1786-7. 
 
 Nov. 21. Ought the ancient mythology to be admitted into modern 
 poetry? Mr. Grant. (15 — 4.) 
 28. Is polygamy justifiable ? Mr. Macknight. (3 — 14.) 
 Dec. 5. Is an unlimited liberty of the press favourable to morals and 
 literature? Mr. Eliott. (19 — 2.) 
 12. Is the impressing of seamen consistent with the constitu- 
 tion of Britain ? Mr. Manners. (6 — 10.) 
 
374 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Dec. 19. 
 
 26. 
 
 Jan. 2. 
 
 9. 
 
 23. 
 
 30. 
 Feb. 6. 
 
 13. 
 
 20. 
 
 27. 
 
 March 6. 
 
 13. 
 
 20. 
 27. 
 
 Is paper currency of advantage to a state ? Mr. George 
 Johnston. ( 1 — 4.) 
 
 Can a miracle be established by testimony ? Mr. Mackin- 
 tosh. (13 — 5.) 
 
 Is the constitution of corporations useful ? Mr. George 
 Robertson. (7 — 10.) 
 
 Ought emigration to be restrained ? Mr. Urciuhart. 
 (9-10.) 
 
 Has the Union been beneficial to Scotland ? Mr. Steele. 
 (11-2.) 
 
 Are the poems of Ossian authentic ? Mr. Blair. (8 — 5.) 
 
 Has the constitution of England always had a tendency to 
 liberty? Mr. Maxwell. (14 — 4.) 
 
 Whether are the divine attributes to be established a priori 
 or a posteriori ? Mr. Tait. (Carried unanimously 
 that the attributes of the Deity may be proved in either 
 way.) 
 
 Does the severity of punishment tend to the prevention of 
 crimes ? Mr. Robertson. (7 — 8.) 
 
 Is suicide in any case justifiable ? Mr. John Gordon. 
 (9-10.) 
 
 Does policy require the establishment of a national religion ? 
 Mr. Mackintosh. (13 — 5.) 
 
 Whether has the treatment of women in ancient or in mo- 
 dern times had the most beneficial effects upon society ? 
 Mr. Douglas. (5—10.) 
 
 Has the discovery of the East Indies been of advantage to 
 Europe ? Mr. Mackintosh. (7 — 3.) 
 
 Have the distinctions of Whig and Tory subsisted in full 
 force, and been preserved with perfect consistency in 
 England, from the Revolution to the present time ? Mr. 
 Mackintosh. (9 — 2.) 
 
SUBJECTS OP DEBATE. 375 
 
 April 3. Was it the duty of a good citizen of Rome to have joined 
 the aristocratic party during the declining state of the 
 republic ? Mr. Alexander. (9 — 3.) 
 
 10. Has there been any material alteration in the spirit of the 
 British constitution since the Revolution ? Mr. Dou- 
 glas. (Carried unanimously in the aflBrmative.) 
 
 17. Ought the Test Act to be repealed? The Hon. Charles 
 TOWNSHEND. (5—2.) 
 May 1. Are all mankind derived from one original pair? Mr. 
 Steele. (C — 1.) 
 
 TWENTY- FOURTH S ESS I O N— 1787-8. 
 
 Nov. 20. Can the present state of the Jews be accounted for from 
 natural causes ? Mr. Gillies. (7 — 1) 
 27. Is slavery justifiable by the law of nature ? Mr. Irving. 
 (4—10.) 
 Dec. 4. Have physical causes any peculiar influence on the charac- 
 ter of nations ? Mr. Bishop. (7 — 5.) 
 11. Whether it be expedient that the King should have the 
 power of dissolving Parliament ? Mr. Gillies. (15 — 5.) 
 18. Ought the peerage to be limited? Mr. Hutcheson. (5 — 10.) 
 Jan. 8. Was the execution of Charles the First justifiable ? Mr. 
 Robert Ferguson. (8 — 6.) 
 22. Are the fine arts entirely imitative ? Mr. Lewis Grant. 
 
 (3-14.) 
 29. Is a standing army a better defence for Great Britain than 
 a militia ? Mr. M'Farlan. (8—7.) 
 Feb. 5. Is it consistent with the laws of nations for particular states 
 to appropriate the narrow seas ? Mr. Andrew Grant. 
 (5-7.) 
 
376 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Feb. 12. Are the laws of this country relating to treason consistent 
 with reason and sound policy? Mr. Oswald. (10 — 4.) 
 
 19. Ought duelling to be permitted ? Mr. Hamilton. (6 — 9.) 
 March 4. Is monarchy more favourable than democracy to excellence 
 
 in the arts and sciences ? Mr. James Goedon. (10 — 8.) 
 18. Has Britain derived any benefit from the territorial posses- 
 sions in the East Indies ? Mr. Hepburn. (10 — 7-) 
 25. Is man a free agent? Mr. Cooper. (10 — ?t.) 
 April 1 . Is party beneficial to a free state ? Mr. George Stewart. 
 (Carried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 1.5. Are women in a rude age actually depressed? Mr. Ham- 
 ilton. (13—3.) 
 
 22. Has the loss of our American colonies been of advantage to 
 
 this country? The Hon. Dunbar Douglas. (8 — 13.) 
 
 TWENTY-FIFTH S ES S I N_1788-9. 
 Nov. 18. Is it better for a country to be civilized by its own natural 
 
 progress than by the introduction of foreign manners ? 
 
 Mr. St. Sapiiorin. (4 — 5.) 
 Dec. 1 6. Is^he heir apparent of the Crown of Great Britain of full 
 
 age entitled to be the sole Regent of the kingdom during 
 
 the incapacity of the King ? Mr. Duncombe. (6 — 9.) 
 
 23. Should the test act be repealed ? Mr. Monypenny. (2 — 12.) 
 Jan. 1 3. Ought the regency of Great Britain at present to be limited ? 
 
 The Hon. Dunbar Douglas. (8 — 9.) 
 
 20. Does the mind continue to think during sleep ? Mr. Tait. 
 
 (9-4.) 
 Feb. 3. Is the present situation of the Jews to be accounted for in- 
 dependent of a miracle ? Mr. Macknigiit. (9 — 5.) 
 
 10. Ought the crime of theft and robbery to be punished capi- 
 tally ? Mr. Steele. (5—7.) 
 
 17. Is suicide justifiable ? Mr. Irving. (5 — 7.) 
 
SUBJECTS OP DEBATE. 
 
 877 
 
 Feb. 24. Ought subjects in any case to have the power of putting 
 their Sovereign to death ? Mr. Campbell. (13 — 1.) 
 March 3. Ought the voice of the people to be heard only in the House 
 of Commons ? Mr. Gillies. (C — 14.) 
 
 1 0. Ought there to be an established religion ? Mr. Hutche- 
 SON. (11 — 4.) 
 
 1 7. Is the impressing of seamen justifiable ? Mr. M'Farlan. 
 (i-2.) 
 
 24. Ought divorces to be allowed upon mutual consent ? Mr. 
 Oswald. (7—2.) 
 
 31. Is the Union of advantage to Scotland ? Mr. James Gor- 
 don. (8—2.) 
 April 7. Has the discovery of America been of advantage to Europe ? 
 Mr. St. Saphobin. (7 — 4.) 
 
 21. Whether is the British constitution in greater danger from 
 the influence of the Crown or the aristocracy of a party ? 
 Mr. George Stewart, (Carried without a division 
 that the constitution is in greater danger from the power 
 of the Crown.) 
 
 28. Ought corporations to be abolished ? Mr. Hepburn. 
 (2-4.) 
 May 5. Are all mankind descended from the same pair ? Mr. Dun- 
 das. (4 — 2.) 
 
 TWENTY -SIXTH SESSIO N— 1789-90. 
 Nov. 24. Is the stage favourable to morals? Mr.TuRNBULL. (6 — 3.) 
 Dec. 1 . Whether are septennial or triennial Parliaments preferable ? 
 Mr. Stanley. (3 — 7.) 
 22. Ought juries to be admitted in civil causes? Mr. James 
 Fergusson. (7 — 5.) 
 Feb. 2. Ought the charter of the East India Company to be renewed 
 without limitation ? Mr. Miller. 
 3b 
 
378 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Feb. 9. Same subject continued (Carried in the negative, with 
 only one dissenting voice.) 
 
 23. Do miracles in support of religion admit of proof ? Mr. 
 Tait. (6—5.) 
 March 2. Has the late Revolution in France been equally glorious, 
 and will it be attended with consequences equally bene- 
 ficial, to that country, that the Revolution in 1688 has 
 been to this ? Mr. Robert Ferguson. (6 — 5.) 
 
 23. Ought the test act to be repealed ? Mr. Campbell. (5 — 4.) 
 
 30. What is the cause of the inferiority of the ancients in ludi- 
 crous composition ? Mr. M'Farlan. 
 April 6. Can the events in Jewish history be accounted for from na- 
 tural causes ? Mr. Hutcheson. (6 — 2.) 
 
 13. Will the late Revolution in France have a beneficial efiect 
 upon the interests of Great Britain ? Mr. Hamilton. 
 (7-1.) 
 
 20. Ought the eldest sons of Scots Peers to elect and be elected 
 as representatives of the people of Scotland in the House 
 of Commons ? Mr. James Gordon. (3 — 5.) 
 May 4. Has the Union been of advantage to Scotland ? Mr. Hut- 
 cheson. (No division.) 
 
 TWENTY-SEVENTH SESS ION— 1790-1. 
 
 Nov. 30. Ought divorces to be allowed upon mutual consent ? Mr. 
 
 Hutcheson. (No division.) 
 Dec. 14. Are addresses from the people to the Sovereign consistent 
 
 with the spirit of the British constitution ? Mr. Mony- 
 
 penny. (3 — 7.) 
 21. Ought the law to punish as a crime what is consistent with 
 
 truth ? Mr. James Ferousson. (4 — 3.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 
 
 379 
 
 Jan. 11. Have the national assembly of France acted wisely in con- 
 stituting only one legislative assembly ? The Hon. 
 TuoMAs Douglas. (S — 5.) 
 1 8. Ought any permanent support to be permitted for the poor ? 
 Mr. Fowler. (Carried in the affirmative by the cast- 
 ing vote of the President.') 
 25. Ought there to be an established religion ? Mr. Adam 
 Douglas. (5 — 3.) 
 Feb. 1 . Ought there to be an appeal from the decisions of the Court 
 of Session to the House of Peers ? Mr. David Douglas. 
 (5-2.) 
 8. Is attainder and corruption of blood ever a proper punish- 
 ment ? Mr. Rae. (7—4.) 
 Ought the public expenses to be defrayed by levying the 
 amount immediately from the people, or is it expedient 
 to contract national debt for that purpose ? Mr. Glass- 
 ford. (8 — 4.) 
 Whether ought there to be a federal or an incorporating 
 union betwixt Great Britain and Ireland ? Mr. Gib- 
 son. (4—8.) 
 March 1 . Was the execution of Charles the First justifiable ? Mr. 
 Scott. (10—3.) 
 • 8. Is the Test Act proper ? Mr. Campbell. (4—10.) 
 
 15. Should the Slave Trade be abolished? Mr. Brodbelt. 
 
 (9-3.) 
 22. Ought the power of peace and war in a free state to be 
 
 vested with the sovereign ? Mr. Terray. (6 — 5.) 
 29. Ought the duration of Parliament to be shortened ? Mr. 
 Campbell. (9 — 3.) 
 
 15. 
 
 22. 
 
380 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 TWENTY-EIGHTH SES S ION— 1791-2. 
 
 Nov. 29. Ought there to be a Parliamentary Reform ? Mr. Robert 
 Ferguson. (7 — 3.) 
 Dec. 6. Have the East Indian territories been of advantage to Great 
 Britain? Mr. Oswald. (1—7.) 
 20. Is the marriage law of England preferable to that of Scot- 
 land ? Mr. James Fergusson. (4 — 5.) 
 Jan. 17. Ought the voice of the people to be heard only in the House 
 of Commons ? Mr. Manners. (6 — 2.) 
 31. Ought there to be an established religion ? Mr. David 
 Douglas. (4 — 8.) 
 Feb. 7. Is the pressing of seamen justifiable ? Mr. Glassford. 
 (6—4.) 
 1 4. Ought the King to have the unlimited power of creating 
 
 peers ? Mr. Monypenny. (2 — 5.) 
 2 ) . Ought the King to have the power of dissolving Parlia- 
 ment ? Mr. Pearson. (5 — 4.) 
 March 13. Has the belief in a future state been of advantage to man- 
 kind, or is it likely ever to be so ? Mr. Allen. 
 (7-6.) 
 27. Ought there to be any privileged ranks in society ? Mr. 
 Thomson. (5 — 8.) 
 
 TWENTY-NINTH S ESS I O N— 1792-3. 
 
 Dec. 4. Is it the interest of Great Britain to maintain what is 
 called the balance of power in Europe ? Mr. Manners. 
 (5-3.) 
 18. Was the execution of King Charles the First justifiable? 
 Mr. Boyle. (8—1.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 
 
 381 
 
 Jan. 8. 
 15. 
 
 22. 
 Feb. 5. 
 
 Feb. 1 2. 
 
 19. 
 
 26. 
 
 March 5. 
 
 12. 
 
 19. 
 
 26. 
 April 3. 
 
 Ought divorces to be allowed by mutual consent ? Mr. 
 Johnstone. (1 — 6.) 
 
 Would associations be expedient with a view of counter- 
 acting the spirit of innovations in this country ? Mr. 
 John Smith. (7 — 2.) 
 
 Ought there to be an established religion in this or any 
 other country ? Mr. Greenshields. (5 — 2.) 
 
 Can a national debt promote the prosperity of a country ? 
 Mr. Greenshields. (Carried unanimously in the affir- 
 mative.) 
 
 Ought there to be any poors' rates in a country ? Mr. 
 Laino. (4—3.) 
 
 Is a system of influence necessary to the support of a free 
 government ? Mr. Jeffrey. (8 — 3.) 
 
 Ought there to be in Scotland a jury in civil eases ? Mr. 
 Morehead. (8 — 1.) 
 
 Ought impress warrants to be issued in a free state ? Mr. 
 Greenshields. (4 — 2.) 
 
 Can any circumstances justify a suspension of the Habeas 
 Corpus Act ? Mr. Fowler. (Carried unanimously in 
 the negative.) 
 
 Is the personal inviolability of the chief magistrate in a mo- 
 narchical government capable of becoming dangerous to 
 the liberties of the people ? Mr. Scott. (6 — 4.) 
 
 Was the conduct of France sufficient to justify Great Bri- 
 tain in going to war with that country ? Mr. Murray. 
 (2-4.) 
 
 Is the luxury of the poor or of the rich least detrimental or 
 most advantageous to a state ? Mr. Allen. (Carried 
 by a majority of one, that the luxury of the rich is most 
 advantageous and least detrimental to the state.) 
 
382 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 THIRTIETH SE SSI ON— 1793-4. 
 
 Nov. 26. Ought any crimes to be punished with death ? Mr. Man- 
 ners. (9 — 1.) 
 Dec. 3. Is the marriage law of England preferable to that of Scot- 
 land ? Mr. Boyle. (2—5.) 
 
 10. Are the principles on which the present war was en- 
 
 tered into by Great Britain, and according to which it 
 is still carried on, consistent with public expediency? 
 Mr. James Gordon. (6 — 1.) 
 Dec. 1 7. Is the national debt to be considered as a grievance ? Mr. 
 
 Jeffrey. (Carried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 Jan. 1 4. Are corporations adverse to national industry ? Mr. Gor- 
 don. (Carried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 21. Is monarchy more favourable than democracy to excellence 
 
 in the arts and sciences ? Mr. Jeffrey. (3 — 1.) 
 28. Ought there to be any restraint upon the com trade ? Mr. 
 Greenshields. (3 — 2.) 
 Feb. 4. Would a Parliamentary Reform not be improper at the pre- 
 sent period ? Mr. Brodbelt. (I — 3.) 
 
 11. Is a military establishment during peace consistent with 
 
 the liberties of the people ? Mr. Dalrymple. (Car- 
 ried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 March 4. Is the French Revolution likely to be productive of the ex- 
 tension of civil liberty in Europe? Mr. Boyle. (Car- 
 ried unanimously in the negative.) 
 1 1 . Ought the Test Act, as far as regards natives of Scotland, 
 to be repealed ? Mr. Manners. (3 — 2,) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 383 
 
 THIRTY-FIRST S ESS I N— 1794-5. 
 
 Jan. 20. Ought theatrical representations to be encouraged ? Mr. 
 Manners. (5 — 4.) 
 27. Ought there to be any bounties or restraints upon the ex- 
 portation or importation of corn ? Mr. Brunton. 
 (3-1.) 
 Feb. 3. Whether is Theism or Polytheism most natural to a rude 
 state ? Mr. Jeffrey. (Carried by a majority of three 
 that Polytheism is most natural.) 
 17. Is mercy incompatible with justice? Mr. Wilson Rae. 
 (2 — 4.) " The question was understood as relating to 
 mercy extended to criminals, in opposition to the strict 
 exercise of statutory law, and was carried in favour of 
 mercy by a majority of two." 
 March 3. Is capital punishment in any case lawful and expedient ? 
 Mr. Waugh. 
 10. Same subject continued. (6 — 1.) 
 March 17. Does the progress of the arts and sciences increase the hap- 
 piness and virtue of man ? Mr. Brunton. (Carried 
 unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 
 THIRTY-SECOND SESSIO N— 1795-6. 
 
 Dec. 8. Ought imprisonment for debt to be allowed ? Mr. M'Cor- 
 MICK. (5 — 1.) 
 1 5. Whether is the establishment of juries in civil cases, or that 
 of a permanent court, as in Scotland, preferable ? Mr. 
 D0FF. (6—1.) 
 Jan. 19. Ought the Test Act to be repealed ? Mr. Ross. (4 — 1.) 
 
384 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Jan. 26. Is the Marriage Act in England expedient ? Mr. Ferrier. 
 (Carried in the negative by the casting vote of the Pre- 
 sident.) 
 Feb. 2. Whether ought the poor to be supported by fixed rates or 
 liy voluntary contributions ? Mr. Oswald. (4 — 5.) 
 9. Ought there to be any restraint upon luxury ? Mr. Hamil- 
 ton. (5—3.) 
 16. Is the power of pardoning criminals advantageous to a state ? 
 
 Mr. FULLARTON. (5—2.) 
 
 23. Was the Ostracism of the Athenians justifiable and expedi- 
 ent ? Mr. Manners. (5—1.) 
 March 1 . Whether is a public debt advantageous or pernicious to a 
 state ? Mr. Ross. (2—8.) 
 8. Would the happiness of the lower ranks be increased in 
 proportion to the diffusion of knowledge among them ? 
 Mr. Wauoh. (5—3.) 
 
 15. Is suicide justifiable ? Mr. Brunton. (4 — 5.) 
 
 22. Can the immortality of the soul be proved from the light of 
 nature? Mr. M'Cormick. (6—1.) 
 
 29. Ought the laws against treason to extend to the forfeiture of 
 titles and estates ? Mr. Duff. (3 — 2.) 
 April 5. Ought divorces to be allowed to take place by mutual con- 
 sent, without the interference of law? Mr. Duff. 
 (1-3.) 
 
 1 2. Were Brutus and his associates justifiable in putting Ca3sar 
 to death? Mr. Manners. (5 — 1.) 
 
 THIRTY-THIRD SESSIO N— 1796 7. 
 
 Nov. 22. Are promises extorted by force "binding? Mr. Oswald. 
 (1-4.) 
 
SUBJECTS OP DEBATE. 
 
 385 
 
 13. 
 
 20. 
 
 # 
 
 Nov. 29. Ought polygamy to be encouraged in any state ? Mr. Ham- 
 ilton. (1 — 7.) 
 Dec. 6. Ought the female sex to be excluded from literary profes- 
 sions and public offices "? Mr. Fullarton. (7 — 5.) 
 Have the inventions for shortening labour a tendency to 
 increase or diminish population ? Mr. Whyte. (6 — 2.) 
 Ought capital punishments to be allowed ? Mr. Colles.* 
 (3-7.) 
 Jan. 1 0. Ought Members of Parliament to act by orders from their 
 constituents? Mr. Skottowe.* (3 — 5.) 
 17. Ought divorces by mutual consent to be allowed? Mr. 
 
 Baldwin. (5 — 6.) 
 24. Was Brutus justifiable in killing Caesar ? Mr. Dowe. 
 
 (9-3.) 
 31. Was Athens, or is Great Britain, the best school for elo- 
 quence? Mr. Leith. (12 — 5.) 
 Feb. 7. Ought the laws against treason to extend to the forfeiture 
 of titles and estates ? Mr. Murray. (4 — 7.) 
 14. Has the Union been of advantage to Scotland ? Mr. Og- 
 STON. (8 — 7.) 
 Is the Liberty of the Press advantageous to a country ? Mr. 
 
 Obpen.* (Carried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 Is it consistent with the true policy of European powers, 
 under existing circumstances, to maintain their con- 
 nection with the West Indies ? Lord Henry Petty. 
 (1-12.) 
 March 7- Ought imprisonment for debt to be allowed ? Mr. Forbes. 
 (8-5.) 
 21. Is suicide justifiable ? Mr. Maconochie. (2 — 12.) 
 28. Does the advantage arising from a knowledge of the dead 
 
 21. 
 
 28. 
 
 Members of the Historical Society of Dublin. Vide supra, page 27. 
 3c 
 
386 
 
 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 languages, compensate for the trouble of acquiring them ? 
 Mr. Mackenzie. (6—4.) 
 April 4. Are exclusive trading privileges of advantage to commerce ? 
 Mr. Tytler. (Carried unanimously in the negative.) 
 Is duelling of advantage to a community ? Mr. Bell. 
 
 (2-10.) 
 Ought there to be an appeal from the Court of Session to 
 the House of Lords ? Mr. Bell. (5 — 2.) 
 25. Whether ought the poor to be supported by fixed rates or 
 by voluntary contributions ? Mr. Waugh. (1 — 9) 
 May 2. Is it beneficial to a commercial country to hold out premi- 
 ums on the exportation of manufactures ? Mr. Whyte. 
 (6-7.) 
 
 n. 
 
 18. 
 
 THIRTY-FOURTH S E SS I N_1797-8. 
 
 Nov. 2 1 . Was the stoical philosophy favourable to the human cha- 
 racter ? Mr. Waugh. (6 — 7.) 
 
 28. Are theatrical exhibitions prejudicial to morality ? Mr. 
 Brunton. (8—10.) 
 Dec. 5. Has the discovery of America been of advantage to the Old 
 World? Mr. M'Cobmick. (12—5.) 
 
 12. Whether do severe or mild punishments tend most to re- 
 press crimes? Mr. Maconochik. (5 — 11.) 
 
 18. Are her colonies of advantage to Great Britain? Mr. 
 Ferriek. (1 3 3.) 
 Jan. 9. Have physical causes any effect on the formation of the 
 human character? Mr. Hamilton. (15 — 2.) 
 
 16. Is the practice of employing children in manufactures ad- 
 vantageous to the community? Mr. Brunton. (10 — 6.) 
 
 23. Ought Members of Parliament to act by orders from their 
 constituents? Mr. Dowe. (10 — 9.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 
 
 387 
 
 Jan. 30. Is the pressing of seamen justifiable? Mr. Murray. 
 
 (3-13.) 
 Feb. 6. Can it be discovered from the light of nature that the soul 
 
 is immortal? Mr. Duncan. (12—7.) 
 13. Ought the Test Act to be repealed? The Lord Henry 
 
 Petty. (13—3.) 
 20. Ought the liberty of the press to be unbounded? Mr. 
 
 Tytler. (12—6.) 
 27. Ought there to be a power of pardoning crimes ? Mr. 
 
 Mackenzie. (8—6.) 
 March 6. Ought the charter of the East India Company to have been 
 
 renewed ? Mr. Maconochie. (6 — 8.)^ 
 13. Can knowledge be too much diffused among the lower 
 
 ranks ? Mr. Forbes. (4 — 1 5.) 
 20. Whether ought Parliaments to be triennial or septennial ? 
 
 Lord Binning. (12 — 1.) 
 27. Are continental alliances of advantage to Great Britain ? 
 
 Mr. Bell. (4—9.) 
 April 3. Is a standing army expedient in Great Britain ? Mr. Dun- 
 can. (6—7.) 
 10. Ought the King to have the unlimited power of creating 
 
 peers? Mr. Brougham. (8 — 10.) 
 17. Ought there to be any restraint upon emigration? Mr. 
 
 Horner. (3 — 5.) 
 24. Ought bishops to have a seat in the House of Peers ? Lord 
 
 Henry Petty. (Carried unanimously in the afTirma- 
 
 tive.) 
 May 1. Is suicide justifiable ? Mr. Boswell. (8 — 11.) 
 
 • 
 
388 
 
 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 THIRTY-FIFTH SESSIO N— 1798-9. 
 
 Nov. 20. Is the funding system politically expedient ? Mr. Dunlop. 
 
 (9-8.) 
 Dec. 1 1 . Ought juries to be admitted in civil cases in Scotland ? Mr. 
 Scott. (8—9.) 
 18. Ought entails to be completely abolished ? Mr. Cadell. 
 (3-6.) 
 Jan. 15. Was the peace of Utrecht of advantage to Great Britain ? 
 Anthony Todd Thomson. (4 — 10.) 
 22. Was the interference of France in the American War of ad- 
 vantage to France ? Mr. Loch. (3 — 14.) 
 29. Are dramatic representations consistent with purity of mo- 
 rals in a people ? Mr. Jardine. (13— S.) 
 Feb. 1 2. Ought the Crown to have the unlimited power of creating 
 
 peers? The Hon. Charles Kinnaird. (8 — 14.) 
 
 19. 
 
 Have the states of Europe any reason to dread the power 
 
 of Russia becoming the highest in the political scale ? 
 
 Mr. Simpson. (7 — 16.) 
 
 March 5. Is the institution of banks and paper money hurtful to 
 
 commerce? Mr. Clephane. (3 — 13.) 
 
 12. Are the effects of commerce advantageous or pernicious to 
 
 mankind? Mr. William Thompson. (12—2.) 
 19. Ought capital punishment to be inflicted in any instance? 
 Mr. MONCREIFF. (12 — 4.) 
 
 26. Have physical causes any influence on national character ? 
 Mr. Horner. (12—8.) 
 April 2. Ought the privilege enjoyed by the Quakers, of giving evi- 
 dence by affirmation, to be extended to criminal cases ? 
 Mr. Adam. (12—3.) 
 9. Ought the Legislature to establish regulations for the impor- 
 tation and exportation of corn ? Mr. Taylor. (3 — 12.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 
 
 389 
 
 April 1 6. Is man in a state of progressive improvement ? Mr. Cop- 
 land. (12—2.) 
 23. Have the institutions of chivalry been of advantage to Eu- 
 rope? Mr. MONCREIFF. (12 — i.) 
 30. Are colonies of advantage to a mother country ? Mr. 
 Brougham. (8 — 7.) 
 May 7. Whether ought agriculture or commerce to form the prin- 
 cipal national object ? Mr. Russell. (10 — 2.) 
 
 THIRTY-SIXTH SESSIO N— 1799-1800. 
 
 Nov. 26. Ought the laws against treason to extend to the forfeiture 
 of estates ? Mr. Douglas. (4 — 5.) 
 Dec. 3. Can knowledge be too much disseminated among the lower 
 ranks? Mr. Loch. (6—5.) 
 
 10. Ought the Crown to have the power of pardoning crimes ? 
 
 Mr. Copland. (Carried in the affirmative by the cast- 
 ing vote of the President.) 
 17. Ought representatives to be bound by the instructions of 
 their constituents ? Mr. Newman. (7 — 6.) 
 Jan. 7. Is the extension of her empire in India likely to be of ad- 
 vantage to Great Britain? Mr. Simpson. (Carried 
 in the affirmative by the casting vote of the President.) 
 14. Ought the Legislature to interfere in the regulation of the 
 
 corn trade ? Mr. Anderson. (7 — 6.) 
 21. Is commerce prejudicial to morality ? Mr. Horner. (2 — li.) 
 28. Are entails of advantage ? Mr. Forrest. (1—10.) 
 Feb. 4. Ought the Crown to have the unlimited power of creating 
 peers? Mr. Macdonald. (5 — 7) 
 
 1 1 . Does the light of nature afford sufficient evidence of the im- 
 
 mortality of the soul ? Mr. Headlam. (Carried in the 
 affirmative by the casting vote of tha President.) 
 
390 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Feb. 18. Ought duelling to be prohibited? Mr. Snodgrass. (4 — 9.) 
 
 25. Is the impressing of seamen justifiable on the principle of 
 expediency? Mr. Horner. (5 — 7.) 
 March 4. Are colonies of advantage to a mother country ? Mr. Bos- 
 well. (7 — 2.) 
 
 11. Is utility the sole principle of moral approbation ? Mr. 
 Scott. (3 — 6.) 
 
 1 8. Are parties of advantage in a free state ? Mr. Brougham. 
 (7-5.) 
 
 25^ Ought the Government to regulate the system of education ? 
 Mr. Campbell. (6 — 13.) 
 April 1 . Would the situation of China be improved by free inter- 
 course with other nations? Mr. Simpson. (1 1 — 2.) 
 
 8. Were the measures which produced the American War jus- 
 tifiable on the part of Great Britain ? Mr. Loch. 
 (3-10.) 
 
 15. Are friendly societies useful to the poor? Mr. Copland. 
 (8-2.) 
 
 22. Are standing armies expedient ? Mr. Horner. (5 — 6.) 
 
 THIRTY-SEVENTH S ESS I N— 1800-1. 
 
 Nov. 25. Ought the Test Act to be repealed ? Mr. Murray. (Car- 
 ried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 Dec. 2. Ought trial by jury to extend to civil cases ? Mr. Douglas. 
 (6-4.) 
 16. Would it be for the advantage of Great Britain to renounce 
 
 her colonial possessions ? Mr. Cockburn. (1 — 4.) 
 23. Ought the magistrate to interfere at all in regulating the 
 price of provisions ? Mr. Simpson. (2 — 7.) 
 Jan. 13. Are continental alliances of advantage to Great Britain? 
 Mr. Forrest. (5 — 1.) 
 
SUBJECTS OP DEBATE. 391 
 
 Jan. 20. Ought the study of the dead languages to form part of the 
 system of education ? Mr. Macdonald. (1 — 6.) 
 27. Can tlie commerce of any nation be extended beyond its 
 true interests? Mr. Gordon. (3 — 4.) 
 Feb. 3. Ought the right of primogeniture to be abolished ? Mr. Bu- 
 chanan. (Carried unanimously in the negative.) 
 17. Is possession of dominion in the East Indies of advantage 
 
 to Britain ? Mr. Simpson. (4 — 3.) 
 24. Would the situation of China be meliorated by a free inter- 
 course with other nations? Mr. Copland. (8 — 1.) 
 March 24. Ought the right at present exercised by belligerent powers 
 of searching neutral vessels for contraband goods, to be 
 recognized in the international law of Europe ? Mr. 
 
 MONCEEIFF. (6 — 1.) 
 
 31. Ought representatives in Parliament ever to be bound by 
 the orders of their constituents 1 Mr. Cockburn. 
 (2-4.) 
 April 21. Is the impressing of seamen justifiable? Mr. Anderson. 
 (4-1.) 
 
 THIRTY-EIGHTH SE SSI N— 1801-2. 
 
 Nov. 17. Would the unlimited investigation of character promote the 
 happiness of society ? Mr. Copland. (5 — 4.) 
 24. Ought honours to be hereditary ? Mr. Forrest. (6 — 2.) 
 Dec. 8. Ought Great Britain to interfere in the aifairs of the conti- 
 nent? Mr. BROUGnAM. (7 — 4.) 
 15. Ought there to be a public prosecutor, or ought the injured 
 party to be bound over to prosecute ? Mr. Snodgrass. 
 (10-t.) 
 22. Ought the duration of Parliaments to be shortened ? Mr. 
 
 MONCREIFF. (6 — 3.) 
 
392 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Jan. 19. Would it bo for the advantage of the commercial interests 
 of Great Britain, if her colonies were allowed to carry on 
 a free trade with foreigners ? Mr. Bbougham. (Car- 
 ried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 26. Ought civil causes to be tried by jury? Mr. Copland. 
 (2-12.) 
 Feb, 2. Have the states of Europe any reason to dread the prepon- 
 derance of Russia in the political scale? Mr. Mon- 
 CREIFF. (5 — 8.) 
 9. Would the loss of territorial possession in India be disad- 
 vantageous to Great Britain ? Mr. Cockbubn. (6 — 4.) 
 1 6. Does a militia or standing army form the best defence of a 
 country ? Mr. Anderson. (2 — 6.) 
 March 2. Ought the power of the Crown in creating peers to be re- 
 strained? Mr. Forrest. (1 — 6.) 
 9. Would the situation of China be improved by a free inter- 
 course with other nations ? Mr. Macdonald. (9 — 2.) 
 1 6. Ought capital punishments to be inflicted in any instance ? 
 
 Mr. Snodgrass. (7 — 1.) 
 23. Was the Union of advantage to Scotland ? Mr. Adam. 
 
 (Carried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 30. Ought emigration to be restrained ? Mr. Beatson. (11 — 1.) 
 April 6. Ought Members of Parliament to be bound by the instruc- 
 tions of their constituents ? Mr. Lang. (2 — 11.) 
 13. Had Great Britain a right to tax her colonies in America? 
 
 Mr. Charles Grant. (1 — 13.) 
 20. Has Parliament the right of naming a Regent, and of limit- 
 ing his powers? Mr. Charles Grant. (5 — 3.) 
 27. Ought the Test Act to be repealed ? Mr. Strickland. 
 (Carried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 393 
 
 THIRTY-NINTH SESSIO N_)802-3. 
 
 Nov. 23. Is the impressing of seamen justifiable ? Mr. Kennedy. 
 (3-4.) 
 Dec. 7. Can any circumstances justify the suspension of the habeas 
 corpus act? Mr. Macdonald. (4 — 5.) 
 1 4. Ought the duration of Parliament to be shortened ? Mr. 
 Snodgrass. (4 — 7.) 
 
 21. Ought the test act to be repealed ? Mr. Beatson. (12—1.) 
 Jan. 1 1 . Ought Great Britain to form continental alliances ? Mr. 
 
 Simpson. (5 — 4.) 
 18. Ought the poor to be supported by a legal assessment ? Mr. 
 
 Strickland. (6 — 5.) 
 25. Ought the King to have the unlimited power of creating 
 
 Peers ? Mr. Kennedy. (8 — 3.) 
 Feb. 1 . Ought the right claimed by belligerent powers of searching 
 
 neutral vessels for contraband goods to be allowed? 
 
 Mr. Miller. (6—7.) 
 8. Is the institution of a standing army politically expedient ? 
 
 Mr. Irvine. (4 — 3.) 
 
 22. Is the funding system expedient ? Mr. Murray. (6 — 6.) 
 March 1 . Have the states of Europe reason to dread the loss of inde- 
 pendence from the increasing power of France ? Dr. 
 Henderson. 
 
 16. Ought Government to interfere at all in regulating the edu- 
 cation of youth ? Mr. Reeve. 
 
 22. Is national character in any degree owing to physical causes ? 
 Mr. Wright. (4—3.) 
 
 29. Are the restrictions on the traffic of money on the whole 
 beneficial to Great Britain ? Mr. Allan. (3 — 4.) 
 3d 
 
394 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 April 5. Ought capital punishments to be inflicted in any instance? 
 Mr. Beatson. (3—2.) 
 1 2. Are theatrical exhibitions prejudicial to morality ? Mr. 
 Strickland. (4 — 3.) 
 
 1 9. "Would the political situation of China be improved by the 
 
 establishment of foreign commerce ? Mr. Miller. 
 (Carried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 26. Ought honours to be hereditary ? Mr. Moncreiff. (6 — 2.) 
 
 FORTIETH SESSION— 1803-4. 
 
 Nov. 22. Is the independence of St. Domingo a desirable event ? Mr. 
 Miller. (5 — 1.) 
 Dec. 6. Are religious establishments expedient? Mr. Kennedy. 
 (3-5.) 
 
 20. Do all taxes finally fall upon land ? Mr. Irvine. (4 — 5.) 
 Jan. 17. Would Catholic emancipation in Ireland be politically ex- 
 pedient? Mr. Simpson. (5 — 4.) 
 
 24. Whether are national prejudices of advantage or of disad- 
 vantage to the countries where they prevail ? Dr. Hen- 
 derson. (7 — 1.) 
 Feb. 7. Is a standing army the best mode of national defence ? Mr. 
 Allan. (Carried in the affirmative by the casting vote 
 of the President.) 
 
 21. Ought Members of Parliament to act by orders from their 
 
 constituents? Mr. Simpson. (1 — 5.) 
 March 1 3. Is the progress of civilization likely to be impeded by the 
 return of barbarism ? Mr. Southey. 
 20. Was Great Britain justifiable in taxing her colonies in 
 America? Mr. Strickland. (2 — 5.) 
 April 1 0. Ought Great Britain to interfere in the affairs of the Con- 
 tinent ? Mr. Miller. (4 — 2.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 395 
 
 FORTY-FIRST SESSl ON_1804-S. 
 
 Nov. 27. Ought the test act to be repealed? Mr. Socthey. (10 — 5.) 
 Dec. 4. Ought any crime to be punished with death ? Mr. Herries. 
 (Carried in the affirmative by the casting vote of the 
 President.) 
 
 11. Is it consistent with the law of nations for particular states 
 
 to appropriate the narrow seas ? Mr. Miller. (7 — 6.) 
 
 18. Is the existence of a standing army consistent with the in- 
 
 terests of Great Britain ? Mr. Irvine. (9 — 6.) 
 Jan. 8. Have the states of Europe reason to dread the preponder- 
 ance of Russia in the political scale? Mr. Gooch. 
 (9-6.) 
 15. Whether was the state of ancient Athens, or is that of 
 modern Britain most favourable to the cultivation of 
 eloquence? Mr. Southey. (10 — 7.) 
 22. Is the preservation of the balance of power a just cause of 
 
 war ? Mr. Murray. (4—8.) 
 29. Is the continuance of the independence of St. Domingo an 
 event to be desired ? Mr. Strickland. (13 — 1.) 
 Feb. 5. Was Julius Cassar justifiable in refusing to disband his array 
 at the command of the Senate ? Mr. Buchanan. (4 — 7.) 
 
 12. Is a system of influence necessary for a free government ? 
 
 Mr. Skene. (9—7.) 
 
 1 9. Ought the laws against usury to be repealed ? Mr. Macbean. 
 
 (10—2.) 
 26. Ought Members of Parliament to be bound to obey the 
 orders of their constituents? Mr. Colquhoun. (2 — 10.) 
 March 5. Would the free colonization of Egypt by Great Britain be 
 of advantage to the latter ? Mr. Dunlop. (4—12.) 
 1 2. Are the causes that promote national greatness hurtful to 
 national morals ? Mr. Buchanan. (2 — 10.) 
 
3.96 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 March 19. Ought duelling to be allowed ? Mr. Miller. (9 — 7.) 
 
 26. Ought there to be a legal provision for the poor ? Mr. 
 GoocH. (10—5.) 
 April 2. Would the emancipation of the Roman Catholics in Ire- 
 land be expedient ? Mr. SouTHEY. (15 — 8.) 
 9. Ought the impressing of seamen to be allowed ? Mr. Strick- 
 land. (14 — 5.) 
 16. Would it have been of advantage to Great Britain had 
 Charles I. succeeded in his contest with the Long Par- 
 liament ? Mr. SoUTHEY. (1—11.) 
 
 23. Ought the duration of Parliament to be shortened ? Mr. 
 
 Mackenzie. (5 — 7-) 
 30. Ought Great Britain to form continental alliances ? Mr. 
 Graham. (8—1 .) 
 
 FORTY-SECOND SES SI N— 1805-6. 
 
 Nov. 19. Ought the King to have the unlimited power of creating 
 peers? Mr. Simpson. (11 — 7.) 
 
 26. Was the Long Parliament justifiable in its opposition to 
 Charles the First ? Mr. Colquhoun. (12—9.) 
 Dec. 3. Is the continuance of the independence of St. Domingo to 
 be desired by Great Britain ? Mr. Douglas. (11—7.) 
 
 10. Was Great Britain justifiable in detaining the Spanish fri- 
 gates at the commencement of the late war ? Mr. M'- 
 Leod. (11 — 4.) 
 
 1 7- Ought entails to be completely abolished ? Mr. Inglis. 
 (13-2.) 
 
 24. Waa the Peace of Utrecht of advantage to Great Britain ? 
 
 Mr. Goocii. (10—7.) 
 •Jan. 7. Ought emigration from the Highlands to be prohibited or 
 discouraged? Mr. Vivian. (1 — 19.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 397 
 
 Jan. 14. "Would the present government of Ireland, ecclesiastical or 
 civil, be endangered by granting a legal maintenance to 
 the Roman Catholic clergy? Mr. Lucas. (6 — 11.) 
 
 21. Ought the colonies of Great Britain to be allowed to carry 
 on a free trade with foreigners I Mr. Gillespie. (7 — 6.) 
 
 28. Ought there to be a Parliamentary Reform? Mr. Camp- 
 bell. (11 — 3.) 
 Feb. 4. Ought there to be any restraint upon the traffic of money ? 
 Mr. Ramsay. (1 — 13.) 
 
 1 1 . Ought the restriction of the cash payments of the Bank of 
 England to be continued ? Mr. Amos. (2 — 19.) 
 
 18. Had Britain a right to tax America? Mr. M'Farlane. 
 
 (7-4.) 
 
 25. Was the Parliament of George the First justifiable in pur- 
 suing the Septennial Bill ? Mr. Bright. (6 — 8.) 
 March 4. Was the Peace of 1763 as advantageous to Britain as she 
 had a right to expect? Mr. Rayley. (6 — 1.) 
 
 11. Is a system of influence necessary in the actual administra- 
 tion of the government of Britain ? Mr. Andrew 
 Murray. (6 — 4.) 
 
 18. Has the elevation of Prussia to the rank of a power of the 
 first order been beneficial to Europe ? Mr. Cunning- 
 
 HAME. (6 9.) 
 
 25. Ought belligerent powers to have the right of searching 
 
 neutral vessels for contraband goods ? Mr. Gordon. 
 
 (23—1.) 
 
 April 1 . Is the fall of the Turkish empire likely to be of advantage 
 
 to Great Britain ? Mr. Brodie. (15—8.) 
 
 8. Ought imprisonment for debt to be allowed ? The Hon. 
 
 William Temple. (13—6.) 
 15. Ought there to be a legal provision for the poor? Mr. 
 Joseph Murray. (5 — 13.) 
 
 m 
 
HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 April 22. Were the coalesced powers justifiable in invading France 
 in 1792? Mr. Rayley. (6—5.) 
 29. Is the Union with Ireland likely to be of advantage to that 
 country? Mr. Dominick Browne. (11 — 2.) 
 
 FORTY- THIRD SESSIO N— 1806-7. 
 
 Nov. 18. Has the French Revolution ameliorated the condition of the 
 people of France ? Mr. Skene. (6 — 1 2.) 
 
 25. Was the condemnation of Lord Strafford justifiable ? Mr. 
 Inglis. (3 — 14.) 
 Dec. 16. Was Great Britain justifiable in detaining the Spanish fri- 
 gates at the commencement of the present War ? Mr. 
 Campbell. (13—12.) 
 
 23. Ought the present system of bounties on the exportation 
 and importation of grain to be continued ? Mr. Gooch. 
 (6-10.) 
 Jan. 6. Was the coalition against France in 1805 politic? Mr. 
 Miller. (5—8.) 
 
 13. Would the government of Ireland, ecclesiastical or civil, 
 be endangered by granting a legal maintenance to the 
 Roman Catholic clergy ? Mr. Ccnninghame. (7 — 12.) 
 
 20. Ought Hannibal to have marched to Rome after the battle 
 of Cannae. Mr. Brouie and Mr. Skene.* (9—4.) 
 
 27. Ought the East India Company's charter to be renewed? 
 Mr. Matueson and Mr. Irvine. (4 — 5.) 
 Feb. 3. Is the Union with Ireland likely to be of advantage to that 
 country? Mr. Horne and Mr. Hamond. (16 — 1.) 
 
 * From this date downwards, two openers were appointed for each Debate. The 
 opener on the affirmative side, or in support of the first alternative of the question is in 
 this list placed first. Sometimes one of the Members appointed to open £uled to do so, 
 and then only one name is given. 
 
SUBJECTS OP DEBATE. 399 
 
 Feb. 10. Ought the Peace of Utrecht to have been made by Great 
 Britain ? Mr. Mo0ETT and Mr. Knox. (Carried una- 
 nimously in the negative.) 
 17. Ought the British government to assist General Miranda? 
 
 Mr. Matheson and Mr. Wilson. (4—8.) 
 March 3. Ought there to be any limitation on the trade of neutrals 
 
 with belligerent powers, except in articles contraband 
 
 of war ? Mr. Blamire and Mr. Gooch. (4 — 6.) 
 10. Will Mr. Wyndham's military plan be beneficial to Great 
 
 Britain? Mr. M'Leod and Mr. Miller. (12—8.) 
 17- Ought the Chief Justice in the Court of King's Bench to 
 
 have a seat in the Cabinet ? Mr. Donaldson and Mr. 
 
 HORNE. (6—8.) 
 24. Was the coalition of Mr. Fox and Mr. Burke with Lord 
 
 North justifiable? Mr. Skene and Mr. Urquhart. 
 
 (6-9.) 
 31. Ought Peltier to have been tried? Mr. Strickland and 
 
 Mr. Knox. (4—7.) 
 April 7- Ought Great Britain to have gone to war with France in 
 
 1793? Mr. Knox and Mr. Buchanan. (7-6.) 
 14. Is the Patriotic Fund an objectionable institution? Mr. 
 
 Mr. M'Leod and Mr. Amos. (6—8.) 
 21. Ought the Corporation and Test Acts to be repealed? Mr. 
 
 Graham and Mr. M'Leod. (10 — 5.) 
 
 FORTY-FOURTH SESSIO N— 1807-8. 
 
 Nov. 17. Was the Habeas Corpus Act suspended on just grounds in 
 Ireland in 1 803 ? Mr. Andrew Murray and Mr. 
 Campbell. (8—10.) 
 24. Ought Great Britain to have gone to war with France in 
 1793 ? Mr. Brodie and Mr. M'Leod. (9—5.) 
 
400 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Dec. 8. Ought Hannibal to have marched to Rome after the battle 
 of Cannae ? Mr. M'Farlane and Mr. Skene. (7—10.) 
 
 15. Is the influence of the Crown too great ? Mr. Miller and 
 
 Mr. IIoRNE. (21—10.) 
 
 22. Was the condemnation of Charles the First justifiable? Mr. 
 
 Wilson and Mr. Jameson. (4 — 10.) 
 Jan. 5. Ought Great Britain to have made the peace of J 763 ? Mr. 
 Colquhoun. (4 — 14.) 
 12. Was the expedition to Copenhagen justifiable ? Mr. Horne 
 
 and Mr. Mouett. (4 — 11.) 
 19. Was the pledge demanded from the ministry in March 1807 
 constitutional ? Mr. M'Leod and Mr. Erskine. 
 (9-11.) 
 26. Ought any of the Judges to have a seat in the Cabinet ? 
 Mr. Wedderburn and Mr. Maconochie. (2 — 16.) 
 Feb. 2. Does the light of nature afford sufficient evidence of the 
 immortality of the soul ? Mr. Borthwick and Mr. 
 Miller. (11—10.) 
 9. Ought anonymous publications to be tolerated ? Mr. Ken- 
 nedy and Sir George Clerk, Bart. (8 — 3.) 
 
 16. Ought Great Britain to have taxed her colonies in Ame- 
 
 rica ? Mr. Stanhope and Mr. Price. (3 — 15.) 
 
 23. Was the coalition against France in 1805 politic? Mr. 
 
 RuTHERruRD and Mr. Newbigging. (6 — 8.) 
 March 1. Were the crusades of advantage to Europe? Mr. Carew 
 and Mr. Bright. (13—10.) 
 8. Was the negociation for peace in 1806 politic? Mr. Camp- 
 bell and Mr. Newbigging. (10 — 4.) 
 15. Is the method of election in England better than that in 
 
 Scotland? Mr. Jameson. (4 — 16.) 
 22. Is commerce necessary for the prosperity of Great Britain? 
 Mr. Cunninghame and Mr. Agnew. (15 — 4.) 
 
SUBJECTS OP DEBATE. 
 
 401 
 
 March 29. Is the education of the poor advantageous to society ? 
 
 Mr. Brodie and Mr. Hoene. (14 — 1.) 
 April 12. Ought Magdalen Hospitals to be permitted? Mr. Brodie. 
 (13-5.) 
 19. Was the diiference between Mr. Fox and Mr. Burke in 1791 
 justifiable? Mr. Maconochie and Mr. Bright. (5 — 8.) 
 26. Whether is public or private education preferable? Mr. 
 BoRTiiwicK and Mr. Kennedy. (Carried unanimously 
 in favour of a public education.) 
 
 FORTY-FIFTH S E SS 1 N— 1808-9. 
 
 Nov. 15. Is genius conducive to happiness? Mr. Wilson and Mr. 
 
 Matheson. (9 — 5.) 
 22. Was the British nation justifiable in dethroning James the 
 
 Second? Mr. Maitland and Mr. James Erskine. 
 
 (15—2.) 
 Dec. 6. Ought the Irish Catholics to be put on a footing with the 
 
 Protestants? Mr. Wilson and Mr. Tennent. (21 — 2.) 
 1 3. Were the governments of antiquity more favourable to the 
 
 cultivation of eloquence than the modern are ? Mr. 
 
 Brodie and Mr. Drummond. (10 — 16.) 
 20. Ought the Peace of Utrecht to have been made by Great 
 
 Britain? Mr. Knox and Mr. Wilson. (12 — 7.) 
 Jan. 10. Ought the Exclusion Bill in the time of Charles the Se- 
 cond to have been passed? Mr. Matheson. (15 — 5.) 
 17. Whether is the practice of enlisting men for the army for 
 
 a limited term of years, or for life, most expedient? 
 
 Mr. HoRNE. (13—3.) 
 31. Ought Great Britain to have gone to war with France in 
 
 the year 1793 ? Mr. Campbell and Mr. M'Leod. 
 
 (14—10.) 
 
 3 E 
 
402 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Feb. 7. Was Mr. Pitt justifiable in retaining his situation contrary 
 to the vote in 1784? Mr. Maconochie and Mr. Rob- 
 isoN. (10—7.) 
 
 14. Are the effects of climate sufiicient to account for the varie- 
 ties of the human race ? Mr. Miller and Mr. Wil- 
 son. (2—13.) 
 
 21. Waa the condemnation of Lord Straflford justifiable ? Mr, 
 BoRTHWiCK and Sir George Clerk. (.5 — 9.) 
 
 28. Was the pledge demanded from ministers in 1807 constitu- 
 tional ? Mr. Stanhope and Mr. Kennedy. (10 — 11.) 
 March 7. Is capital punishment expedient ? Mr. Newbigging. 
 (15-1.) 
 
 1 4. Is the present system of promotion and discipline both of 
 officers and privates in the British army materially de- 
 fective ? Mr. Tennent. (Carried unanimously in the 
 affirmative.) 
 
 21. Is the establishment of the black empire in St. Domingo 
 desirable? Mr. Baillie and Mr. Greenhill. (13 — 3.) 
 
 28. Ought Great Britain to have taxed America ? Mr. Walker 
 and Mr. Wall. (9—17.) 
 April 4. Was the prerogative as it existed before the Revolution, 
 more dangerous than the present influence of the Crown ? 
 Mr. Strickland and Mr. Cullen. (6 — 15.) 
 
 11. Ought the Union with Ireland to have been concluded? 
 Mr. Gillies and Mr. Edgeworth. (11 — 6.) 
 
 J 8. Was Great Britain justifiable in attacking the armed neu- 
 trality of the Northern States in 1801 ? Mr. Fox and 
 Mr. Traill. (12— (i.) 
 
 FORTY-SIXTH SES S I N— 1809-10. 
 
 Nov. 1 4. Ought the charter of the East India Company to be re- 
 newed ? Mr. Greenhill. (5 — 12.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 
 
 403 
 
 Nov. 21. Ought the Exclusion Bill in the time of Charles the Second 
 to Lave been passed ? Mr. Newbigging and Mr. Coh- 
 RIE. (8—6.) 
 28. Was the execution of Algernon Sidney justifiable ? Mr. 
 Matheson. (12 — 9.) 
 Dec. 5. Ought the laws of usury to be repealed ? Mr. Tennent 
 and Mr. M'Leod. (11—7.) 
 
 1 2. Would it be for the advantage of Scotland to have trial by 
 
 jury in civil cases? Mr. Jameson and Mr. Drum- 
 MOND. (14 — 7.) 
 1 9. Ought any of the Judges to have a seat in the Cabinet ? Mr. 
 Maconochie and Mr. Robison. (2 — 1 6.) 
 Jan. 9. Are theatrical amusements prejudicial to the morals of the 
 people? Mr. BoRTHWicK. (7 — 10.) 
 16. Whether ought Members of Parliament to vote according 
 to their own sentiments or according to those of their 
 constituents? Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Newbigging. 
 (Carried unanimously in favour of the former view.) 
 23. Is the Royal Marriage Bill expedient? Mr. Douglas and 
 
 Mr. Hay. (11—5.) 
 30. Ought Hannibal to have marched to Rome after the battle 
 of Cannaj ? Mr. Miller. (7—6.) 
 Feb. 6. Was the Parliament of George the First justifiable in pass- 
 ing the Septennial Bills ? Mr. Tennant and Mr. Ruth- 
 erfurd. (3 — 11.) 
 
 13. Ought Magdalen Asylums to be permitted? Mr. Drum- 
 
 MOND. (9 — 8.) 
 27. Ought the impressing of seamen to be continued ? Mr. 
 
 Walker and Mr. Wall. (13—3.) 
 March 6. Whether is public or private education most advisable ? Mr. 
 
 Strickland and Mr. Borthwick. (15 — 4.) 
 13. Which of the two contending parties was most in the wrong 
 
404 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 — the managers of the Covent-Garden Theatre or those 
 who opposed them ? Mr. Cullen and Mr. Ruther- 
 FURD. (13—8.) 
 March 20. Ought there to be a Parliamentary Reform ? Mr. Shore 
 and Mr. Corrie. (7 — 4.) 
 27. Would it be politic in Great Britain to enter into a negoci- 
 ation with France ? Mr. Cui-len and Mr. Pigou. 
 (Carried in the affirmative by the casting vote of the 
 President.) 
 April 3. Are lotteries expedient ? Mr. Strickland and Lord Cal- 
 
 THORPE. (6 — 1 I.) 
 
 1 0. Ought emigration from the Highlands of Scotland to be en - 
 
 couraged ? Mr. Anderson and Mr. Webster. (6—8.) 
 1 7- Was the conduct of Great Britain in the affair of the par- 
 tition of Poland, consistent with her honour ? Mr. 
 Maitland and Mr. Forbes. (7 — 13.) 
 
 FORTY-SEVENTH SESSION— 1810-11. 
 
 Nov. 20. Was the last expedition to Copenhagen justifiable ? Mr. 
 Porter and Mr. BoRTUWicK. (5 — 11.) 
 27. Ought the elective franchise in Scotland to be extended ? 
 Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Miller. (5 — 11.) 
 Dec. 4. Ought truth ever to be considered as a libel ? Mr. Maitland 
 and Mr. Cunninghame. (Carried unanimously in the 
 affirmative.) 
 
 11. Is it probable that Alexander the Great would have been 
 
 successful had he turned his arms against Rome instead 
 of against Asia ? Mr. Tennent. ("Carried in the affirm- 
 ative by the voice of two members, the rest of the Society 
 not choosing to vote upon the question.") 
 18. Ought the Exclusion Bill in the time of Charles the Second 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 
 
 406 
 
 to have been passed? Mr. Greenhill and Mr. Walker. 
 (12-4.) 
 Jan. 1 5. Are missions to India expedient ? Mr. Anderson and Mr. 
 
 RUTHERFURD. (3 — 15.) 
 
 22. Ought the Bank of England to resume its payments in 
 specie ? Mr. M'Leod and Mr. Rutherfurd. (5 — 7.) 
 
 29. Were the Crusades of advantage to Europe? Mr. Cun- 
 ninghame and Mr. Forbes. (6 — 5.) 
 Feb. 5. Is it probable that Spain will succeed in the present contest 
 with France ? Mr. Porter and Lord Killeen. 
 (8-7.) 
 
 12. Ought the Legislature to interfere to prevent the combi- 
 nations of tradesmen and others, for increase of wages ? 
 Mr. Donellan and Mr. Grahame. (4 — 6.) 
 
 19. Was the war in 1793 between Great Britain and France 
 justifiable? Mr. Bell and Mr. Taaffe. (2—6.) 
 
 26. Has the independence of North America been of advan- 
 tage to Great Britain ? Mr. M'Cormick and Mr. Vans. 
 (2-14.) 
 March 5. Is the education of the poor advantageous to society ? Mr. 
 Macintosh and Lord John Russell. (Carried unani- 
 mously in the affirmative.) 
 
 T 2. Ought sinecures to be abolished ? Mr. Frasbr and Mr. 
 Tempest. (Carried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 
 19. Is Great Britain independent of commerce ? Mr. Ruxton 
 and Mr. Robley. (4 — 11.) 
 
 26. Ought there to be a Parliamentary Reform ? Mr. Apreece 
 and Mr. Parsons. (10—3.) 
 April 2. Was the conduct of Queen Elizabeth to Queen Mary justi- 
 fiable? Mr. Mackie and Mr. Gillies. (1 — 9.) 
 9. Was Gale Jones justly imprisoned ? Mr. Walker and 
 Mr. Rutherfurd. (1 — .6) 
 
 .^ 
 
406 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 April 16. Ought the House of Commons to have rejected Lord Ers- 
 kine'e bill for preventing cruelty to animals ? Mr. Cun- 
 NiNGHAME and Mr. Anderson. (.7 — 3.) 
 
 FORTY-EIGHTH SESS ION— 1811-12. 
 
 Nov. 1 9. Ought there to be an Established Church ? Mr. Douglas. 
 (9-4.) 
 26. Are missions to India expedient ? Mr. Vans and Mr. 
 Maitland. (4 — 8.) 
 Dec. 3. Are capital punishments expedient ? Mr. M'Cormick and 
 Mr. Taaffe. (2—5.) 
 1 0. Ought the impressing of seamen to be continued ? Mr. 
 Forbes and Mr. Taaffe. (8 — 3.) 
 
 17. Is the emancipation of South America desirable ? Lord Jo hn 
 
 Russell and Mr. Macintosh. (Carried unanimously 
 
 in the affirmative.) 
 Jan. 14. Was the conduct of Great Britain, in regard to the parti- 
 tion of Poland, consistent with her own interest ? Mr. 
 
 Clarke and Mr. Napier. (2 — 5.) 
 21. Ought there to be a legal provision for the poor ? Mr. Bell 
 
 and Mr. Corrie. (4 — 8.) 
 28. Ought Magdalen Asylums to be encouraged ? Mr. James 
 
 Anderson and Mr. David Anderson. (4 — 6.) 
 Feb. 1 1 . Ought there to be a legal establishment for the Irish Roman 
 
 Catholic clergy ? Mr. Bell and Mr. Greenhill. 
 
 (8-3.) 
 
 18. Ought the Bank of England to resume its payments in 
 
 specie ? Mr. Rutherfurd and Mr. Corrie. (Carried 
 by a majority of two in the affirmative.) 
 25. Is Spain likely to succeed in her present contest with 
 France ? Mr. Maitland and Mr. M'Leod. (8 — 3.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 
 
 407 
 
 March 3. Did Algernon Sidney deserve his fate ? Mr. Vans and 
 Mr. Forbes. (3 — 4.) 
 10. Is the possession of Canada of use to Great Britain ? Mr. 
 M'CoRMiCK and Mr. Cunninghame. (Carried in the 
 affirmative by the casting vote of the President.) 
 
 Was the expedition to Copenhagen in 1807 justifiable? 
 Lord John Russell and Mr. Napier. (6 — 7.) 
 
 Was Alcibiades justifiable in advising the Sicilian expedi- 
 tion during the Peloponesian War? Mr. David An- 
 derson and Mr. Maitland. (Carried unanimously in 
 the negative.) 
 
 24. 
 
 31. 
 
 FORTY-NINTH S E SS I O N— 1812-13. 
 
 f 
 
 Nov. 24. Were the measures of Government in regard to the regency 
 in 1788-9 justifiable ? Mr. Walker and Mr. Mait- 
 land. (4 — 6.) 
 Dec. 1. Has the order of Jesuits been of more service or injury to man- 
 kind? Mr. Cunninghame and Mr. Bright. (2 — 12.) 
 8. Ought Great Britain to have taxed America ? Mr. Grahame 
 and Mr. Vans. (Carried unanimously in the negative.) 
 Was the Royal Marriage Act expedient ? Mr. David An- 
 derson and Mr. M'Cormick. (6 — 9.) 
 Was Buonaparte justifiable in executing the incendiaries of 
 Moscow ? Mr. Erskine and Mr. Stewart. (10 — 12.) 
 Jan. 5. Ought the peace of Utrecht to have been made ? Mr. 
 Urquhart. (4 — 7.) 
 12. Was the conduct of the Long Parliament previous to the 
 civil war justifiable? Mr. Hunter and Mr. Duff. 
 (12—8.) 
 19. Is a hereditary or an elective monarchy the best govern- 
 ment? Mr. Dewar and Mr. Hamilton. (13 — 4.) 
 
 15. 
 
 22. 
 
408 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Jan. 26. Ought the Exclusion Bill to have passed? Mr. James 
 Henry Dunlop and Mr. Alexander Dunlop. (3 — 5.) 
 Feb. 9. Is the influence of the Crown of Great Britain too exten- 
 sive? Mr. Mure. (7—2.) 
 1 6. Has the policy of Great Britain in continuing the war to 
 the present day been justifiable ? Mr. White and Mr. 
 Mure. (4—6.) 
 23. Ought the Union between Scotland and England to have 
 been made? Mr. Newton. (6 — 2.) 
 March 9. Was Mr. Pitt's conduct of the French war expedient 1 Mr. 
 Lyle. (5 — 3.) 
 
 FIFTIETH SESSION— 1813-14. 
 
 Nov. 30. Ought the peace of Utrecht to have been made. Mr. Ua- 
 
 QUHART and Mr. Anderson. (5 — 8.) 
 Dec. 14. Is the influence of the Crown of Great Britain too exten- 
 sive ? Mr. Hunter. (7 — 12.) 
 Jan. 4. Has the war on the Continent been glorious to the Spanish 
 nation ? Mr. Wilson and Mr. Alexander Dunlop. 
 (8-6.) 
 1 1 . Was the Regency Bill of 1811 constitutional and expedient ? 
 
 Mr. Hozier. (3—7.) 
 18. Was Mr. Burke justifiable in separating from his friends ? 
 
 Mr. Menzies. (II — 3.) 
 25. Ought there to be trial by Jury in civil cases in Scotland ? 
 Mr. M'Dowall and Mr. White. (Carried in the 
 negative by the casting vote of the President.) 
 Feb. 1 . Ought combinations among workmen for raising their wages 
 to be punished? Mr. Hozier and Mr. M'Dowall. 
 (6-4.) 
 
 • 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 
 
 409 
 
 15. 
 
 22. 
 
 Feb. 8. Whether did ancient Athens, or does modern Britain afford 
 the best school for eloquence ? Mr. Horne and Mr. 
 Shepherd. (1 — 9.) 
 Did Algernon Sidney deserve his fate ? Mr. Menzies and 
 
 Mr. DuNLOP. (4 — 6.) 
 Is the American constitution likely to prove permanent ? 
 Mr. David Hannay and Mr. M'Neill. (Carried 
 unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 March 1 . Ought the Irish Roman Catholics to be emancipated ? Mr. 
 HoziER. (7 — 1.) 
 8. Has periodical criticism a beneficial effect upon literature ? 
 Mr. Urquhart. (9 — 1.) 
 15. Ought Great Britain to interfere to preserve the balance of 
 
 power on the Continent ? Mr. Urquhart. (.9 — 6.) 
 29. Ought any crime but murder to be punished capitally ? 
 Mr. White and Mr. Robert Hannay. (12 — 4.) 
 April 5. Ought there to be a legal provision for the poor ? Dr. 
 PoLiDORi and Mr. Menzies. (6 — 2.) 
 12. Is the Revolution in France likely to prove ultimately 
 for the benefit of Europe ? Mr. Hunter and Mr. 
 M'Dowall. (Carried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 
 FIFTY-FIRST SESS I N— 1814-15. 
 
 Nov. 1 5. Ought Poland to be restored to her ancient power ? Mr. 
 Hunter and Mr. Urquhart. (6 — 3.) 
 22. Whether is the Scottish or the English system of marriage 
 law preferable? Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Menzies. 
 (Carried unanimously that the Scottish system is pre- 
 ferable.) 
 29. Is it expedient that the Sovereign should have the power of 
 
 3 F 
 
 • 
 
410 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 dismissing or otherwise punishing officers of the army 
 or navy, without a previous trial by a court-martial ? 
 Mr. M'DowALL and Mr. Hozier. (8—3.) 
 Dec. 6. Is there any intellectual difference between the two sexes ? 
 Mr. Dewar and Mr. Newton. (13—2.) 
 
 13. Was the conduct of the British army, in regard to the de- 
 
 struction of Washington, justifiable ? (Mr. M'Neill 
 and Dr. Polidori. (5 — 10.) 
 
 20. Can the immortality of the soul be demonstrated by the 
 light of nature ? Dr. Polidori and Mr. Burn. 
 (12-5.) 
 Jan. 3. Was the line of conduct pursued by the British government, 
 in regard to the cession of Norway, justifiable ? Mr. 
 Stainton and Mr. Menteath. (9 — 12.) 
 
 10. Are the poems ascribed to Ossian authentic ? Mr. Dundas 
 and Mr. Ferguson. (Carried unanimously in the af- 
 firmative.) 
 
 17. Was Moreau justifiable in joining the allies ? Mr. Robert- 
 son and Mr. Thackery. (10 — 5.) 
 
 2i. Is the doctrine of perfectibility compatible with the con- 
 dition of human nature ? Mr. Hawkins and Mr. 
 M'Lachlan. (2—6.) 
 
 31. Ought the alteration of the Corn Laws, proposed by Sir 
 Henry Parnell, to be adopted ? Mr. Gordon. (16 — 1.) 
 Feb. 7. Whether was the conduct of Cicero in supporting, or 
 that of Cato in opposing, the measures of Csesar, the 
 more commendable ? Mr. Gregory and Mr. Heron. 
 (5-9.) 
 
 14. Does any blame attach to the British ministry from the 
 
 existence of the article regarding the slave trade in 
 the late treaty with France ? Mr. Dewar and Mr. 
 Wright. (9 — 4.) 
 
 '**%.- 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 411 
 
 Feb. 28. Ought unanimity to be required from juries in civil cases ? 
 
 Mr. Erskine. (7 — 3.) 
 March 7. Is private tyrannicide in any case justifiable ? Mr. Dun- 
 das and Mr. James Henry Dunlop. (1 1 — 12.) 
 14. Is the power of Russia likely to become dangerous to Eu- 
 rope? Mr. Duff and Mr. Hunter. (2 — 8.) 
 21. Ought any crime but murder to be punished capitally? Dr. 
 
 PoLIDORI. (5 — 4.) 
 28. Is the present government of France likely to prove perma- 
 nent? Dr. PoLiDORi and Mr. White. (3 — 8.) 
 April 4. Ought the alterations in the treason laws, proposed by Sir 
 Samuel Romilly, to be adopted? Mr. Newton and 
 Mr. Urquhart. (7 — 3.) 
 
 FIFTY-SECOND S E SSIO N— 1815-16. 
 
 Nov. 1 4. Ought a court to have the power of punishing crimes with- 
 out the authority of statute ? Mr. M'Dowall and Mr. 
 Menzies. (4 — 7.) 
 
 21. Is transportation a proper mode of punishment? Mr. M'- 
 Neill and Mr. Robert Hannay. (8 — 4.) 
 
 28. Is the present government of France likely to prove perma- 
 nent ? Mr. Burn. (4 — 7.) 
 Dec. 5. Are church establishments expedient ? Mr. Menteath and 
 Mr. Dundas. (12—3.) 
 
 ] 2. Ought Mr. Pitt to have resigned in 1784 ? Mr. Ferguson 
 and Mr. Robertson. (6 — 13.) 
 
 19. Was the trial and execution of Labedoyere justifiable? 
 Mr. Hawkins and Mr. M'Lachlan. (8 — 9.) 
 Jan. 9. Has the government of Buonaparte been for the advantage 
 of Europe ? Mr. Smith and Mr. Gregory. (14 — 7) 
 
412 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Jan. 23. Will the spoliation of the Louvre be fortunate for the arts ? 
 Mr. Cheape and Mr. Lockhart. (4 — 9.) 
 
 30. Did the order of the Jesuits benefit science ? Mr. Pennell 
 
 and Mr. Dalzel. (8—7.) 
 
 Feb. 6. Ought the British government to aid the South American 
 
 patriots in making themselves independent of the mother 
 
 country ? Mr. Catiicart and Mr. Urquhart. (11 — 3.) 
 
 13. Would it not be expedient to declare the Roman Catholic 
 religion the established religion of Ireland ? Mr. Men- 
 ziEs and Mr. Cheape. (6 — 7.) 
 
 20. Is the conduct of the British government expedient in en- 
 couraging emigration to Canada 1 Mr. Paterson. 
 (6-7.) 
 
 27. Is the character of a people more owing to climate or govern- 
 ment 1 Mr. Donald and Mr. John M'Neixl. (3 — 4.) 
 March 5. Is the continuance of the Property Tax expedient or justi- 
 fiable ? Mr. Menzies and Mr. M'Dowall. (3 — 6.) 
 
 1 9. Ought a Member of Parliament to vote according to the 
 instructions of his constituents ? Mr. M'Neill. (Car- 
 ried unanimously in the negative.) 
 
 26. Whether was the India Bill of Mr. Fox or that of Mr. Pitt 
 the more expedient ? Mr. Dalzel and Mr. Menzies. 
 (4-7.) 
 April 2. Are the laws against usury expedient ? Mr. Dundas and 
 Mr. Robertson. (2 — 6.) 
 
 FIFTY- THIRD S ES SI N— 1816-17. 
 
 Nov. 12. Are the phenomena of mind compatible with materialism ? 
 Mr. Menzies and Mr. M'Lachlan. (1—8.) 
 19. Is the influence of the Crown in its present state too great? 
 Mr. Gordon and Mr. Gregory. (3 — 10.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 413 
 
 Nov. 26. Is the population of Britain too great ? Mr. Dewak and 
 Mr. Hawkins. (7 — 8.) 
 Dec. 3. Was the suspension of the habeas corpus act in 1794 justi- 
 fiable ? Mr. Cheape and Mr. AYuigham. (8 — 6.) 
 
 10. Was the Copenhagen expedition justifiable? Mr. Lock- 
 
 HAET and Mr. Smith. (12 — 6.) 
 
 1 7. Ought crimes against property to be capitally punished ? 
 
 Mr. Dalzel and Mr. Catiicart. (7 — 9.) 
 Jan. 7. Whether is the state of war or peace most favourable to 
 literature? Mr. Urquhart and Mr. Donald. (5 — 4.) 
 
 14. Is genius peculiar in tendency, or may it be directed success- 
 fully to attain eminence in any mental pursuit ? Mr. 
 Ubquhart and Mr. Jobson. 
 
 21. Whether did ancient Athens or does modern Britain afibrd 
 the best school for -eloquence ? Mr. Dunlop and Mr. 
 Ritchie. (3—7.) 
 
 28. Is utility the foundation of morals ? Mr. Meiklejohn and 
 Mr. Smith. (5—6.) 
 Feb. 4. Ought placemen and pensioners to have a seat in Parlia- 
 ment ? Mr. Donald and Mr. Dalzel. (6 — 4.) 
 
 1 1 . Is the Missionary System politically expedient ? Mr. 
 
 Menteath and Mr. Hawkins. (7 — 4.) 
 
 18. Are the estimates presented by ministers entitled to 
 
 the approbation of Parliament ? Mr. M'Lachlan. 
 (7-5.) 
 
 25. Would the loss of India be detrimental to Great Britain? 
 Mr. Gordon and Mr. Gregory. (5 — 6.) 
 March 4. Is Parliamentary Reform necessary or expedient ? Mr. 
 Parkin and Mr. Cheape. (8 — 4.) 
 
 11. Was the war on the part of Great Britain in the year 1793 
 justifiable or expedient? Mr. Dewab and Mr. Dal- 
 zel. (4 — 5.) 
 
414 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 March 1 8. Are the United States of America likely to remain long 
 under their present form of government? Mr. Dal- 
 
 ZEL. (3 — 4.) 
 
 April 1. Ought Great Britain to interfere to preserve a balance of 
 power on the Continent ? Mr. Donald and Mr. Grant. 
 (Carried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 8. Is transportation a proper punishment ? Mr. Gordon and 
 Mr. JoBsoN. (8—7.) 
 
 FIFTY-FOURTH SE SS I O N— 1817-18. 
 
 Nov. 18. Ought Great Britain to aid the South American patriots in 
 gaining their independence from the mother country ? 
 Mr. Cathcart and Mr. Dunlop. (9 — 8.) 
 
 25. Is the doctrine of perfectibility compatible with the condi- 
 tion of human nature ? Mr. Leonard. (6 — 10.) 
 Dec. 9. Ought the colonies of Great Britain to be allowed to 
 carry on a free trade with foreign nations at peace 
 with Great Britain 1 Mr. Gregory and Mr. Aytocn. 
 (10—4.) 
 
 23. Ought the avowal of a flagrantly criminal intention to be 
 punished by law ? Mr. Whigham and Mr. Dewar 
 (1-22.) 
 Jan. 13. Had Great Britain a right to tax America? Mr. John 
 Aytoun and Mr. Cathcart. (6 — 14.) 
 
 20. Has India been more benefited or injured by the establish- 
 ment of British power? Mr. Donald and Mr. Dal- 
 zel. (7 — 5.) 
 
 27. Was the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act in 1817 jus- 
 fiable or expedient ? Mr. Aytoun and Mr. Alexander 
 Dunlop. (6—13.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATK. 415 
 
 Feb. 3. Is Scotland sufficiently represented in Parliament ? Mr. 
 
 Alexander Dunlop, jun. and Mr. Ritchie. (6 — 8.) 
 
 10. Is the conduct of the British government in the employment 
 
 of spies justifiable ? Mr. Walsh and Mr. Leonard. 
 
 (8-9.) 
 1 7. Is the power of Russia dangerous to Europe ? Mr. Gibson 
 
 and Mr. John Aytoun. (2 — 9.) 
 
 24. Ought there to be a legal provision for the poor ? Mr. 
 Gbahamb and Mr. Ross. (2 — 15.) 
 March 3. Ought the Slave Registry Bill to be passed ? Mr. Thomson 
 and Mr. Alexander Dunlop, jun. (11 — 2.) 
 
 1 0. Was the Septennial Act expedient ? Mr. Elliot and Mr. 
 Henry Baxter. (6 — 4.) 
 
 17. Were the Crusades advantageous to Europe? Mr. Alex- 
 ander Baxter and Mr. Marshall. (11 — 1.) 
 
 24. Ought the Indemnity Bill to have been passed ? Mr. 
 Thomson and Mr. Kinloch. 6 — 17.) 
 April 7. Would it be sound policy in Great Britain to establish a 
 free trade with France ? Mr. Stedman and Mr. Era- 
 ser. (30 — 5.) 
 
 1 4. Ought the allied army to be withdrawn from France ? Mr. 
 Sandiland and Mr. Dewar. (10 — 6.) 
 
 FIFTY- FIFTH S ESSI N— 1818-19. 
 
 Nov. 1 7. Were the effects of the league of Cambray ultimately ad- 
 vantageous to Europe ? Mr. Stedman and Mr. Walsh. 
 (2-8.) 
 24. Are state lotteries expedient ? Mr. Alexander Dunlop, 
 jun. (2-7.) 
 Dec. 1. Ought the trade to China to be opened ? Mr. Donald and 
 Mr. John Aytoun. (18—9.) 
 
416 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Dec. 8. Has the government of Buonaparte been of advantage to 
 Europe? Mr. Dalzel and Mr. Cathcart. (6 — 8.) 
 
 15. Ought government spies to be employed in a free constitu- 
 
 tion in times of intestine commotion ? Mr. Bruce and 
 Ritchie. (4—12.) 
 Jan. 5. Are the usury laws expedient ? Mr. Parkin and Mr. 
 Gibson. (1—11.) 
 12. Was the conduct of Mr. Pitt in 1784 justifiable ? Mr. Ross 
 
 and Mr. Donald. (8 — 9.) 
 19. Was Mr. Pitt's India Bill preferable to Mr. Fox's. Mr. 
 
 Thomson and Mr. Marshall. (9 — 8.) 
 26. Ought Members of Parliament to be bound by the instruc- 
 tions of their constituents ? Mr. Constable and Mr. 
 Ritchie. (7—12.) 
 Feb. 2. Ought emigration to be unrestrained 1 Mr. Warrand and 
 Mr. Sandilands. (23 — 3.) 
 9. Ought an annual poll election to be granted to the Scots 
 burghs ? Mr. Burnett and Mr. Ross. (8 — 4.) 
 Was the war on the part of Great Britain in 1793 justifiable 
 or expedient? Mr. Thomson and Mr. Speirs. (8—7.) 
 Whether is the constitution of Great Britain in more dan- 
 ger from the encroachments of the Crown or from those 
 of the people ? Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Thomson. 
 (12-3.) 
 March 9. Ought the nations of Europe to assist the South American 
 patriots in separating themselves from the mother coun- 
 try ? Mr. Dhummond and Mr. Vivian. (8 — 11.) 
 
 16. Was the conduct of the British government in regard to the 
 
 cession of Norway justifiable? Mr. M'Leod and Mr. 
 Donald. (5 — 11.) 
 23. Was the cession of Genoa to the King of Sardinia justifi- 
 able ? Mr. MuNDELL and Mr. Lavie. (7 — 16.) 
 
 16. 
 
 23. 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 
 
 417 
 
 March 30. Was the condemnation of Admiral Byng justifiable ? Mr. 
 Smyth and Mr. Ritchie. (2 — 4.) 
 April 6. Ought the laws for the prevention of forgery to be al- 
 tered ? Mr. Broughton and Mr. Donald. (Carried 
 unanimously in the aflBrmative.) 
 1 3. Did the measures of the British Government give to Ame- 
 rica just grounds for a declaration of war in 1774? Mr. 
 Ritchie and Mr. Thomson. (12 — 2.) 
 20. Would the emancipation of the Roman Catholics of Ireland 
 be a measure beneficial to the strength and prosperity 
 of the British empire? Mr. Shiel and Mr. James 
 Aytoun. (15 — 1.) 
 
 FIFTY-SIXTH SES S I O N_1819-20. 
 
 Nov. IG. Whether was the administration of Sir Robert Walpole 
 beneficial or injurious to the country ? Mr. Constable 
 and Mr. Ritchie. (8 — 3.) 
 23. Is the impressment of seamen justifiable? Mr. Meikle- 
 
 JOHN and Mr. Parker. (12 — 11.) 
 30. Was the condemnation of Marshal Ney justifiable? Mr. 
 M'Leod and Mr. Bruce. (10 — 9.) 
 Dec. 7. Ought the Crown to have the power of altering the Sets of 
 Royal Burghs. Mr. Marshall and Mr. Constable. 
 (9-13.) 
 14. Was the bill passed during last Session of Parliament, to 
 prevent British subjects from assisting the patriots of 
 South America, justifiable ? Mr. Mundell and Mr. 
 KiNLOCH. (14 — 7.) 
 Jan. 4. Was the Long Parliament justifiable in taking up arms 
 against King Charles the First in 1641 ? Mr. Burnett 
 and Mr. Bruce. (U — 7.) 
 3 G 
 
418 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Jan. 1 1 . Is the establishment of a national church politically wise 
 and expedient ? Mr. M'Neill and Mr. M'Leod. 
 (12—10.) 
 
 18. Has the conduct of the Whigs in calling the late meet- 
 ings been proper and agreeable to the interests of so- 
 ciety? Mr. Speirs and Mr. Alexakder Dunlop. 
 (14—14.) 
 Feb. 1 . Is the present distress of the lower orders of the people im- 
 putable to the government of the country .? Mr. Alex- 
 ander Dunlop and Mr. Hamilton. (11 — 13.) 
 8. Was the attack on Copenhagen in 1 807 justifiable ? Mr. 
 Drummond and Mr. Stedman. (1 1 — 7.) 
 
 15. Ought the King to have the power to increase indefinitely 
 the House of Peers ? Mr. Ritchie and Mr. Brough- 
 TON. (14 — 6.) 
 
 22. Did the state of the country warrant the recent addition to 
 the military force? Mr. Inglis and Mr. Webster. 
 (11—14.) 
 
 29. Is there ground to hope that any reform which has been 
 proposed in the election of the Commons' House of Par- 
 liament would prove advantageous to the country ? Mr. 
 Creelman and Mr. Shiel, (16 — 4.) 
 March 7- Ought spies to be sanctioned by government in times of in- 
 ternal commotion ? Mr. Macdonald and Mr. Sheil. 
 (.5-10.) 
 
 14. Whether is the system of Patronage beneficial or injurious 
 to the interests of the Church of Scotland ? Mr. Aiken 
 and Mr. Price. (11 — 4.) 
 
 21. Was the war on the part of Great Britain in 1793 justifi- 
 able? Mr. Bruce and Mr. Dauney. (7—12.) 
 
 28. Was the cession of Parga justifiable ? Mr. Richardson 
 and Mr. Raymond. (5 — 14.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 
 
 419 
 
 April 4. Is the constitution of the United States likely to be perma- 
 nent ? (6—5.) 
 
 FIFTY-SEVENTH S ESS I O N— 1820-21. 
 
 Nov. 1 4. Is the marriage law of England more conducive to the in- 
 terests of society than that of Scotland ? Sir John Hay, 
 Bart, and Mr. Handyside. (3—17) 
 2 1 . Was the Royal Marriage Act a proper measure ? Mr. Cal- 
 
 LENDER and Mr. Haldane. (9 — 5.) 
 28. Have the ancients excelled the moderns in eloquence ? Mr. 
 Broughton and Mr. Ritchie. (11 — 10.) 
 Dec. 5. Ought the Septennial Bill to have passed ? Mr. Bruce and 
 Mr. Constable. (JO— 12.) 
 
 1 2. Whether is the British constitution in most danger from 
 
 the Democrats or the Tories ? Mr. Thomson and Mr. 
 Graham. (10—11.) 
 Jan. 9. Ought there to be any check to the diffusion of political 
 knowledge among the people ? Mr. Burnett and Mr. 
 Handyside. (2 — 15.) 
 16. Ought Mr. Fox to have coalesced with Lord North? Mr. 
 Ritchie and Mr. Bruce. (6 — 11.) 
 Did the state of the country justify Lord Castlereagh's Bills 
 in 1819 ? Mr. Aiken and Mr. John Dunlop. (8—20.) 
 Was the Long Parliament justified in taking up arms against 
 King Charles the First ? Mr. Hamilton and Mr. 
 Drummond. (19 — 7.) 
 Feb. 6. Was the conduct of Mr. Pitt in 1 784 justifiable ? Mr. 
 Alexander Dunlop, jun. and Mr. Ritchie. (9 — 6.) 
 
 1 3. Has the conduct of the Whigs in calling the late meetings 
 (1820-21) been proper and agreeable to the interests of 
 
 23. 
 
 30. 
 
420 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 the country? Mr. Haldane and Mr. Callender. 
 
 (10-1.) 
 Feb. 27. Would it be for the advantage of Great Britain, if the right 
 
 of returning representatives to Parliament were to be 
 
 transferred from small boroughs to the more populous 
 
 towns? Mr. Creelman and Mr. Inglis. (15 — 3.) 
 March 6. Were the means of effecting the Irish Union inconsistent 
 
 with the national honour of England ? Mr. Lambton 
 
 and Mr. Macdonald. (9 — 6.) 
 13. Ought there to be a legal provision for the poor? Mr. 
 
 Aiken and Mr. Thomson. (3 — 15.) 
 20. Was the attack on Copenhagen in 1807 justifiable? Mr. 
 
 Bruce and Mr. Haldane. (11 — 8.) 
 27. Was Mr. Burke's conduct in regard to the French Revolu- 
 tion consistent with his former political principles? Mr. 
 
 Thomson and Mr. Webster. (9 — 13.) 
 April 1 0. Would the extension to Scotland of the elective franchise, 
 
 as it exists in the English countiesj be advantageous ? 
 
 Mr. David Maitland. (15 — 8.) 
 
 FIFTY-EIGHTH SES SI ON— 1821-22. 
 
 Nov. 13. Was the Peace of Utrecht a wise and politic measure for 
 Great Britain ? Mr. Ritchie and Mr. Gibson. (2 — 7.) 
 
 20. Was the reign of Louis XIV. beneficial to France ? Mr. 
 Ritchie and Mr. Craik. (2 — 19.) 
 
 27. Ought the laws affecting the Roman Catholics to be re- 
 pealed? Mr. Lambton and Mr. Graham. (17 — 2.) 
 Dec. ■*. Was the administration of Pericles beneficial to Athens ? 
 Mr. Hog and Mr. Murray. (5—7.) 
 
 11. Was Queen Mary accessary to the murder of Darnley ? 
 Mr. AsHWELL and Mr. Speirs. (6—9.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 421 
 
 Dec. 1 8. Are ecclesiaatical establishments expedient ? Mr. Brough- 
 TON and Mr. Ash well. (14 — 6.) 
 •Jan. 8. Is a cla;ssical education carried to the length it is in the 
 English universities beneficial ? Mr. Craik and Mr. 
 Robert Aytoun, (8 — 10.) 
 
 15. Whether did the opinions of Mr. Pitt or those of Mr. Fox, 
 on the French Revolution and the war in 1793, evince 
 the greater political wisdom ? Mr. Aiken and Mr. 
 Lambton. (8 — 13.) 
 
 22. Has the influence of the Crown increased since the Revo- 
 lution ? Mr. Donald and Mr. Ashwell. (8 — 7.) 
 
 29. Would the extinction of the national debt by an assess- 
 ment on capital be expedient? Mr. Handyside and 
 Mr. Meldrum. (8 — 2.) 
 Feb. 5. Ought the laws respecting the export and import of grain 
 to be altered? Mr. Alexander Dunlop, jun., and 
 Mr. Callender. (5—3.) 
 
 12. Is the punishment of the crime of forgery by death expedi- 
 ent ? Mr. M'Neill and Mr. Webster. (4 — 10.) 
 
 19. Were the Scottish Reformers justifiable in demolishing the 
 ecclesiastical edifices ? Mr. Speirs and Mr. Hog. 
 (5-6.) 
 
 26. Is the theatre necessarily injurious to morals ? Mr. David 
 Maitland and Mr. Inglis. (6 — 6.) 
 March 12. Ought there to be any check to the diffusion of political 
 knowledge among the people ? Mr. Hog and Mr. Ash- 
 well. (Carried unanimously in the negative.) 
 
 19. Have the Crusades been beneficial to Europe? Prince 
 Czartoryski and Mr. Murray. (12 — 1.) 
 
 26. Ought public libels, when consistent with truth, to be pu- 
 nished ? Mr. Ashwell and Mr. Handyside. (7 — 8.) 
 
422 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 April 2. Was the government of Buonaparte beneficial to France ? 
 Mr. MTarlan and Mr. M'Neill. (14—6.) 
 9. Would it be expedient to pass Mr. Kennedy's Jury Bill ? 
 Mr. HANDYSiDEand Mr. Thomson. (10 — 1.) 
 
 FIFTY -NINTH SESSIO N— 1822-23. 
 
 Nov. 19. Are the opinions of Mr. Malthus, on the subject of popula- 
 tion, well founded ? Mr. Cowan and Mr. Fergusson. 
 (Carried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 26. Is duelling justifiable ? Mr. David Maitland. (3—11.) 
 Dec. 3. Is there any effectual legislative remedy for the present 
 agricultural distress ? Mr. Donald and Sir John Hay, 
 Bart. (7—3.) 
 10. Is the free agitation of political subjects among the lower 
 orders advantageous ? Mr. Webster and Mr. Craik. 
 (7-8.) 
 17. Ought unanimity to be required in the verdict of juries ? 
 Mr. Datid Maitland and Mr. Mure. (12—4.) 
 Jan. 7. Ought England to interfere on behalf of the Greeks? Mr. 
 Augustus Maitland and Mr. Murray. (5 — 4.) 
 Is genius peculiar in its tendency, or may it be successfully 
 directed to attain eminence in any pursuit ? Mr. Hog 
 and Mr. Paterson. (10 — 3.) 
 Did the body of the people possess a greater influence under 
 the Roman republic than they do under the British go- 
 vernment ? Mr. Spear and Prince Czartoryski. 
 (6-10.) 
 Is the law of primogeniture expedient ? Mr. M'Farlan 
 and Mr. Webster. (13 — 5.) 
 Feb. 4. Was the conduct of the British government in reference to 
 the proceedings of the Holy Alliance against Naples 
 
 J 4. 
 
 21. 
 
 28. 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 423 
 
 justifiable ? Mr. Falconer and Mr. Handyside. 
 (6-7.) 
 Feb. 1 1 . Ought any crime but murder to be punished capitally ? Lord 
 Wriothesley Russell and Mr. Stanhope. (4—6.) 
 
 18. Is the present state of the representation of the House of 
 Commons suflBcient for all the purposes of a free and 
 efficient government ? Mr. Fergusson and Mr. Cowan. 
 (5-7.) 
 
 25. Have the critical journals tended to improve the public 
 taste? Mr. Handyside and Mr. Carlyle. (4 — 1.) 
 March 11. Is the Spanish constitution as now established fitted to pro- 
 mote the real interests of Spain 1 Mr. Mure and Mr. 
 Robinson. (6 — 7.) 
 
 18. Are church establishments expedient? Mr. M'Neill and 
 Mr. Webster. (10—3.) 
 
 25. Are associations founded on the principle of the Constitu- 
 tional Association justifiable ? Mr. Craik and Mr. Car- 
 lyle. (4 — 5.) 
 April 1 . Ought Great Britain to go to war with France ? Mr. Gra- 
 ham and Mr. Cowan. (Carried unanimously in the 
 negative.) 
 8. Was the Foreign Enlistment Bill a justifiable measure ? Mr. 
 Robinson and Mr. Carlyle. (Carried in the affirma- 
 tive by the casting vote of the President.) 
 
 SIXTIETH SESSION— 1823-24. 
 
 Nov. 18. Would it be advisable to introduce a grand jury into Scot- 
 land ? Mr. Handyside and Mr. Cowan. (2 — 6.) 
 25. Whether is the system of Patronage beneficial or injurious 
 to the Church of Scotland ? Mr. Mel drum and Mr. 
 M'Farlan. (7—6.) 
 
424 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Dec. 2. Ought the system of Scottish Entails to be abolished by the 
 
 Legislature ? Mr. Cowan and Mr. M'Neill. (6 — 5.) 
 
 9. Ought Great Britain to have prevented the invasion of 
 
 Spain by France ? Mr. Robinson and Mr. Fergusson. 
 
 (7-2.) 
 
 1 6. Was the restoration of the Bourbons beneficial to France ? 
 
 Mr. Mure and Mr. Carlyle. (6—5.) 
 Jan. 13. Ought there to be a reform in Parliament? Mr. Carlyle 
 and Mr. M'Neill. (6 — 4.) 
 
 20. Is the theatre necessarily injurious to morals? Mr. Hog 
 and Mr. David Maitland. (6 — 5.) 
 
 27. Is duelling justifiable in any case ? Mr. Fergusson and Mr. 
 AlTKEN. (7 — 9.) 
 Feb. 3. Has the feudal system been beneficial to Europe ? Mr. 
 Covt'AN and Mr. M'Farlan. (10—3.) 
 
 10. Were the proceedings against the Queen in 1822 justifiable ? 
 Mr. M'Neill and Mr. Carlyle. (Carried in the ne- 
 gative by the casting vote of the President.) 
 
 17. Ought immediate steps to be taken for the gradual emanci- 
 
 pation of the slaves in our West Indian colonies ? Mr. 
 Robinson and Mr. Fergusson. (8 — 5.) 
 
 24. Was the British government justifiable in sending Buona- 
 parte to St. Helena ? Mr. Carlyle and Mr. John - 
 SIGN. (6 — 5.) 
 March 2. Ought Great Britain immediately to recognize the independ- 
 ence of the Spanish South American colonies ? Mr. 
 Bell and Mr. Smollett. (5 — 7.) 
 9. Ought the election of the representative in Parliament for 
 the city of Edinburgh to be vested in any proportion of 
 the householders? Mr. David Maitland and Mr. 
 M'Neill. (4—7.) 
 
 23. Were the Scottish Reformers justifiable in demolishing the 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 425 
 
 ecclesiastical edifices ? Mr. Haldane and Mr. Thomas 
 Hog. (7—6.) 
 March 30. Ought the laws regulating the export and import of corn 
 to be immediately repealed ? Mr. Parnell and Mr. 
 Nbaves. (Carried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 
 SIXTY-FIRST S ESS I 0N_1 824-25. 
 
 Nov. 1 G. Ought King's evidence to be admitted on criminal trials ? 
 Mr. M'Farlane and Mr. Meldeum. (11 — 4.) 
 
 23. Is the Sinking Fund expedient ? Mr. Carlyle and Mr. 
 Bell. (Carried in the affirmative by a majority of two.) 
 
 30. Was the late reduction of the tax on spirits an expedient 
 measure? Mr. Bell and Mr. Carlyle. (11 — 1.) 
 Dec. 7. Is it necessary for the welfare of Ireland that tithes should 
 be abolished. Mr. Smollett and Mr. Kinnear. 
 (l!-8.) 
 
 1 4. Do the United States of America contain in their constitu- 
 tion the elements of a speedy dissolution ? Mr. Neaves 
 and Mr. David Maitland. (9—7.) 
 
 2 1 . Are theatrical amusements injurious to the morals of the 
 country ? Mr. Haldane and Mr. Bell. (Carried in 
 the affirmative by the casting vote of the President.) 
 •Jan. 1 1 . Have the usury laws any foundation in justice or expe- 
 diency ? Mr. Birrell and Mr. Parnell. (Carried 
 unanimously in the negative.) 
 
 18. Have the missions to India promoted or injured the cause of 
 Christianity ? Mr. Maitland. (Carried unanimously 
 that they have promoted it.) 
 
 2.5. Is the British constitution in greater danger from the en- 
 croachments of the aristocracy or from those of the de- 
 mocracy? Mr. Stoddart and Mr. Menzies. (7 — 8.) 
 3 H 
 
426 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Feb. 1 . Ought the impressment of seamen to be abolished ? Mr. 
 Blyth and Mr. Thomson. (1 1 — 4.) 
 8. Was Mr. Fox's political character marked by personal am- 
 bition ? Mr. Sinclair. (7—10.) 
 
 1.5. Ought the Roman Catholic subjects of Great Britain to be 
 made participant in all the rights and privileges of their 
 Protestant brethren? Mr. Abraham Inglis and Mr. 
 Trotter. (11 — I.) 
 March 1. Was Mr. Pitt a great man? Mr. Paterson and Mr. Han- 
 DYSIDE. (15 — 3.) 
 
 15. Is Dr. Chalmers' system of relief to the poor by private 
 charity practicable? Mr. Bell and Mr. Grahame. 
 (10-6.) 
 April 5. Ought the present system of church patronage to be abo- 
 lished ? Mr. Stoddart and Mr. Carlylb. (3 — 15.) 
 
 12. Ought immediate steps to be taken for the abolition of sla- 
 very in our West India colonies ? Mr. Sinclair and 
 Mr. Menzies. (13 — 2.) 
 
 19. Were the East Indies to become independent like the United 
 States of North America, would Great Britain gain or 
 lose by the change? Mr. Moncreiff and Mr. Maitland. 
 (Carried by the casting vote of the President that Great 
 Britain would gain by the change.) 
 
 SIXTY-SECOND SESSIO N_1825-26. 
 
 Nov. 1 5. Ought the East India Company's charter to be renewed ? 
 Mr. Feruusson and Mr. Halijane. (14 — 7.) 
 22. Would the establishment of a Ijondon university on the 
 principles at present proposed be expedient ? Mr. Hen- 
 ry Inglis. (9—5.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 427 
 
 Nov. 2.0. Ought Great Britain to interfere in the affairs of Greece ? 
 
 Mr. BiRRELL and Mr. Johnston. (2 — 12.) 
 Dec. 1 3. Is the British constitution in greater danger from the Crown 
 or the people? Mr. Menzies and Mr. Maitland. 
 (6-7.) 
 Jan. 1 0. Is the punishment of death in any case justifiable ? Mr. 
 Thomson and Mr. Stoddart. (12 — 4.) 
 
 ] 7. Should there be any restriction on the combination of work- 
 men ? Mr. Sinclair and Mr. Trotter. (.5 — 14.) 
 
 24. Is the dissemination of knowledge among the lower classes, 
 when carried beyond a certain point, likely to prove in- 
 jurious to the community? Mr. Thomas Grahame 
 and Mr. Taylor. (5—10.) 
 Feb. 7. Was the execution of Charles the First justifiable ? Mr. 
 Callender and Mr. Tait. (8 — 5.) 
 
 J 4. Ought prize-fighting, bull-baiting, &c., to be repressed by an 
 act of the Legislature? Mr. Cameron and Mr. Ma- 
 berly. (9—10.) 
 
 21. Is the existence of an established church beneficial ? Mr. 
 Menzies and Mr. Reddie. (10 — 7.) 
 March 7. Would a common war against a piratical state be justifiable ? 
 Mr. Maconochie and Mr. Weir. (Carried unani- 
 mously in the affirmative.) 
 
 14. Ought representatives in any instance to be bound by the 
 orders of their constituents? Mr. William Grahame 
 and Mr. Binning Monro. (2 — 12.) 
 
 21. Is the imposition of civil disabilities on account of religious 
 opinions injurious? Mr. Grant and Mr. Reddie. 
 (13—8.) 
 
 28. Ought the present system of representation in Parliament 
 to be reformed ? Mr. Crawfurd and Mr. Davidson. 
 (10-3.) 
 
428 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 April 4. Ought the conduct of Mr. Burke in the separation between 
 him and Mr. Fox to lower his character in our estima- 
 tion? Mr. FoRMAN and Mr. Stoddart. (5 — 6.) 
 
 18. Is duelling in any case justifiable? Mr. Crawfurd and 
 Mr. Haldane. (7 — 3.) 
 
 25. Ouglit public libels to be prosecuted by law ? Mr. Birrell 
 and Mr. Maitland. (5 — 4.) 
 
 SIXTY-THIRD SESSIO N— 1826-27. 
 
 Nov. 14. Was the French Revolution on the whole productive of 
 good to Europe ? Mr. Reid and Mr. Stoddart. (7 — 2.) 
 21. Is it expedient to encourage as far as possible the dissemi- 
 nation of political knowledge among the lower classes ? 
 Mr. Trotter and Mr. Thomas Grahame. (11—7.) 
 28. Ought crimes against property to be punished capitally ? 
 Mr. Tait and Mr. Callendeh. (6 — 13.) 
 Dec. 5. Are entails generally expedient ? Mr. Cameron and Mr. 
 Reid. (11 — 9.) 
 19. Was the execution of Charles the First justifiable? Mr. 
 Maconochie and Mr. Reddie. (5 — 13.) 
 Jan. 9. Is a national church establishment generally expedient? Mr. 
 William Grahame and Mr. Weir. (15 — 6.) 
 16. Ought farther steps to be immediately taken for the gra- 
 dual abolition of negro slavery ? Mr. Leith and Mr. 
 Binning Monro. (13—2.) 
 23. Ought the present system of church patronage in Scotland 
 to be abolished ? Mr. Crawfurd and Mr. Davidson. 
 (8-10.) 
 30. Ought game in this country to be made private property ? 
 Mr. FoRMAN and Mr. Forbes. (14 — 5.) 
 Feb. C. Is an hereditary aristocracy endowed with legislative powers 
 
^ SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 429 
 
 in all cases advisable ? Mr. Weir and Mr. Dickson. 
 (6-9.) 
 Feb. 1 3. Was Mr. Fox's political conduct characterized by personal 
 ambition ? Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Ritchie. (3 — 10.) 
 
 20. Was the Reformation more happily effected in England or 
 Scotland? Mr. Greg and Mr. Webster. (7 — 12.) 
 
 27. Is the British constitution in greater danger from the en- 
 croachments of the aristocracy or from those of the de- 
 mocracy? Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Cockburn. (6 — 14.) 
 March 6. Is the encouragement of emigration expedient ? Mr. Craig 
 and Mr. Maitland. (8 — 7.) 
 
 20. Is Catholic emancipation expedient? Mr. Sinclair and 
 Mr. Menzies. (14 — 7.) 
 April 3. Ought there to be a reform in Parliament ? Mr. Reid and 
 Mr. Skene Thomson. (7—8.) 
 
 SIXTY-FOURTH SESSIO N_1827--28. 
 
 Nov. 13. Was the long duration of the old Venetian government 
 mainly attributable to the aristocratical form and spirit 
 of its institutions ? Mr. Weir and Mr. Semple. (6 — 9.) 
 20. Did the establishment of the feudal system promote or retard 
 the progress of the liberties of England ? Mr. Reid 
 and Mr. Carlyle. (6 — 5.) 
 27. Ought the system of impressment of British sailors to be 
 continued ? Mr. Leith and Mr. Grahame. (6 — 8.) 
 Dec. 4. Are public charities generally useful ? 3Ir. Weir and Mr. 
 Crawfurd. (9 — 8.) 
 1 1 . Has the aristocracy too much influence in the election of 
 Jlembers of Parliament ? Mr. Rf.id and Mr. Thomas 
 Grahame. (6 — 13.) 
 «' 18. Ought the same freedom of the press which exists in Great 
 
430 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Britain to be extended to our Indian possessions ? Mr. 
 Webster and Mr. Maxwell. (8 — 9.) 
 Jan. 8. Ought one state to deliver up to another subjects whom the 
 latter alleges to have violated any part of its public 
 laws ? Mr. Webstee and Mr. Weir. (4 — 7.) 
 
 1.5. Is the law of primogeniture entitled to support ? Mr. Bax- 
 ter and Mr. Semple. (7 — 5.) 
 
 22. Was the conduct of Mr. Burke at the period of the French 
 revolution consistent with his previous professions of po- 
 litical opinion ? Mr. Murray and Mr. Weir. (8 — 6.) 
 
 2.9. Is a fictitious blockade justifiable on the principles of inter- 
 national law, as a measure of retaliation for a similar 
 blockade to which the neutral states have been com- 
 pelled to submit ? Sir William Seton, Bart, and Mr. 
 Reid. (8—3.) 
 Feb. 5. Is the right of searching neutral vessels under convoy, 
 claimed by the British government during the late wars 
 justifiable on the principles of international law ? Mr. 
 Dick and Mr. Dunlop. 
 
 1 2. Adjourned debate on the same subject. Mr. Pattison and 
 Mr. Weir. (8—3.) 
 
 19. Can a native dissolve his obligation of citizenship without 
 the consent of his original sovereign ? Mr. Callendeh 
 and Mr. Reddie. (6 — 3.) 
 
 26. May a neutral state interfere forcibly between two bellige- 
 rents to compose their differences, on the ground that 
 continuance of the war would be destructive of its com- 
 merce ? Mr. Reddie and Mr. Reid. (7 — 4.) 
 March 4. Can a neutral nation, in consistency with the laws of nations, 
 allow soldiers to be raised among its subjects for the ser- 
 vice of one or other of two belligerent powers ? Mr. 
 Semple and Mr. Grahame. (,') — 7.) * 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 431 
 
 March 11. Is a state entitled to take cognizance of a crime committed 
 
 by one of its own subjects, during a temporary residence 
 
 in a foreign country, against one of the subjects of that 
 
 country? Mr. AVeir and Mr. Leith. (4 — 6.) 
 
 18. Ought there to be a compulsory assessment for the poor? 
 
 Mr. Dickson and Mr. Forbes. (3 — G.) 
 25. Is Roman Catholic emancipation expedient ? Mr. Reid 
 and Mr. Rhind. (9—3.) 
 
 SIXTY-FIFTH S ESSI O N— 1828-29. 
 
 Nov. 18. Have the navigation laws been beneficial to Great Britain? 
 Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Reid. (5 — 4.) 
 25. Ought the law of Scottish Entails to be left in its present 
 situation ? Mr. Weir and Mr. Webster. (2 — 1 1.) 
 Dec. 2. Is war, to preserve the balance of power, justifiable ? Mr. 
 Semple and Mr. Crawfurd. (7 — 11.) 
 9. Ought one state to deliver up to another persons whom the 
 latter alleges to have violated its public laws ? Mr. 
 Pattison. (4 — 9.) 
 16. Did Scotland attain her due weight in the empire at the 
 Union? Mr. Dick and Sir William Seton, Bart. 
 (6-10.) 
 23. Is the political character of Milton entitled to our respect 
 and admiration ? Mr. Weir and Mr. Sinclair. (8 — 7.) 
 Jan. 13. Was the Reformation more happily and successfully efiected 
 in England than in Scotland ? Mr. Kinnear and Mr. 
 Deas. (7—6.) 
 Feb. 3. Would the withdrawing of the small note currency be de- 
 trimental to Scotland ? Mr. Semple and Mr. Allan. 
 (10-6.) 
 10. Did the advantage of Queen Elizabeth's interference in the 
 
432 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 aifairs of Scotland more than counterbalance the evil ? 
 The Hon. Charles Hope and Mr. Rainsford. (7 — 6.) 
 Feb. 1 7- Did Cromwell mean by his government to promote the hap- 
 piness and liberty of the English people? Mr. Reid 
 and Mr. Chawpurd. (3 — 7.) 
 
 24. Is the blockade of a strait by one belligerent preventing 
 access to the coasts of an inland sea, some part of which 
 only is in the allegiance of the other, justifiable on the 
 principles of international law? Mr. Dingwall and 
 Mr. Weir. (3—8.) 
 March 1 0. Is the right of search of neutral vessels under convoy re- 
 cognized by the principles of international law ? Mr. 
 Fletcher and Mr. Pattison. (6 — 3.) 
 
 17- Whether ought courts of law and equity to be separated or 
 conjoined? Mr. Reid and Mr. Semple. (Carried 
 unanimously that they ought to be conjoined.) 
 
 SIXTY-SIXTH SESSIO N— 1829-30. 
 
 Nov. 17. Ought the revenues of the Irish church to be diminished? 
 Mr. Webster and Mr. Weir. (14 — 1.) 
 24. Does the law of England recognize a marriage prohibited 
 by the Royal Marriage Act or any similar regulation, 
 between parties contracting and permanently resident 
 in a foreign country ? Mr. Semple and Mr. Chaw- 
 purd. (5 — 7.) 
 Dec. 1 . Was the imprisonment of Napoleon in St. Helena justifiable ? 
 Mr. Sinclair and Mr. Kinnear. (10 — 2.) 
 8. Was the Long Parliament justifiable in taking up arras 
 against Charles the First? Mr. Hamilton. (9 — 5.) 
 15. Ought the life of a subject to be forfeited for any crime but 
 murder ? Mr. Allan and Mr. Crawfurd. (8 — 9.) 
 
SUBJECTS OP DEBATE. 4.83 
 
 Jan. 12. Is the confiscation of the property of neutrals engaged in 
 the coasting trade of a belligerent from which they were 
 excluded during peace, consistent with the principles of 
 international law ? Mr. Dingwall. (13 — 4.) 
 
 1 9. Ought the present system of Scottish entails to be abolished ? 
 Mr. Hay and Mr. Dingwall. (10 — 3.) 
 
 26. Were the consequences of the Scottish National League and 
 Covenant beneficial ? Mr. Brodie and Mr. Murray. 
 (6-4.) 
 Feb. 2. Whether is the Episcopal form of Church government, as 
 established in England, or the Presbyterian form, as 
 established in Scotland, most consonant with the spirit 
 of the British constitution? Mr. Murray and Mr. 
 Pattison. (5 — 6.) 
 9. Are we entitled to confiscate the property of a merchant 
 trading with our enemy, his sovereign having previously 
 submitted to outrage from that enemy, amounting to an 
 act of hostility ? Mr. Weir and Mr. Crawfurd. 
 (6-9.) 
 
 16. Ought the British Legislature to acknowledge at present 
 Don Miguel as King of Portugal ? Mr. Murray and 
 Mr. Semple. (6 — 4.) 
 March 2. Is a fictitious blockade justifiable on the principles of inter- 
 national law, as a measure of retaliation for a similar 
 blockade to which the neutrals have submitted ? Mr. 
 Pattison and Mr. Deas. (.5 — 6.) 
 9. Did King William the Third exhibit an undue preference 
 to the interests of Holland ? Mr. Allan. (6 — 4.) 
 
 1 6. Was England justifiable in the part she took in the wars of 
 the Spanish succession ? The Hon. Charles Hope. 
 (5-6.) 
 
 3 I 
 
4.34 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 SIXTY-SEVENTH SESSION— 1830-31. 
 
 N/ 
 
 14. 
 
 21. 
 
 Nov. 1 6. Was the establishment of standing armies a violation of the 
 British constitution ? Mr. Hay and Mr. Dingwall. 
 (6-8.) 
 23. Ought a system of poor laws to be extended to Ireland ? 
 
 Mr. Brodie. (1 — 9.) 
 30. Had the Scotch nation just right to be satisfied with the 
 government of King William the Third ? Mr. New- 
 BiGGiNG and Mr. Park. (7 — 3.) 
 Dec. 7. Is a reform in the election of members of the House of Com- 
 mons expedient? Mr. Gowan and Mr. Dingwall. 
 (7-3.) 
 Was the interference of Great Britain in the war of the 
 Spanish succession, justifiable on the principles of interna- 
 tional law ? Mr. Benjamin Bell and Mr. Deas. (6 — 5.) 
 Ought the East India Company's charter to be renewed ? 
 Mr. James Moncreiff and Mr. Benjamin Bell. (7 — 6. ) 
 Jan. 1 1 . Were the Scottish commissioners justifiable in signing the 
 treaty of Union ? Mr. James Moncreiff and Mr. Mur- 
 ray. (3—5.) 
 18. Would an interference of the Legislature by repealing the 
 measures of 1826 in regard to the currency, prove be- 
 neficial to the country ? Mr. Dingwall. (5 — 4.) 
 25. Was the bill for limiting the numbers of the House of Lords 
 in 1718 expedient? Mr. Bbodie and Mr. Dingwall. 
 (1-14.) 
 Feb. 1 . Ought vote by ballot to be adopted in the election of Mem- 
 bers of Parliament? Mr. Dingwall and Mr. James 
 Moncreiff. (5 — 7.) 
 8. Were the interests of Great Britain sufficiently consulted in 
 the treaty of Utrecht? Mr.GowANandMr.PABK. (7-6.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 435 
 
 Feb. 15. Ought the present laws regarding Church patronage in Scot- 
 land to be repealed? Mr. Benjamin Bell and Mr. 
 Robertson. (7 — 5.) 
 
 22. Ought the rate of interest to be limited by law ? Mr. James 
 MoNCBEiFF and Mr. Spalding. (9 — 8.) 
 March 1 . Has the establishment of the Bank of England been benefi- 
 cial to the country? Mr. Robertson. (6 — 7.) 
 8. Was the conduct of Great Britain towards Turkey in enter- 
 ing into the treaty of London, and in the subsequent 
 proceedings in regard to Greece, justifiable ? Count 
 LuBiENSKi and Mr. Coote. (C — 7.) 
 
 15. Ought the Jews to be admitted to civil privileges? Mr. 
 Henry Moncreiff and Mr. Deas. (.9 — 7.) 
 
 22. Ought the present measure of reform proposed by ministers 
 in the House of Commons, to pass into a law ? Mr. 
 Balfour and Mr. Mure. (9 — 6.) 
 
 SIXTY-EIGHTH SE SSI N_1831-32. 
 
 Nov. 15. Were there good grounds for the impeachment of Lord Bo- 
 lingbroke and his colleagues in 1715? Mr. Hay and 
 Mr. Semple. (6—4..) 
 
 22. Was Great Britain justifiable in the part she took in the 
 war of the Austrian succession ? Mr. Henry Mon- 
 creiff. (Carried by a majority of two in the negative.) 
 
 29. Has the discontinuance of the convocation been disadvanta- 
 geous to the Church of England ? Mr. Henry Mon- 
 creiff and Mr. Park. (Carried in the aflBrmative by 
 the casting vote of the President.) 
 Dec. 6. Ought the prerogative of the Crown to be exercised by the 
 creation of Peers in order to carry the Reform Bill ? 
 Mr. James Moncreiff and Mr. Brodie. (10 — 12.) 
 
436 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Dec. 13. Was tbe claim of the Spaniards to the right of searching 
 British merchantmen, which gave rise to the war of 
 1739, well founded? Mr. Murray and Mr. Go wan. 
 (8—3.) 
 
 20. Was the bill for Septennial Parliaments justifiable ? Mr. 
 
 Spalding and Mr. Henry Moncretfp. (8 — 4.) 
 Jan. 10. Did advantage result to Great Britain during the reigns of 
 George I. and George II. from the Hanoverian con- 
 nection ? Mr. James Moncreiff and Mr. Mure. (Car- 
 ried unanimously in the negative.) 
 1 7. Ought the slaves in the West Indies to be immediately eman- 
 cipated ? Mr. John Balfour and Mr. Gordon. (7 — 8.) 
 '24. Was the Irish House of Commons in 1749 entitled to ap- 
 propriate the surplus revenue of Ireland exclusively to 
 the use of that country, without consent of the Crown ? 
 Mr. Hagart and Mr. Ferrier. (4 — 8.) 
 Feb. 7. Has the foreign policy of the present government in regard 
 to Belgium been justifiable ? Mr. James Moncreiff 
 and Mr. Swinton. (7—6.) 
 14. Was the English government justifiable in issuing letters of 
 reprisal against the French in 1765? Mr. Weld and 
 Mr. Wood. (7—5.) 
 
 21. Ought the Pension Bill proposed during the reign of George 
 
 II. to have passed into a law ? Mr. Gowan and Mr. 
 James Moncreiff. (7 — 4.) 
 
 28. Were the interests of Great Britain compromised by the 
 peace of Paris in 1763 ? Mr. Benjamin Bell and Mr. 
 Brodie. (6—9.) 
 March 6. Do the present ministers deserve the confidence of the coun- 
 try? Mr. Horsman and Mr. Wade. (10—8.) 
 
 13. Was the English Marriage Act of 1754 expedient? Mr. 
 Wood and Mr. Gowan. (9 — 3.) 
 
SUBJECTS OP DEBATE. 4.37 
 
 March 27. Was the conduct of the English Parliament towards Charles 
 I. before the taking up arms justifiable ? Mr. Henry 
 MoNCREiFP and Mr. Spalding. (6 — 5.) 
 April 3. Were the French people justifiable in excluding the Duke of 
 Bourdeaux from the throne ? Mr. James Moncbeifp 
 and Mr. Coote. (8—10.) 
 
 SIXTY-NINTH S ES SI ON— 1832-33.- 
 
 Nov. 13. Was the House of Commons justifiable in declaring Mr. 
 
 Wilkes incapable of sitting as a Member of Parliament ? 
 
 Mr. Pattison and Mr. John Balfour. (5 — 10.) 
 20. Were the Americans justifiable in asserting their independ- 
 ence? Mr. Dick Lauder and Mr. Stoddart. (12 — 1.) 
 27. Was the coalition of Mr. Fox with Lord North justifiable ? 
 
 Mr. James Moncreiff and Mr. Swinton. (9 — 8.) 
 Dec. 4. Were ministers justifiable in forming an alliance with 
 
 France in support of the Belgians against the Dutch ? 
 
 Mr. Weld and Mr. Stoddart. (9 — 4.) 
 11. Ought Mr. Fox's India Bill to have been parsed? Mr. 
 
 Brodie and Mr. Scott. (12 — 4.) 
 18. Is the theory of Malthus regarding population sound ? Mr. 
 
 Dingwall. (7 — 6.) 
 Jan. 8. Has the late Revolution in France been of advantage to 
 
 that country ? Mr. Henry Moncreiff and Mr. 
 
 Ogilvy. (8 — 6.) 
 15. Was the treaty of commerce with France in 1787 for the 
 
 advantage of England ? Mr. Cuninghame and Mr. 
 
 Blackie. (Carried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 22. Ought Mr. Pitt's liegency Bill to have been passed ? Mr. 
 
 Taylor and Mr. Benjamin Bell. (7 — 3.) 
 
438 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Jan. 29. Was the armament against Russia in 1792 justifiable? Mr. 
 
 Scott and Mr. Gowan. (6 — 8.) 
 Feb. 5. Was Britain justifiable in going to war with France in 1 793 ? 
 Mr. Mure and Mr. James Moncreiff. (8 — 5.) 
 
 12. Were the measures adopted by the Pitt ministry to prevent 
 sedition justifiable? Mr. Ogilvy and Mr. Henry Mon- 
 creiff. (4 — 7.) 
 
 19. Was it right to acquit Mr. Hastings? Mr. John Balfodr. 
 (4-7.) 
 
 2(5. Ought the Irish Union to have taken place ? Mr. CowaN 
 and Mr. Potter. (7 — 9.) 
 March 5. Is the ministerial scheme for education in Ireland deserving 
 of support ? Mr. Stoddart and Mr. Wood. (4 — 5.) 
 
 12. Ought any attempt to be made to regulate the course of 
 trade ? Mr. Weld and Mr. Stoddart. (3 — 1 .) 
 
 1 9. Ought the English system of poor laws to be introduced into 
 Ireland? Mr. Scott and Mr. Weld. (2 — 7.) 
 
 26. Ought the bill declaring the ineligibility of persons in holy 
 orders to Parliament to have passed? Mr. Ogilvy. 
 (4-3.) 
 April 2. Is the conduct of ministers with regard to Ireland justifi- 
 able? Mr. CuNiNGHAME and Mr. Blackie. (9 — 3.) 
 
 SEVENTIETH SESSIO N— 1833-34. 
 
 Nov. 1 2. Ought the laws restricting the importation of foreign corn to 
 
 be repealed? Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Taylor. (6—8.) 
 19. Ought the Foreign Enlistment Bill to be repealed? Mr. 
 
 Henry Moncreiff and Mr. Dingwall. (7 — 3.) 
 26. Waa Mr. Pitt worthy of the honours conferred on him by 
 
 Parliament after his death ? Mr. Dingwall and Mr. 
 
 James Moncreiff. (5 — 2.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 439 
 
 Dec. 3. Waa the conduct of the Grey and Grenville administration re- 
 garding Catholic emancipation, and their subsequent 
 resignation, justifiable ? Mr. Henry Moncreiff and 
 Mr. SwiNTON. (6 — 3.) 
 
 Dec. 10. Has the Reformed Parliament merited the approbation of 
 the country ? Mr. John Balfour and Mr. Stoddart. 
 (6-4.) 
 
 17. Was the execution of Marshal Ney justifiable ? Mr. Sem- 
 
 PLE and Mr. Hamilton. (1 — 6.) 
 Jan. 7. Was the conduct of the British government towards Napo- 
 leon, subsequent to the battle of Waterloo, justifiable ? 
 Mr. Blackie and Mr. Ccninghame. (Carried in the 
 negative by the casting vote of the President.) 
 
 14.. Whether had Henry VI. or Edward IV. the better title to 
 the throne ? Mr. Taylor and Mr. Hamilton. (7 — 6.) 
 
 21. Were the measures of Queen Elizabeth towards the English 
 Roman Catholics justifiable ? Mr. Ross and Mr. Mor- 
 rison. (3 — 6.) 
 
 28. Is the perception of beauty original in the mind, or does it 
 depend on association ? Mr. John Balfour and Mr. 
 Crawford. (7 — 6.) 
 Feb. 4. Did the Gowries actually conspire against James VI. ? Mr. 
 Forman and Mr. Gordon. (5 — 4.) 
 
 1 1 . Ought patronage in the Church of Scotland to be abolished ? 
 Mr. Crawfurd and Mr. James Moncreiff. (5 — 2.) 
 
 18. Is Parliament entitled to appropriate the surplus revenues 
 
 of the Church? Mr. Taylor and Mr. Wood. (5 — 4.) 
 March 4. Were the writings of Pope too highly appreciated by his 
 contemporaries ? Mr. Taylor and Mr. Blackie. (Car- 
 ried in the negative by the casting vote of the Presi- 
 dent.) 
 
440 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 SEVENTY-FIRST S E S S I O N—1 834-35. 
 
 Nov. 18. Had the Commons sufficient grounds for impeaching Buck- 
 ingham ? Mr. Gordon and Mr. Blackie. (5 — 7.) 
 25. Were the proceedings of the Scots in opposing the introduc- 
 tion of Episcopacy by King Charles the First justifiable ? 
 Mr. SwiNTON and Mr. Stoddart. (4 — 2.) 
 Dec. 2. "Was the execution of the Earl of Strafford justifiable ? Mr. 
 Gordon and Mr. Stoddart. (Carried in the negative 
 by the casting vote of the President.) 
 9. Is the present administration deserving of the confidence of 
 the country ? Mr. Scott and Mr. John Balfour. 
 (11-5.) 
 
 23. Whether has atheism or superstition the more pernicious 
 
 influence on the human mind? Mr. Gordon and Mr. 
 Shand. (Carried unanimously that Atheism has.) 
 Jan. 13. Were the Commons justifiable in taking up arms against 
 Charles the First 1 Mr. Morrison and Mr. Macknight. 
 (6-5.) 
 
 27. Ought the tithes leviable in Ireland to be applied exclusively 
 to the Protestant Church Establishment ? Mr. Mac- 
 knight and Mr. Glasgow. (9 — 4.) 
 Feb. 3. Was the execution of Charles the First justifiable ? Mr. 
 Hamilton and Mr. Robert Bell. (2 — 9.) 
 
 10. Were the conditions proposed by the Scots to Charles the 
 Second, after the death of Charles the First, just and 
 reasonable? Mr. William Moncreiff and Mr. Ram- 
 say. (5 — 4.) 
 
 17. Was the enactment of the Navigation Act expedient ? Mr. 
 Douglas and Mr. Taylor. (4 — 2.) 
 
 24. Does classical literature as a branch of general education 
 
 receive an undue share of attention in the educational 
 
SUBJECTS OP DEBATE. 441 
 
 institutions of Great Britain ? Mr. Perceval and Mr. 
 Ross. (5—6.) 
 March 3. Were Bacon, Locke, and Hobbes right in deriving all our 
 
 knowledge from experience ? (2 — 6.) 
 10. Was the dissolution of Parliament by Cromwell in 1653, 
 
 under the circumstances, justifiable ? Mr. Cuning- 
 
 HAME and Mr. Taylor. (7 — 5.) 
 17. Was Cromwell impolitic in his alliance with France and 
 
 war with Spain in 1656. Mr. Morrison and Mr. 
 
 Blackie. (3 — 5.) 
 24. Ought the existing political relations between France and 
 
 England to be continued ? Mr. Morrison and Mr. 
 
 Ross. (6 — 1.) 
 31. Was the restoration of the Stuart family an advisable mea- 
 sure? Mr. Morrison and Mr. Forman. (10 — 4.) 
 
 SEVENTY-SECOND S ESS ION— 1835-36. 
 
 Nov. 17. Ought the bishops to have been restored to their seats in 
 Parliament in 1 66 1 ? Mr. Glasgow and Mr. James 
 Balfour. (2—6.) 
 24. Is the present emigration to our colonies beneficial to the 
 interests of the mother country? Mr. Robert Bell 
 and Mr. Shand. (6—1.) 
 Dec. 1. Was the Act of Uniformity in 1661 an expedient measure ? 
 Mr. Macknight and Mr. William Moncreiff. 
 (5-6.) 
 8. Ought the British government to have countenanced the 
 recent levies for the service of the Queen of Spain ? Mr. 
 Perceval and Mr. Douglas. (8 — 7.) 
 15. Has French literature exercised a beneficial influence on 
 English taste? Mr. Innes and Mr. Smillie. (2 — 12.) 
 3 K 
 
442 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Dec. 22. Was the rejection of the Exclusion Bill by the House of 
 
 Lords expedient ? Mr. Clerk. (3 — 9.) 
 Jan. 1 2. Has the Scottish system of Entails been beneficial to the 
 country ? Mr. Taylor and Mr. Shand. (9 — 4.) 
 
 19. Is the present ministry entitled to the confidence of the 
 country? Mr. James Balfour and Mr. Davidson. 
 (6-8.) 
 
 26. Was the settlement of the Crown by the English Conven- 
 tion in J 689, agreeable to the principles of the British 
 monarchy? Mr. Taylor and Mr. Forman. (8 — 5.) 
 Feb. 2. Were the attempts of William the Third to remove the dis- 
 abilities of the Nonconformists politic ? Mr. Davidson 
 and Mr. Robert Bell. (8 — 7.) 
 9. Was the establishment of standing armies a violation of the 
 British constitution? Mr. Shand and Mr. Clerk. 
 (5-6.) 
 
 16. Was the treaty of Limerick sufficiently favourable to the 
 Irish Roman Catholics ? Mr. James Balfour and Mr. 
 Douglas. (Carried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 
 23. Ought any organic change to be made in the House of 
 Lords ? Mr Smillie and Mr. Innes. (2 — 13.) 
 March 8. Was the enactment of the Financial Act in 1694 expedi- 
 ent? Mr. Drummond and Mr. CuMiNE. (6 — 1.) 
 
 22. Ought the Jews to be emancipated ? Mr. Shand and Mr. 
 Murray. (5—7.) 
 
 29. Was Parliament justifiable in its opposition to the Partition 
 Treaties? Mr. Macknight and Mr. Robert Bell. 
 (9-2.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 443 
 
 SEVENTY- THIRD SESSIO N— 1836-37. 
 
 Nov. 15. Is the principle of the salic law worthy of adoption in 
 hereditary monarchies ? Mr. Shand and Mr. Smillie. 
 (7-8.) 
 22. Was the interference of Great Britain in the war of the 
 Spanish succession justifiable on the principles of inter- 
 national law? Mr. Robert Bell. (5 — 2.) 
 Dec. 6. Were the alterations in the Irish Corporations proposed by 
 ministers expedient? Mr. John Balfour and Mr. 
 Davidson. (4 — 6.) 
 
 13. Ought the stamps on newspapers to be abolished? Mr. 
 
 Murray. (3 — 6.) 
 
 20. Ought the act restoring patronage in the Church of Scotland 
 
 in 1712 to have passed? Mr. Clerk. (4 — 2.) 
 Jan. 24. Ought the punishment of death to be abolished except in 
 cases of murder ? Mr. Macknight and Mr. Robert 
 Bell. 
 Feb. 7. Is the tenor of the King's speech such as to entitle his Ma- 
 jesty's government to the confidence of the country ? 
 Mr. Davidson and Mr. Clerk. (6 — 1 .) 
 
 1 4. Ought the Bill for limiting playhouses and subjecting dra- 
 
 matic compositions to revision to have passed ? Mr. 
 Douglas and Mr. Smillie. (6 — 1.) 
 
 21. Are the writings of the Lake Poets consistent with the true 
 
 principles of poetry ? Mr. Clerk. (3 — 4.) 
 March 7. Ought there to be a free trade in corn ? Mr. Shand and 
 
 Mr. Taylor. (0—7.) 
 14. Ought the Mutiny Bill in 1749 to have passed ? Mr. Shand 
 
 and Mr. Macknight. (3 — 3.) 
 21. Ought impressment for the navy to be abolished? Mr. 
 
 Shand and Mr. Robert Bell. (3 — 4.) 
 
444 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 March 28. Has the partition of Poland had a beneficial influence on 
 European politics ? Mr. William Moncreiff. (Car- 
 ried unanimously in the negative.) 
 April 4. Ought the ministerial plan for the abolition of Church rates 
 to be adopted ? Mr. James Balfour and Mr. Douglas. 
 (6-4.) 
 
 SEVENTY-FOURTH SESS I O N— 1837-38. 
 
 Nov. 14. Ought vote by ballot to be adopted in the election of Mem- 
 bers of Parliament ? Mr. Clerk. (Carried unanimously 
 in the negative.) 
 21. Was the conduct of the House of Commons in reference to 
 the expulsion of Mr. Wilkes justifiable ? Mr. Cumine 
 and Mr. Murray. (4 — 6.) 
 Dec. 5. Ought Lord Chatham's bill for settling the troubles in Ame- 
 rica in 1775, to have passed ? Mr. Shand and Mr. 
 Reid. (5—6.) 
 
 12. Ought the present system of classical education to be con- 
 
 tinued ? Mr. Glasgow and Mr. Macknight. (4 — 3.) 
 Jan. 16. Ought Mr. Fox's India Bill to have passed ? Mr. Douglas. 
 (2-6.) 
 23. Are the principles of phrenology founded on truth ? Mr. 
 
 Clerk and Mr. Innes. (3 — 5.) 
 30. Ought Mr. Pitt's Regency Bill to have passed ? Mr. Tay- 
 lor and Mr. Cumine. (5 — 2.) 
 Feb. 6. Is the Irish administration of Lord Mulgrave beneficial? 
 Mr. James Balfour and Mr. Broun. (4 — 7.) 
 
 1 3. Was Great Britain justifiable in declaring war against France 
 
 in 1793 1 Mr. Reid and Mr. James Balfour. (4—1.) 
 20. Ought dissenters to be admitted to the English universi- 
 ties ? Mr. Innes. (5—8.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 445 
 
 Feb. 27. Ought the measures of the Pitt administration for the pre- 
 vention of sedition to have been adopted ? Mr. Clerk 
 and Mr. Murray. (4 — 5.) 
 March 6. Ought the motion for the revision of the Pension List to 
 have been carried ? Mr. Henry Dreyer and Mr. 
 CUMINE. (5 — 3.) 
 
 13. Was Warren Hastings justly acquitted on the Benares 
 charge ? Mr. Clerk and Mr. Reid. (5 — 2.) 
 
 20. Ought the penal laws against the combinations of workmen 
 to have been repealed ? Mr. John Balfour and Mr. 
 Arkley. (3 — 4.) 
 
 27- Was the legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland 
 likely to prove beneficial to both countries ? Mr. Fred- 
 erick Dreyer. (4 — 3.) 
 April 3. Would a Conservative government be at present beneficial to 
 the country ? Mr. Arkley and Mr. James Balfour. 
 
 SEVENTY-FIFTH S ESSI N— 1838-39. 
 
 Nov. 1 3. Ought the apprenticeship system in the West Indies to have 
 been abolished in August last ? Mr. Cleghorn and Mr. 
 Reid. (Carried by a majority in the affirmative.) 
 27. Was the Veto Act ultra vires of the Church of Scotland ? 
 Mr. Broun and Mr. James Balfour. ( 28.) 
 Dec. 4. Was Lord Durham's conduct in Canada justifiable ? Mr. 
 Cleghorn and Mr. Mudie. (6 — 4.) 
 18. Were the restrictions on the French press by Louis Philippe 
 justifiable ? Mr. Robert Balfour and Mr. Cumine. 
 (5-2.) 
 Jan. 15. Would the introduction of a poor law into Ireland be bene- 
 ficial? Mr. Robert Campbell and Mr. Murray. 
 (9-1.) 
 
446 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Jan. 22. Was Lord Melville justly acquitted ? Mr. Cumine and Mr. 
 Murray. (4—6.) 
 
 29. Has the Roman Catholic Emancipation Act been beneficial 
 to the country ? Mr. James Balfour and Mr. Broun. 
 (5-4.) 
 Feb. t). Was Mr. Pitt worthy of the honours conferred on him by 
 Parliament after his death? Mr. Robert Campbell 
 and Mr. Cumine. (6 — 2.) 
 
 12. Has the recent conduct of Russia been such as to call for 
 the active interference of Great Britain ? Mr. Miln.- 
 (2-5.) 
 
 19. Was the conduct of the Grey and Grenville administration 
 deserving of the confidence of the country ? Mr. Ro- 
 bert Balfour and Mr. Macdougall. (3 — 9.) 
 
 26. Ought the Orange Lodges to have been suppressed ? Mr. 
 Ivory and Mr. Robert Campbell. (6 — 3.) 
 March 5. Would the separation of Canada from Great Britain be ex- 
 pedient ? Mr. CiEGHORN and Mr. Murray. (2 — 5.) 
 
 1 2. Ought impressment for the navy to be abolished ? Mr. 
 Broun and Mr. Mudie. (5 — 4.) 
 
 19. Was Great Britain justifiable in interfering in the affairs of 
 Greece in 1 827 ? Mr. James Balfour and Mr. Broun. 
 (3-5.) 
 
 SEVENTY-SIXTH SESSI ON— 1839-40. 
 
 Nov. 19. Ought capital punishments to be abolished? Mr. Cleg- 
 HORN and Mr. Robert Campbell. (2 — 5.) 
 26. Ought the Foreign Enlistment Bill to have been suspended ? 
 Mr. Cleghorn and Mr. Reid. (3 — 7.) 
 Dec. 3. Ought vote by ballot be adopted in the election of Members 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 447 
 
 of Parliament? Mr. Robert Balfour and Mr. Ro- 
 bert Campbell. (2 — 7.) 
 Dee. 10. Ought the Veto Law to be confirmed by Parliament? Mr. 
 
 James Balfour and Mr. Broun. (7 — 2.) 
 Jan. 21 . Ought church rates to be abolished? Mr. Cleghorn and 
 
 Mr. Arkley. (Carried in the negative by the casting 
 
 vote of the President.) 
 28. Was Lord Strafibrd justly condemned ? Mr. Cleghorn 
 
 and Mr. Arkley. (3 — 4.) 
 Feb. 4. Ought a national system of education unconnected with the 
 
 established religion to be adopted ? Mr. Macbean and 
 
 Mr. Reid. (4—2.) 
 18. Were the late proceedings of the House of Commons in the 
 
 case of Stockdale v. Hansard constitutional ? Mr. 
 
 Tvtler and Mr. Wilkie. (4 — 6.) 
 March 3. Ought the Jews to be emancipated ? Mr. Cleghorn and 
 
 Mr. Wilson. (4 — 3.) 
 10. Ought Great Britain to have assisted the Spaniards against 
 
 France in 1823? Mr. Robert Balfour and Mr. 
 
 Arkley. (Carried in the negative by the casting vote 
 
 of the President.) 
 1 7. Ought Sergeant Talfourd's copyright bill to have passed ? 
 
 Mr. Paul and Mr. Robert Campbell. (3 — 4.) 
 April 7. Is the present ministry entitled to the confidence of the 
 
 country ? Mr. Cleghorn and Mr. Robert Campbell. 
 
 (4-3.) 
 
 SEVENTY-SEVENTH S ESS I O N_l 840-41. 
 
 Xov. 1 0. Ought a system of poor laws, similar to that of England, 
 to be introduced into Scotland ? Mr. Reid and Mr. Cleg- 
 horn. (.5 — 6.) 
 
V 
 
 448 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Nov. 17. Ought the Regeucy Bill of 1789 to have passed? Mr. 
 Wilson and Mr. Russell. (2—6.) 
 24. Has the conduct of Great Britain towards China been jus- 
 tifiable? Mr. Robert Balfour and Mr. Reid. (6 — 4.) 
 Dec. 1. Ought the Roman Catholic Emancipation Bill to have 
 passed ? Mr. Macbean and Mr. Tytler. (6 — 2.) 
 
 8. Were the measures proposed by William the Third in 1689 
 
 in favour of dissenters expedient? Mr. Forlong and 
 Mr. Cleghorn. (4 — 2.) 
 
 22. Ought Great Britain to have agreed to the Treaty of 
 
 Utrecht? Mr. Cleguorn and Mr. Macdonald. (4 — 3.) 
 Jan. 12. Was Great Britain justifiable in the expedition to Copen- 
 hagen in 1807? Mr. Wilson and Mr Robert Bal- 
 four. (3 — 4.) 
 19. Ought the corn laws to be repealed? Mr. Macbean and 
 
 Mr. Russell. (5 — 2.) 
 26. Were the principles maintained by the armed neutrality in 
 1780 and 1800 just? Mr. Tytler and Mr. Russell. 
 (Carried unanimously in the affirmative.) 
 Feb. 2. Ought Mr. Saddler's factory bill to have paased ? Mr. For- 
 long and Mr. Macdonald. (3 — 2.) 
 
 9. Have the recent decisions of the Court of Session respecting 
 
 the Church of Scotland been sound ? Mr. Leith and 
 Mr. Cleghorn. (5 — 6.) 
 16. Ought Great Britain to have assisted the Poles in 1832 ? 
 Mr. Wilson and Mr. Robert Balfour. (4 — 2.) 
 
 23. Ought Charles X. to have been deposed? Mr. Macbean and 
 
 Mr. Robert Campbell. (5 — 3.) 
 March 9. Ought the Roman Catholic clergy in Ireland to receive a 
 state provision ? Mr. Russell. (Carried in the nega- 
 tive by the casting vote of the President.) 
 
SUBJECTS OP DEBATE. 449 
 
 March 30. Ought the Alien Bill to have passed ? Mr. Cleghorn. 
 (3-2.) 
 April 6. Is the present ministry entitled to the confidence of the 
 country ? Mr. Tytler and Mr. Robert Campbell. 
 (6-4.) 
 
 SEVENTY -EIGHTH SESS ION— 1841-42. 
 
 Nov. 9. Ought the European powers to have assisted Greece in 
 1827! Mr. Robert Balfour and Mr. Robert Camp- 
 bell. (5 — 1.) 
 16. Was Louis Philippe justifiable in his efforts to'restrain the 
 freedom of the French press ? Mr. Paul and Mr. 
 Macbean. (6 — 3.) 
 30. AVas Great Britain justifiable in refusing to surrender Malta 
 in 1803? Mr. Tytler and Mr. Macbean. (Carried 
 in the negative by the casting vote of the President.) 
 
 Dec. 7. Was the American war of independence justifiable ? Mr. 
 Leith and Mr. Forlong. (9 — 13.) 
 
 14. Was the conduct of the British government in 1840 with 
 
 regard to the Turkish empire justifiable ? Mr. James 
 Campbell and Mr. Mackenzie. (10 — 5.) 
 Jan. 18. Ought the Reform Bill of 1832 to have passed? Mr. Neil 
 Campbell and Mr. Boyle. (6 — 5.) 
 25. Ought the grant to Maynooth College to be continued ? Mr. 
 Greenshields and Mr. Russell. (4 — 2.) 
 Feb. 1 . Ought the present system of classical education to be conti- 
 nued? Mr. Millar and Mr. Montgomery. (6 — 4.) 
 8. Ought the Corn Laws to be repealed ? Mr. Macbean and 
 Mr. Millar. (3—7.) 
 
 1 5. Was the treatment of Queen Caroline justifiable ? Mr. 
 
 Dundas and Mr. Russell. (3 — 6.) 
 3l 
 
450 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Feb. 22. Was the principle of the late grant of £30,000 for educa- 
 tional purposes justifiable? Mr. Forlong and Mr. 
 James Balfour. (9 — 1.) 
 March 1 . Was Mr. Pitt worthy of the posthumous honours conferred 
 on him by Parliament ? Mr. Mackenzie and Mr. 
 James Campbell. (4 — 6.) 
 8. Ought lay patronage in the Churcli of Scotland to be abo- 
 lished ? Mr. Rdssell and Mr. Miller. (Carried in 
 the affirmative by the casting vote of the President.) 
 15. Is the constitution of the United States of America calculated 
 to secure permanent prosperity to the country ? Mr. 
 Heriot and Mr. Greensiiields. (3 — G.) 
 22. Ought impressment of seamen for the navy to be abolished ? 
 
 Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Boyle. (3—6.) 
 29. Ought Great Britain to have acceded to the Treaty of V^ienna? 
 Mr. Mackonochie and Mr. Turnbull. (Carried in 
 the negative by the casting vote of the President.) 
 April 5. Is the present ministry entitled to the confidence of the 
 country? Mr. Millar and Mr. Macbean. (10 — 6.) 
 
 SEVENTY-NINTH SESSIO N— 1842-43. 
 
 Nov. 8. Ought capital punishments to be abolished ? Mr. Tytler 
 and Mr. Paul. (5 — 11.) 
 
 15. Were the Earl of Gowrie, and those vv^ho suffered vcith him, 
 guilty of conspiracy against James the Sixth ? Mr. 
 Russell and Mr. Forlong. (6 — 4.) 
 
 22. Was Francis the First justifiable in not returning to Ma- 
 drid, in terms of his treaty with the Emperor Charles the 
 Fifth? Mr. Boyle and Mr. Leith. (4—12.) 
 
 2.9. AVas the change of the government of Florence from a re- 
 
SUBJECTS OP DEBATE. 451 
 
 public to an absolute monarchy under the Medici, of ad- 
 vantage to the character of the people ? Mr. Neil 
 Campbell and Mr. James Campbell. (7 — 9.) 
 Dec. C. Is the Government in the present emergency bound to pro- 
 vide for the unemployed? Mr. Mackenzie and Mr. 
 Russell. (13 — 7.) 
 
 1 3. Did Cardinal Wolsey merit the harsh treatment he received 
 
 from Henry the Eighth ? Mr. Gkeenshields and Mr. 
 Millar. (.9—4.) 
 
 20. Ought the prerogative of the Crown in the creation of peers 
 
 to be restricted ? Mr. Turnbull and Mr. Montgo- 
 gomery. (Carried unanimously in the negative.) 
 Jan. 1 0. Was Queen Mary accessory to the murder of Damley ? Mr. 
 Hallard and Mr. Mitchell. (8 — 10.) 
 
 1 7- Was the assassination of Cardinal Beaton justifiable ? Mr. 
 Montgomery and Mr. Macdonell. (11 — 12.) 
 
 24. Ought Government to accede to the claims of the Convo- 
 cation ? Mr. Paul and Mr. Greenshields. (10 — 14.) 
 
 31. Were the Scottish Reformers justifiable in taking up arms 
 against the Queen Regent in 1 559 ? Mr. M'Candlish 
 and Mr. Mitchell. (12 — 8.) 
 Feb. 7. Was Henry the Fourth of France justifiable in abjuring the 
 Protestant religion ? Mr. Irvine and Mr. Brodie. 
 (Carried unanimously in the negative.) 
 
 1 4. Was the Earl of Morton justly condemned ? Mr. Mait- 
 
 LAND and Lord Bernard Howard. (7 — 8.) 
 
 21. Is the system of entails beneficial? Mr. Millar and Mr. 
 
 Torrance. (3—8.) 
 28. Has the conduct of Lord EUenborough in India deserved 
 the approbation of the country ? Mr. Bouciiet and 
 Mr. Wilson. (9—5.) 
 March 7. Was the execution of the Duke of Somerset in the reign of 
 
452 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 Edward the Sixth justifiable ? Mr. Mackonochie and 
 
 Mr. FoRLONG. (2—13.) 
 March 14. Ought Lord Francis Egerton's Marriage Bill (1842) to have 
 
 passed ? Mr. James Campbell and Mr. Russell. 
 
 (9-5.) 
 21. Whether are physical or metaphysical studies most improv- 
 ing to the mind ? Mr. Turnbull and Mr. Forlong. 
 
 (Carried in favour of physical studies by the casting vote 
 
 of the President.) 
 28. Was the treatment of Essex by Queen Elizabeth justifiable ? 
 
 Mr. Boyle and Mr. Hallard. (1 1—5.) 
 April 4. Is the present government entitled to the confidence of the 
 
 country? Mr. Greenshields and Mr. Millar. (7 — 8.) 
 
 EIGHTIETH SE SSI N— 1843-44. 
 
 Nov. 7. Has the poetry of Wordsworth been beneficial to English 
 
 literature ? Mr. Forlong and Mr. Grahame. (7 — 5.) 
 14. Was the passing of the Test Act of 1673 commendable? 
 
 Mr. Mackonochie and Mr. James Campbell. (6 — 9.) 
 21. Ought the paper currency of Scotland to be assimilated to 
 
 that of England ? Mr. M'Candlish and Mr. Irvine. 
 
 (Carried unanimously in the negative.) 
 28. Has the introduction of hereditary monarchy into Holland 
 
 been beneficial to the nation? Mr. Irvine and Mr. 
 
 Montgomery. (5 — 3.) 
 Dec. 5. Is the policy of the present government with regard to Ireland 
 
 entitled to approbation ? Mr. Millar and Mr. Mac- 
 
 DONELL. (I I — 10.) 
 1 2. Was the execution of King Charles the First justifiable ? 
 
 Mr. M'Candlish and Mr. Montgomery. (6' — 10.) 
 
SUBJECTS OF DEBATE. 453 
 
 Dec. 1 9. Was the administration of Richelieu advantageous to France? 
 Mr. Mackonochie and Mr. Hallard. (Carried una- 
 nimously in the affirmative.) 
 Jan. 9. WasCromwell justifiable in dissolving theRumpParlianient? 
 Mr. Macdonell and Mr. Montgomery. (10 — 5.) 
 
 IG. Is the conduct and character of William the Third deserving 
 of approbation? Mr. M'Candlish and Mr. Grahame. 
 (9-4.) 
 
 23. Is a landlord justified in refusing a site for a Free Church ? 
 Mr. Maitland and Mr. Brodie. (12 — 7.) 
 
 30. Was Sir Henry Vane, the younger, justly executed ? Mr. 
 Irvine and Mr. Torrance. (4 — 10.) 
 Feb. 6. Is the military organization of Germany founded on princi- 
 ples of sound policy ? ifr. James Campbell and Mr. 
 Wilson. (Carried in the affirmative by the casting 
 vote of the President.) 
 
 ] 3. Was Lord Russell justly executed ? Mr. Neil Campbell 
 and Mr. Mackinxosh. (8 — 9.) 
 
 20. Had the literature of Queen Anne's reign a beneficial effect 
 on English literature ? Mr. Grahame and Mr. Tait. 
 (8-7.) 
 
 27. Ought the Roman Catholic clergy of Ireland to be endowed ? 
 Mr. Miller and Mr. Thomson. (8 — 10.) 
 March 5. Was the political conduct of General Monk at the Restora- 
 tion commendable? Mr. Alexander Campbell and 
 Mr. Neil Campbell. (10 — 6.) 
 
 12. Were the Covenanters justifiable in taking up arms in 1678 ? 
 Mr. M'Candlish and Mr. Grahame. (13—4.) 
 
 1 9. Ought literary copyright to be perpetual ? Mr. Montgo- 
 mery and Mr. Millar. (3 — 11.) 
 
 26. Was the settlement of the Crown in 1689 constitutional ? 
 Mr. Tdrnbull and Mr. Mackonochie. (G — 3.) 
 

 VII. 
 
 \ 
 
 LIST OF OFFICE-BEARERS. 
 
 SESSION. 
 
 PRESIDENTS. 
 
 
 Until 1771, the Members took the Chair in rotation. 
 
 
 After that date, five Presidents were elected at the beginning 
 
 
 of each Session. The asterislis are placed before the names of 
 
 
 those wlio were elected at a subsequent period of the Session, 
 
 
 in consequence of the resignation or absence of some of those 
 
 
 originally chosen. 
 
 1771-2, 
 
 Messrs. Bonar, Stuart, Whytt, Hay, and Arnot. 
 
 1772-3, 
 
 Messrs. Bonar, Whytt, and Hay, Dr. Buchan and Mt. 
 
 
 Charles Stuart. *Mr. Creech. 
 
 1773-4, 
 
 Messrs. Bonar, Arnot, Charles Hay, Adam, and Dr. Bu- 
 
 
 chan. *Mr. Fullerton. 
 
 1774-5, 
 
 Messrs. Bonar, Hay, Alexander Millar, Morthland, and 
 
 
 "William Miller. *Messrs. John Russell and Blane. 
 
 1775-fi, 
 
 Messrs. Bonar, Arnot, Hay, William Robertson, and John 
 
 
 Russell. *Mr. Alexander Millar. 
 
 1776-7, 
 
 Messrs. Arnot and William Robertson, Dr. Buchan, Messrs. 
 
 
 William Stewart and AVilliam Miller. *Mr. Charles 
 
 
 Hay. 
 
 1777-8, 
 
 Messrs. Bonar, Arnot, Charles Hay, William Miller, and 
 
 
 Hume. *Messrs. Hamilton and Scott. 
 
 1778-9, 
 
 Messrs. William Miller, Hume, Hamilton, and Tait. 
 
 1779-80, 
 
 Messrs. William Miller, James Russell, Hume, Hamilton, 
 
 
 and Tait. *Dr. Cleghorn. 
 
 1780-1, 
 
 Messrs. James Russell and Hume, Lord Maitland, Messrs. 
 
 
 Tait and Hamilton. *Messrs. Whytt and Walker. 
 
 1781-2, 
 
 Messrs. Whytt, Tait, Cay, Armstrong, and Dalrymple. 
 
 
 *Messrs. Hope, Pattison, Johnstone, and Stokes. 
 

 LIST OF OFFICE-BEARERS. 455 
 
 SESSION. 
 
 PRESIDENTS. 
 
 1782-3, 
 
 Messrs. John Clerk, Balfour, Armstrong, Dalrymple, and 
 
 
 Hope. *Mr. Stokes. 
 
 1783-4, 
 
 Messrs. James Bonar, Hope, Wilde, Dickson, and Emmet. 
 
 1784-5, 
 
 Messrs. James Bonar, Hope, AVilde, Manners, and Emmet. 
 
 1785-6, 
 
 Messrs. Wilde, Hope, Durham, James Bonar, and Laing. 
 
 
 *Messrs. Johnstone and Manners. 
 
 1786-7, 
 
 Messrs. Wilde, James Bonar, Manners, George Johnston, 
 
 
 and Burnet. *Messrs. Laing and Mackintosh. 
 
 1787-8, 
 
 Messrs. Manners, Mackintosh, Wilde, Burnet, and Laing. 
 
 
 *Messrs. Lewis Grant, Montgomery, and George John- 
 
 
 ston. 
 
 1788-9, 
 
 Messrs. Johnston, Macknight, Lewis Grant, Tait, and 
 
 
 Irving. *Messrs. Hutchison and Oswald. 
 
 1789-90, 
 
 Messrs. Macknight, Manners, Lewis Grant, Irving, and 
 
 
 Gillies. *Mr. Turnbull. 
 
 1790-1, 
 
 Messrs. Tait, Campbell, Irving, Oswald, and Turnbull. 
 
 
 ♦Messrs. Robert Ferguson and Monypenny. 
 
 1791-2, 
 
 Messrs. Oswald, Ferguson, Monypenny, Fowler, and 
 
 
 Glassford. 
 
 1792-3, 
 
 Messrs. M'Farlan, Ferguson, Fowler, Murray, and Boyle 
 
 1793-4, 
 
 Messrs. Ferguson, Murray, Boyle, Greenshields, and Gor- 
 
 
 don. 
 
 1794-5, 
 
 Messrs. Abercromby, Murray, Boyle, Jeffrey, and James 
 
 
 Gordon, jun. 
 
 1795-6, 
 
 Messrs. Greenshields, Jeffrey, Brunton, Whyte, and M'- 
 
 
 Cormick. 
 
 1796-7, 
 
 Messrs. Jeffrey, M'Cormick, Manners, Hamilton, and Os- 
 
 
 wald. *Messrs. Whyte, Ross, Ferrier, and Skottowe. 
 
 1797-8, 
 
 Messrs. Brunton, Hamilton, Bell, Ferrier, and Jeffrey. 
 
 
 *Mr. Forbes. 
 
 1798-9, 
 
 Messrs. Murray, Brunton, Horner, Brougham, and Bell. 
 
456 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 SESSION. 
 
 PRESIDENTS. 
 
 , 
 
 *The Hon. Charles Kinnaird, Messrs. Fullerton, Loch, 
 
 
 and Moncreiff. 
 
 1799-1800, 
 
 Messrs. Loch, Horner, Copland, Moncreiff, and Duncan. 
 
 1800-1, 
 
 Messrs. Cockburn, Simpson, Moncreiff, Miller, and An- 
 
 
 derson. 
 
 1801-2, 
 
 Messrs. Copland, Adam, Moncreiff, Cockburn, and Simpson. 
 
 1802.3, 
 
 Messrs. Macdonald, Cockburn, Anderson, Strickland, and 
 
 
 Copland. 
 
 1 803-4, 
 
 Messrs. Strickland, Simpson, Hamilton Miller, Kennedy, 
 
 
 and Andrew Murray. 
 
 1804-5, 
 
 Messrs. Irvine, Southey, Andrew Murray, Miller, and 
 
 
 Cockburn. *Messrs. Buchanan and Skene. 
 
 1805 -e. 
 
 Messrs. Miller, Irvine, Southey, Buchanan, and Skene. 
 
 1806-7, 
 
 Messrs. Douglas, Hamilton Miller, Skene, Irvine, and 
 
 
 Buchanan. Messrs. Strickland, Home Drummond, and 
 
 
 Colquhoun. 
 
 1807-8, 
 
 Messrs. Home Drummond, Douglas, Miller, Andrew 
 
 
 Murray, and Graham. 
 
 1 808-f), 
 
 Messrs. Waugh, Douglas, Macbean, Campbell, and Mathe- 
 
 1809-10, 
 
 son. 
 Messrs. Kennedy, Drummond, CulJen, M'Leod, and Borth- 
 
 
 wick. 
 
 1810-11, 
 
 Messrs. Kennedy, Rutberfurd, Walker, Borthwick, and 
 
 
 Maitland. 
 
 1811-12, 
 
 Mr. Maitland, Lord -lohn Russell, Messrs. Kennedy, Hay, 
 
 
 and Taaffe. *Mr. Napier. 
 
 1812-3, 
 
 Messrs. Rutberfurd, ]\Iaitland, M'Leod, Vans, and Corrie. 
 
 1818-4, 
 
 I\Iessr.s. Maitland, "Vans, Urquhart, Hunter, and Fletcher. 
 
 
 *Mr. Stewart. 
 
 1814-5, 
 
 Messrs. David Anderson, jun., Shaw Stewart, Urquhart, 
 
 
 Fletcher, and Hozier. 
 
'*' 
 
 LIST OF OFFICE-BEARERS. 457 
 
 SESSION. PRESIDENTS. 
 
 1 8 1 5-6", Messrs. Shaw Stewart, Macdowall, Menzies, M'Neili, and 
 
 Urquhart. 
 1816-7, Messrs. M'Neili, Menzies, Catlicart, Dalzel, and Cheape. 
 1817-8, Messrs. David Dewar, Whigham, Cheape, Dalzel, and 
 
 Cathcart. 
 1818-9, Messrs. Donald, Gibson, Dunlop, jun., John Aytoun, and 
 
 David Dewar. 
 1819-20, Messrs. Constable, M'Leod, Stedman, Speirs, and Ross. 
 1 820-1, Messrs. Thomson, Bruce, Hamilton, Handyside, and Cath- 
 cart. 
 1821-2, Messrs. Aiken, Lambton, Dauney, Bartholomew, and 
 
 Mure- 
 1822-3, Prince Czartoriski, Messrs. Murray, Hog, Spear, and 
 
 Maitland. 
 1 823-4, Messrs. David Maitland, Paterson, Craik, Hog, and Cowan. 
 
 *Mr. M'Neili. 
 1 824-5, ' Messrs. Smollett, Scott MoncreifF, Robert Aytoun, M'Far- 
 
 lan, and Parnell. 
 1825-6, Messrs. Ferguson, Carlyle, Bell, Neaves, and Stoddart. 
 1 826-7, Messrs. Menzies, Reid, Stoddart, Henry Inglis, and AVeir. 
 1827-8, Messrs. Reid, Weir, Baxter, Craufurd, and Thomson. 
 1828-9, Messrs. Weir, Craufurd, Webster, Reid, and Dickson. 
 
 1829-30, Messrs. Craufurd, Fletcher, Webster, Dick, and Seniple. 
 1830-1, Messrs. Weir, Murray, Fletcher, Semple, and Pattison. 
 
 1831-2, Messrs. Deas, Murray, Henry Moncreiff, Clerk Brodie, 
 
 and the Hon. Charles Hope. 
 1832-3, Messrs. Bell, James Moncreiif, Mure, Horsman, and the 
 
 Hon. Charles Hope. 
 1833-4, Messrs. Gordon, Swinton, James ^loncreiff, Balfour, and 
 
 Horsman. 
 1834-5, Messrs. Gordon, Bla«kie, Taylor, Swinton, and Scott. 
 
 3 M 
 
458 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 SESSION. PRESIDENTS. 
 
 1 835-6, Messrs. Gordon, Aytoun, John Balfour, Taylor, and Ha- 
 milton. 
 1836-7, Messrs. John Balfour, Shand, Ross, Smillie, and Murray . 
 1837-8, Messrs. Ross, Shand, Murray, Glasgow, and Douglas. 
 1838-9, Messrs. Ross, Murray, jun., Douglas, James Balfour, and 
 
 Cumine. 
 1839-40, Messrs. Murray, jun., James Balfour, Douglas, Broun, and 
 
 Arkley. *Mr. Reid. 
 1840-1, Messrs. Broun, Arkley, Reid, Cleghorn, and Robert 
 
 Campbell. 
 1841-2, Messrs. Robert Campbell, Reid, Cleghorn, Russell, and 
 
 Robert Balfour. 
 1 842-3, Messrs. Cleghorn, Russell, Robert Balfour, Paul, and Neil 
 
 Campbell. 
 1843-4, Messrs. Neil Campbell, Paul, Boyle, Tytler, and For- 
 
 long. 
 
 1764-71, 
 
 1771-4, 
 
 1774-5, 
 
 1775-7, 
 
 1777-86, 
 
 1786-7, 
 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 The 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 
 SECRETARIES. 
 
 John Bonar. 
 John Russell. 
 Hon. Henry Hope. 
 Andrew Hamilton. 
 James Bonar. 
 James Bonar 
 
 >• Jointly. 
 Andrew Steele. J 
 
 1787-8, 
 1788-9, 
 1789-91, 
 1791-5, 
 1795-1807, Mr, 
 1807-8, Mr, 
 
 Mr. 
 
 Andrew Grant. 
 Smith. 
 
 Walter Scott. 
 John Waugh. 
 Matheson. 
 
 LIBRARIANS. 
 
 The Library was institu- 
 ted in 1783, and Mr. Lock- 
 hart was appointed librarian 
 in 1785. Mr. Baird held the 
 office from 1785 till 1787. 
 
 Mr. Irving. 
 Mr. Hutcheson 
 
 > Jointly. 
 
 Mr. Walter Scott. 
 Mr. John Waugh. 
 Mr. Matheson. 
 

 LIST OF OFFICE-BEARERS. 459 
 
 SESSION. 
 
 SECRETARIES. 
 
 LIBRA11IA.\.S. 
 
 1808-9, 
 1809-10, 
 
 Mr. Brodie. 
 
 r Mr. Jameson. 
 
 1810-11, 
 
 Mr. Newbigging. 
 
 Mr. Anderson. . 
 
 1811-12, 
 18J2-14, 
 
 Mr. Macintosh. 
 
 I Mr. Vans. 
 
 1814-16, 
 
 Mr. Hunter. 
 
 Mr. Hunter. 
 
 1816, 
 
 Mr. Dundas. 
 
 Mr. Dundas. 
 
 1816-18, 
 
 Mr. Gregory. 
 
 Mr. Gregory. 
 
 1818, 
 
 Mr. Alexander Dunlop. 
 
 Mr. Alexander Dunlop. 
 
 1818-19, 
 
 Mr. Constable. 
 
 Mr. Constable. 
 
 1819, 
 
 
 Mr. Ross. 
 
 1819-20, 
 
 Mr. Bruce. 
 
 Mr. Hamilton. 
 
 1820-1, 
 
 Mr. Aiken. 
 
 Mr. Macdonald. 
 
 1821-2, 
 
 Mr. Murray. 
 
 Sir John Hay, Bart. 
 
 1822-3, 
 
 Mr. Paterson. 
 
 Mr. Cowan. 
 
 1823-4, 
 
 Mr. Fergusson. 
 
 Mr. Aytoun. 
 
 1824-5, 
 
 Mr. Neaves. 
 
 Mr. Bell. 
 
 1825-6, 
 
 Mr. Trotter. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Grahamc. 
 
 1826-7, 
 
 Mr. Birrell. 
 
 Mr. Maconochie. 
 
 1827-8, 
 
 Mr. Dickson. 
 
 Mr. Davidson. 
 
 1828, 
 
 
 Mr. William Forbes. 
 
 1828-9, 
 
 Mr. Dick. 
 
 Mr. Semple. 
 
 1829-30, 
 
 Mr. Kinnear. 
 
 Mr. Shiel. 
 
 1830-1, 
 
 Mr. Newbigging. 
 
 Mr. Clerk Brodie. 
 
 1831-2, 
 
 Mr. Benjamin Bell. 
 
 Mr. James MoncreifF. 
 
 1832-3, 
 
 Mr. Swinton. 
 
 Mr. John Balfour. 
 
 1833-4, 
 
 Mr. Scott. 
 
 Mr. Taylor. 
 
 1834-5, 
 
 Mr. Morrison. 
 
 Mr. Ross. 
 
 1835-6, 
 
 Mr. Ross. 
 
 Mr. Smillie. 
 
 1836-7, j 
 1837-8, 1 
 
 Mr. .James Balfour. 
 
 Mr. Brown Douglas. 
 Mr. Ark ley. 
 
*60 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 SESSION. 
 
 SECBETAWES. 
 
 LIBRARIANS. 
 
 1838-9, 
 
 Mr. Broun. 
 
 Mr. Cleghorn. 
 
 1839-40, 
 
 Mr. Cleghorn. 
 
 Mr. Robert Balfour. 
 
 1840-1, 
 
 Mr. Robert Balfour. 
 
 Mr. Macbean. 
 
 1841-2, 
 
 Mr. Macbean. 
 
 Mr. Paul. 
 
 1842-3, 
 
 Mr. Boyle. 
 
 Mr. Mackonochie. 
 
 1843-4, ) 
 1844-6, J 
 
 Mr. Mackonochie. 
 
 Mr. M'Candlish. 
 Mr. Grahame. 
 
 
 AUTHORS 
 
 
 OP 
 
 
 INTRODUCTOKY AND VALEDICTORY ADDRESSES. 
 
 SESSION. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
 
 VALEDICTOET ADDRESS. 
 
 1764-5, 
 
 Mr. Creech. 
 
 Mr. Bonar. 
 
 1766-6, 
 
 Mr. Bruce. 
 
 Mr. Maconochie. 
 
 1766-7, 
 
 Mr. Charles Stuart. 
 
 
 1767-8, 
 
 Mr. Caw. 
 
 Mr. Belsches. 
 
 1768-9, 
 
 Mr. Tytler. 
 
 Mr. Bruce. 
 
 1769-70, 
 
 Mr. Belsches. 
 
 Mr. Griffin. 
 
 1770-1, 
 
 Mr. Charles Stuart, 
 
 Mr. Adam. 
 
 1771-2, 
 
 Dr. Andrew Duncan. 
 
 Mr. Robert Whytt. 
 
 1772-3. 
 
 Mr. M'Mutrie. 
 
 Mr. Maconochie. 
 
 1773-4, 
 
 Mr. Charles Hay. 
 
 Mr. Arnot. 
 
 1774-5, 
 
 Mr. William Robertson. 
 
 Mr. John Russell. 
 
 1775-6, 
 
 Mr. Dugald Stewart. 
 
 Mr. William Stewart. 
 
 1776-7, 
 
 Dr. Gregory. 
 
 Dr. Buchan. 
 
 1777-8, 
 
 Mr. William Miller. 
 
 Mr. David Hume. 
 
 1778-9, 
 
 Mr. William Tait. 
 
 
AUTHORS OP INTRODUCTORY AND VALEDICTORY ADDRESSES. 461 
 
 SESSION. 
 
 1779-80, 
 
 1780-1, 
 1781-2, 
 1782-3, 
 1783-4, 
 
 INTROOCCTORY ADDRESS. 
 
 Mr. Hamilton. 
 
 Mr. John Clerk. 
 Mr. Peter Hill. 
 Mr. Wilde. 
 
 VALEDICTORY ADDRESS. 
 
 The Introductory and Valedictory Addresses appear to have been disconti- 
 nued until 1797. 
 
 1796-7, 
 
 
 Mr. Alexander Whyte. 
 
 1797-8, 
 
 Mr. Jeffrey. 
 
 Mr. Brunton. 
 
 1798-9, 
 
 Mr. Bell. 
 
 Mr. Homer. 
 
 1799-1800, 
 
 Mr. Murray. 
 
 Mr. Copland. 
 
 1800-1, 
 
 Mr. Henry Brougham. 
 
 Mr. Simpson. 
 
 1801-2, 
 
 Mr. Coekburn. 
 
 Mr. Adam. 
 
 1802-3, 
 
 Mr. Moncreiff. 
 
 Mr. George Strickland. 
 
 1803-4, 
 
 . Mr. Macdonald. 
 
 Mr. Miller. 
 
 1804-5, 
 
 Mr. Irvine. 
 
 Mr. Buchanan. 
 
 1805-6, 
 
 Mr. Irvine. 
 
 Mr. Gooch. 
 
 1806-7, 
 
 Mr. Skene. 
 
 Mr. Arthur Strickland. 
 
 1807-8, 
 
 Mr. Home Drummond. 
 
 Mr. Waugh. 
 
 1808-9, 
 
 Mr. Thomas Kennedy. 
 
 Mr. Cullen. 
 
 1809-10, 
 
 Mr. Newbigging. 
 
 
 1810-11, 
 
 Mr. Andrew Rutherfurd. 
 
 Mr. Pearse Gillies. 
 
 1811-12, 
 
 Mr. Thomas Maitland. 
 
 Lord John Russell. 
 
 1812-3, 
 
 Mr. Corrie. 
 
 Mr. Fletcher. 
 
 1813-4, 
 
 Mr. Fletcher. 
 
 Mr. Hunter. 
 
 1814-5, 
 
 Mr. Adam Urquhart. 
 
 Mr. Gordon. 
 
 1815-6, 
 
 Mr. Hozier. 
 
 
 1816-7, 
 
 
 
 1817-8, 
 
 Mr. Smith. 
 
 Mr. William Gibson. 
 
 1818-9, 
 
 Mr. Alexander Dunlop. 
 
 Mr. Thomson. 
 
 1819-20, 
 
 Mr. Ross. 
 
 Mr. Straker. 
 
462 
 
 HISTORY OF THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 SESSION. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
 
 VALEDICTORY ADDRESS. 
 
 1820-1, 
 
 Mr. Hamilton. 
 
 Mr. Alexander Haldanc. 
 
 1821-2, 
 
 Mr. Dauney. 
 
 Mr. James Webster. 
 
 1822-3, 
 
 Mr. Syrae. 
 
 Mr. Spear. 
 
 1823-4, 
 
 Mr. Paterson. 
 
 
 1824-5, 
 
 Mr. James Hog. 
 
 Mr. Xeaves. 
 
 1825-6, 
 
 Mr. Scott Moncreiff. 
 
 Mr. Stoddart. 
 
 1826-7, 
 
 Mr. John Taylor. 
 
 Mr. Weir. 
 
 1827-8, 
 
 Mr. Reid. 
 
 Mr. Dickson. 
 
 1828-9, 
 
 3Ir. Craufurd. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Webster. 
 
 1829-30, 
 
 >Ir. Semple. 
 
 Mr. Dick. 
 
 1830-1, 
 
 
 Mr. John Murray. 
 
 1831-2, 
 
 The Introductory Address 
 
 Mr. James Moncreitf. 
 
 
 appears to have been discon- 
 
 
 1832-3, 
 
 tinued until 1841. 
 
 Mr. James Moncreiff. 
 
 . 1833-4, 
 
 
 
 1834-5, 
 
 
 Mr. William Aytoun. 
 
 1835-6, 
 
 
 Mr. George Taylor. 
 
 1836-7, 
 
 
 Mr. John Balfour. 
 
 1837-8, 
 
 
 Mr. George Ross. 
 
 1838-9, 
 
 
 Mr. John Murray, jun. 
 
 1 839-40, 
 
 
 Mr. James Balfour. 
 
 1840-1, 
 
 
 Mr. Arkley. 
 
 1841-2, 
 
 Mr. Cleghorn. 
 
 Mr. Robert Balfour. 
 
 1842-3, 
 
 Mr. Russell. 
 
 Mr. Tytler. 
 
 1843-4, 
 
 Mr. Forlong. 
 
 Mr. James Campbell- 
 
 1844-5. 
 
 Mr. Neil Campbell. 
 
 
LIST OF HONORARY MEMBERS, 
 
 AND THE DATES OF THEIR ELECTION. 
 
 1769. 
 
 March 
 
 20. 
 
 AVilliam Creech. 
 
 
 May- 
 
 3. 
 
 Thomas Caw. 
 
 
 Dec. 
 
 13. 
 
 John Kemp. 
 
 1770. 
 
 Feb. 
 
 21. 
 
 John Bruce. 
 
 
 March 28. 
 
 Allan Maconochie. 
 
 
 Dec. 
 
 11. 
 
 Alexander Tytler. 
 
 1772. 
 
 Feb. 
 
 4. 
 
 John Bonar. 
 
 
 April 
 
 7. 
 
 Alexander Belsches. 
 
 
 Nov. 
 
 24. 
 
 Charles Stuart. 
 
 1773. 
 
 March 10. 
 
 James Gregory. 
 
 
 May 
 
 4. 
 
 Hugo Arnot. 
 
 
 Nov. 
 
 16. 
 
 Robert Whytt. 
 
 1774. 
 
 Jan. 
 
 25. 
 
 Charles Hay. 
 
 1775. 
 
 Nov. 
 
 28. 
 
 Dugald Stewart. 
 
 1778. 
 
 Feb. 
 
 24. 
 
 William Miller. 
 
 1779. 
 
 Feb. 
 
 17. 
 
 David Hume. 
 
 1793. 
 
 Feb. 
 
 5. 
 
 John Wilde. 
 
 
 Dec. 
 
 10. 
 
 George Husband Baird. 
 
 1794. 
 
 Jan. 
 
 28. 
 
 Walter Scott. 
 
 1797. 
 
 Feb. 
 
 14. 
 
 Alexander Manners. 
 
 1798. 
 
 May 
 
 1. 
 
 The Lord Henry Petty. 
 
 
 Dec. 
 
 18. 
 
 John Playfair. 
 
 1799. 
 
 April 
 
 30. 
 
 Dr. Andrew Duncan, senior 
 
 
 April 
 
 30. 
 
 John Waugh. 
 
 
 Nov. 
 
 19. 
 
 Francis Jeffrey. 
 
 1803. 
 
 March 29. 
 
 Francis Horner. 
 
m 
 
 464 HISTORY OP THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 1814. 
 
 1823. 
 
 1842. March 8. The Rev. John Murray. 
 
 April 
 
 19. 
 
 Henry Brougham. 
 
 Dec. 
 
 6. 
 
 Henry Cockburn. 
 
 Dec. 
 
 13. 
 
 Robert Graham. 
 
 Dec. 
 
 13. 
 
 Sir George Clerk, Bart 
 
 Jan. 
 
 14. 
 
 Sir James Mackintosh. 
 
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 
 PAOK 
 
 
 PA OR 
 
 Abebcromby, Georf;e (Lord Aber- 
 
 Ashwell, James 
 
 295 
 
 crombv) .... 
 
 197 
 
 Aytoun, James 
 
 281 
 
 Adam, William (Lord Chief Com- 
 
 Aytoun, John 
 
 280 
 
 missioner) . 
 
 8« 
 
 Aytoun, M. C. W. 
 
 263 
 
 Adam, William George . 
 
 221 
 
 Aytoun, Robert 
 
 296 
 
 Agnew, John Vans 
 
 243 
 
 Aytoun, William Edmonstone 
 
 322 
 
 Aiken, Peter Freeland 
 
 289 
 
 
 
 Ainslie, Daniel 
 
 227 
 
 Bachmetiev, George 
 
 169 
 
 Ainslie, Robert 
 
 189 
 
 Bacounin, Paul 
 
 178 
 
 Aitken, John . 
 
 112 
 
 Baillie, David 
 
 254 
 
 Alexander, William 
 
 113 
 
 Baillie, John 
 
 78 
 
 Alexander, William 
 
 170 
 
 Bain, Joseph . 
 
 301 
 
 Allan, Robert 
 
 315 
 
 Baird, George 
 
 165 
 
 Allan, Thomas 
 
 234 
 
 Baldwin, William . 
 
 205 
 
 Allen, John . 
 
 194 
 
 Balfour, Elphinstone 
 
 136 
 
 Alston, Andrew 
 
 127 
 
 Balfour, James 
 
 326 
 
 Alston James 
 
 176 
 
 Balfour, John Mackintosh 
 
 320 
 
 Ames, George Henry 
 
 2Sfi 
 
 Balfour, Robert 
 
 332 
 
 Amherstj William . 
 
 271 
 
 Balfour, Thomas 
 
 314 
 
 Amos, James 
 
 243 
 
 Balgonie, Lord 
 
 85 
 
 Ancrum, Earl of . 
 
 152 
 
 Barber, Samuel 
 
 239 
 
 Anderson, Charles . 
 
 227 
 
 Barclay, Charles Maitland 
 
 102 
 
 Anderson, David 
 
 259 
 
 Barclay, James Robertson, v. 
 
 Ro- 
 
 Anderson, David 
 
 267 
 
 bertson, James. 
 
 
 Anderson, James Caleb . 
 
 267 
 
 Barrett, Samuel B. M. . 
 
 250 
 
 Anstruther, John . 
 
 102 
 
 Bartholomew, John 
 
 290 
 
 Apreece, Thomas George 
 
 266 
 
 Barton, Benjamin Smith 
 
 185 
 
 Arbuthnot, John 
 
 300 
 
 Bass, .Tohn Holmes 
 
 292 
 
 Arbuthnot, Robert . 
 
 135 
 
 Baxter, Alexander . 
 
 285 
 
 Arkley, Patrick 
 
 330 
 
 Baxter, Henry 
 
 284 
 
 Armstrong, Edward 
 
 138 
 
 Beatson, David 
 
 229 
 
 Amot, Hugo .... 
 
 99 
 
 Beaufoy, Harry 
 
 101 
 
 3 N 
 
460 
 
 ALPHABETICAL 
 
 Beaufoy, John Hanbury 
 
 151 
 
 Bell, Archibald 
 
 208 
 
 Bell, Benjamin Robert 
 
 317 
 
 Bell, James . . . . 
 
 263 
 
 Bell, John Montgomery 
 
 299 
 
 Bell, Robert . 
 
 324 
 
 Bell, Sydney Smith 
 
 315 
 
 Bell, William 
 
 256 
 
 BeUches, Alexander 
 
 72 
 
 Bennet, William 
 
 160 
 
 Bethune, William Chalmers, 
 
 V. 
 
 Chalmers, William. 
 
 
 Biggar, Robert 
 
 167 
 
 Binning, Charles Lord 
 
 103 
 
 Binning, Lord 
 
 208 
 
 Birrell, George 
 
 301 
 
 Bishop, Arthur 
 
 178 
 
 Blackburn, Colin . 
 
 326 
 
 Blackie, John Stuart 
 
 323 
 
 Blair, David Anderson, v. 
 
 \n- 
 
 derson, David. 
 
 
 Blair, William 
 
 174 
 
 Blamire, George 
 
 247 
 
 Blane, Gilbert 
 
 83 
 
 Blyth, Augustus Frederick 
 
 303 
 
 Bonar, James 
 
 134 
 
 Bonar, John . 
 
 73 
 
 Booth, John 
 
 225 
 
 Borthwick, John 
 
 250 
 
 Borthwick, John 
 
 339 
 
 Boswell, David 
 
 81 
 
 Boswell, Robert Bruce 
 
 305 
 
 Boswell, William . 
 
 216 
 
 Bouchet, Jules 
 
 338 
 
 Boyle, Archibald Thomiis 
 
 335 
 
 Boyle, David (Lord Justice-G 
 
 rene- 
 
 ral) . . . . 
 
 197 
 
 Bright, Benjamin Heywood 
 
 Bright, Henry 
 
 Bright, Richard 
 
 Brodbelt, Francis Rigby . 
 
 Brodie, Alexander Oswald 
 
 Brodie, John Clerk 
 
 Brodie, William 
 
 Brougham, Henry (Lord Brougham 
 
 and Vaux) 
 Brougham, James 
 Broughton, Edward 
 Broun, Archibald 
 Brown, James 
 Brown, Timothy 
 Browne, Dominick 
 
 Browne, Lionel 
 Brownrigg, John, 
 
 Bruce, Hugh 
 
 Bruce, John . 
 
 Brunton, Alexander 
 
 Buchan, George 
 
 Buchan, Dr. William 
 
 Buchanan, David M. Snodgrass, v. 
 Snodgrass, David. 
 
 Buchanan, William 
 
 Burgoyne, Montagu 
 
 Burn, John 
 
 Burnett, Alexander 
 
 Burnett, Arthur 
 
 Burnett, John 
 
 Bushby, John Hay 
 
 PAGK 
 
 252 
 243 
 260 
 193 
 338 
 316 
 244 
 
 209 
 221 
 288 
 329 
 145 
 246 
 245 
 169 
 149 
 286 
 
 72 
 203 
 
 93 
 103 
 
 229 
 83 
 274 
 137 
 286 
 158 
 175 
 
 Cadell, William A. . . 217 
 Cairncross, Robert Newbigging, v. 
 
 Newbigging, Robert. 
 Callender, George . . 291 
 
 Callender, William . . 30() 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 467 
 
 
 PAiiK 
 
 
 PAOB 
 
 Calthorpe, Lord 
 
 257 
 
 Clerk, Sir George, Bart. . 
 
 250 
 
 Calthorpe, Lord, v. Gough, Henry 
 
 
 Clerk, James 
 
 150 
 
 Campbell, A. ... 
 
 228 
 
 Clerk, Jolin (Lord Eldin) 
 
 134 
 
 Campbell, Alexander 
 
 338 
 
 Clerk, John .... 
 
 327 
 
 Campbell, Archibald 
 
 138 
 
 Clifford, Arthur 
 
 245 
 
 Campbell, Archibald (Lord Siiccoth)178 
 
 Cockburn, Henry (Lord Cockburn) 225 
 
 Campbell, George James 
 
 283 
 
 Cockbum, Henry Philip 
 
 311 
 
 Campbell, James 
 
 148 
 
 Clothier, Thomas . 
 
 173 
 
 Campbell, James 
 
 242 
 
 Colquhoun, Archibald Campbell, v 
 
 
 Campbell, James 
 
 334 
 
 Campbell, Archibald. 
 
 
 Campbell, John Francis 
 
 333 
 
 Colquhoun, John Campbell 
 
 239 
 
 Campbell, Neil Colquhoun 
 
 335 
 
 Colquhoun, John Campbell 
 
 301 
 
 Campbell, Robert . 
 
 332 
 
 Congleton, Lord, v. Pamell, John 
 
 
 Campbell, William 
 
 149 
 
 Connel, John 
 
 160 
 
 Campbell, William Gunning . 
 
 238 
 
 Constable, David . 
 
 285 
 
 Cameron, Alexander 
 
 305 
 
 Constant, Baron Benjamin 
 
 163 
 
 Carew, Robert Shapland, (Baron 
 
 
 Cooper, Astley Paston . 
 
 183 
 
 Carew) .... 
 
 252 
 
 Coote, Charles John 
 
 319 
 
 Carlyle, Thomas 
 
 298 
 
 Copland, Alexander 
 
 222 
 
 Carlyle, William . 
 
 153 
 
 Corrie, Thomas 
 
 257 
 
 Carnegy, George 
 
 133 
 
 Cowan, John 
 
 297 
 
 Catheart, David (Lord AUoway) 
 
 152 
 
 Cowan, Malcolm 
 
 321 
 
 Cathcart, David 
 
 287 
 
 Craik, Richard Beckwith 
 
 293 
 
 Catheart, Elias 
 
 279 
 
 Craig, Robert Mark 
 
 311 
 
 Caw, Thomas 
 
 75 
 
 Craig, James Thomson Gibson, v 
 
 
 Cay, Robert Hodshoii 
 
 13) 
 
 Gibson, James Thomson. 
 
 
 Chalmers, William 
 
 93 
 
 Craig, William Gibson, v. Gibson 
 
 
 Cheape, Douglas 
 
 278 
 
 William. 
 
 
 Clark, William Bennet . 
 
 340 
 
 Craufurd, James 
 
 309 
 
 Clarke, James 
 
 267 
 
 Creech, William 
 
 70 
 
 Clarke, Simon 
 
 167 
 
 Creelman, James 
 
 289 
 
 Cleghorn, Hugh 
 
 102 
 
 Crichton, David M. Makgill, v. 
 
 
 Cleghorn, Patrick 
 
 235 
 
 Maitland, David. 
 
 
 Cleghorn, Robert 
 
 139 
 
 Cullen, Charles Sinclair 
 
 255 
 
 Cleghorn, Thomas 
 
 330 
 
 Cumine, Alexander 
 
 328 
 
 Cleghorn, William 
 
 137 
 
 Cuninghame, Alexander 
 
 146 
 
 Clephane, Andrew 
 
 220 
 
 Cuninghame, Archibald 
 
 323 
 
468 
 
 ALPHABETICAL 
 
 
 PACK 
 
 
 PAOE 
 
 Cuninghame, George Augustus 260 
 
 Donellan, John 
 
 263 
 
 Cuninghame, William Auguftiis "244 
 
 Douglas, Adam 
 
 189 
 
 Currie, George 
 
 92 
 
 Douglas, Archibald 
 
 224 
 
 Currie, James 
 
 141 
 
 Douglas, David (Lord Reston 
 
 190 
 
 Currie, William 
 
 82 
 
 Douglas, Hon. Dunbar . 
 
 185 
 
 Czartoriski, Prince Adam 
 
 295 
 
 Douglas, Francis Brown 
 
 326 
 
 
 
 Douglas, Hon. Frederick S. N 
 
 258 
 
 Da Costa, Hannanel Mendez 
 
 282 
 
 Douglas, Hon. John 
 
 167 
 
 Daer, Basil William Lord 
 
 IfiO 
 
 Douglas, Robert 
 
 176 
 
 Daer, Lord v. Douglas, The lion. 
 
 Douglas, Hon. Thomas 
 
 188 
 
 John. 
 
 
 Douglas, William 
 
 235 
 
 Dallas, William 
 
 82 
 
 Dowe, Philip 
 
 205 
 
 Dalrymple, Hew 
 
 84 
 
 Drennan, William 
 
 127 
 
 Dalrvmple, Hew 
 
 122 
 
 Dreyer, Jacob Henry 
 
 331 
 
 Dalrymple, Hew . 
 
 142 
 
 Dreyer, John Frederick 
 
 331 
 
 Dalrymple, Lord 
 
 89 
 
 Drummond, Francis Walker 
 
 328 
 
 Dalrymple, Martin 
 
 202 
 
 Drummond, Henry Home 
 
 246 
 
 Dalzel, John 
 
 279 
 
 Drummond, John 
 
 287 
 
 Dalzel, Robert 
 
 125 
 
 Duff, Adam . 
 
 204 
 
 Dalzel 1, Allen 
 
 163 
 
 Duff, Robert 
 
 269 
 
 Daschkau, Prince 
 
 137 
 
 Duff, Robert W. . 
 
 178 
 
 Dauney, William 
 
 290 
 
 Duncan, Dr. Andrew 
 
 100 
 
 Davidson, Archibald 
 
 309 
 
 Duncan, Dr. Andrew, junior 
 
 225 
 
 Davidson, Charles Forbes 
 
 824 
 
 Duncan, Henry 
 
 208 
 
 Davidson, Duncan 
 
 285 
 
 Duncan, John Morrison 
 
 339 
 
 Davidson, Robert 
 
 217 
 
 DuDcombe, Charles 
 
 186 
 
 Davidson, William 
 
 149 
 
 Dundas, Ralph James 
 
 275 
 
 Deas, George 
 
 314 
 
 Dundas, Robert 
 
 186 
 
 Dewar, David Erskine 
 
 277 
 
 Dundas, Wedderburne 
 
 334 
 
 Dewar, John 
 
 269 
 
 Dunlop, Alexander 
 
 271 
 
 Dick, Andrew Coventry 
 
 313 
 
 Dunlop, Alexander 
 
 281 
 
 Dickson, Alexander 
 
 309 
 
 Dunlop, Colin 
 
 216 
 
 Dickson, Stephen . 
 
 148 
 
 Dunlop, Donald Mackenzie 
 
 314 
 
 Dingwall, Arthur . 
 
 315 
 
 Dunlop, James Henry . 
 
 269 
 
 Dobie, James 
 
 332 
 
 Dunlop, John 
 
 286 
 
 Donald, James 
 
 280 
 
 Dunlop, John Colin 
 
 239 
 
 Donaldson, John 
 
 247 
 
 Durham, William 
 
 150 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 4G9 
 
 Edgeworth, Charles Sneyd 
 Edgeworth, Henry 
 Eliott, William 
 Elliot, Gilbert 
 Emmet, Thomas Addis 
 Erskiiie, James 
 Erskine, James 
 Erskine, Thomas 
 Ewart, Joseph 
 
 Falconer, Thomas 
 Fazakerly, John Nicolas 
 Fearon, Henry 
 Ferguson, Henry 
 Ferguson, James 
 Ferguson, Neil 
 Ferguson, Robert 
 Fergusson, Charles Dalrymple 
 
 PAOB 
 
 256 
 245 
 166 
 284 
 155 
 253 
 270 
 268 
 139 
 
 296 
 253 
 240 
 27S 
 221 
 85 
 180 
 297 
 
 Fergusson, George (Lord Hermand) 87 
 Fergusson, James . . . 187 
 Ferrier, Alexander Adrian . 320 
 Ferrier, Lewis . . . 204 
 Feversham, Lord, v. Dunconibe, 
 
 Charles. 
 Ffrye, John . . . . 167 
 Fingall, Earl of, v. Killeen, Lord. '■', 
 Fletcher, Angus . . . 311 
 Fletcher, Miles Angus . . 27 1 
 Forbes, George . . . 259 
 Forbes, John Hay (Lord Medwyn) 207 
 Forbes, William . . . 309 
 Forlong, Gordon ... 334 
 Forman, James . . . 324 
 Forman, John Nairne . 309 
 
 Forrest, James . . . 227 
 Fowler, Richard . . . 189 
 Fox, Henry .... 256 
 
 PAGB 
 
 Eraser, Archibald T. F, 285 
 
 Eraser, John Hutchison . 133 
 
 Frazer, John Farquhar . . 265 
 
 Fullarton, William . . 205 
 
 FuUerton, William . . Ill 
 
 Gahaoan, .Joseph . . 193 
 Gibson, Alexander Maitland, v. 
 
 Maitland, Alexander. 
 
 Gibson, James Thomas . . 191 
 
 Gibson, James Thomson . 292 
 
 Gibson, William ... 283 
 
 Gilchrist, John ... 76 
 
 Gillespie, Thomas . . . 241 
 
 Gillies, Adam (Lord Gillies) . 179 
 
 Gillies, Robert Pearse . . 255 
 Glasgow, The Right Hon. the Earl 
 
 of 158 
 
 Glasgow, Robert Robertson . 325 
 
 Glassford, James . . . 191 
 Glenelg, Lord, v. Grant, Charles. 
 
 Gooch, Robert . . . 236 
 
 Gordon, Henry . . . 276 
 
 Gordon, James . . . 183 
 
 Gordon, James . . . 199 
 
 Gordon, .John . . . 175 
 
 Gordon, John . . . 229 
 
 Gordon, John . . . 244 
 
 Gordon, John . . . 337 
 
 Gordon, John Thomson . 320 
 
 Gordon, Joseph . . . 225 
 
 Gordon, Lewis ... 83 
 
 Gordon, William . . . 224 
 
 Gough, Henry ... 93 
 
 Gowan, William . . . 317 
 
 Graham, Alexander . . 2f)3 
 
 Graham, Robert . . , 241 
 
470 
 
 ALPHABETICAL 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 
 PACK 
 
 Graham, Samuel 
 
 129 
 
 Hamond, Elton 
 
 246 
 
 Grahame, Archibald 
 
 337 
 
 Handyside, Robert 
 
 291 
 
 Grahame, James 
 
 263 
 
 Hannay, David 
 
 274 
 
 Grahame, Thomas 
 
 304 
 
 Hannay, Robert 
 
 274 
 
 Grahame, William Richard 
 
 30R 
 
 Hawkins, James W. 
 
 276 
 
 Grant, Andrew 
 
 182 
 
 Hay, Charles, (Lord Newton) 
 
 85 
 
 Grant, Charles 
 
 230 
 
 Hay, James .... 
 
 121 
 
 Grant, John Peter 
 
 308 
 
 Hay, John .... 
 
 253 
 
 Grant, Lewis 
 
 168 
 
 Hay, Sir John, Bart. 
 
 291 
 
 Grant, Robert 
 
 230 
 
 Hay, John Wilson 
 
 316 
 
 Grant, William Patrick 
 
 279 
 
 Headlam, Thomas Emerson . 
 
 228 
 
 Greenhill, Alexander 
 
 254 
 
 Henderson, Dr. Alexander 
 
 233 
 
 Greenlaw, George . 
 
 193 
 
 Henderson, John 
 
 98 
 
 Greenshields, John Blackwood 
 
 335 
 
 Hepburn, John 
 
 78 
 
 Greenshields, John Boyd 
 
 200 
 
 Hepburn, John Buchan 
 
 183 
 
 Greg, William Rathbone 
 
 310 
 
 Hepburn, John Buchan 
 
 306 
 
 Gregory, James 
 
 94 
 
 Heriot, Frederick L. Maitland 
 
 335 
 
 Gregory, John 
 
 133 
 
 Heron, Robert 
 
 277 
 
 Gregorj-, John 
 
 277 
 
 Herries, William Muirhead 
 
 230 
 
 Griffin, Cyrus 
 
 89 
 
 Hewett, Cornwallis 
 
 257 
 
 
 
 Hill, George .... 
 
 104 
 
 Haddington, Earl of, v. Binning, 
 
 Hill, Henry .... 
 
 149 
 
 Charles Lord. 
 
 
 Hill, Peter .... 
 
 151 
 
 Haddington, Earl of, v. Binning, 
 
 Hinds, Dr. Samuel 
 
 169 
 
 Lord. 
 
 
 Hog, James Maitland 
 
 294 
 
 Hagart, Henry 
 
 320 
 
 Hog, Thomas 
 
 301 
 
 Haldane, Alexander 
 
 291 
 
 Holland, Philip 
 
 153 
 
 Haldane, Robert 
 
 300 
 
 Home, James 
 
 137 
 
 Hall, Sir James, Bart. . 
 
 161 
 
 Home, James 
 
 147 
 
 Hallard, Frederick 
 
 336 
 
 Honyman, William (Lord Arma 
 
 
 Hamilton, Andrew 
 
 125 
 
 dale) .... 
 
 129 
 
 Hamilton, James 
 
 205 
 
 Hope, Charles 
 
 143 
 
 Hamilton, John 
 
 324 
 
 Hope, Hon. Charles 
 
 315 
 
 Hamilton, John 
 
 287 
 
 Hope, Hon. Henry 
 
 122 
 
 Hamilton, Robert . 
 
 314 
 
 Home, Edward 
 
 273 
 
 Hamilton, Robert . 
 
 182 
 
 Home, William 
 
 248 
 
 Hamilton, William 
 
 270 
 
 Homer, Francis 
 
 212 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 471 
 
 
 PAOK 
 
 
 PAQK 
 
 Horner, Thomas Strangways . 157 
 
 Kane, Christopher 
 
 282 
 
 Hornyold, Thomas Charles . 261 
 
 Kay, David . 
 
 78 
 
 Horsman, Edward 
 
 322 
 
 Keith, William 
 
 85 
 
 Howard, Lord Bernard 
 
 333 
 
 Kemp, John . 
 
 81 
 
 Hozier, James Campbell 
 
 272 
 
 Kennedy, Robert . 
 
 231 
 
 Hume, David 
 
 123 
 
 Kennedy, Thomas Francis 
 
 251 
 
 Hunter, Robert 
 
 229 
 
 Kerr, James . 
 
 114 
 
 Hunter, Robert 
 
 269 
 
 Killeen, Lord 
 
 262 
 
 Hutcheson, H. D. 
 
 276 
 
 King, John 
 
 298 
 
 Hutchison, Gilbert 
 
 180 
 
 Kinloch, George 
 
 285 
 
 Hutton, John 
 
 229 
 
 Kinnaird, Hon. Charles . 
 
 219 
 
 
 
 Kinnaird, Lord 
 
 94 
 
 Inolis, Abraham 
 
 304 
 
 Kinnear, David 
 
 314 
 
 Inglis, Harry Maxwell . 
 
 288 
 
 Kinnear, George 
 
 299 
 
 Inglis, Henry 
 
 300 
 
 Kirkpatrick, John . 
 
 271 
 
 Inglis, John . 
 
 241 
 
 Kirton, John 
 
 208 
 
 Inglis, William Robert 
 
 312 
 
 Knox, Thomas 
 
 246 
 
 Innes, Robert 
 
 280 
 
 Knudtzon, Broder 
 
 272 
 
 Innes, Thomas 
 
 327 
 
 
 
 Irvine, Alexander . 
 
 232 
 
 Laing, Malcolm 
 
 153 
 
 Irvine, Alexander Forbes 
 
 338 
 
 Laing, 
 
 200 
 
 Irving, Alexander (Lord : 
 
 STewton) 179 
 
 Lambton, Hedworth 
 
 289 
 
 Irving, Paulus 
 
 272 
 
 Lane, Edward W. 
 
 337 
 
 Ivory, Thomas 
 
 332 
 
 Lang, William 
 
 229 
 
 Ivory, William 
 
 339 
 
 Lansdowne, Marquis of, v. P« 
 Lord Henry. 
 
 tty, 
 
 JachmaiNN, John Benjami 
 
 n . 187 
 
 Lapslie, James 
 
 148 
 
 Jameson, Robert 
 
 248 
 
 Lauder, John Dick 
 
 .320 
 
 Jardine, John 
 
 220 
 
 Lauderdale, Earl of, v. Maitl 
 
 ind. 
 
 Jeffrey, Francis (Lord Je 
 
 fFrey) 200 
 
 Lord. 
 
 
 Jobson, David 
 
 281 
 
 Laurie, William 
 
 82 
 
 Johnston, George . 
 
 154 
 
 Lavie, Germain 
 
 287 
 
 Johnston, James 
 
 298 
 
 Leigh, John . . . . 
 
 176 
 
 Johnstone, Jamea . 
 
 178 
 
 Leith, Alexander . 
 
 334 
 
 Johnstone, John 
 
 145 
 
 Leith, Alexander Wellesley . 
 
 308 
 
 Johnstone, 
 
 199 
 
 Leith, Theodore Forbes . 
 
 206 
 
 
 
 Leonard, S 
 
 282 
 
472 
 
 ALPHABETICAL 
 
 
 
 PAGR 
 
 
 PAOK 
 
 Leven and Melville, Earl of, 
 
 V. 
 
 Macintosh, Donald 
 
 264 
 
 Balgonie, Lord. 
 
 
 Mackay, Daniel 
 
 168 
 
 Lewis, Henry Greswold . 
 
 120 
 
 Mackay, John 
 
 159 
 
 Lindsay, Martin 
 
 136 
 
 Mackenzie, Alexander Muir . 
 
 166 
 
 Lister, William 
 
 140 
 
 Mackenzie, Hon. Frederick W 
 
 2S7 
 
 Loch, James 
 
 219 
 
 Mackenzie, Hugh . 
 
 240 
 
 Lockhart, John 
 
 161 
 
 Mackenzie, John 
 
 74 
 
 Lockhart, John Gibson 
 
 278 
 
 Mackenzie, Joshua Henry (Lord || 
 
 Lockhart, WUUam Eliott, v. Eliott, 
 
 Mackenzie) 
 
 207 
 
 William. 
 
 
 Mackenzie, Kenneth John 
 
 335 
 
 Lockyer, Edmund 
 
 241 
 
 Mackie, John William . 
 
 239 
 
 Logan, Edmond 
 
 310 
 
 Mackintosh, James 
 
 170 
 
 Lorimer, James 
 
 339 
 
 Mackintosh, John 
 
 338 
 
 Lothian, Marquis of, v. Ancr 
 
 urn. 
 
 Macknight, Alexander Edward 
 
 325 
 
 Earl of. 
 
 
 Macknight, Thomas 
 
 146 
 
 Lubienski, Count Leon 
 
 319 
 
 Mackonochie, James 
 
 336 
 
 Lucas, Edward 
 
 242 
 
 M'Lachlaii, Robert 
 
 276 
 
 Lyle, Hugh . 
 
 272 
 
 M'Lennan, Alexander 
 
 339 
 
 
 
 M'Leod, Alexander 
 
 267 
 
 Maberia-, John 
 
 SO-! 
 
 M'Leod, Roderick 
 
 240 
 
 Macbenn, JEneaa . 
 
 23G 
 
 M'Mutrie, John 
 
 77 
 
 Macbean, William 
 
 332 
 
 M'Neill, Alexander 
 
 296 
 
 M'Candlish, John Macgregor 
 
 337 
 
 M'Neill, Duncan (Lord Advoc 
 
 ite) 273 
 
 M'Clurg, James 
 
 93 
 
 M'NeiU, John 
 
 280 
 
 M'Cormick, Joseph 
 
 204 
 
 Maconochie, Alexander (Lord Mea^ || 
 
 M'Cormick, Samuel 
 
 264 
 
 dowbank) . 
 
 207 1 
 
 Macdonald, James 
 
 289 
 
 Maconochie, Allan (Lord Meadow- || 
 
 Macdonald, John Cameron 
 
 334 
 
 bank) 
 
 70 
 
 Macdonald, William 
 
 228 
 
 Maconochie, Allan Alexander 
 
 307 
 
 Macdonell, Eneas Ronald 
 
 337 
 
 Maconochie, James Allan 
 
 249 
 
 Macdougall, Henry 
 
 332 
 
 Macredie, Patrick B. M., v. Mure, 
 
 M'Dowall, William 
 
 99 
 
 Patrick Boyle. 
 
 
 M'Dowall, William 
 
 272 
 
 Macrae, Charles 
 
 133 
 
 Macfarlan, James 
 
 296 
 
 Maitland, Alexander 
 
 264 
 
 M'Farlan, John 
 
 181 
 
 Maitland, Augustus 
 
 294 
 
 M'Farlane, Duncan 
 
 243 
 
 Maitland, David 
 
 294 
 
 M'Grigor, Alexander Betinet 
 
 339 
 
 Maitland, George Fergusson 
 
 337 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 
 
 
 473 
 
 
 PAGK 
 
 
 
 PAGK 
 
 Maitlarid, John 
 
 302 
 
 Moncreiff, James (Lord Moncreiff^ 
 
 223 
 
 Maitland, John Hay Bushby 
 
 V. 
 
 Moncreiff, James . 
 
 
 318 
 
 Bushby, John Hay. 
 
 
 Moncreiff, William 
 
 
 32,5 
 
 Maitland, Lord 
 
 126 
 
 Montgomery, James 
 
 , 
 
 174 
 
 Maitland, Lord 
 
 240 
 
 Montgomery, James Francis . 
 
 336 
 
 Maitland, Hon. Thomas 
 
 129 
 
 Monypenny, David (Lord Pitmilly) 1 86 || 
 
 Maitland, Thomas 
 
 259 
 
 Monro, Alexander Binning 
 
 
 308 
 
 Makdougall, Henry 
 
 120 
 
 Moodie, William 
 
 
 139 
 
 Makgill, George 
 
 322 
 
 Morehead, John 
 
 
 202 
 
 Manners, Alexander 
 
 152 
 
 Morlas, Diego Lopez de 
 
 
 236 
 
 Marshall, Andrew- 
 
 110 
 
 Morison, William Maxwell 
 
 
 157 
 
 Marshall, Ebenezer 
 
 153 
 
 Morrison, Charles 
 
 
 324 
 
 Marshall, James 
 
 239 
 
 Morthland, John 
 
 
 114 
 
 Marshall, John 
 
 284 
 
 Mouett, William . 
 
 
 246 
 
 Matheson, Duncan 
 
 247 
 
 Muat, George 
 
 
 76 
 
 Maxwell, William 
 
 177 
 
 Mudie, John 
 
 
 331 
 
 Maxwell, William 
 
 310 
 
 Mundell, R. Champneys 
 
 
 288 
 
 Meiklejohn, Robert 
 
 282 
 
 Murdoch, John Burn, v. 
 
 Burn 
 
 
 Meldrum, Alexander 
 
 296 
 
 John. 
 
 
 
 Melville, John Whytt,v. Wliyt 
 
 , John. 
 
 Mure, David 
 
 
 319 
 
 Menteath, James Stuart 
 
 275 
 
 Mure, J. 0. Lockhart 
 
 
 271 
 
 Menzies, Allan 
 
 302 
 
 Mure, Patrick Boyle 
 
 , 
 
 291 
 
 Menzies, William 
 
 273 
 
 Mure, William 
 
 
 124 
 
 Millar, Alexander 
 
 113 
 
 Murray, Alexander 
 
 , 
 
 294 
 
 Millar, John 
 
 336 
 
 Murray, Andrew 
 
 
 233 
 
 Miller, John 
 
 188 
 
 Murray, John 
 
 
 312 
 
 Miller, John 
 
 232 
 
 Murray, John 
 
 
 327 
 
 Miller, John 
 
 250 
 
 Murray, John Archibald 
 
 (Lord 
 
 
 Miller, Thomas Hamilton 
 
 218 
 
 Murray) 
 
 
 206 
 
 Miller, William (Lord Glenlee 
 
 ) 121 
 
 Murray, Joseph 
 
 , 
 
 244 
 
 Miln, Alexander Hay 
 
 331 
 
 Murray, Patrick 
 
 #■ 
 
 193 
 
 Mitchell, Alexander 
 
 131 
 
 Murray, William Hugli 
 
 
 340 
 
 Mitchell, Andrew 
 
 337 
 
 
 
 
 Moir, Alexander 
 
 138 
 
 Napier, Richard 
 
 , 
 
 267 
 
 Moncreiff, David Scott . 
 
 299 
 
 Nasmith, Michael 
 
 . 
 
 120 
 
 Moncreiff, Sir Henry, Bart. ^ 
 
 89 
 
 Neaves, Charles 
 
 
 299 
 
 Moncreiff, Henry . 
 
 318 
 3 
 
 Newbigging, George Stuart 
 
 
 
 316 
 
474 
 
 ALPHABETICAL 
 
 
 
 PACK 
 
 
 PAGK 
 
 Newbigging, Robert 
 
 252 
 
 Polwarth, Lord, v. Scott, Hugh 
 
 . 
 
 Newton, Richard Hay 
 
 271 
 
 Porter, Henry 
 
 261 
 
 
 
 Potter, John . 
 
 322 
 
 Odier, Louis 
 
 93 
 
 Powerscourt, Viscount, v. Wingfield, 
 
 Ogilvy, David 
 
 3-23 
 
 Hon. Richard. 
 
 
 Ogston, John 
 
 206 
 
 Preston, John 
 
 159 
 
 Oliphant, James Stewart 
 
 176 
 
 Price, Robert 
 
 252 
 
 Oranmore, Lord, v. Browne, 
 
 Do- 
 
 Price, Rose Lambart 
 
 290 
 
 minick. 
 
 
 Pringle, Mark . . . 
 
 124 
 
 Ormsby, John 
 
 ISl 
 
 
 
 Oswald, Alexander 
 
 205 
 
 QuiN, Charles William . 
 
 143 
 
 Oswald, James 
 
 182 
 
 
 
 Oswald, Richard 
 
 284 
 
 Rak, John Wilson . 
 
 203 
 
 
 
 Rae, William 
 
 190 
 
 Panton, Paul 
 
 130 
 
 Rainsford, William Henry 
 
 315 
 
 Park, John 
 
 317 
 
 Rainy, Robert 
 
 339 
 
 Parkin, Henry Goffe 
 
 282 
 
 Ramsay, Sir Alexander, Bart 
 
 ., v. 
 
 Pamell, John 
 
 300 
 
 Burnett, Alexander. 
 
 
 Parsons, Henry John 
 
 266 
 
 Ramsay, Pavid 
 
 242 
 
 Paterson, Adam 
 
 295 
 
 Ramsay, William Wardlaw 
 
 325 
 
 Paterson, James 
 
 158 
 
 Ranfurly, Earl of, v. Knox, Thomas. 
 
 Paterson, M. C. 
 
 280 
 
 Rattray, Baron Clerk, v. Clerk, 
 
 Pattison, George Handasyde 
 
 313 
 
 James. 
 
 
 Pattison, Jacob 
 
 • 148 
 
 Rayley, Richard 
 
 243 
 
 Paul, William P. S. 
 
 333 
 
 Raymond, George 
 
 290 
 
 Pearson, John 
 
 197 
 
 Reddie, John 
 
 307 
 
 Pennell, Richard Lewin . 
 
 278 
 
 Reeve, Henry 
 
 233 
 
 Perceval, Robert . 
 
 140 
 
 Reid, Charles Greenshields 
 
 330 
 
 Perceval, Spencer 
 
 326 
 
 Reid, James John . 
 
 306 
 
 Petty, Lord Henry 
 
 206 
 
 Rhind, Macduff 
 
 310 
 
 Pigou, Frederick 
 
 257 
 
 Richardson, John . 
 
 291 
 
 Pitcairn, David 
 
 iflfl 
 
 Ritchie, Alexander Carnegy 
 
 281 
 
 Playfair, John 
 
 105 
 
 Ritchie, Charles 
 
 310 
 
 Plumbe, John 
 
 174 
 
 Ritchie, William . 
 
 146 
 
 Plummer, Andrew 
 
 76 
 
 Robertson, Alexander 
 
 275 
 
 Polidori, Dr. John William 
 
 274 
 
 Robertson, Charles 
 
 319 
 
 Poltoratski, Dimitri 
 
 167 
 
 Robertson, George 
 
 169 
 

 LIST OF MEMBERS- 
 
 475 
 
 
 pAnK 
 
 
 PAGK 
 
 Robertson, James 
 
 1-22 
 
 Scott, Walter 
 
 191 
 
 Robertson, James 
 
 217 
 
 Scott, William 
 
 217 
 
 Robertson, Masterton 
 
 202 
 
 Seafield, Earl of, v. Grant, Lewis. 
 
 Robertson, Thomas 
 
 113 
 
 Selkirk, Earl of, v. Douglas, Hon. 
 
 Robertson, Thomas 
 
 154 
 
 Thomas. 
 
 
 Robertson, William 
 
 101 
 
 Semple, John William . 
 
 312 
 
 Robinson, George 
 
 297 
 
 Seton, Sir William Coote, Bart. 313 || 
 
 Robison, Charles Knowle 
 
 s . 249 
 
 Shand, Charles Farquhar 
 
 325 
 
 Robley, Joseph 
 
 265 
 
 Shee, William 
 
 301 
 
 Roebuck, John 
 
 85 
 
 Sheppard, John 
 
 273 
 
 Ross, Charles 
 
 175 
 
 Sherriff, Francis 
 
 87 
 
 Ross, David . 
 
 283 
 
 Shiel, John Barclay 
 
 289 
 
 Ross, George ^ 
 
 204 
 
 Shore, Sydney 
 
 257 
 
 Ross, George 
 
 324 
 
 Sibthorpe, James . 
 
 174 
 
 Russell, Francis 
 
 143 
 
 Simpson, James 
 
 220 
 
 Russell, Francis 
 
 334 
 
 Sinclair, Godfrey 
 
 314 
 
 Russell, James 
 
 121 
 
 Sinclair, James 
 
 304 
 
 Russell, Lord John 
 
 261 
 
 Sinclair, John 
 
 112 
 
 Russell, John 
 
 101 
 
 Skeete, Thomas 
 
 167 
 
 Russell, John 
 
 221 
 
 Skene, Andrew 
 
 237 
 
 Russell, William Thoma. 
 
 ! . 224 
 
 Skene, George 
 
 92 
 
 -iRussell, Lord Wriothesle 
 
 y . 298 
 
 Smillie, William . 
 
 327 
 
 Rutherford, John . 
 
 98 
 
 Smith, Alexander . 
 
 340 
 
 Rutherford, Robert' W. 
 
 252 
 
 Smith, James 
 
 282 
 
 Rutherfurd, Andrew 
 
 256 
 
 Smith, Robert 
 
 277 
 
 Ruxton, John Fitzherber 
 
 t . 265 
 
 Smith, Thomas 
 
 176 
 
 
 
 Smollett, Alexander 
 
 299 
 
 St. Saphorin, Armand 
 
 187 
 
 Smyth, James 
 
 177 
 
 St. Saphorin, Henri de M 
 
 estral 186 
 
 Smyth, John 
 
 199 
 
 Sampson, John Curran 
 
 272 
 
 Smyth, Ralph 
 
 288 
 
 Sandilands, Robert 
 
 285 
 
 Snodgrass, David Murray 
 
 228 
 
 Scarlett, William Anglin 
 
 .. 217 
 
 Souter, Alexander 
 
 316 
 
 Scott, David Dundas, v. 
 
 VIoncreifF, 
 
 Southey, Henry Herbert 
 
 235 
 
 David Scott. 
 
 
 Spalding, William 
 
 319 
 
 Scott, Hugh 
 
 132 
 
 Spear, John . 
 
 295 
 
 Scott, John 
 
 323 
 
 Speirs, Graham 
 
 286 
 
 Scott, Thomas 
 
 78 
 
 Stainton, John 
 
 274 
 
476 
 
 ALPHABETICAL 
 
 Stair, Earl of, v. Dalrymple, Lord. 
 
 Stanhope, Hugh Spencer 
 
 298 
 
 Stanhope, John Spencer 
 
 251 
 
 Stanley, John Thomas (Lort 
 
 1 Stan- 
 
 ley of Alderley) 
 
 187 
 
 Stedman, George William 
 
 285 
 
 Steele, Andrew 
 
 177 
 
 Stevens, Dr. Edward 
 
 138 
 
 Stewart, Hon. Charles Franc 
 
 is 216 
 
 Stewart, Dugald 
 
 115 
 
 Stewart, George 
 
 125 
 
 Stewart, George 
 
 185 
 
 Stewart, James Alston, v. i 
 
 ilston. 
 
 James. 
 
 
 Stewart, John Shaw 
 
 267 
 
 Stewart, William . 
 
 114 
 
 Stirling, Thomas Henry 
 
 272 
 
 Stoddart, John Frederick 
 
 302 
 
 Stoddart, Thomas Tod . 
 
 321 
 
 Stokes, John Whiteby . 
 
 150 
 
 Stourton, Hon. Charles 
 
 260 
 
 Straker, CD. 
 
 288 
 
 Strickland, Arthur 
 
 237 
 
 Strickland, Eustaehius . 
 
 255 
 
 Strickland, George 
 
 231 
 
 Stuart, Charles 
 
 75 
 
 Stuart, David 
 
 84 
 
 Swinton, Archibald 
 
 321 
 
 Swinton, John 
 
 136 
 
 Swinton, John 
 
 217 
 
 Syme, David 
 
 297 
 
 Syme, John 
 
 145 
 
 Taafpk, John 
 
 263 
 
 Tait, Craufurd 
 
 175 
 
 Tait, Craufurd 
 
 305 
 
 Tait, John Craufurd 
 
 339 
 
 I'AOE 
 
 Tait, William . . . 131 
 Tara, Lord, v. Preston, Jolm. 
 
 Tarplay, Thomas . . . 1 03 
 
 Taylor, George . . . 323 
 
 Taylor, John . . . 174 
 
 Taylor, John ... 304 
 
 Taylor, William ... 222 
 
 Telfer, Alexander Smollett . 168 
 
 Tempest, Stephen . . 264 
 
 Temple, Hon. William . . 244 
 
 Tennent, Patrick . . 254 
 
 Terray, M 193 
 
 Thackery, W. . . . 276 
 
 Thompson, William . . 221 
 
 Thomson, Alexander . . 284 
 
 Thomson, Alexander Skene . 303 
 
 Thomson, Anthony Todd . 218 
 
 Thomson, John . . . 194 
 
 Thomson, William . . 339 
 
 Thriepland, Patrick . . 150 
 
 Tilliere, Delaunay de . . 176 
 
 Tomlinson, J. W. . . . 298 
 
 Torrance, Frederick William . 338 
 
 Torrence, William . . 77 
 
 Torrie, Thomas Jamiesou . 317 
 
 Touch, William ... 76 
 
 Townshend, Hon. Charles . 1 77 
 
 Traill, George . . . 256 
 
 Traill, James ... 277 
 
 Trotter, Richard . . . 304 
 
 Turnbull, James . . . 188 
 
 Turnbull, John . . 336 
 Tytler, Alexander (Lord Wood- 
 
 houselee) .... 79 
 
 Tytler, James . . . 100 
 
 Tytler, William Fraser . . 208 
 
 Tytler, William Gillies . . 333 
 
LIST OP MEMBERS. 
 
 477 
 
 Ui-coQ, Clement J. A. 
 Urquhart, Adam 
 Urquhart, Charles Gordon 
 Urquhart, James 
 Urquhart, Robert . 
 Urquhart, William 
 
 Vans, Henry Stewart 
 Varral, Richard 
 Vere, J. J. Hope 
 Vivian, Charles Pasley 
 Vivian, John 
 Vivian, John 
 Vivian, John Ennis 
 
 Wade, R. C. 
 Walker, James 
 AValker, Josiah 
 Walker, Robert 
 AV^all, Martin Sandys 
 Walsh, Dr. J. 
 Warrack, John 
 Warrand, John 
 Watson, Heyworth 
 Wauchope, James 
 Waugh, John 
 Webster, George . 
 Webster, Henry 
 Webster, Jamea 
 Webster, Thomas W. 
 Wedderburn, James 
 
 PAOK 
 
 340 
 268 
 249 
 139 
 173 
 279 
 
 264 
 188 
 269 
 287 
 128 
 197 
 242 
 
 322 
 255 
 159 
 125 
 254 
 283 
 339 
 286 
 339 
 181 
 203 
 288 
 258 
 292 
 310 
 249 
 
 
 PAGK 
 
 Weir, William 
 
 307 
 
 Weld, Charles 
 
 321 
 
 Wells, William Charles 
 
 132 
 
 Welsh, John May 
 
 339 
 
 Weston, Ferdinand 
 
 235 
 
 Whigham, Robert 
 
 278 
 
 White, William Logan . 
 
 271 
 
 Whyte, Alexander 
 
 202 
 
 Whytt, John 
 
 120 
 
 Whytt, Robert 
 
 80 
 
 Wight, James 
 
 277 
 
 Wilde, John 
 
 147 
 
 Wilkes, Stephen Geary . 
 
 247 
 
 Wilkie, William Clark . 
 
 3J3 
 
 Williamson, James 
 
 281 
 
 Wilson, Andrew 
 
 78 
 
 Wilson, Hutton 
 
 331 
 
 Wilson, James 
 
 247 
 
 Wilson, John 
 
 265 
 
 Wilson, John Pettigrew . 
 
 S.SS 
 
 Wilson, Thomas 
 
 148 
 
 Wingfield, Hon. Richard 
 
 155 
 
 Wood, Alexander 
 
 321 
 
 Wright, William . 
 
 234 
 
 Wrightson, William Battie 
 
 275 
 
 Wursley, R. E. 
 
 202 
 
 Wylie, William . 
 
 143 
 
 a 
 
 Zamovski, Count Arthur . 293 
 
 Zamoyski, Count Constantine 293 
 
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 PETER F. AIKEN, Esq., Banker, Bristol. 
 
 PATRICK ARKLEY, Esq., of Dunninald. 
 
 WILLIAM E. AYTOUN, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 JOHN MACKINTOSH BALFOUR, Esq., W.S. 
 
 JAMES BALFOUR, Junior, Esq., W.S. 
 
 ROBERT BALFOUR, Esq., Accountant. 
 
 ARCHIBALD BELL, Esq., Sheriff of Ayrshire. 
 
 JOHN MONTGOMERY BELL, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 ROBERT BELL, Junior, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 JOHN BORTHWICK, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 THE REV. ROBERT BRUCE BOSWELL, Calcutta. 
 
 ARCHIBALD T. BOYLE, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 RICHARD BRIGHT, M.D., London. 
 
 ALEXANDER O. BRODIE, Esq. 
 
 JOHN CLERK BRODIE, Esq., W.S. 
 
 THE RIGHT HON. LORD BROUGHAM AND VAUX, Larye Paj>er. 
 
 ARCHIBALD BROUN, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 HUGH BRUCE, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 THE REV. ALEXANDER BRUNTON, D.D. 
 
 THE RIGHT HON. LORD CALTHORPE, Large Paper. 
 
 ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, Esq., of Auchindarroch. 
 
 SIR ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL of Succoth, Bart. 
 
 JAMES CAMPBELL, Junior, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 NEIL COLQUHOUN CAMPBELL, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 THE RIGHT HON. LORD CAREW, Large Paper. 
 
 ELIAS CATHCART, Esq., of Auchindrain. 
 
 WILLIAM BENNET CLARK, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 PATRICK CLEGHORN, Esq., Wakefield, Fifeshire. 
 
 THOMAS CLEGHORN, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 THE RIGHT HON. SIR GEORGE CLERK, Bart., M.P. 
 
480 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 THE HON. LORD COCKBURN, Large. Pap,r. 
 
 JOHN C. COLQUHOUN, Esq., M.P. 
 
 JOHN COWAN, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 WILLIAM GIBSON CEAIG, Esq., M.P. 
 
 JAMES T. GIBSON CRAIG, Esq., W.S., Laryr- Paper. 
 
 JAMES CRAUFURD, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 ARCHIBALD DAVIDSON, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 GEORGE DEAS, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 JOHN DEWAR, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 ANDREW COVENTRY DICK, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 JOHN DONALDSON, Esq., of Auchairne. 
 
 FRANCIS BROWN DOUGLAS, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 HENRY HOME DRUMMOND, Esq., M.P. 
 
 THE REV. HENRY DUNCAN, D.D., Ruthwell. 
 
 ALEXANDER DUNLOP, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 JOHN DUNLOP, Esq., of Brocklocli. 
 
 COLONEL FERGUSON, Grenadier Guards. 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JAMES FERGUSON. 
 
 SIR CHARLES DALRYMPLE FERGUSSON of Kilkerran, Bart. 
 
 THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF FINGALL. 
 
 ANGUS FLETCHER, Esq., of Dunans, Large Paper. 
 
 GORDON FORLONG, Esq. 
 
 SIR JAMES FORREST of Comiston, Bart., Large Paper. 
 
 RICHARD FOWLER, M.D., F.R.S., Salisbury. 
 
 JOHN FARQUHAR ERASER, Esq., Barrister-at-Law. 
 
 PROFESSOR GILLESPIE, St. Andrews (deceased.) 
 
 JAMES GLASSFORD, Esq., of Dugalston. 
 
 JOHN THOMSON GORDON, Esq., Advocate, Large Pajwr. 
 
 JOSEPH GORDON, Esq., W.S. 
 
 ROBERT GRAHAM, Esq., of Redgorton, lAirge Paper. 
 
 ARCHIBALD GRAHAME, Esq. 
 
 WILLIAM PATRICK GRANT, Esq., Younger of Rothiemurchus. 
 
 THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF HADDINGTON, Large Pa^er. 
 
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 481 
 
 ALEXANDER HALDANE, Esq., Barrister-at-Law. 
 FREDERICK HALLARD, Esq., Advocate. 
 JAMES HAMILTON, Esq., of Kames, Large Paper. 
 JOHN HAMILTON, Esq., Advocate. 
 PROFESSOR SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, Bart. 
 ROBERT HANDYSIDE, Esq., Sheriff of Stirlingshire. 
 DAVID HANNAY, Esq., London. 
 SIR JOHN HAY, Bart., Stirling. 
 ALEXANDER HENDERSON, M.D., London. 
 F. L. MAITLAND HERIOT, Esq., Advocate. 
 THOMAS HOG, Esq., London. 
 PROFESSOR HOME, M.D. (deceased.) 
 
 THE RIGHT HON. LORD BERNARD HOWARD, Large Paper. 
 ROBERT HUNTER, Esq., Sheriff of Buteshire. 
 HENRY INGLIS, Esq., W.S. 
 
 ALEXANDER FORBES IRVINE, Junior, Esq., Advocate. 
 THOMAS IVORY, Esq., Lincoln's Inn. 
 WILLIAM IVORY, Esq. 
 THE HON. LORD S^VFR^Y , Large Paper. 
 DAVID JOBSON, Esq., Dundee. 
 
 THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD JUSTICE-GENERAL. 
 THE RIGHT HON. THOMAS F. KENNEDY, of Dunure. 
 THE MOST NOBLE THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE, Large Paper. 
 JAMES LOCH, Esq., M.P., Large Paper. 
 JAMES LORIMER, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 EDWARD LUCAS, Esq., Under-Secretary of State for Ireland. 
 ^NEAS MACBEAN, Esq., W.S., Large Paper. 
 JOHN M. M'CANDLISH, Esq. 
 ENEAS RONALD MACDONELL, Esq. 
 JOHN C. MACDONALD, Esq., London. 
 HENRY MACDOUGALL, Esq., Brighton. 
 JOHN M'FARLAN, Esq., of Kirkton. 
 THE REV. JAMES M'FARLAN, Muiravonside. 
 
 3 P 
 
482 
 
 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 ALEXANDER BENNET M'GRIGOR, Esq. 
 THE HON. LORD MACKENZIE. 
 
 THE REV. JOHN WILLIAM MACKIE, F.R.S., London. 
 JOHN MACKINTOSH, Esq. 
 JAMES MACKONOCHIE, Esq. 
 ALEXANDER MACLENNAN, Esq. 
 ALEXANDER M'NEILL, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 THE RIGHT HON. DUNCAN M'NEILL, M.P., Lord Advocate of Scot- 
 land, Large Paper. 
 SIR JOHN M'NEILL, G.C.B. 
 
 PATRICK B. MURE MACREDIE, Esq., of Perceton. 
 GEORGE FERGUSSON MAITLAND, Esq., of Hermand. 
 JOHN MAITLAND, Esq., Accountant. 
 THOMAS MAITLAND, Esq., of Dundrennan, Z^rge Paper. 
 ALLAN MENZIES, Esq., W.S. 
 JOHN MILLAR, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 SIR WILLIAM MILLER, of Glenlee, Bart., iar^« Pa^jcr. 
 THE HON. LORD MONCREIFF, Large Paper. 
 JAMES MONCREIFF, Esq., Advocate, Large Paper. 
 WILLIAM MONCREIFF, Esq., Accountant. 
 JAMES F. MONTGOMERY, Esq., Advocate? 
 DAVID MON YPENN Y, Esq., of Pitmilly. 
 
 CHARLES MORRISON, Esq., Younger of Fonthill, Large Paper. 
 WILLIAM H. MURRAY, Esq., of Geanies. , 
 CHARLES NEAVES, Esq., Sheriff of Orkney. 
 GEORGE H. PATTISON, Esq., Advocate. 
 JOHN POTTER, Esq., Buile Hill, Manchester, Large Paper. 
 ROBERT RAINY, Esq. 
 RICHARD RAYLEY, Esq., Barrister-at-Law. 
 ALEXANDER CARNEGIE RITCHIE, Esq., Advocate. 
 THE RIGHT HON. LORD JOHN RUSSELL, M.P., Large Paper. 
 JOHN RUSSELL, Esq., Principal Clerk of Session. 
 ANDREW RUTHERFURD, Efq., M.P., Large Paper. 
 
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 483 
 
 JOHN SCOTT, Esq., of Teviotbank. 
 
 JAMES SIMPSON, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 JOHN SPEAK, Esq., London. 
 
 GRAHAM SPEIRS, Esq., Sheriff of Mid-Lothian, Large Paper. 
 
 THE RIGHT HON. LORD STANLEY of kUetXe^ , Large Paper. 
 
 JOHN SPENCER STANHOPE, Esq., F.R.S., London. 
 
 ARTHUR STRICKLAND, Esq., Bridlington Quay, Yorkshire. 
 
 SIR GEORGE STRICKLAND, Bart., M.P. 
 
 PROFESSOR SWINTON, Edinburgh, Larye Paper. 
 
 DAVID SYME, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 GEORGE TAYLOR, Esq., W.S., London. 
 
 ALEXANDER THOMSON, Esq., of Banchory. 
 
 ANTHONY TODD THOMSON, M.D., London. 
 
 RICHARD TROTTER, Esq., of Mortonhall, Large Paper. 
 
 JOHN TURNBULL, Esq., W.S. 
 
 WILLIAM GILLIES TYTLER, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 ADAM URQUHART, Esq., Sheriff of Wigtonshire. 
 
 J OHN ENNIS VIVIAN, Esq., M.P., Large Paper 
 
 ROBERT WHIGHAM, Esq., Sheriff of Perthshire. 
 
 WILLIAM LOGAN WHITE, Esq., of Kellerstain. 
 
 HUTTON WILSON, Esq., W.S. 
 
 JOHN PETTIGREW WILSON, Esq. 
 
 PROFESSOR WILSON, Edinburgh. 
 
 SUBSCRIBERS NOT MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. 
 
 CAPTAIN BLAIR of Blair, R.N. 
 JAMES BONA^, Esq., W.S. 
 
 THOMAS ALEXANDER BOSWELL, Esq., Crawley Grange, Bucks, Large 
 Paper. 
 
484 
 
 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 HUGH S. BRINGLOE, Esq. 
 
 GENERAL SIR THOMAS MAKDOUGALL BRISBANE of Brisbane and 
 
 Makerstoun, Bart, G.C.B., G.C.H. 
 O. TYNDALL BRUCE, Esq., of Falkland, Large Paper. 
 MRS. CAMPBELL of Kilberry. 
 
 JOSEPH WALTER KING EYTON, Esq., Leamington, Large Paper. 
 MRS. FLETCHER, Lancrigg. 
 EDWARD S. GORDON, Esq., Advocate. 
 WILLIAM GORDON, Esq., Dumfries. 
 MISS GRESWOLDE, Worcester. 
 THOMAS HAMILTON, Esq., Bookseller, London. 
 
 LEONARD L. HARTLEY, Esq., Middleton Lodge, Yorkshire, Lmye Paper. 
 HENRY DAVID HILL, Esq., W.S. 
 THE REV. JOHN HORNER, Mells Rectory. 
 LEONARD HORNER, Esq., London. 
 COSMO' INNES, Esq., Sheriff of Elginshire. 
 THE LIBRARY OF THE FACULTY OF ADVOCATES. 
 THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH. 
 THE LIBRARY OF THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET. 
 THE EDINBURGH SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY. 
 NATHANIEL LISTER, M.D., London. 
 ALEXANDER MACBEAN, Esq., British Consul, Leghorn. 
 ^NEAS MACBEAN, Esq., Rome. 
 MRS. MACDONALD of St. Martins, Large Paper. 
 JOHN WHITEFOORD MACKENZIE, Esq., W.S., Large Paper. 
 EDWARD F. MAITLAND, Esq., Advocate. 
 JOHN MARTIN, Esq., W.S. 
 ROBERT PERCEVAL MAXWELL,.Esq.,ofFinnebrogue, County of Down, 
 
 Large Paper. 
 JOHN T. MOWBRAY, Esq., W.S. 
 ANDREW MURRAY, Junior, Esq., W.S. 
 PROFESSOR PILLANS, Edinburgh. 
 WILLIAM H. PLAYFAIR, Esq., Architect. 
 
LIST OF SUBSCRIBKRS. 485 
 
 MRS. REID, Pittenweem. 
 
 JOHN RICHARDSON, Esq., Solicitor, London. 
 
 WILLIAM SMYTHE, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 JAMES STEUART, Esq., W.S. 
 
 THE REV. JAMES THOMSON, D.D., Eccles. 
 
 THOMAS THOMSON, Esq., W.S. 
 
 THE REV. ALEXANDER TORRENCE, Glencross. 
 
 THE REV. JOHN EDWARD TOUCH, Kinnoull. 
 
 ALEXANDER WOOD, M.D., Edinburgh. 
 
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