tion of the game of war; but these will never eradicate the principle. The tendency to war has its origin in elements with which the religion of Christ only can successfully grapple. This, we are glad to observe, is now distinctly recognised in the majority of the speeches delivered at Peace meetings, and especially, as we have already said, at the recent Glasgow one. In a subsequent number we shall enter more into detail; and we shall endeavour to furnish our readers with all the information, in reference to Peace Society movements, which may be necessary for inducing them to give attention to a subject vastly important at all times, but intensely so at the present mo

ment.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

LORD KAMES.

was suspended, and a short conversation ensued on the business to which the papers related, in which the young man acquitted himself so much to the president's satisfaction, as to draw from him a very handsome compliment on his knowledge and proficiency in the law. The conversation then turned to general topics, and was prolonged with much pleasure, while the young lady made tea; and afterwards, at her father's desire, sung, and played some Scotch airs on the harpsichord. The youth was struck with every particular of the scene in which he had borne a part; and his ardent mind, as he was wont himself to relate, caught instant fire from the impression. Happy the man,' said he to himself, whose old age, crowned with honour and dignity, can thus repose itself after the labours of the day in the bosom of his family, amidst all the elegant enjoyments that affluence justly earned can command! Such are the fruits of eminence in the profession of the law. From that moment Mr Home resolved to abandon the more limited

'advocate before the Supreme Court.'

Having resolved to follow the profession of a barrister, he commenced a most laborious and extensive course of study, which he pursued with an ardour and enthusiasm rarely surpassed. The classics, mathematics, metaphysics, as well as the dry and uninteresting details of Scottish law, occupied his attention; and to his credit be it told, that in each of these branches he was eminent; and in each of them he was his own instructor.

HENRY HOME, an eminent lawyer, and one of the most dis-occupation of a writer, and qualify himself for being an tinguished men that has adorned the Scottish bench, belonged to an honourable and ancient family, and was born at Kames, in the county of Berwick, in the year 1696. His father was a landholder; he was bred to no profession, and having a large family and an income much smaller than his style of living required, he so reduced his fortune, that when the subject of this sketch came to manhood, he found he had nothing to trust to for his future support but his own talents and exertions. Henry, at first, was much grieved at knowing that the family estate had been so curtailed as to prevent him from being 'the country gentleman,' as his ancestors had been; but he soon perceived that it was good for him that he had no fortune to depend upon; and to this, in after life, he uniformly ascribed his great eminence and success. He was persuaded that, had he been born to affluence, or even to competency, his name would never have obtained that high place in law and literature which it has long held, and which it will continue to hold in the records of distinguished Scotchmen.

We have little to tell regarding his early history. He was a smart lively boy; was educated at home under a private tutor of the name of Wingate, a man of high talent and acquirements; but, according to his pupil's testimony, a most severe disciplinarian. So rigid was he in Henry's estimation, that he remembered his severity till his death, and delighted in narrating how, many years after, he punished the tutor for the chastisements which he received when under his guardianship at Kames. Mr Wingate had purchased a small piece of land, and in order to guard against defects in the title-deeds he consulted Mr Home, then in the height of his reputation as a lawyer. After examining carefully the parchments, he addressed himself to Wingate, affecting to be much excited: Pray, sir, is your bargain finally concluded?' Not only so,' said Wingate, but the price is paid.' How unlucky!' said Mr Home, and here he began to point out numberless flaws which would lead to endless litigation, which made the sweat run in streams from the brow of the pedagogue; and after he had alarmed him for a little, he said, 'Mr Wingate, you may remember how you made me smart of yore for very small offences; now, I think our accounts are cleared, take up your parchments, and go home with an easy mind; your titles are excellent.'

In January, 1723, Mr Home was called to the bar. The Court of Session was then composed of men of high eminence, and the bar could boast of the most distinguished advocates that ever pled before a bench. The celebrity of his compeers, whilst it kindled his emulation, was for a time a barrier to his prosperity, and therefore, for several years, he had few briefs and little pay. The following anecdote relating to this period is creditable to him, and shows us the early difficulties with which he had to struggle: 'During the first years of my attendance at the bar,' says he, when my finances were very slender, and quite unequal to that expensive style of living in which my companions had engaged me, I found, on summing up my accounts, that I had unawares contracted debts to the amount of £300. What is to be done?' said I; 'I must not burden my father with this-he cannot afford it.' I withdrew at once from that society, and lived in the most private manner till I had cleared off the debt.' From this period better days dawned upon the young advocate, and an opportunity soon occurred to bring into view his shining talents, and to inspire him with some hope of future success. The case was an intricate competition among the creditors of a bankrupt. Having written an able paper on the subject, Lord Minto, on coming down from the bench, took him by the hand and said, 'Mr Home, I am glad to see your name at this paper, it is good reasoning, and closely to the point; you have done like an able mathematician, thrown out all the useless quantities, and given us only the equations.' This compliment from such a quarter was exceedingly gratifying to a young man who had been fighting his way for years at the bar, and who up this period had received little patronage, and less remuneration. His career now became prosperous in a high degree. When the helpless barrister, he was the hard student; and, as a proof of his diligence, he published at this time a folio volume of Remarkable Decisions in the Court of Session, from 1716 to 1728;' a work which drew forth the commendations of judges, advocates, and the leading members of the legal profession. In 1732, he published Essays on Several Subjects in Law,' which excited universal admiration, stamped his character as a profound and scientific lawyer, and gained him such celebrity at the bar, that he was engaged as counsel in cases of the highest importance.

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After young Home had received all the education which it was supposed his hard tutor could give him, he entered the office of a writer to the signet in Edinburgh. His purpose then was to qualify himself for the profession of a solicitor before the Supreme Court; but a very trifling incident changed his mind, and led him to choose another and a better field for the development of his genius. One winter evening,' writes his biographer, his master sent him with some papers to the house of Sir Hew Dalrymple, then President of the Court of Session, who lived in a sort of suburban villa at the end of Bristo Street. He was shown In 1741, Mr Home married Miss Agatha Drummond, a into the parlour, a very elegant apartment, where a daugh- younger daughter of James Drummond, Esq. of Blair, in the ter of the president, a beautiful young lady, was perform- county of Perth, a clever, kind, and amiable lady. As their ing a piece of music on the harpsichord, while the vener-income was not large, especially for the extensive circle of able judge sat by her with his book on the table. The music friends with whom they were associated, there was a ne

cessity for considerable household economy, to which the Deity from being the author of sin, has been found hitherto young wife paid the most scrupulous attention. The only to exceed all the power of philosophy-happy if she be thing, it would seem, in which her husband thought her thence sensible of her temerity when she pries into these extravagant, was the purchasing of old china, of which sublime mysteries; and leaving a scene so full of obscurishe was passionately fond. To cure her of the propensity, ties and perplexities, return with suitable modesty to her he devised this expedient; he made a will bequeathing to true and proper province-the examination of common life her the whole china which should be found in his posses--where she will find difficulties enow to employ her insion at his death; and this deed he immediately put into quiries, without launching into so boundless an ocean of her hand. Having perused it, she saw at once for whose doubt and uncertainty.' benefit the document had been prepared, smiled at the 'plot,' and like a prudent lady resolved to make no more purchases. But, with the exception of this little matter of the old china,' Mrs Home was every thing in the estimation of her husband; and the union, which was long continued, was of the happiest description.

Mr Home continued to prosecute his studies with his wonted ardour. He rose early-in summer about five, and in winter two hours before daybreak. He devoted the mornings to preparing for the court, and the evenings to study, unless engaged with business or with friends. As a proof of his diligent study and research, he published in this year, in two volumes folio, a Dictionary of Decisions of the Court of Session, from its first institution to the year 1740,' a work of much labour, and of the greatest utility to every practical lawyer. With him it was a rule never to be idle; and his time was so divided, and he was so careful in husbanding it, that it was no trivial matter which would make him break in upon the hours which he had set apart for reading and study. The result of this close application was, that he rose rapidly in public estimation, not merely as an advocate, but as a scholar; and as a further proof of his studious habits, as well as his high intellectual qualifications, he published in 1747 a Treatise on British Antiquities,' which gained him great celebrity as a writer. Indeed, by this time, his talents were appreciated not merely by his rivals at the bar, the judges on the bench, and the literati of the metropolis, but by learned men in various parts of the world, with whom he carried on a regular correspondence, and some of whom courted his suggestions and criticisms on their works, both before and after their publication. Among the rest were Dr Samuel Clarke, Bishop Butler, David Hume, and Benjamin Franklin.

In 1752, Mr Home was appointed one of the judges of the Court of Session, and took his seat on the bench under the title of Lord Kames. The appointment gave universal satisfaction. Nor did he disappoint the expectations which were formed of him; for, with all his superiority of talent, literary attainments, and accurate and extensive acquaintance with the jurisprudence of his country, he was diffident and unassuming, and most courteous and respectful to those who were associated with him. Equally so was he to those who pled before him; he listened with patience and a becoming regard to the arguments of the senior counsel, from whom he expected light and information; and with a kind indulgence to those of the younger barristers, whose diffidence he loved to animate by the urbanity of his demeanour, and whose early indications of ability he delighted to foster-a most engaging and amiable feature of his mind, which was not only conspicuous in his character as a judge, but attended him in every department of his private and public life.' With such a kind and gentlemanly bearing, with such professional and moral qualifications, Lord Kames was not long in his new situation till he was regarded as one of the greatest ornaments of the Scottish bench. An individual well qualified to judge (Adam Smith) said, years after, 'We must every one of us acknowledge Kames for our master.'

Lord Kames was now in the zenith of his popularity; and, as a mark of the high esteem in which he was held by his country, he was associated with the board of trustees for the encouragement of the fisheries, arts and manufactures of Scotland, and chosen one of the commissioners for the management of the forfeited estates annexed to the crown, the rents of which were to be applied to the improvement of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. These appointments were important, the duties onerous, and yet, Hitherto Mr Home had employed his pen on works of with all his professional labours, he was seldom absent from jurisprudence, or on subjects connected with it. But a meeting, generally officiating as chairman, and taking a scarcely had his essays on British Antiquities' issued principal part in all their proceedings. It is not too much from the press, when he directed his acute and philo- to say, that to the stimulus thus given to husbandry and sophical mind to metaphysical studies; and, notwithstand- manufactures by his activity and public spirit, is to be asing the pressure of his professional employment, he, in cribed much of that advancement which has since been 1751, gave to the world Essays on the Principles of Mo- made in these branches of national prosperity. He excited rality and Natural Religion.' The work was replete with the emulation of many a landholder in reference to the imingenuity; full of clear, masterly reasoning. It excited provement and cultivation of his property, and kindled the general attention, gave rise to much controversy, and spirit of honourable rivalry in many departments of comwas extremely obnoxious to a great part of the Scot-mercial enterprise. In carrying out the plans projected tish nation. It was supposed by some to be infidel in its by him as a member of these important commissions, he tendency; was severely criticised in many quarters; and showed the same deference to the opinions of others, the the author being a member of the Church of Scotland, an same kindness and courtesy to his associates, as well as to attempt was made to have him censured for it at the bar the poorer classes of the community, whose condition he of the General Assembly. But after the work was more wished to benefit, for which he had hitherto been distincarefully examined, and he had made certain explana- guished. Dr John Walker, professor of natural history, tions, and retracted a few of the more offensive expres- narrates the following circumstance connected with these sions, the matter was quashed, and no censure was inflicted. appointments, which is alike honourable to his lordship and And perhaps this was the best conclusion to which they his excellent lady. I have frequently,' said he, ‘visited could have come; for the question of Liberty and Neces- him on a morning; and his breakfast, which was at an sity'-the question which caused all this debate-is one on early hour, was a very elegant one, and usually a sort of which great and good men have long differed, and is at- levee-those of his acquaintance who came to ask his advice tended with difficulties, whatever view is advocated. The or talk to him on matters that interested them; young language of an eminent writer who adopted Mr Home's lawyers who walked with him to the court (as the Patroni sentiments, but who did not possess his religious princi- were attended of old at Rome); and sometimes strangers ples, is very correct, and deserves the attention of both who had been recommended to his attention and patronage; parties: These are mysteries which mere natural unas- and I seldom missed finding in the lobby some tradesmen sisted reason is very unfit to handle; and whatever system or countrymen who came to speak to him about applications she embraces, she must find herself involved in inextricable they had made to the board of trustees for bounties, or difficulties, and even contradictions, at every step which premiums for new inventions, or to the commissioners of anshe takes in regard to such subjects. To reconcile the in- nexed estates; and all such applications he listened to with difference and the contingency of human action with pre- the utmost attention. To do Mrs Drummond justice, she science, or to defend absolute decrees, and yet free the never failed to remind him of those poor petitioners and

friend, Dr Graham Moir of Leckie, saying-In the name of wonder, doctor, what prodigy of learning have you got in Stirling, who is capable of writing these letters, which I received a few days ago?' The doctor, after glancing over a few pages, answered- I think-I think I know him. There is but one man who is able to write these letters, and a most extraordinary man he is-David Doig, the master of our grammar-school.' 'What!' said Lord Kames, 'a genius of this kind within a few miles of my house, and I never to have heard of him!-and a fine fellow, too! He tells his mind roundly and plainly-I love him for that; he does not spare me-I respect him the more. You must make us acquainted, my good doctor. I will write him a card, and to-morrow, if you please, you shall bring him to dine with me.' The meeting took place; the subject was discussed; and, though neither could boast of mak-pressive prayer; and on leaving the garden, where this ing a convert of his antagonist, a cordial friendship was formed, and a literary correspondence begun which was continued till his lordship's death.

My dear child, don't talk of my disease; I have no disease but old age. I know that Mrs Drummond and my son are of a different opinion; but why should I distress them sooner than is necessary? I know well that no physician on earth can do me the smallest service, for I feel that I am dying, and my mind is prepared for that event. I leave this world in peace and good will to all mankind. You know the dread I have had of outliving my faculties; of that, I trust, there is now no great probability, as my body decays so fast. My life has been a long one, and prosperous, on the whole, beyond my deserts; but I would fain indulge the hope that it has not been useless to my fellow-creatures. My last wish regarded my son and you, my dear child, and I have seen it accomplished. I am now ready to obey my Maker's summons.' He then poured forth a short but solemn and iminterview took place, he said, 'This is my last farewell to this place; I think I shall never see it more I go to town chiefly to satisfy Mrs Drummond; but go where I will, I know I am in the hands of Almighty God. Indeed, his presentiment regarding the near approach of death was so strong, that he was displeased when his recovery was hinted at by any of the family; but, in order to gratify his beloved wife, he left Blairdrummond in the beginning of November, and took up his residence in Edinburgh. On the first day of the session, he took his seat on the bench; but finding his strength rapidly failing, he, after a few days, took a separate, affectionate, and solemn farewell of each of the judges. He said that he would never be in court or see them again, and he was right, for, on the 27th December, 1782, he died.

of the day he was the parent and the patron.

The improvement of agriculture in Scotland, as we have seen, was an object which had occupied much of Lord Kames's attention; and, in order to its further advancement, when in his eightieth year, he published a work entitled the Gentleman Farmer, being an Attempt to Improve Agriculture by subjecting it to the Test of Rational Principles. At the time of its publication, it was regarded as an excellent treatise on husbandry, unequalled by any former production; and notwithstanding all the discoveries which have been made in science, and the improvements which have taken place in the cultivation of the soil, it is still a work which any practical farmer may peruse with much advantage. So excellent a treatise on a branch Thus closed a long, active, and useful life-a life of unof industry then in its infancy in Scotland, and from the ceasing exertion for the public good. Industry and public pen of one so high in station and eminent in talent, ex- spirit were the qualities for which he was distinguished; cited the attention of the landholders, and of the more in- and these, in union with his high talents, gained for him telligent of the farming population, and did much to stimu- the eminence he so long adorned. Few before him devoted late them to increased energy and enterprise. The book be- so much time to advance trade and agriculture, or took such came a favourite in high quarters; a copy of it was pre- an active part in the making and repairing of turnpike sented to his Majesty George III., for which he returned roads, erecting bridges, building comfortable houses for the his thanks, with an expression of his esteem for the author, poor and industrious portion of the population, and proand his delight at knowing that agriculture was being pa- curing for them suitable and remunerating employment. tronised in the north by men of talent and attainments. Of all such patriotic schemes he was the zealous advocate, Lord Kames was now fourscore years, and it might have and he was ever ready to support them with his pen, his been supposed that he would now lay aside his pen, and purse, or personal influence. Nor was it simply agriculcrown a youth of labour with an age of ease.' But his tural and manufacturing projects in which he took an inmental powers were still vigorous, his constitution little im-terest. Of several of the literary and scientific institutions paired, and he retained all his early vivacity, and studied as closely as at any former period of his history. As Lord Kames was a man of great uprightness; most conevidences of his intellectual vigour and unwearied appli- scientious in the discharge of the duties of every office to cation, he published Elucidation respecting the Common which he was appointed; sincere in his friendships; open and Statute Law of Scotland,' and shortly after another in his manners; free from pride of rank; and devoid of volume of Select Decisions of the Court of Session.' From everything like literary ostentation; and according to the this time his faculties began to fail, though his mind was testimony of an excellent clergyman,' an eminently devout yet so strong that, in his eighty-fifth year, he published a man.' He was fond of conversation, but abhorred everyvolume, entitled Loose Hints upon Education, chiefly con- thing like gossip; was never known to whisper detraction, cerning the Culture of the Heart.' This, in some respects, far less scandal; and when such a spirit was displayed is the most remarkable of his productions, especially when in his presence, he invariably checked it. He was nawe take into account his advanced age, and that it is an turally amiable; studied all his life to give no man needunfinished work; for, fearing his end was at hand, he less offence; and when offence was taken, he was much was willing,' he tells us, that it should appear in a loose grieved, and was always ready to make an acknowledgattire, rather than that he should end his life under the ment. A remarkable illustration we have of this feature painful regret that he had left anything undone which of character in the case of Dr Blacklock, who was offended could benefit mankind.' The plan recommended, the ad- at his lordship on account of the following passage in his vices given, the loose hints' thrown out, are all admi-Sketches of Man:'-' Man, an imitative animal, is prone rable; and, though the language is perhaps not so correct to copy others; and, by imitation, external behaviour as in his former publications, yet it is pleasing to think is nearly uniform among those who study to be agreeable; that such a production should have closed the literary witness people of fashion in France. I am acquainted labours of this highly gifted man. When Lord Kames had with a blind man, who, without moving his feet, is connearly completed his eighty-sixth year, his health began stantly balancing from side to side, excited probably by some greatly to decline, and he believed his death was not far internal impulse. Had he been endowed with eye-sight, off. He was residing at Blairdrummond, and his family he would have imitated the manners of others.' Having thought that, by his removal to Edinburgh, the skill and learned that the doctor was displeased with the above reattention of his medical friend, Dr Cullen, might be the ference, he immediately addressed the following letter to means of recruiting him, and protracting his life. But he a common friend :- You did well to send me the letter redid not think so himself; and when his daughter-in-law lative to Dr Blacklock; and I must beg of you that you will hinted that a visit to the city might be attended with good immediately wait on that gentleman in my name, and asresults, he said, with an earnest and animated expression, sure him of my particular regard, and that I have ever

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