experience and from analogy, the causes which contribute to the formation of such particular character, and the proper means for establishing a good, confirming an uncertain, and shaking off a drowsy and ungodly, habit of mind. We forbear making any extracts from a volume, which is less remarkable for containing brilliant passages than for its general good sense; but we heartily commend the volume itself to the perusal of all whose taste has not been so much vitiated as to make them reject the plain, wholesome doctrines of religion, as applicable to the common business of life, and the formation of the Christian character. Nevertheless, we have somewhat against Dr Muir. It is this,-that, although his style is, in general, correct, and his composition elegant, his book is sometimes disfigured with affected prettinesses of expression, and an ambition of language, which displeases because it is unnecessary, and is obviously a straining at effect. We are the less disposed to tolerate these violations of good taste in the present instance, because we understand that, to the virtues of an amiable and pious mind, Dr Muir unites, in an eminent degree, the accomplishments of the distinguished scholar. to consider as singularly injudicious and unprofitable. We allude to those prophets, of whom the Rev. Edward Irving is the modern representative, who, seeking to be wise above what is permitted, have devoted much time, and no inconsiderable talents, to a vain attempt at unveiling futurity by fanciful glosses on the mysterious visions of the inspired apostle. We say a vain attempt, because we consider the legitimate use of prophecy to be this, to prepare us in a general way for the future manifestations of God's providence,-to sustain the constancy of saints by shadowing out to them the general features, the trials, the prosperity, and the final triumph of the church, -and to furnish, as soon as the prefigured events shall have actually come to pass, incontrovertible proof of His authority by whom they were revealed, and of the truth of that revelation with which they are inseparably connected. If we look to the Old Testament prophecies concerning our Saviour, we shall find that they were calculated to serve this very purpose; to us, these prophecies are clear as noon-day, and even a child can trace their pointed application to our Saviour's character, and their striking accomplishment in the circumstances of his life, and death, and resurrection: and yet to the Jewish doctors these very prophecies were so difficult, as to give rise to theories as unsound, and as absurd, as the speculations of the Millennium doctors of our own day. But we not only hold On Financial Reform. By Sir Henry Parnell, Bart., that the prophecies of the Apocalypse were not meant to be fully understood before they were accomplished, and therefore, that it is idle to speculate about particular time, Ir is really ludicrous to observe the desponding appreand place, and circumstance, and special character, in re-hensions avowed by certain individuals regarding the pregard to them; but we maintain farther, that even if we were able to ascertain all these points satisfactorily, still it would be wasting our time unprofitably, and using the Revelation of God unworthily, to occupy ourselves in the idlest of all human employments, prying into a future which does not concern us, while we necessarily sacrifice to this silly curiosity some of our valuable opportunities of progressing in actual holiness. What is it to us whether or not Mr Edward Irving is to lead the saints at the battle of Armageddon? We speak seriously when we say, that we think it quite as legitimate a subject of curiosity to speculate on the probability of his wearing, upon that occasion, the outrageous costume in which he made his appearance last year at the General Assembly. Scripture has been given for a much nobler purpose than gratifying the impertinent curiosity of idle dreamers; and we do not think that a Christian minister employs his own time, or the time of his congregation, profitably or properly, in broaching theories, however ingenious, upon a subject which has been designedly wrapped up in mystery, and with regard to which he must be as ignorant as the least learned of his hearers. M.P. London. John Murray. 1830. sent state of the country. Ignorant of historical facts, and of the true maxims of economic science, they mistake temporary interruptions for confirmed symptoms of decline; and, of course, whenever the country emerges from its difficulties,-which must eventually happen,they will ascribe those consequences to supernatural agency, which can be accounted for on the most ordinary principles of supply and demand. To such persons we recommend the perusal of Sir Henry Parnell's work, in which they will find not only a satisfactory solution of their doubts, but an able exposition of some of the most intricate questions connected with Financial Reform. Yet, gratified as we have been with the general character of the present work, there is one part of it to which we cannot altogether assent. Our author frequently overlooks the distinction between the primary or apparent, and the real or ultimate, incidence of taxes. Judging from Sir Henry's statements, we might be apt to conclude, that the tax on a commodity fell, not on the consumer, but the producer. This is, however, erroneous. No doubt the producer ostensibly pays the tax, and by him it is conveyed into the From the speculations of such prophets, we willingly treasury. But so truly does it emanate from the consu turn our attention to the modest and practical volume be- mer, that whenever his wealth no longer permits, or his fore us. Dr Muir was already known to us by his pub-inclination no longer prompts him to purchase the comlic reputation as a judicious and very popular preacher; modity, the trade ceases, and the tax remains unpaid. and these Sermons on the Seven Churches prove, that his Suppose, therefore, that the producer be possessed of a popularity rests upon a better foundation than the unin- certain capital, a fourth part of which he has to advance telligible flights and dangerous mysticism by which some for the tax, of course a fourth less of the commodity will of our modern pulpit orators have acquired a high repu- be produced. Still, however, the replacing power, which tation. We do not mean to say, however, that these Ser- originally met the whole, now meeting the remaining mons are distinguished either by much novelty or depth three-fourths, the price is increased just in proportion to of thought; this is not their character; but we conceive the whole amount of the deficiency, or, in other words, that we bestow on them much higher, as well as juster, by the whole amount of the tax. So long, therefore, as praise, when we say that, in pure evangelical doctrine the producer determines to maintain the same standard of we think them unexceptionable, and that they point out enjoyments after, as previous to, the imposition of the tax, our duty so clearly, and enforce it with so much justice we contend that, while the supply of the commodity may of reasoning and felicity of illustration, that we can safely diminish, the price must increase, and the tax be levied recommend them to the public as practical and useful. from the consumer. Dr Muir dwells at no great length on the history and circumstances of the Asiatic Churches, which were the immediate objects of the Apostle's address; his principal design is, to consider the characters given of the Seven Churches, as belonging to individuals or classes of professing Christians in our own day; and to illustrate, by With these very hasty remarks, we recommend Sir Henry Parnell's work to the attentive perusal of our readers. One great merit of the book is, that, in general, its conclusions proceed, not on mere vague speculation, but on that sound practical analysis which ought ever to regulate our investigations of financial reform. A Dictionary of the English Language; with an Introductory Dissertation. By N. Webster, LL.D. In 2 volumes, 4to. Publishing in Parts. Part I. London: Black, Young, and Young. Edinburgh: Thomas Clark. 1830. THIS is a work which is held in great estimation in America, where it originally appeared, under the superintendence of Dr Webster; and a new edition of it now is about to be published in this country. Three of its leading objects are to exhibit,-1st, The origin and affinities of every English word, as far as they have been ascertained, with its primary signification as now generally established;-2d, The orthography and the pronunciation of words, as sanctioned by reputable usage, and, where this usage is divided, as determinable by a reference to the principle of analogy;-and 3d, Accurate and discriminating definitions of technical and scientific terms, with numerous authorities and illustrations. We can easily conceive that a prejudice may exist in this country against an English Dictionary emanating from America; but we have every reason to believe that Dr Webster is well qua- | lified for the task he has undertaken. His Introductory Dissertation on the origin, history, and connexion of the languages of Western Asia and of Europe, proves him to be a scholar of no mean attainments; whilst we are aware from other sources that he is an acute thinker, and a most laborious investigator. We do not doubt that the work, now in course of publication, will be found an important addition to philology. The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus. By MR MURRAY could not have made a more acceptable addition to his Family Library than his present work, which is purely and classically written, and is replete with interest. As the larger edition of the Life of Columbus has been before the public for some time, and has already taken its ground, it would be a work of supererogation to enter into any detailed criticism of the contents. An Account of the Ship Life Boat. By James Mather, Esq. Second Edition. Edinburgh. Adam Black. 1830. Select Views of the Principal Cities of Europe. From THIS is one of the most splendid works of art in the landscape department which has yet appeared in this country. The first Part, now before us, contains six different views of the town of Oporto and the surrounding scenery, engraved in the most rich, clear, and elaborate style, from paintings which, though we have not seen the originals, evidently entitle Colonel Batty to be ranked along with our Turners and Thomsons. The views are all taken from the most advantageous situations, and include a great variety of remarkable and interesting points. To identify the views in the recollection of those to whom the places and scenes may be familiar, and, as far as practicable, to convey a similar pleasing familiarity to those who have not visited them, the Colonel has given, in addition, slight etchings of each view, in which the different objects are numbered, corresponding with marginal references, and which thus serve as keys to the finished engravings. This is an excellent plan, and gives to the different scenes, independent of the beauty of their execution, quite a panoramic interest. Among the different engravers employed for this splendid work, we are glad to see the name of Mr William Miller of this city, who ranks second to none of his profession. Views of Gibraltar, two of which we have seen, and which are equally brilliant as those of Oporto, will form the subject of the second Part. Characteristic Sketches of Animals. Drawn from the Life, and engraved by Thomas Landseer. London. Moon, Boys, & Graves. Parts I. and II. 1830. Royal 4to. Thomas Landseer, from his own drawings, of rare or THIS work consists of engravings executed by Mr beautiful animals, now existing in the principal collections of France and England. It is appropriately dedicated to the Zoological Society of London. The name of Land seer is in itself a tower of strength, and insures the accuracy, distinctness, and vigour of the different Sketches. Neither the natural historian nor the amateur could place his favourite subject in better hands; and when, in addition, we consider the well-written letter-press descriptions which accompany the different engravings, it would be most unfair not to acknowledge that this is a work of great utility and value. FINE ARTS-NEW ENGRAVINGS.-The Chelsea Pensioners We have at this moment before us the only etching yet in Scotland of an engraving, now in progress, of Wilkie's celebrated painting of the "Chelsea Pensioners reading the Gazette." Although by no means in a finished state, enough has been done to convince us that the engraver, Mr J. Burnet, has been most successful in catching the spirit of the original, and in preserving that rich individuality of character which distinguishes the different Or the various plans for the important object of saving human life in cases of shipwreck, we regard the one proposed in the ingenious pamphlet before us, as the most simple, cheap, and efficacious. The expedient it suggests, is merely that every ship should carry on board a boat so constructed as to combine the qualities of a life boat and an ordinary long boat. In this case the crew would not be left to the chance of assistance from the shore, as they are by the inventions of Captains Manby, Greathead, and Wouldham. Besides, it is evident, that when vessels are driven ashore, the wind and sea must frequently be insurmountable obstacles in attempting to put out to their relief; while, on the contrary, they must be in an inverse ratio favourable to boats from the wreck. In order too that the Life Boat may more easily get clear of the ship in a stormy sea, a simple and ingenious launching appara-persons introduced, and makes Wilkie the facile princeps tus is proposed to accompany it; and of this, as well as of the boat itself, a drawing and description are given by Mr Mather. The expense of both frame and boat, it seems; does not amount to L. 10, the cost of an ordinary long boat. When it is considered that last year there were no less than 408 British vessels lost, 54 of which are supposed to have foundered at sea, and their crews to have perished, it becomes of importance to give the most serious attention to any plan which has for its object the prevention of such calamities. of this department of painting. The print is of a large size, admitting of minute and distinct detail, and there can be no doubt that it will obtain a very wide circulation as soon as published. The engraving of the Scottish Wedding, an admirable production, which was exhibited here at the last Exhibition in the Royal Institution, is not less successful. It has been intrusted to Mr Stuart, of this city, who was selected for the task by Mr Wilkie himself, and is evidently determined to show that the confidence reposed in him was not misplaced. It is im possible to judge of the full effect of engravings from the state in which these two specimens at present are, but we can safely say, we never saw any works of the kind which promised better. From Elgin, a copy has reached us of a mezzotint engraving of Alexander Innes, Esq. Provost of that town, and a gentleman held in universal respect and esteem by those who know him. The print is executed by Henry Dawe of London, from a painting by D. Alexander, and reflects much credit upon both artists. MISCELLANEOUS LITERATURE. A LETTER FROM YARROW. THE SCOTTISH PSALMODY DEfended. To the Editor of the Edinburgh Literary Journal. ["Who shall decide when doctors disagree?" In common, we doubt not, with many of our readers, we have perused Mr Tennant's acute and able criticisms on the different versions of the Psalms with the highest pleasure. But if Mr Tennant be entitled to espouse one side of this question, the Ettrick Shepherd is no less entitled to take up the other; and, as our pages are at all times open to free and fair discussion, we cannot say that we regret to see two such worthy champions riding a friendly tilt against each other. The subjectmatter is of importance; and there are no two men living more able to do justice to it in all its bearings.-ED.] DEAR SIR-What the devil does the amiable and ingenious Mr Tennant mean by trying to turn our ancient Scottish psalmody into ridicule, and, in particular, by daring, for his soul, once to compare it with, far less estimate it below, the cold, miserable, correct feeling of Tait and Brady? Tait and Brady, forsooth! Lord help the man! Has he so lost all taste for the ancient ardour and simplicity of the primitive fathers of the Scottish Church, as to degrade their touching and sublime strains with those of any modern sacred lyrist, far less with the most commonplace of them all? It is certainly the strongest dereliction from good taste that I ever lamented over in a man whom I have always esteemed as one of true genuine feeling. Indeed, in such estimation do I hold our ancient Scottish psalmody, that Mr Tennant's lucubrations have rung in my ears as blasphemy. For my part, I never read any poetry in my life that affected my heart half so much as those sublime strains of Zion, sung in what I conceived to be the pure spirit of their ancient simplicity; and the antiquated rhymes and Scotticisms at which Mr Tennant jeers so much, are to me quite endearing qualities. Does he really suppose that the Scottish language, as spoken or written in the days of James the Sixth, should be conformable to the rules of Lindley Murray? Fie, fie, Mr Tennant! And, moreover, many of the rhymes which he picks out to turn to ridicule are legitimate rhymes to this day-vide Sir Walter Scott. And does he make no allowances for the great difference in the pronunciation of two centuries? If he take the old readings, he will find that the very worst rhymes he quotes are quite correct. Does he not know that, even within these fifty years, the word imperfect was always sounded imperfite; and he will hear every old countryman use it, in his common discourse, to this day. Where, then, lay the monstrum horrendum of this rhyme?-High was always pronounced hee; bow, boo; eye, ee; reign, ring; so that all the rhymes are strictly correct. You had better take care, Mr Tennant. Touch not, taste not, handle not. What would Sir Walter Scott or Mr Surtees say of a fellow who would pull down an ancient and beautiful structure, because some of the shapes of the panes of glass were gone out of fashion? I can tell you what they would say— That the fellow ought to be hanged. Perhaps you are engaged in correcting our ancient psalmody; but again I say, take care. These Psalms have an old watchman guarding over them here, who has had them all by heart since he was ten years of age; and what he wants in erudition and ability, he has in zeal to keep every innovator in due subordination. It is true, and no person will attempt to deny, that some of the verses are antiquated and plain. But that is one of their chief beauties; because these verses only have attempted to have made such verses grand, would occur where the original is equally unpoetical; and to only have been a caricature. But wherever the original is capable of it, how beautifully simple and sublime they are! Now, as I never opened the Psalms of Tait and Brady save to despise them, and have our old version all by heart, I shall just open the former by random, and compare notes. Very well. Here is the 65th Psalm, from the beginning: "For thee, O God, our constant praise And at thy gracious throne appear." There's for you, Mr Tennant! There's a correct drawl for you, of which you seem so much enamoured! Listen to the thunder of the old Calvinist: "Praise waits for thee in Zion, Lord, O thou that hearer art of prayer, All flesh shall come to thee." I declare my old hand shakes as I write this, though it was merely by random that I opened the book. Where is the preponderance there, Mr Tennant? On which side is the pith, the beauty, and the sublimity? Why, the one is just like a cold winter sky, and the other a rainbow; and such is the model you would introduce into our church! No, no, Mr Tennant! Believe me, the simplicity and energy of our primitive psalms suit exactly our worship, for which they were framed. They are mo dels of one another, even to their blemishes; and sorry would my heart be to see them corrected out of your ele gant Tait and Brady! I might well then sing the old song, "Scotlande pe a' turn'd England now." Suppose, for a further experiment, without turning the leaf, we try another first verse: "Lord, thee my God I'll early seek: My flesh longs in a dry parch'd land, "O God, my gracious God, to thee For thee my thirsty soul doth pant; Where I refreshing waters want." How do you like this for a change, Mr Tennant? Why, notwithstanding that wee antiquated word be, which you carp so beautifully at, the one verse is worth fifty of the other. Why should any man take a forehammer to break an egg with, when he can do it with a penknife? Suppose we now turn to a single verse, a particular one, which is generally sung at a death-bed in Scotland: "Into thine hands I do commit Many a time have I seen the souls of both old and young sighed away with those sweet words quivering last on the lips. Now, really, I have not the face to quote the Tait and Brady lines against these, but they are well enough known to Mr Tennant, for often has he presented them two lines at a time, and sung them with the dying wives about Dollar; and I am sure, if he liked to tell the truth, he would confess that they gave every one of them the hiccup. But turn to any thing pathetic, beautiful, or sublime in the whole psalmody, I care not where it be,-nay, let any person do it, however prejudiced, and say candidly, which is the most simply beautiful, and closest to the original. Remember there is a great deal lies in that; for is it not a glorious idea that we should be worshipping the same God, in the very same strains that were hymned to him by his chosen servants in the Tabernacle 3000 years ago o? But in the modern English version I will defy any man to trace the same strain of thought that runs through the prose translation. In ours, they are literally the same. Therefore, the less that Messrs Brady and Tait (by the by, I do not know if that is the English way of spelling the latter gentleman's name—Is it, Mr Tennant? I know it is spelled that way in the song of "Jock Tait ;")-I say, I think the seldomer they measure weapons "wi auld Geordie Buchanan, young man," the better for them. Or if there is to be a modification, let the ancient and original spirit of ours be installed into theirs, which would be an incalculable advantage. As I said, read any truly poetical part of the psalms in both versions. Read the 8th, the 23d, the 84th, the 116th;* and in thus turning over my borrowed psalmody, I cannot help comparing the opening lines of each version of the latter sweet psalm : "My soul with grateful thoughts of love Entirely is possest, Because the Lord vouchsafed to hear The voice of my request. Since he has now his ear inclined, I never will despair, But still in all the straits of life To him address my pray'r." That is very respectable, is it not, Mr Tennant? Is it really esteemed as a literal and energetic opening this at the Dollar Academy? Alas! hear how our antiquated reformer has it: "I love the Lord, because my voice I while I live will call on him, Who bow'd to me his ear." Now turn to the prose translation. The Scottish version is literal; it is the same, verbatim: the other is quite the reverse. Observe, Messrs Tait and Brady do not love the Lord because he has heard their prayer. But they have some grateful thoughts of loving him some time for doing it—nay, their souls are entirely possessed by this laudable resolve. There is no such idea expressed by the divine Psalmist, in "I love the Lord." And in the second verse, they say they are determined never more to despair, now that the Lord has once inclined his ear to them. Where did they pick up that sentiment about despair? Not from the words of the son of Jesse. And note farther. They are only going to address their prayers to him in the straits of life! no other time. Now, that is hardly fair in Dr Brady and Mr Tait, and quite abstract from the sentiments of gratitude expressed by David. But it is ever thus. The English versifier is constantly going about the bush, and, like a preacher who has very few ideas, wants to blow up the few he has with as many large swelling words as he can press into the sentence. In the same spirit every one must read Read also Psalm 73d, from the 24th verse. the two openings of the 137th; the whole of the 139th; and, by the by, I wish you would read the 13th verse of this psalm over again, and tell me what the fellows mean by the threads in the loom there mentioned. What threads in what loom? Or where did they pick up the idea, far less the expression? But enough of this carping and foolery, from which I have been unable to refrain; for my veneration of our ancient psalmody is such, that to see an innovation in it would almost break my heart. The venerable Prin-. cipal Baird sent me a special invitation to his house one evening, many years ago, and in his own name, and those of his brethren, presented a request to me to new versify a part of the Psalms. I answered, that he might as well propose to me to burn my Bible, or renounce my religion. The reverend father looked astonished, and asked an explanation. I said, "it was because these verses, modelled as they were now, had long, long been the penates of Scotland. Every peasant in Scotland had them by heart, and could repeat any part by day or by night, as suited his or her family's circumstances. The shepherd recites them to his son on the lonely hill, the mother to the child in her boThey are the first springs of religion in the peasant's soul, mingled with all his thoughts and acts of devotion through life, and hymned on the cradle of death; and to make any innovation there, would be with a reckless hand to puddle and freeze up the pure springs of religion in the hearts of the most virtuous and most devout part of our community. No, no, Dr Baird; for the love of God and your fellow-men, have no hand in such an experiment! Our country communities would be less shocked, and their religious rites less degenerated, by the introduction of the liturgy at once, than by a new psalmody. I will versify as much of the other parts of Scripture as you want or desire, but never shall I alter, or consent to the alteration of, a single verse of our old psalmody, for they are hallowed round the shepherd's hearth.” som. So say I to Mr Tennant. I respect him, nay, I love him as a brother; but, for the household gods of the Scottish peasant, "As long as I can wield a sword, I'll fight with heart and hand." And if there is really to be an edition of the Psalms from Dollar, if you, my dear Editor, will grant me the first reviewing of them, they shall be an edition of dolour to somebody. I am, dear sir, yours ever, JAMES HOGG. SIR WILLIAM WALLACE AND We are always anxious to rescue from oblivion any circumstances connected with the ancient days and former glories of our native land. We are, therefore, happy to avail ourselves of some documents which have lately been placed in our hands, with the view of throwing light upon the history of that old and famous tree, which, not less entitled to our admiration than the Royal oak of Sherwood Forest, afforded shelter and protection to the good Sir William Wallace. Trees are at all times objects of interest, and none more so than the majestic oak, which sees the growth and the decay of surrounding woods, and which is still flourishing and strong when the castle it beheld built in former centuries is now a mouldering ruin. Of all the oaks which Scotland has produced, not one ever attracted more attention than that which grew in Torwood, formerly an extensive forest in the parish of Dunipace, in Stirlingshire. This forest was a favourite haunt of Sir William Wallace when but a young man, and in his wanderings through it he formed an intimacy, if we may so speak, with one tree in particular, with which subsequent events indissolubly linked his name. This was an oak of a very venerable and striking character, the trunk of which even in its last days, measured in one place, forty-two feet in circumference, and in another was about twelve feet in diameter. There was in this oak an immense cavity, in which not only Wallace himself, but occasion ally some of his friends, sought and found refuge from the pursuit of their enemies in the dangerous and troublous times in which they lived. That the openings in this tree were all hollow as far back as the twelfth century, proves it to have been of great age even then, and it was, indeed, generally believed to be a Druidical tree, and that it had been consecrated at a very remote period to religious purposes. This is rendered more pro-bable by the fact, that some vestiges of stone-work were discernible, which surrounded it in a circular form. It stood upon a slight elevation, but upon swampy ground, and rude causeways were afterwards formed leading to it in different directions; for, associated as it was with the names of Wallace and of Freedom, it was visited in later times almost as a holy shrine, at which the Scottish peasant might re-animate his patriotism. We regret to state, that although a part of the trunk of this venerable tree existed till about the end of the last century, no traces of it now remain. In the words of the Rev. Mr Stirling, in his edition of Nimmo's History of Stirlingshire," this august vegetable is now invisible." Its destruction was much precipitated by the pilgrims who resorted to it, all of whom were anxious to carry off pieces of the wood, which were afterwards converted into various memorials of Wallace. The oak, however, long survived all its less hardy brethren. "In this ancient Torwood," says Dr John Walker, in his Essays on Natural History," it stands in a manner alone; for there are no trees, nor any ruin of a tree, to be seen, that is nearly coeval. Compared to it, even the oldest of them is of a very modern date." Even after it had fallen into almost total decay, a peculiar sort of renovation, which In sometimes occurs in an old tree, happened to this. several places, a young bark shot upwards from the root, and formed one or two fresh branches towards the top of the old trunk. As late as the year 1789, the trunk was twenty-four feet in height, and was still in vegetation. The following vignette, which is from a drawing made in that year by the late Mr A. Kincaid, and which we know to be entirely authentic, conveys an accurate idea of the shape and appearance it then had :* It will be observed, in the above cut, that the tree has separated in the middle, and that the one-half has mouldered almost entirely away. Yet, even in this condition, the wood was so hard as to admit of a high polish. To us, there is something more than commonly interesting in its antique and worn-out appearance, as if it still clung to its natale solum with a feeling of pride, and with a consciousness that it had been instrumental in protecting the liberties, and adding to the glories, of old Scotland. We believe it was blown down some years after this, for we cannot bring ourselves to suppose that any proprietor would voluntarily remove it. We are glad, also, to know, that although this patriarchal tree no longer exists, there We are indebted for this cut to the Proprietors of Constable's Miscellany, who procured it for their forthcoming Life of Wallace, work likely to contain much curious and interesting information. has grown up on the same spot a young oak, which is now about a foot in diameter, and, as if conscious of its hereditary honours, is already the tallest in the wood. We cannot, however, state that it grew out of the old stock; for such is the kingly nature of the oak, that one plant never assumes the ground that has been previously occupied by another, until every part is consumed and displaced by the proper vegetable mould. Yet it is to be hoped that the new oak will not disgrace the reputation of its predecessor; and though it may never shelter a hero like Wallace, it may perhaps come to perform lesser feats, as its prototype did not disdain to do. It is, for example, a tradition of Stirlingshire, that nine queys having on one occasion gone amissing, all search proved fruitless, until they were at length accidentally discovered pleasantly pent up in the interior of the far-famed tree! It is a curious circumstance, and deserving of notice, that in the year 1788, the iron head of an ancient Scottish spear was found in the Torwood, about a foot below the surface, and about thirty feet west from Wallace's Tree. It was presented, in the same year, to the Society of Antiquaries, in whose possession it now is, by Mr Alexander Kincaid, stationer. We have seen this relic of former days, and it is impossible to look at it, without allowing the imagination to form many fanciful conjectures as to its probable history and possessor. This is, indeed, the chief advantage enjoyed by the antiquarian, that pegs are continually presenting themselves to him upon which to hang a thousand conjectures. The spot upon which stood the Tree of Wallace, must for ever be sacred ground; and every thing that tends to throw light upon its localities, must be interesting in the eyes of a Scotchman. REMINISCENCES OF THE LATE ROBERT To the Editor of the Edinburgh Literary Journal. SIR, MY excellent friend, Robert Anderson, M.D. died on the 20th of February, at a quarter before four o'clock in the afternoon, having attained to the venerable age of eighty years. Few men will be more regretted His amiable and gentlemanlike manners, his among us. prodigious store of information, and the heartfelt willingness with which he imparted it, will ever be remembered by those who knew his worth, and enjoyed the pleasure of his conversation. He has been long known to the world as an author. His judgment and taste are happily displayed in his edition of the British Poets, a work which has now become scarce. He was more or less connected with various other publications; and among others I may mention the Bee, concerning which, and its excel lent editor, the amiable Dr Blacklock thus speaks, in a poetical epistle addressed to Burns: Anon to my business I wish to proceed, Dr Anderson guides, and provokes me to speed, A man of integrity, genius, and worth, Who soon a performance intends to set forth; A work, miscellaneous, extensive, and free, Which will weekly appear by the name of the Bee: Of this from himself I enclose you a plan, And hope you will give what assistance you can." Literature owes to Dr Anderson much more than his own actual labours. His acute understanding first discovered and encouraged the genius of the author of " The Pleasures of Hope," and Mr Campbell, with great propriety, inscribed that splendid production to his friend. The ingenious and erudite author of " Anster Fair" long enjoyed the pleasure of his correspondence, previous to his personal acquaintance. In short, many of the most eminent men of our country were his friends. I may, in par ticular, mention, in reference to Burns, about whom so much has been said of late, that the Edinburgh public |