vour the suffrages of posterity, when the passing idioms generated by the capricious modes of our own times, shall be antiquated or forgotten *. I have only to add, that some of the foregoing observations apply more strongly to Dr Robertson's earlier than to his later publications. In the History of Charles V. and still more in that of America, he ventures on expressions which he would not have hazarded before the establishment of his literary name; and accordingly, it may be doubted, whether, in consequence of this circumstance, he did not lose in purity of diction what he gained in ease and freedom. Perhaps, on the whole, it will be found, that of all his performances Charles V. is that which unites the various requisites of good writing in the greatest degree. The style is more natural and flowing than that of the History of Scotland; while, at the same time, idiomatical phrases are introduced with so sparing and timid a hand, that it is easy to perceive the Author's attention to correctness was not sensibly diminished. In the History of America, although it contains many passages, equal, if not superior to any thing else in his writings, the composition does not seem to me to be so uniformly polished as that of his former works; nor does it always possess, in the same degree, the recommendations of conciseness and simplicity +. Appendix, Note (H). + Appendix, Note (1). SECTION V. Review of the more active Occupations of Dr Robertson's Life.— Conclusion of the Narrative.-Sketch of his Character. IN reviewing the History of Dr Robertson's Life, our attention has hitherto been confined to those pursuits which formed the habitual occupation of his mind; and which have left behind them unperishable monuments. His life, however, was not devoted wholly to the cultivation of letters. His talents fitted him in an eminent degree for the business of the world; and the station in which Providence placed him opened to him a field, which, however unequal to his ambition or to his genius, afforded him the means of evincing what he might have accomplished, if his sphere of exertion had been more extensive and brilliant. Among the active scenes in which he had an opportunity to engage, the most conspicuous was presented to him by the Supreme Ecclesiastical Court in Scotland. Of the constitution of this court, accordingly, which differs in some remarkable particulars from the clerical convocations in other Christian countries, a general outline is necessary, in order to convey a just idea of the abilities, which secured to him, for a long course of years, an unrivalled influence in guiding its deliberations *. "The General Assembly of the church of Scotland is composed of representatives from the presbyteries; from the royal boroughs; from the four universities; and from the Scots church of Campvere in Holland. The presbyteries send two hundred * For the materials both of this outline and of the subsequent view of Dr Robertson's system of ecclesiastical policy, I am indebted to a paper drawn up (at the request of Dr Robertson's son,) by the Rev. George Hill, D. D. Principal of St Mary's College in the University of St Andrews; a gentleman intimately connected with Dr Robertson by friendship, and highly respected by him for the talents and eloquence which he has for many years displayed in the ecclesiastical courts. In ge neral I have transcribed Dr Hill's words, taking the liberty occasionally to make such slight alterations on the language as were necessary for preserving some degree of uniformity in the style of my narrative; and a few retrenchments, which the plan of this Memoir rendered unavoidable. That the public, however, may not lose any part of so valuable a communication, I have inserted, in the Appendix, the paragraphs which are here omitted. As Dr Hill's paper was submitted to the examination, and received the unqualified approbation of three of Dr Robertson's most confidential friends (†) it may be regarded as an authentic statement of his general principles of church-government. For the sake of connection, I have adopted into this Section such parts of it as seemed to me to be necessary for completing the history of his life; abstaining, however, scru pulously from hazarding any ideas of my own, on the subject to which it relates. Dis Blair, Carlyle, and Grieve. M m and ninety members, of whom two hundred and one are ministers, and eighty-nine lay-elders; the royal boroughs send sixtyseven members, all of whom are laymen; the universities send five members, who may be either laymen, or ministers holding an office in the university; and the church of Campvere sends two members, one minister and one lay-elder. The whole number is three hundred and sixty-four, of whom two hundred and two are ministers, and one hundred and sixtytwo laymen; including in the latter class the members from the universities. The annual sittings of the Assembly continue only for ten days; but a committee of the whole House (called the Commission) has four stated meetings in the year, for the dispatch of whatever business the General Assembly has been unable to overtake *. In subordination to this supreme court, there is a series of inferior judicatories, rising, one above another, in authority. The lowest of these is the Kirk-Sessions, or Parochial Consistories; composed of the ministers, together with the lay-elders of their respective parishes. The ministers of a number of contiguous parishes, together with certain representatives from the Kirk-Sessions, form a Presbytery; and a plurality of presbyteries (differing in number according to accidental circumstances) form a provincial Synod. * Appendix, Note (K). While the constitution of the Scotish church admits of no superiority of one minister above another, it requires from all its individual members, and from all its inferior judicatories, strict obedience to those who are placed in authority over them. Every court is bound to lay the record of all its proceedings from time to time, before the tribunal which is its immediate superior; any part of its proceeding may be brought, by appeal or complaint, under the review of a higher jurisdiction; and every minister, when he receives orders, comes under a solemn engagement, "to assert, maiutain, and defend the doctrines, discipline, and government " of the church; and never to attempt any thing, directly or indirectly, which may tend to its subversion or preju"dice." 66 In consequence of this subordination of judicatories, the General Assembly determines, as the court of last resort, all the causes brought under its review, and has the power of enforcing without controul, obedience to its decrees. It possesses also extensive legislative powers, as it may, with the concurrence of a majority of presbyteries, enact laws for the government of the whole church. By the act of 1592, which gave a legal establishment to the form of church-government now delineated, the patron of a vacant parish was entitled to present to the presbytery |