The Correspondence of the Right Honourable Sir John Sinclair, Bart

Very inferior speakers caught the infection, and empty loquacity and yawning prolixity became the epidemic malady of the House of Com

mons.

The above contrast, though drawn up with much ability, evidently betrays a considerable degree of prejudice against the former, and much partiality in favour of the latter, of these distinguished statesmen.

VI.

THE LORD VISCOUNT MELVILLE.

Of all the Ministers who shared in the government of his country during the last fifty years, there is none to whom the nation is more indebted for the important services he performed, than to Henry Dundas.

I never met with any individual who could go through more business in a shorter time, or on whose judgment more confidence might be placed in any critical emergency. He had also a stretch of thought, which enabled him to adopt measures, the completion of which could not be looked for, until a considerable period had elapsed *. But his great preeminence over other statesmen was this, that he not only proposed useful measures himself, but he took a pleasure in supporting those brought forward by others, if he thought them entitled to attention. Of this I had the strongest reasons to be convinced. Indeed, all the various plans brought forward by me from time to time, with a view of promoting the happiness and improvement of the country, ever found, in Lord Melville, a warm friend, and a zealous supporter.

It was by his means that I was enabled to complete that great undertaking, "The Statistical Account of Scotland," to which nearly a thousand intelligent clergymen contributed.

• Of this a very striking instance shall afterwards be given.

Sir John Sinclairs Correspondence.

Vol. I.

"Autographs"

Of several distinguished characters, whose communications are contained in that collection, with the page of the work where =

their letters are mentioned.