STATISTICAL CORRESPONDENCE, AND REMINISCENCES. THE object of that great undertaking, "The Statistical Account of Scotland," was to procure from about nine hundred clergymen in that country, an account of their respective parishes. The attempt was almost universally deemed impracticable. It had been tried in various countries; as, 1. Spain; 2. Sweden; 3. France; 4. Several States in Germany; 5. Denmark; 6. Portugal; 7. England; 8. Ireland; and, 9. In Scotland; but in vain *, though in general under the auspices, and sometimes at the expense of these several governments. Nay, after the work had made some progress, its failure was prognosticated in the following terms: "There have not been wanting different persons, public spirited indeed, but perhaps of too sanguine dispositions, who, struck with the subserviency of parochial distinction, to the advancement of both civil and natural history, have addressed letters to the different parishes in Scotland, and particularly to the clergy, inviting them to a correspondence on whatever might appear most curious and interesting in their respective divisions. These gentlemen do See the Statistical Account of Scotland, vol. xx. to which there is prefixed, "The History of the Origin and Progress of that Work, Appendix G. p. 69." An account is there given of the various attempts, in the several countries above alluded to, and the progress made in each. not reflect, that there is no individual, however distinguished by genius, rank, or fortune, or even by a happy or rare union of all these advantages, who can possibly be considered, by a whole nation, as a fit centre for such general cooperation*." This extensive and laborious work, however, was completed in the space of about seven years; exhibiting, in the words of a distinguished political author, "a better picture of the internal state of a country, than has yet been presented to the world +-" From a number of letters received regarding this work, the following extracts are selected, as sufficient to give some idea of the opinion that was entertained of this undertaking, both at home and in foreign countries. No. 1.-Extract of a Letter from the Reverend Dr Robert Henry, the Historian, dated the 19th July 1790. "I had the honour to receive your printed letter, with the inclosed paper, a few days ago. A perfect knowledge of the population, and other circumstances of our country, may be of great utility; greater perhaps than can be at present foreseen. You are much to be commended, Sir, for your efforts to obtain that knowledge, and should be assisted by every Scotchman who hath it in his power. I am sorry that my retired situation, and very precarious state of health, make it impossible for me to be of so much use to you as I wish. Besides, I am engaged in finishing the sixth volume of my history of Great Britain, a work of which you may, perhaps, have heard." No. 2.-Extract of a Letter from George Dempster, Esq. dated 14th February 1791. "The reason of my troubling you at present, is, to return you my thanks for the specimen of the statistical observations. This is a most valuable and useful book. It is a real Doomsday book, and promises to be more read and quoted than any book printed since Doomsday book. The older it grows, the more valuable it will prove. The object of this letter is, to entreat you to go on with it. Your industry • See Newt's Travels, published by Robinsons, London, in 1 vol. 4to. an. 1791, p. 427. + Malthus on Population, 1st edit. 1803, p. 13. and 14. note. is fully adequate to the task. It will also place the intelligence and good sense of our clergy in a very advantageous point of view. When the general approbation of the public follows this of mine, which it certainly will do, I pray you to extend your views to England and Ireland, and give us all the three kingdoms. The sale will defray the expense, and found an academy at Thurso." No. 3.-Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Dr Blair, dated 15th April 1791. "I am very happy at there being such a general consent through the country, in seconding your patriotic views of obtaining a satisfactory Statistical Account of Scotland. The clergy seem to have exerted themselves more on this occasion than I had expected from them.” No. 4.-Extract of a Letter from the Marquis del Campo, Ambassador from the King of Spain, dated 22d May 1792. "I have read with great pleasure indeed, the Prospectus you have been so good as to send me, and I admire the manner in which the general inquiry, regarding the political state, population, industry, &c. of a kingdom is treated. I shall certainly make the properest use in my power, of the other books for M. Campomanes, and other persons in Spain of the same description, and shall direct one for Count d'Aranda, recommending your wishes to him very earnestly." No. 5.-Extract Translation of a Letter from the Count de Stadien, the Imperial Minister at the British Court, dated 25th May 1792. "I beg to return my best acknowledgments for the Prospectus which you have had the goodness to send me. Works of such general concern cannot fail to be favourably received, by those who are attached to the useful sciences. I shall not neglect to communicate them to several persons in Germany, who have applied themselves to those studies, and who, I am persuaded, will be much flattered in an opportunity of assisting you." No. 6.-Extract Translation of a Letter from the Comte de Redern, the Prussian Minister at the Court of London, dated 14th June 1792. "The interesting details contained in that work, (the Statistical Account of Scotland), cannot fail to make the public impatient for |