the conclusion of so great an undertaking. The plan embraces all those important objects, on which depends the prosperity of political society; and the researches founded thereon, seem to be equally extensive and laborious.” No. 7.-Extract Translation of a Letter from Professor Zimmerman of Brunswick, dated 17th July 1792. "It is with peculiar pleasure that I received your obliging letter and the works which accompanied it. I shall not delay a moment to insert an ample extract, in the last number of my Geographical and Statistical Journal, which I have published for above two years. These sciences will gain much by your enterprise; and I feel the greatest anxiety to see a work, of such extent and utility, brought to a conclusion." No. 8.-Extract Translation of a Letter from the Comte de Hertsberg, formerly Minister to Frederick the Great, dated Berlin, 19th August 1792. "I return you many thanks for your Analysis of the Statistical Account of Scotland; and wish I could converse with you on a number of objects, which are equally interesting to both our countries. I entirely approve of your very excellent idea, that of investigating the interior state of every district, by reports from the ministers of each parish; and I am of your opinion, that if provided with good models, no class of men could be more proper for so important an undertaking, than the parochial clergy, who have usually the requisite knowledge and capacity, as well as the necessary leisure for that purpose. I earnestly wish that I could imitate here, in my dear country, your very patriotic example." In a posterior letter, dated Berlin, 8th March 1793, Count Hertsberg states, "I have to return my best thanks for your interesting work, the Statistical Account of the Parishes in Scotland. I find the plan particularly well formed; and if I were again at the head of the Prussian Cabinet, would carry it into execution here." No. 9.-Extract Translation of a Letter from Monsieur Pleschéef, author of a Geographical View of the Russian Empire, dated St Petersburgh, 25th September 1792. "If it should ever be in my power to draw up a complete Statistical Account of Russia, on a plan more extensive, and more philoso phic, than the work I have already executed, nothing can be more serviceable, than the valuable specimen which you have had the goodness to communicate to me, which may justly be considered, as a sure foundation, and a classic and inestimable model, to be followed by those who may choose to occupy themselves in such valuable researches." No. 10.-Extract of a Letter from Dr Guthrie, dated St Petersburgh, 26th September 1792. "Your Statistical Work is, in my opinion, the most perfect which has ever yet appeared, and will probably serve as a model to other countries, although few possess the same set of respectable pastors, to collect materials, living with their flock in habits of friendship and intimacy, the natural result of the sensible regime of the Scotch church." No. 11.-Extract of a Letter from Professor Thorkelin, dated Copenhagen, 24th November 1792. "Your Analysis of the Political State of Scotland, is not only admired here, but followed. It has given rise to new ideas, in particular to a new society in Norway, who have united themselves in order to make the present state of that long-forgotten kingdom publicly known. Such exertions, though particularly advantageous to Great Britain, will also be of immense benefit to others who derive information from them. The Statistical Account of Scotland, translated into German, is announced, as preparing for the press at Leipzic." No. 12.-Extract of a printed Letter to the Clergy of Cornwall, respecting the establishment of a County Library, dated 23d December 1792. "We may flatter ourselves, that such an institution will excite the emulation and attention of our brethren the clergy of Cornwall, to useful and interesting subjects, and particularly to what relates to the natural history, antiquities, and biography of the county. In this way, owing to the exertions of the clergy, animated and solicited to the pursuit by a Scottish Baronet, a curious and judicious account is now giving, not of a single county, but of a whole sister kingdom." No. 13.-Extract of a Letter from his Excellency John Adams, then President of the United States of America, dated Philadelphia, 2d March 1793. "I received yours, with your plans for a natural history of sheep, and the Statistical Survey of Scotland. You could not have made a wiser choice. The natural history of that animal, so useful to man, must be extremely important, as well as extremely curious; and a detail of particulars, relative to your native country, must be interesting to all, but especially to the inhabitants of it. We, in this country, enjoy a delicious tranquillity at present, and if your European fermentations should not disturb us, shall continue to be happy." No. 14.-Extract of a Letter from Mr Kenrick of Bewdley, dated 13th March 1793. "I cannot dissemble the pleasure I feel, in having an opportunity of offering you my mite of praise, for planning and calling forth the Statistical History of Scotland, which abounds with such a well-digested fund of useful information, and exhibits to the world at large, so just a picture of a body of clergy, who do the highest honour to their profession and to their country." No. 15.-Extract of a Letter from General Washington, dated 15th March 1793. "I cannot but express myself highly pleased with the undertaking in which you are engaged, (that of drawing up the Statistical Account of Scotland), and give my best wishes for its success. I am fully persuaded, that when enlightened men will take the trouble to examine so minutely into the state of society, as your inquiries seem to go, it must result in greatly ameliorating the condition of the people, promoting the interests of civil society, and the happiness of mankind at large. These are objects truly worthy the attention of a great mind, and every friend to the human race must readily lend his aid towards their accomplishment." No. 16.-Extract of a Letter from Lord Auckland, dated 15th July 1793. "I consider your Statistical Reports, as exhibiting a course of inquiry, of great importance to mankind ; and I admire the courage and right principles, which enable you to go forwards, as if the crisis which has lately menaced the overthrow of all civil institutions, were completely and favourably ended." No. 17.-Extract of a Letter from John Pinkerton, Esq. dated the 23d February 1794. "In looking over the Survey of Scotland, accomplished by your exertions, it occurred to me, that I could furnish an article worthy to appear in an Appendix to one of the volumes of the Statistical Account. I need not inform you, that in the third volume of Prynn's Records, there is a large, but indigested list, of all those in Scotland, who paid homage to Edward I. in 1291, and 1296, forming a kind of Doomsday book of the country at that period. Four years ago, I, with some labour, reduced the numerous names and designations into alphabetical order, and the list being now adapted to general use, and containing the names and designations of the chief landholders, citizens, and clergy, at the time, it may be regarded as of no small importance to our ancient Statistics, topography, and genealogy. If your opinion coincides, I shall with pleasure present it to you for the purpose, and correct the press." No. 18.-Extract of a Letter from Dr Gillies the Historian, dated the 2d June 1794. "Not only the Analyse de l'Etat Statistique d'Ecosse, but also the larger work, in English, I have perused with the greatest satisfac. tion and delight. "There are dark oblivious ages in the history of the world, during which the human mind remained buried in torpid inactivity. There are other periods, when the vivid powers of man awaken from their lethargy, and, as if refreshed, after a long and undisturbed repose, exert themselves with redoubled energy. The times in which we live, belong to the latter description; but that they do so, is owing to the generous and well-directed exertions of enlightened and patriotic individuals. "Inventas aut qui vitam excoluere per artes, T 2 No. 19.-Extract of a Letter from J. P. Andrews, Esq. the Author of the Continuation of Dr Henry's History, dated 31st Decem ber 1795. "If any one can aid my researches, it must be the author of the Statistical Account of Scotland, a book which I have perused with equal pleasure and astonishment, I may almost say, envy, since the southern part of the island ought to blush, at having never produced a similar work." No. 20.-Extract Translation from the Bishop de Leon, dated 17th July 1797. "I read with peculiar interest, your work concerning the Statistical State of Scotland, because I had been engaged, some years ago, in similar inquiries in my own diocese, though not on so great a scale. Such inquiries afford the true means of ascertaining the best mode of improving the condition of a people." No. 21.-Extract of a Letter from Mr George Stuart, formerly Professor of Humanity in the University of Edinburgh. [Of all the letters which I received in the course of this inquiry, there is none which could possibly have had greater influence with me, than the following. Those who have been educated at the University of Edinburgh, must remember well Professor George Stuart, one of the best scholars, and one of the ablest men, at that University, when it certainly rivalled, for erudition and talents, the most celebrated seminaries in Europe. I had attended his class, but had not seen him for many years. It was by the merest accident, (franking a letter to him), that any intercourse was renewed between us. The respectable Professor, thought he would embrace that opportunity, of encouraging his old pupil, to persevere in a course, which met with his particular approbation. I think it right to give a larger extract from this letter, as it may be as serviceable to other young men, as to the person to whom it was addressed.] "I had the honour of a letter last night from Lord Buchan, in which he desires me to send my answer to Sir John Sinclair, who will transmit it by post. It is with peculiar pleasure, that I embrace this opportunity, which has been put in my way by his Lordship, of • Father of Gilbert Stuart, a well-known literary character. |