Chapter XLII: Fiction of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries

I HAVE already mentioned Smollett as a writer of history and verse, and the first fruit of his labour in the field of fiction was _Roderick Random_, which appeared in 1748. His other novels were published in the following years――_Peregrine Pickle_ in 1751; _Ferdinand Count of Fathom_, 1754; _Sir Launcelot Greaves_, 1762; and _The Expedition of Humphry Clinker_, 1771.

_Roderick Random_ is an exceedingly interesting work of fiction, and it was long popular. Its interest and attraction does not depend on the development of a well-conceived and elaborated plot, but on the inventive power, the native humour, and knowledge of the author. The turns in the fortune of the hero of the novel are many and varied, and scene follows scene with amazing rapidity, so the attention of the reader never flags; but the morality of the novel is low, and some coarse passages occur in it.

The hero in _Peregrine Pickle_ is an unprincipled character. The humorous and comic features of his characters are well worked out, and presented in an attractive and amusing form, and the interest of the novel is admirably maintained. _Ferdinand Count Fathom_ is a sort of romance, in which the chief character is an unscrupulous rascal who sticks at nothing. _Humphry Clinker_ is the best of his novels. It is pervaded by a manly tone of feeling, natural, caustic, and humorous observation, and fine discrimination of character. The descriptions of rural scenery, society, and manners are clear and fascinating. Smollett was gifted with a keen sense of the comic and ludicrous, which he deftly used, while touches of pathos also occur in his writings.

Henry Mackenzie was born in Edinburgh,¹ and educated at the High School and the University of his native city. He followed the profession of law, and mixed freely in the literary circles of the capital, which then rejoiced in the names of Hume, Robertson, Adam Smith, Fergusson, and others.

¹ In 1745; died in 1831.

It seems that Mackenzie had read and studied the writings of Sterne, but he is superior to him in taste and in delicacy of feeling. In 1771, Mackenzie published _The Man of Feeling_, which was followed by _The Man of the World_, and _Julia de Roubigne_. He is also the author of various sketches which appeared in the _Mirror_ and _Lounger_, and of some dramatic pieces which were acted at Edinburgh.

There is no distinctly conceived plot developed to an issue in Mackenzie’s novels, still there is much interesting reading in his productions. His humour is natural and pure; his style is elegant and expressive, natural and easy, but lacking in strength. He was amongst the first to denounce the system of slave-labour in the West Indies, in these words:――

“I have often been tempted to doubt whether there is not an error in the whole plan of negro-servitude; and whether whites or creoles born in the West Indies, or perhaps cattle, after the manner of European husbandry, would not do the business better and cheaper than the slaves do. The money which the latter cost at first, the sickness――often owing to despondency of mind――to which they are liable after their arrival, and the proportion that die in consequence of it, make the machine, if it may be so called, of a plantation extremely expensive in its operations. In the list of slaves belonging to a wealthy planter, it would astonish you to see the number unfit for service, pining under disease, a burden on their master. I am only talking as a merchant; but as a man――good heavens! when I think of the many thousands of my fellow-creatures groaning under servitude and misery! Great God! hast Thou peopled those regions of Thy world for the purpose of casting out their inhabitants to chains and torture? No, Thou gavest them a land teeming with good things, lightest up Thy sun to bring forth spontaneous plenty; but the refinements of man, ever at war with Thy works, have changed this scene of profusion and luxuriance into a theatre of rapine, of slavery, and of murder.

“Forgive the warmth of this apostrophe! Here it would not be understood; even my uncle, whose heart is far from a hard one, would smile at my romance, and tell me that these things must be so. Habit, the tyrant of nature and of reason, is deaf to the voice of either; and she stifles humanity and debases the species――for the master of slaves has seldom the soul of a man.” These are worthy sentiments, well expressed.

Dr. John Moore¹ was a native of Stirling, the son of a minister in that town. He was educated at the University of Glasgow, and studied medicine and surgery under Mr. Gordon, who had a large practice. He afterwards entered into partnership with Gordon, and practised in Glasgow for a number of years. At different times during his life he lived on the Continent for eight or nine years, mostly in France, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy, which gave him many opportunities of observing varied forms of society on a large scale. Sir John Moore, the noble General who led the memorable retreat in Spain, and fell at the battle of Corunna, was the eldest son of Dr. Moore.²

¹ Born in 1729; died in 1802.

² My father was then under Sir John Moore, and was wounded
in the left arm at the battle of Corunna; and of all the
generals whom he fought under for a period of fourteen years,
Sir John was his greatest favourite.

Dr. Moore’s novels are――(1) _Zeluco_: Various Views of Human Nature, taken from Life and Manners, Foreign and Domestic, which appeared in 1786; (2) _Edward_: Various Views of Human Nature, taken from Life and Manners, chiefly in England, 1796; and (3) _Mordaunt_: Sketches of Life, Character, and Manners, in various Countries, including the Memoirs of a French Lady of Quality, 1800. All his novels indicate an elevated moral aim, and are more remarkable for wide observation than the invention of plot interest.

He is the author of several other works:――_Medical Sketches_, published in 1785; _A Journal during a Residence in France, from the beginning of August to the middle of December, 1792_, in two volumes, which appeared in 1793‒94; _A View of the Causes and Progress of the French Revolution_, in two volumes, published in 1795. Moore was an accurate observer of men and things. His knowledge of mankind was vast; his powers of observation are well displayed in his novels; and his account of the striking scenes of the French Revolution are still well worth reading. A complete edition of his works has been published in seven volumes, with a memoir of his life, by Dr. Robert Anderson.

Elizabeth Hamilton was born at Belfast in 1758. Her father was a merchant, descended from a Scottish family, and died early, leaving a widow and three children. The children were brought up and educated by their relatives. Elizabeth, the youngest, was sent to Mr. Marshall, a farmer in Stirlingshire, married to her father’s sister; and the child found a warm home with Mr. and Mrs. Marshall. They adopted and educated her with a care and kindliness that has rarely been matched. She says herself:――“No child ever spent so happy a life, nor have I ever met with anything at all resembling our way of living, except the description given by Rousseau of Wolmar’s farm and vintage.” At an early age she manifested a keen taste for literature, and wrote many copies of verses. For many years, in the latter part of her life, she lived in Edinburgh, where she was much respected.

Her chief works are:――(1) _The Letters of a Hindoo Rajah_, which appeared in 1796; (2) _The Modern Philosophers_, published in 1800, in three volumes; (3) _Letters on Education_; (4) _Memoirs of Agrippina_; (5) _The Cottagers of Glenburnie_, in 1808; (6) _Popular Essays on the Human Mind_; (7) _Hints to the Directors of Public Schools_. _The Cottagers of Glenburnie_ was the most popular of her efforts. It is a tale of cottage life, of which the scene is laid in a small, scattered Scottish village; and it presents well realised pictures of Scottish rural life in the later part of the last century. She died in 1816.

Mrs. Mary Brunton was born on the 1st of November, 1778, in Burray, a small island of the Orkney group. In this remote region, her father, Colonel Balfour of Elwick, and her mother, an accomplished woman, held a leading position in society. Mary was carefully educated, and her mother taught her French and German; and she was also sent to Edinburgh for some time to complete her education. In 1798 she married the Rev. Mr. Brunton, minister of Bolton, Haddingtonshire; and in 1803 he was appointed to one of the churches in Edinburgh, where Mrs. Brunton had greater facilities for cultivating her mind.

Her novel _Self-Control_ was published anonymously in 1811, and proved a success. The first edition was sold in a month, and a second and a third were soon issued. Her next novel, entitled _Discipline_, appeared in 1814, and was well received. She was engaged on another story, which she did not live to finish, having died on the 7th of December, 1818. The unfinished tale and a memoir of the lamented authoress were issued by her husband in one volume. The chief merit of her two completed novels appears in the elevated moral sentiment and purity of tone which pervade them; and in her keen observation and art in the development of traits of character, which give a semblance of reality to her charming stories.

Sir Walter Scott was a wonderful genius, and a man of exceptional industry. The quantity and variety of his writings are amazing. In the field of the historic novel――pictures of the life, manners, and superstitions of the Scottish people, he is unrivalled. The greater number of his long series of novels have their scenes laid in Scotland, and are characteristically Scottish; although a few of them have their scenes laid in England, the Continent, and the East, even in some of these Scottish characters appear. Scott usually worked in periods pretty near his own time, for considerably more than one half of his novels belong to the eighteenth and seventeenth centuries, and only one of those relating to Scotland go farther back than the fifteenth century. He was not a great thinker, his analytic faculty was not at all remarkable; but he was a keen observer, and had a retentive memory. He had also a pretty wide knowledge of history. But his strength mainly lay in his unrivalled powers of description, a fine sense of the picturesque in scenery, in his vivid and rapid narrative, and varied characterisation of external action; whatever was visible and palpable, lay within his compass.

In many of his novels he shows a fine appreciation of the humorous and comic features of human life. He has an instinctive perception of fitness of touch in the delineation of character, and many of his characters are admirably presented. He often introduces supernatural features, visions, prophecies, and superstitions, and there are incidents in his novels which seem to indicate that he himself had some belief in superstition. Most of his novels contain some hints of agencies beyond the general laws of nature; and in his handling of the supernatural he usually left popular prediction and second sight in a haze. Scott was not an idealist, so the agency which worked marvels was not an invisible spirit, but rather something tangible――a sorcerer or a soothsayer, of which the national records and traditional superstition presented an ample store. From these and many other sources he wove wonderful creations, stirring narratives, striking and charming scenes.

Scott’s novels have had a wide influence, stretching far beyond the limits of Britain. The sale and circulation of them has been enormous, not only in this country, but also on the Continent of Europe and the United States of America. After the abolition of the paper duty, they were published in very cheap forms; and millions of the sixpenny edition have been sold. In general the moral tone of his novels is manly and wholesome; and they have been a source of amusement and enjoyment to several generations and many millions of people.

Personally, Scott was a humane and very amiable man, and much beloved by all who knew him. In the evening of his days, when adversity overtook him, then the real greatness of his spirit appeared. He manfully faced the difficulties before him, and struggled to discharge his debts with a hope and fortitude worthy of the greatest hero.¹

¹ A valuable and interesting _Life of Scott_ was written by
his son-in-law, Mr. John G. Lockhart, which was published
in 1837; and in 1843 he published his _Life of Scott_ in an
abridged form. Scott’s own interesting Journal was recently
published.

John Galt, a contemporary of Scott, was born at Irvine in 1779. When a boy of eleven years, his parents removed to Greenock; and there he manifested a bent for poetry and music. After finishing his school days, he was employed in the custom-house at Greenock till 1804, when he went to London to push his fortune. There, and in many other quarters of the globe he entered into various schemes with little success; and in the end he chiefly devoted his energies to literature. He was a man of great energy and genius; but unfortunate in most of his undertakings. His life was one of hard struggles, in which, however, his heart and spirit never faltered.

He is the author of a long list of novels, tales, dramatic pieces, and other writings. His original powers were excellent. In his best efforts, within the circle of his cognition, in the perception of motive and character, he was supreme. But his taste was defective, while the untoward circumstances with which he had to struggle, greatly crippled his genius. His fertility, versatility, and industry were very remarkable; but the merits of his novels are unequal. The scenes of most of his novels were laid in Scotland, and dealt with Scottish life and character. The most popular of his novels were the _Ayrshire Legatees_, which appeared in 1820; and the _Annals of the Parish_, written in 1810, but not published till 1821. The _Annals of the Parish_ is an excellent tale; and it presents many amusing, striking, and pathetic incidents, and touches of quaint humour.

Galt returned to Scotland in 1835, greatly enfeebled by repeated attacks of paralysis. Yet he wrote several articles for periodicals, and edited the works of others. After severe and long suffering, borne with great fortitude, he died at Greenock, on the 11th of April, 1839.

Mrs. Johnstone¹ is the author of a tale called _Clan Albyn_, which appeared in 1815. It throws a romantic glow over Highland scenery and character; her descriptions are vivid and picturesque. In 1827 her novel, _Elizabeth de Bruce_, was published. She also wrote several attractive tales for children, and was a large contributor to the periodical literature of the time. She was for several years editor of _Tait’s Magazine_. Her style is smooth and elegant, and her writings characterised by a varied culture and sound judgment.

¹ Born 1781, died 1857.

Susan E. Ferrier¹ was a daughter of James Ferrier, one of the clerks of the Court of Session. She is the authoress of three novels, all of them in three volumes. The first one, entitled _Marriage_, appeared in 1818. She evinces considerable talents and wit, writes in a rather caustic style, and exerts her fine comic humour on the foibles and oddities of mankind. Many artful sarcastic touches occur in the novel, and keen insight of human nature is manifested. Her next novel, _The Inheritance_, was published in 1824. It is more elaborate and better developed than the preceding one; some of her characters are well delineated. Her third novel, _Destiny: or, The Chiefs Daughter_, appeared in 1831. Its scene is in the Highlands, and the authoress deals with Highland scenery and Highland manners, but it is not a romantic tale, though in some passages strong passion and feeling appears.

¹ Born in 1782, died in 1854.

John Wilson was born on the 18th of May, 1785, in Paisley, where his father was a successful manufacturer. He was educated at the University of Glasgow and at Oxford. After leaving Oxford, he purchased the small estate of Elleray, on the banks of the Lake Windermere, in England, where he built a house. He married, kept a yacht, and enjoyed himself amid the fine scenery of the lakes, and wrote poetry. But some reverses overtook him, and, as stated in a preceding chapter, he obtained the chair of Moral Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh in 1820, which he held until his death in 1854. He was not a philosopher, but he was a cultured, amiable, and kind-hearted man. His poetical efforts consist of the _Isle of Palms_, published in 1812; the _City of the Plague_, in 1816, and some other short pieces. His poetry is sweet and soft, but lacking in strength and passion, and it has been eclipsed by his own prose writings.

Wilson was one of the leading contributors to _Blackwood’s Magazine_ in its palmy days, and in it some of his tales first appeared. In 1822 his volume entitled _Lights and Shadows of Scottish Life_ was issued. It consists of twenty-four short tales, which relate to Scottish rural and pastoral life. The tales are simple, homely, and pathetic. In 1823 his work entitled _The Trials of Margaret Lyndsay_ was published. This tale has many touching scenes, pictures, and incidents. In 1824 his story, _The Foresters_, was issued.

The most important of his contributions to _Blackwood’s Magazine_ were collected and published, under the title of _The Recreations of Christopher North_, in 1842, in three volumes. They consist of a miscellany of papers and criticisms on a wide variety of subjects. His criticisms on poetry are often discriminative and elegant, and his series of articles on Spenser and Homer have been much admired. A complete collected edition of his writings was published by his son-in-law, Professor Ferrier, in 1855‒58, in twelve volumes, and a memoir of his life by his daughter, Mrs. Gordon, was issued in 1862.

Sir Thomas D. Lauder¹ is the author of two interesting novels of the historic class relating to Scottish life――_Lochanduh_, published in 1825, and the _Wolf of Badenoch_ in 1827. The Wolf of Badenoch was Alexander Stuart, a son of Robert II., and Earl of Buchan and Lord of Badenoch. He was one of the most turbulent men of the period. In 1830 Sir Thomas published a very interesting account of the great floods in Morayshire, which happened in 1829. He has described the effects of this inundation with great picturesqueness, and presented many pathetic episodes of the suffering of the people. He is the author of a series of _Highland Rambles_, in which there are many striking descriptions of natural scenery. He was commissioned to write a _Memorial of Her Majesty Queen Victoria’s Visit to Scotland_ in 1842. He was engaged on a work, _A Descriptive Account of Scottish Rivers_, the Tweed and other streams, which he left unfinished, but an edition of it, with a preface by Dr. John Brown, was published in 1874.

¹ Born in 1784, died in 1848.

Andrew Picken, a son of a manufacturer, was born in Paisley in 1788. He was for some time engaged in business in the West Indies, and afterwards in Ireland and Glasgow. Subsequently he settled as a bookseller in Liverpool, but was not successful, and proceeded to London and engaged in literature. His first effort, _Tales and Sketches of the West of Scotland_, was much esteemed for its local descriptions. His novel entitled _The Sectarian: or, The Church and the Meeting-house_, appeared in 1829, in three volumes, but it was not very successful. The characters which the author drew of the Dissenters irritated many readers. In 1830 he issued _The Dominie’s Legacy_, a novel in three volumes, which was well received, and a second edition was soon published. In 1831 he published _The Club Book_, a collection of original tales by different authors, which included two of his own――The Deerstalkers, and The Three Kearneys. He issued the first part of a work entitled _Traditionary Stories of Old Families_, which was designed to comprise the legendary history of England, Scotland, and Ireland. His last work was a novel called the _Black Watch_, which he had just finished when he was struck down by apoplexy, and he died on the 23rd of November, 1833.

James B. Fraser¹ is the author of interesting and amusing Eastern tales. In 1828 he issued _The Kuzzilbash: a Tale of Khorassan_, in three volumes, and afterwards he added a continuation under the title of the _Persian Adventurer_. He described the life and manners of the Persians by stirring narratives, which are partly fictitious and partly real. Many of the scenes are well described, while the narratives are animated and interesting. He also wrote a Scottish story, _The Highland Smugglers_, which, however, is not equal to his Eastern tales.

¹ Born in 1783, died in 1856.

John G. Lockhart,¹ the biographer of Sir Walter Scott, and editor of the _Quarterly Review_ from 1826 till 1852, was the author of four novels. His first effort, _Valerius, a Roman Story_, appeared in 1821 in three volumes. It is a tale of the times of Trajan, the Roman Emperor, who persecuted the Christians in Rome. He evinces much historic knowledge and remarkable powers of realisation throughout the story. Many striking pictures and sketches of Roman life and its associations are vividly pourtrayed. His story entitled _Some Passages in the Life of Mr. Adam Blair, Minister of the Gospel at Cross-Meikle_, published in 1822, is an account of the fall of a Scottish minister, and his restoration, after a period of repentance, to the functions of his profession in the place where he had formerly ministered. The narrative is forcibly written, and presents a clear idea of Scottish character. The nature and circumstances of the story, however, renders it somewhat unpleasant reading. In 1823 his long novel, _Reginald Dalton_, was issued in three volumes. The scene of it is laid in England. A detailed account of college life in Oxford was presented, where Reginald, the hero of the tale, was educated; and, among his acquisitions, he learned to imbibe port-wine. In the course of the story some touching scenes of life are described. His tale of _Matthew Wald_ was published in 1824 in one volume. Matthew Wald, the hero of the tale, passes through many changes of fortune, in which there are characteristic scenes.

¹ Born in 1794, died in 1854.

Lockhart was a highly gifted and accomplished man. Besides his _Life of Scott_, he wrote a _Life of Burns_, published in 1828. It is written in an admirable style, and in a candid and appreciative spirit, and at the time it was a valuable contribution to the biography of the poet. He contributed many articles to _Blackwood’s Magazine_, and greatly assisted in giving it a distinctive character. While editor of the _Quarterly Review_, he wrote for it a considerable number of critical articles, which are excellent specimens of his clear and incisive style.

David M. Moir¹ was a native of Musselburgh. He is the author of an exceedingly interesting and humorous Scottish tale, _The Autobiography of Mansie Wauch_, published in 1828. Also the _Legend of Genevieve_, with other tales and poems, issued in 1824. Under the name of Delta (a Greek letter) he contributed many poetical pieces to _Blackwood’s Magazine_; and also wrote _Sketches of the Poetical Literature of the Past Half-century_, which appeared in 1851. His poetical writings were edited by Mr. Thomas Aird, with a memoir, and published in 1852 in two volumes.

¹ Born in 1798, died in 1851.

James Grant¹ was a native of Edinburgh, and served for some time in the 62nd Regiment. He wrote a large number of military and historical novels, and memoirs of eminent commanders, some of which were once very popular. He was pretty familiar with military affairs, and with some periods of Scottish history, and several of his tales present vivid pictures of bypast times.

¹ Born in 1822, died in 1887.

David Pae was born on the 6th of May, 1828, at Buchanty, on the banks of the Almond, Perthshire, where his father was a miller, and was drowned while attempting to ford the Almond, on horseback, near his own house. David, when an infant, was taken by his mother to Coldingham, on the Scottish Borders, where she remained with her family. He was educated at the parish school. When a mere youth he went to Edinburgh, and was employed by Mr. Thomas Grant, printer and publisher. He had a keen fancy for the drama, and his first literary effort assumed the form of a dramatic criticism. He was gifted with fine sensibilities, and earnestly studied the Bible. When the Crimean War was impending he published a pamphlet under the title of _The Coming Struggle_, the aim of which was to warn the people of this country against our alliance with the Papal powers of the Continent. He brought prophecy to bear on transpiring events with a vigour which raised some stir in the country. Shortly after he issued a volume entitled _The Second Advent_, in which he presented his views in a more elaborate form. Afterward he published a treatise on _Mesmerism and Animal Magnetism_, which was followed by a history of America. He had not yet, however, touched the region best suited for his talents. At last he entered into his destined field with a serial story――Jessie, the Bookfolder――which appeared simultaneously in the _North Briton_, published in Edinburgh, and the _Penny Post_, published in Glasgow. This story attained a remarkable success, and was afterward republished in book form. For about nine years he was a contributor to the _North Briton_ and the _Penny Post_. He also edited the _Dunfermline Press_ for two years, 1859‒60, in which several of his stories first appeared. In 1863 he was engaged by Mr. Leng (now Sir John Leng) of the _Dundee Advertiser_, as the story writer for the _People’s Journal_, in which many of his stories first appeared, and contributed greatly to render the paper popular and to increase its circulation. When the _People’s Friend_ was commenced in 1869 he was appointed editor. He continued to edit this instructive miscellany, and to write stories for the _People’s Journal_, until his death, which occurred on the morning of the 9th of May, 1884. He died of disease of the heart after an hour’s illness.

He was an exceedingly fertile writer. Besides his early efforts mentioned above, he wrote fifty serial stories, many essays and short tales, and also an interesting volume on Rosslyn and Hawthornden, and a drama entitled Drumclog. He was a keen observer of the beauties of external nature, and evinced considerable powers of description. The moral tone of his stories was elevated and manly. Personally he was an amiable man, of a quiet and unassuming character.

The late gifted Professor Minto was the author of three novels――_The Crack of Doom_, published in 1886; _The Meditation of Ralph Hardelot_, issued in 1888; and _Was She Good or Bad_, in 1889.

William Alexander was born on the 10th of June 1826, at Rescivet in the parish of Chapel of Garioch, Aberdeenshire, where his father carried on the trade of a blacksmith. He was educated at the parish school of Daviot, and before his school days ended, his father gave up the blacksmith business and removed to the farm of Damhead. On this farm from an early age, William engaged in agricultural work, and acquired an accurate knowledge of the rural life of Aberdeenshire, which he afterwards turned to excellent account. He greatly enjoyed agricultural work, and rural life. But in early manhood a serious accident necessitated the amputation of a limb, which entirely changed his mode of life. During the time of his confinement and convalescence he began a course of reading, and practised composition in the form of essays and stories, which widened the scope of his knowledge and improved his naturally well-balanced mind. His first literary effort which appeared in print, was an essay on farm-servants, written in competition for a prize offered by the proprietors of the _North of Scotland Gazette_. His essay won the prize; and shortly after Mr. M‘Combie, the editor, offered him employment on the paper which he gladly accepted. In May 1853, the _Gazette_ was reconstituted as the _Free Press_, and Mr. Alexander continued to occupy an important position on the staff of this paper and its allied issues――the _Weekly Free Press_ and the _Evening Gazette_.

He wrote a story entitled _The Authentic History of Peter Grundy_, which appeared in the _Free Press_, but has not been republished. His story――_Johnny Gibb of Gushetneuk_, in the parish of Pyketillim, with Glimpses of the parish politics about 1843, was commenced in the _Free Press_ in September 1869. It is an excellent story, and was republished in book form in 1871. It is intensely interesting, remarkable for its natural and true characterisation, and its quaint humour and pathos; while it is especially valuable philologically, as embodying a pretty full and pure specimen of the Aberdeenshire dialect, of which the author was a thorough master. It became popular, and has passed through ten editions. In 1875 his volume under the title of _Sketches of Life Among My Ain Folk_ was published, and consists of four short stories, which present graphic pictures of social life in Aberdeenshire, with many touches of humour and pathos. His volume entitled _Notes and Sketches of Northern Rural Life in the Eighteenth Century_, was published in 1877. This is a comparatively small but interesting essay, and gives an instructive account of the social condition and industrial life of the region and period with which it dealt. He also wrote papers on _Aberdeenshire Agriculture_, and the _Making of Aberdeenshire_, which were published. He contributed a number of articles and sketches to various periodicals, which mainly treated on the life and social conditions of North-eastern Scotland. His minor stories and fugitive pieces were very numerous. In recognition of his literary activity and the merit of his writings, in 1886 the University of Aberdeen conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.

As a journalist, he attained notable distinction. His sound judgment, tact, and considerate character, were conspicuous. He was always ready to advocate any cause or movement to the utmost of his power, which he believed to be necessary for the public good, or calculated to alleviate suffering, and promote the happiness of the community. When occasion demanded it, he showed great determination and independence. Outside the functions of journalism, he took an active part in the affairs of various public institutions in the city. He was a director of the Royal Infirmary, a member of the Public Library Committee, and a member of the Association for the Improvement of the Condition of the Poor.

Personally, he was a very amiable and kind-hearted man. His benignant and thoughtful countenance, genial and inspiriting conversation left an abiding impression. As every one, who came within the influence of his voice felt that there was a firm conviction and earnest thought behind it. After a short illness, he died at his residence in Aberdeen on the 19th of February, 1894.

Robert Lewis Stevenson was a son of Thomas Stevenson, an eminent civil engineer, and was born in Edinburgh on the 13th of November 1850. He was a delicate boy, and very studious in his own way. He was educated at the University of Edinburgh; but according to his own account he did not regularly attend any of the classes. He once remarked――“I am sorry, indeed, that I have no Greek, but I should be sorrier still if I were dead; nor do I know the name of that branch of knowledge which is worth acquiring at the price of a brain fever.” He became a member of the Scottish Bar, but never practised law. He devoted his attention to literature, and attained distinction as a novelist, essay writer, and poet. In the later years of his life, he resided in the island of Samoa, where he died on the 8th of December 1894.

He is the author of over twenty novels and romances, several volumes of poetry and ballads, and a number of excellent essays. Some of his novels have been very popular, and reached a large sale. His _Underwoods_, a volume of poetry, has reached a sixth edition. This volume contains thirty-eight pieces in English and sixteen in Scotch, and in both the personal characteristic prevails, yet they are interesting. The first among the Scotch pieces is entitled “The Maker to Posterity,” and begins thus:――

“Far ‘yont amang the years to be,
When a’ we think, an’ a’ we see,
An’ a’ we luve’s been dung ajee
By time’s rouch shouther,
An’ what was richt and wrang for me
Lies mangled throw’ther;
It’s possible――it’s hardly mair――
That some ane, ripin’ after lear――
Some auld professor or young heir,
If still there’s either――
May find an’ read me, an’ be sair
Perplexed, puir brither!
‘What tongue does your auld bookie speak?’
He’ll spier; an’ I, his mou to steik:
‘No bein’ fit to write in Greek,
I wrote in Lallan,
Dear to my heart as the peat reek,
Auld as Tantallon.
Few speak it than, an’ noo there’s nane;
My puir auld sangs lie a’ their lane,
Their sense, that ance was braw an’ plain,
Tint a’ thegether.
Like runes upon a standin’ stane
Amang the heather.’”

As a novelist, he had the art of rendering his writings interesting. His faculty of description was fairly good. He had the power of grasping incidents and circumstances, realising and combining them, and presenting attractive stories.

* * * * *

In conclusion, it may be indicated that in earlier times the ballad literature, traditional tales, and chap-books, partly held the place among the people, which is now mainly filled by modern fiction. In the present century there has been a great development of this branch of literature, and during the last thirty years enormous quantities of fiction have appeared in the periodical and newspaper press. There are varied forms, classes, and qualities of fiction. Much of it is merely written for amusement, much also for special purposes, such as various religious aims, and moral aims. It seems extremely doubtful, if the intense struggle in this branch of literature to produce sensational and exciting stories is more likely to elevate than to debase the moral sentiments of the people.