sheriff, and above that of a constable. Their system of life was that of domestic economy in perfection. Occupying large portions of his own domain; working his land by oxen; fattening the aged, and rearing a constant supply of young ones; growing his own oats, barley, and sometimes wheat; making his own malt, and furnished often with kilns for the drying of corn at home; - the master had constant and pleasing occupations in his farm, and his cottagers regular employment under him. To these occupations the high troughs, great garners and chests, yet remaining, bear faithful witness. Within, the mistress, maid-servants, and daughters, were occupied in spinning flax for the linen of the family, which was woven at home. Cloth, if not always manufactured out of their own wool, was purchased by wholesale, and made up into clothes at home also. They had much plate, and few books, but those generally theological; yet the grammarschools, not then perverted from their original purpose, diffused a general tincture of classical literature. Their simple way of life required little arithmetic; but they kept a rude kind of day-books, (from some of which, accompanied by rude inventories, this account has been collected,) and in the old figures, Arabic numerals not having yet been generally introduced.

The fortunes of daughters were partly paid in cattle, or even oatmeal; and the wardrobe of a wife, which was to last for life, was conveyed by oxen in a bride-wain, much adorned, and a chest enriched with carving.

This is the pleasing side of the picture. On the other hand the men were rough, and boisterous, and quarrelsome: their feasts, though generally regulated by the festivals of the church, were banquets of Lapithæ and Centaurs; but it required the economy of half a life to enable men in this rank to afford to die, for their funerals were scenes of prodigality not to be described. I have seen the accounts of an executor, in the "sober" times of the commonwealth; from which it appears that at the funeral of an ordinary gentleman, in the chapelry of Burnley, 477. (more than treble that sum at present,) were consumed almost entirely in meat and drink: ten shillings, indeed, were allowed to the preacher for a sermon, by which his congregation were no doubt well prepared to edify in the evening; and five shillings to the scholars for verses on the deceased. So low had this species of flattery (which is still continued, and sometimes brings out very elegant compositions in the universities) then descended. Still their intemperance, though enormous at some seasons, was rather periodical than constant; their farming operations would ordinarily keep them employed. They had, however, no planting, gardening, or music; some one of which, at least, country gentleman now requires. For fishing they had few opportunities; shooting flying was unknown, though nets were much in use. If they addicted themselves to hunting, which is always a social diversion, they grew idle and sottish; and their estates, not of magnitude enough to bear neglect, always went to ruin.

Next in the scale is the old farm-house, of which I could point out some specimens from three or four centuries old, supported on crooks, low, dark, and picturesque. But great numbers of these, from dates and other circumstances, appear to have been rebuilt early in the last century; and they were evidently abridgments of the hall, for in these the lower wing is completely cut off: the hall has become a "house," the screen contracted to a " speere," and the great arch supplanted by an oaken mantle-tree; but the parlour still maintains its relative situation and ancient use. In these dwellings, driven as to their last retreat, are seen many remains of ancient furniture, which have seen better houses and better days: the long table, the carved "armory," the dated wardrobe, all, when under the hands of a good housewife, bright and clean; and here, " the smoky rafters," loaded with winter provisions, and the great chests (like the cistie stiffylog) of the Welsh, crammed with oatmeal, which is calculated to outlast the year, fill the mind with pleasing ideas of rustic plenty and ancient simplicity. Happy would it be if these blessings were always accompanied with temperance in the use, and a sense of gratitude to the Giver.

Last in this view, though first perhaps in that of humanity and religion, is the cottage, - a structure of which, frail as it is, many instances remain in the nether town of Whalley, anterior (as appears by the decisive evidence of their timbers) to the dissolution of the abbey; these are single apartments without chambers, open to their thatched roofs, and supported upon crooks. The modern dwellings of our poor, from the durable materials which compose them, are productions of more comfort than those of most other countries, to their humble inhabitants. For here are no wattled and clay-built cabins, pervious to wind and weather; no shivering wretches, crippled for want of shelter or fuel; but before the present disastrous season, their condition was comparatively easy. Yet even then what sums were levied upon the frugal industry of the farmer, by illness and excess! Evils which nothing but an attentive, a vigilant execution of the laws will ever palliate. Improvidence, combined with indocility, is another feature of their character; and a general aversion (which nothing but the horrors of a famine have been able to subdue), to cheap soups and other frugal preparations of coarse animal food, together with an obstinate neglect of the old gardens and orchards, which often lie unfenced and trodden down before their doors, opposes another obstacle to the improvement of their condition.

Some, indeed, will every where be found, of more flexible natures, and more teachable understandings; but such, I fear, is the general character of our peasantry, that, excepting at seasons like the present, which compel them to do what they are enjoined, and to receive what is provided for them, he who shall undertake to feed or to instruct them in ways to which they have not been accustomed, may applaud his own good fortune if he meet with no other return than neglect!

The following is a correct list of Doctor Whitaker's various writings:

1. A Sermon for the Benefit of the General Infirmary. 1796. 8vo.

2. The History of the Original Parish of Whalley and Manor of Clitheroe, in the Counties of Lancaster and York; with plates and maps. 1801. 4to. Second edition, 1818. 3. History and Antiquities of the Deanery of Craven in the County of York. London, 1805. fol. 1812. royal 4to.

4. A Sermon. 1807. 8vo.

5. De Motu per Britanniam Civico. Annis 1745 et 1746. Liber Unicus. London, 1809... 18mo.

6. The Life and Original Correspondence of Sir George Radcliffe, Knt. 1810. 4to.

7. The Sermons of Doctor Edward Sandys, formerly Archbishop of York; with a Life of the Author. 1812. 8vo.

8. Visio Willi de Petro Ploughman, item Visiones ejusdem de Dowell, Dobet et Dobset; or the Vision of William concerning Piers Ploughman, and the Visions of the same concerning the Origin, Progress, and Perfection of a Christian Life; together with an Introductory Discourse, a Perpetual Commentary, Annotations, and a Glossary. By T. D. Whitaker. London, 1813. 4to.

9. Sermon. 1814. 4to..

10. A New Edition of Theresby's Ducatus Leodinensis; or the Topography of Leeds. Folio. 1816.

11. Loidis and Elmete; or an Attempt to Illustrate the Districts described in those Words by Bede, and supposed to embrace the lower Portions of Aredale and Wharfdale, together with the entire Vale of Calder. Folio. 1816.

12. Substance of a Speech at Blackburn. February 20. 1817. 13. The History of Yorkshire. Folio. 1821. The MSS. for "Richmondshire" and "Lunedale" were completed by Dr. Whitaker, previous to his lamented death. These two portions will be comprised in twelve numbers, forming two volumes.

234

No. X.

LORD KINEDDER.

LORD KINEDDER was born in 1769. He was the oldest surviving son of the Rev. William Erskine, a clergyman of the Episcopal Church of Scotland; who, during a long period of years, exercised his functions at the village of Muthill, in Perthshire, in the centre of a rich and populous neighbourhood. Mr. Erskine was descended from the family of Erskine, of Pittodrie, and was connected by his marriage with Miss Drummond, of the house of Keltie, with many families of respectability in Perthshire. He died at a very advanced age, leaving an orphan family of two sons and a daughter, the eldest of whom is the subject of the present memoir; the second is now on his return from India, where he long filled the distinguished and lucrative station of Member of the Supreme Council of Prince of Wales's Island. The only daughter became the wife, and is now the widow, of the Right Honourable Archibald Colquhoun, of Killermont, who was successively Lord Advocate, and Lord Clerk Register of Scotland.

Lord Kinedder received the more important parts of his education at the University of Glasgow. His tutor was the ingenious but unfortunate Andrew Macdonald, author of " Vimonda, and other Dramatic and Miscellaneous Poetry." Lord Kinedder possessed many unpublished pieces of this unhappy bard, who afterwards died in London in great poverty. His pupil was much attached to his memory, and used to recite his poetry with much feeling. It is remembered by Lord Kinedder's companions, that he prosecuted his studies in every department with remarkable assiduity and The exact sciences, however, never enjoyed much