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centuries, were scarcely sufficient to restore matters to their former footing.

ters, it may only be added, that the large armies brought into the field by the partizans of Baliol and Bruce, chiefly drawn from the Low-country districts, furnish incontestable proof, that the population of the country was then extensive and numerous. Now, as population and food must always go hand in hand, or, speaking more correctly, food must always precede population; a sure evidence of agricultural prosperity at the end of the 18th century is thence furnished. Indeed, independent of abstract reasoning, we have conclusive proof of the flourishing state of agriculture in Scotland from other sources. According to Hemingford, a writer of no mean authority, it appears that the English army, when besieging the castle of Dirleton, in East Lothian, A. D. 1299, subsisted upon the peas and beans growing in the adjoining fields. Every agriculturist knows well, that these grains cannot be successfully cultivated, till husbandry has reached a pretty advanced state; therefore it may be presumed, that the agriculture of the district alluded to, was at that period considerably improved. But another circumstance, still more deci

These civil broils originated in a contested succession to the crown, wherein the parties, in the first instance, were nearly matched; but af· terwards, by the interference of Edward of England, the scale was túrned, and, as generally happens in such cases, the country was brought under the dominion of a foreign invader. The death of Alexander III. in 1286, was the source of all these evils, occasioning a contest concerning the suc cession between John Baliol and Robert Bruce; which, in the first place, almost ruined Scotland, and ultimately brought destruction upon the followers of Baliol, and those who adhered to Edward of England, who claimed the sovereignty as lord paramount of the country. This contest, which lasted for many years, stepped the growing prosperity of the country; occasioned the towns and villages to be destroyed; turned the people's attention from internal improvement to resisting external attacks; and rendered them as barbarous and uncivilized, as they were before the days of Malcolm Canmore. The baneful consequences,sive, may be gleaned from the wardwhich flowed from a disputed succession, were hardly overcome, when England and Scotland were united under the government of one sovereign; nor did they altogether dissappear till the middle of the 18th century. Before that time, the internal improvement of the country was neglected and overlooked, whilst the great bulk of the inhabitants continued in an abject and miserable state, imperfectly fed, destitute of other comforts, without the means of improvement, and altogether in a situation which can hardly be described, far less figured, at the present moment, when all these circumstances are completely.reversed.

Without insisting upon these mat-
June 1809.

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robe account of Edward I.; wherein it appears, that, when that monarch invaded Galloway in 1300, he purchased and exported from Kirkcudbright to Whitehaven, and other parts of Cumberland, greater quantities of wheat than perhaps the modern agriculture of that province can supply at the present day.

But the most precise and correct account of Scottish agriculture, during the Anglo-Saxon government, or from the reign of Edgar, who mounted the throne in 1097, to the decease of Alexander III: 1286, may be found in Mr Chalmers's Caledonia, recently published, wherein the most diligent research is displayed, and every statement supported by respectable autho

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rities. The authorities cited by Mr Chalmers are numerous and decisive. Without trusting to former writers, who rarely took the trouble to ascertain the truth of what was asserted, this gentleman sedulously consulted the ancient records, both of public bodies and private individuals, and has thereby thrown a light upon the antient history of this country, sufficiently bright to illuminate the dark periods which he treated of, and enlighten the people of the present day, respecting the former state of their native country, and the progress of agriculture, and other useful arts.

From the interesting particulars communicated by Mr Chalmers, ample information is received concerning the favourable condition of rural economy in Scotland, at the end of the 13th century; whence it may be inferred, that the Low-country districts, especially those south of the Forth, were in a rapid state of improvement. It must, however, be remarked, that little of that improvement was owing to the Celtic natives, nearly the whole of it being attributable to the foreigners introduced by the Scoto-Saxon kings, From the reign of Edgar to the conclusion of the Saxon dynasty, numerous bodies of Anglo-Saxons, Anglo-Normans and Flemings, settled in Scotland, and, by favour of the several monarchs, acquired vast possessions in many districts. Edgar, the first of the Saxon dynasty, forced his way to the throne by the decisive aid of an English army; and afterwards gradually brought in a new people, whose polity was widely different from that of the aboriginal inhabitants. Alexander I., who married an English princess, likewise, encouraged settlers of that nation; but the reign of David I. was most propitious to adventurers from foreign countries. That prince, having married an English countess, who had numerous vassals, was attended to the throne, in 1124, by a thousand Anglo-Normans, to

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whom he distributed extensive landed possessions, and otherwise afforded protection and encouragement. In fact, a change then took place in the Lowcountry districts of Scotland, something similar to what is now going forward in the Northern or Highland districts.

Numerous colonies of Flemings also settled in Scotland, and from this stock several of the first families of the country have sprung. The Celtic people had their hamlets, to which they gave descriptive names in their own language; but when the AngloNormans were introduced, their first object was to build a strong-hold or castle, around which the followers of the chief settled, and thus formed a village, and in some cases, a town; in which practice they were much encou raged by the several sovereigns, who wished to bridle and restrain the ferocity of the natives. The policy of the Scotch kings, during the Saxon dynasty, prompted the building of castles in every place where a convenient site occurred; and it was under the protection of these strong-holds, that towns arose and industry began her career. Such a system of policy, however, was viewed by the Abori gines with indignation. Insurrections were often raised, and attempts made to burn and destroy the towns so erected, and to lay waste the lands which belonged to the inhabitants of these towns. After the capture of King William, 1174, when anarchy prevailed for some time, the new settlers fled to the king's castles for shelter; and such had been the progress of colonization, that the towns and boroughs of Scotland were, at that period, chiefly inhabited by foreigners,

A policy of a different kind, but equally beneficial, contributed much to the improvement of the country.— The erecting of such a number of religious houses, in the twelfth century, was attended with salutary effects; be

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cause the monks being drawn from England and foreign countries, of course brought along with them the arts exercised in these countries, to the great benefit of the kingdom in which they now settled. These ecclesiastics had their dependants, to whom they granted parcels of land on conditions of service; and it must be confessed, that the church lands were first improved, and in such a substantial way, that many of them to this day continue to yield more productive crops than the lands then in the hands of the barons, tho' at first sight there may appear no difference in their natural value. The monks brought along with them many craftsmen or artizans from foreign countries, and in this way the settling of every religious house may be considered as the plantation of a new colony of the Tuetonic race amidst the Celtic inhabitants of North Britain.

(To be continued.)

Biographical Sketch of the late Dr BEILBY PORTEUS, Lord Bishop of LONDON.

DR

R Beilby Porteus was a native of Yorkshire, where he was born about the year 1731; but he himself was accustomed to trace his decent from a Scottish family; and it is a well-known fact, that his grandfather had repaired to this country at no distant period. His father, a tradesman of little eminence, resided for many years in the north of England; and it was at the grammar-school at Rippon, under the care of the Rev. Mr Hyde, that young Porteus commenced his classical ca

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It occurred in respect to this student, as to the present Bishop of Landaff, and indeed most of the young men, who re pair thither from the north of England, carrying with them no other preten sions than their talents, that an undeviating assiduity and laborious industry occupied and distinguished almost every moment of his life. He was accordingly treated with respect by his superiors, and, while qualifying himself for the future duties of the sacred profession, of which he was one day to be a shining ornament, a taste for literature and composition was gradually infused into his mind.

Mr Porteus obtained his first degree as batchelor of arts, in 1752, when he was only seventeen or eighteen years of age. The same year was also distinguished by another occurrence, which was calculated to form an epoch, in the life of our Tyro; for he gained one of the two gold medals, held out as a tempting remuneration to those who should produce the best classical essays. This well-judged and munificent reward was conferred by a former Duke of Newcastle, then Chancellor of the University: as for his competitors, most, if not all, of them, have been long since dead, with the exception, however, of Francis Maseres, Esq. F. R. S. Cursitor Baron of the Exchequer, who was, like himself, a successful candidate.

His worth, as well as talents, now began to be known within the precincts of his Alma Mater, and in 1754 Mr Porteus was nominated one of the Esquire Beadles of the University, which office he held for about 16 months.

In 1755, the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon this respect, able student, who now began to behold the dawn of his good fortune; for he was elected a fellow by his college, and nearly at the same time appointed one of the preachers at Whitehall chapel. It was not, however, un

til 1759, that Mr Porteus was known beyond his limits of his University, for it was then that he obtained the Seatonian prize, for the best composition on "Death", which he published soon after, in conformity with the will of the founder. This was his first poetical essay, or, at least, the first that ever issued from the press, and it obtained for him not only a considerable portion of fame, but was also considered as the prelude to still greater celebrity.

On the demise of George II. Mr Porteus once more invoked the Muses, and, in some verses to the memory of that Prince, exhibited his propensity to, and his excellence in poetical composition. But other studies and avocations, of a far different nature, called off his attention. In 1761, his pen was occupied in simple prose, and on a subject not very pleasing to a man of his placid turn of mind-controversal divinity. A little before this period there had appeared a work entitled, "The History of the Man after God's own heart ;" in which the many glaring defects in the character of David were artfully exposed and heightened, with a degree of boldness that alarmed many good and welldisposed Christians. Mr Porteus, fearing lest it might produce much mischief, undertook, as well as many others, to vindicate one of the heroes of the Old Testament; and he accordingly preached a sermon, November 29, before the University of Cambridge, which had prefixed to it by way of title-page, "The character of David King of Israel, impartially stated."

It is, perhaps, to this little work, that his future fortunes are to be wholly attributed; for Dr Thomas Secker, who, in 1758, had been translated from the see of Oxford, to the archiepiscopal throne of Canterbury, having read his discourse, was induced by a perusal of this and his other publications, to take Mr P. who by this time had obtained the degree of M.A.

under his own immediate patronage. He accordingly was pleased immedi ately to appoint him one of his domestic chaplains; and soon after presented him, in succession, to two rectories in Kent, and one in Middlesex. A prebendal stall in Peterborough followed at no great distance. On the demise of that eminent and very pious prelate in 1768, he, in association with Dr Stinton, edited and pub. fished his works in seven volumes 8vo., consisting of sermons, charges, and lectures; to which was prefixed a life, composed solely by our author, and which obtained the praise of Johnson.

Previously to this event, Mr P. who had resolved to settle in life, in 1765, married Miss Hodgson, a lady of some fortune, whose father had resided at Matlock, in Derbyshire.The ceremony was performed there by his friend, the primate. Two years after this, the degree of D. D. was conferred on him by his own University, and still greater honours now awaited him. The queen, hearing of Mr P's reputation, and being apprised of the excellence of his private character, employed him as her private chaplain; and such a high opinion did her Ma jesty entertain of his piety and endowments, from what she observed du ring his attendance in consequence of a short illness, that she determined to complete what Secker had begun.Accordingly, in January, 1777, on the translation of Dr Markham to the archbishopric of York, the royal interposition was employed in favour of Dr Porteus, who was immediately raised to the episcopal bench, as bishop of Chester.

Dr Porteus, who about this time began to be greatly esteemed, and followed as a popular preacher, now published several single sermons. Altho the popish religion had long ceased either to give offence, or create uneasiness, yet in 1781 he sent forth a work directly levelled against it, entitled "A Brief Confutation of the

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Errors of the Church of Rome.". This was extracted, however, from Archbishop Secker's works, and intended for general distribution.

In 1783, he produced a volume of his own Sermons on several subjects; it was followed by two more, and these have since been considered as models. In the course of the same year, his lordship preached before the Society for propagating the Gospel in foreign Parts; and he seized that occasion, to plead the cause of the unhappy negroes, whose claims have been lately advocated with uncommon success, and whose sufferings have been in part vindicated and redressed. Another laudable subject that engaged much of his attention, was also promoted by his recommendation, and forwarded by his zeal. Accordingly with this view, he published a "Letter to the Clergy of the Diocese of Chester, concerning Sunday Schools."

In 1787, a considerable change took place in his life, and the scene of his labours was not a little extended; for on the death of the amiable, and learned Bishop Lowth, Dr Porteus was translated to the see of London. This event gave entire satisfaction to every description of christians within the kingdom.

Instead of relaxing from his labours, his lordship now appears to have been invigorated in his career; for after delivering and publishing a charge to the clergy of his new diocese, at the primary visitation, he once more turned his attention towards the unhappy situation of the oppressed Africans. This good prelate, in 1792, assisted to found a society for their conversion.

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Meanwhile, lest the inhabitants of his very populous diocese should relapse into infidelity, he commenced a series of lectures, at St James's church, in the city of Westminster. These were delivered every Friday, to crowded and genteel audiences, composed of persons of all persuasions, and had for

their object to demonstrate the truth of the gospel history, and the divinity of Christ's mission. It was on this occasion that, towards the latter end of his life, he acquired the character of an accomplished orator; for his language was chaste, his manner impressive, and his eloquence captivating. Nor should it be here omitted, that his address was peculiarly impressive, he seemed to speak from conviction, and being fully persuaded himself of the truth of those doctrines, so earnestly recommended by him, he more easily succeeded in persuading others.

In point of private character, the late Bishop of London has ever been unexceptionable. Affable, amiable, easy of access, primitive in respect to manners, unspotted in regard to morals, he has been always held up as an example worthy of the pristine times of christianity. Addieted during the whole of his long life to literary pursuits, and excelling, in the early part of it, in poetry, he became the friend Mrs Hannah Moore, the correspondent of Mrs Carter, and the patron of all those who to a taste for composition added a fervent piety, approaching to something like evangelical purity.

On one subject, we are desirous to give Dr Porteus great and unqualified praise: this is the education of the Negroes, on Dr Bell's and Mr Lancaster's plan. He was always, as has been already noticed, a strenuous advocate for the abolition of the slave trade; and we only lament that he did not contend openly, and manfully, like Horsly, from the bench of bishops, in favour of that humane measure, as his character and influence would have powerfully assisted in putting an end to such a diabolical commerce, many years before its final extinction.

In regard to style, Dr Porteus' poetical works exhibit a character of unadorned elegance, and he seems to have preferred blank verse to rhyme. His prose composition is classically

correct;

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