there ye mind-wi our Betsy, than) and she says, she'll gie her lugs if he's no the best hand that ever gied the Bible a thud; but we'll gang up till the schule-house, as ye say, and the dominie will pit us a richt, and whaever we get, it'll be a man some o' us kens something about, an nane o' yer government chaps."

On the evening after this, the Laird was sitting in his drawingroom with his wife and daughter. He had sat silent for some time, but at last waking up from his brown study with a yawn, he began walking about in the fidgets, as men will do when they are thinking of things which they can't see to the bottom of.

"You seem fidgety, my dear," remarked Hon. Mrs B., "what is the matter?"

Hon. Mr B.-"Why, I've just been thinking what we are to do for a minister. It will be most unpleasant to have an illiterate boor so near us, as at the manse; one of these men who roar like my prize bull calves in the pulpit,—and who kick tables, stand like dummies, and spill tea-cups in dining-rooms and drawing-rooms."

Hon. Mrs." But, my dear, can't you present young Mr M'Lellan. He is quite a gentleman, and every way a nice eligible person, and then I'm sure he won't go and marry some baker's or merchant's daughter, as so many of these Scotch ministers do. You should give him the living at once."

Hon. Mr." You forget. My father presented last, and in consequence, the crown has the right this time. I only wish I could present; for the sake not only of Mr M'L., but for the sake of the parish, and ourselves. I fear much that the people will demand a leet from Government, and if they do, I must aid them by presenting their petition you know."

Hon. Mrs."I would'nt do any such thing, were I you. Why should you please the people and annoy yourself? You ought to write at once to Lord Grey recommending M'Lellan."

Hon. Mr.-"I would gladly do so, but then I might set the hundred Woodlands electors against me, and might in consequence lose my seat in Parliament."

Hon. Miss B.-"That Parliament is really a plague papa! I really wish you would give it up. Why there it keeps us in London all the finest weather; and then when you are in the country, you need to have such funny people about, to keep them sweet; and now you daren't recommend that nice minister for fear of the Woodlands election."

Hon. Mr.-"Oh! you want to favour the young fellow too, do you. Like you ladies! He's good looking, isn't he? but it really is provoking to have one's hands tied. I trust the people won't demand a leet. They may not you know, and if they do I must just get them one, and try all means to get M'L. on it. I really think my influence will carry him, but the people are getting very strong now-a-days. Ridiculous, isn't it, to allow stonebreakers, and masons, and poachers, to choose their own ministers. What can they know of his qual——.”

If you please, sir, the schoolmaster and two men want to see you,

sir, in the study, sir." So said Plush, bobbing and bowing, speaking fast and thick.

Hon. Mr.-"Tell them I will be with them immediately."

Plush.- "Yes sir," bobbing out.

Hon Mr.-" Did'nt I say so? Here they are already to ask me to ask the Secretary of State for a leet. I'm sure of it. There is that pest of a schoolmaster and two companions, and I must go and consult with them. Bah! really one is inclined to confound Parliament sometimes. Representation, like poverty, brings a man into queer company; but I'll speak a word to this important dominie in favour of your favourite, Eliza-so here goes."

Hon. Miss. "Oh papa, don't, for any sake."

Hon. Mrs.-"Your papa is only joking! but really I do wish he could get Mr M'L. put in."

When the Hon. G. Buchan went into his study, he found Mr Small the schoolmaster, and as the reader will have guessed, our old friends, James Parker, and William Simpson. They were standing all of a row behind the door, like recruits on a first drill. And when the Laird came in, the dominie, who in virtue of his learning and "pozzishion," was spokesman, looked up, and then down, coughed, put his handkerchief like a ball from one hand into the other, and said, "It is a vera fine night to-night."

James.-" Deed ist, vera!"

Wm.-"Deed ist."

Hon. Mr.-"It is, my friends, pray be seated." On this all three made a rush at the nearest chair, and narrowly escaped capsize, in their trepidation and hurry; but at length the dominie got one chair to himself, while Jas. and Wm. insisted on dividing another between, saying, when the Hon. Mr B. asked them to take one each, "Hoot! hoot! ane will shoot us fine.' Forthwith the interview opened by a speech from Mr Small. (It was written the night before, and the children had had a half-holiday from school that afternoon, while Mr S. committed it to memory). Speech. "We have come, sir! on a painful and particular piece of business-painful because it points backwards -particular because we want you to do it for us. We have come (me and my freens here) to speak about ministers. We have been reasoning within ourselfs that in this age of populousness and free trade, we should be allowed to choize a man suitable for ourselfs, and we speak (me and my freens,) the opinion of innumerable other interestin pairties, who having received a leeberal education (though I say it, as should not say it), think that you will aid and abet them, being as we are proud to imagine possible, a leeberal-mindet man yerself, to get a leek, (James and Wm. together, leet! man, leet!) However, we was requestit and deleg-gated to ask you to ask the Loard (that's him, that has it to do) to give us a leet—a leet of ministers that we maya-a-a choize wan.'

The Hon. Mr.-"Well, let me see. I don't always approve of leets, for they sometimes, as they did at Hillend, make a great disturbance in a parish, but if you are really anxious for it, we must see and

get Lord Grey to consent. Let me see. How many may you represent ?"

Dominie." Represent? There's three o' us."
James.- "Aye, there's three."

Wm.-"Aye, we took on us to come."

Hon. Mr. "You misunderstand me. parish may wish this leet?"

How many people in the

Dominie." Every man, woman, and bairn, hem! child among them."

James." Aye, every ane if they kenned o'd!"
Wm.-"Every sowl o' them, I'se warrant."

Hon. Mr.-"You think the feeling is universal?"
All three." Ooniversal!"

Hon. Mr.-"Well I will ask Government to allow you to have a voice in the choice of your minister, and you must ask the presbytery for leave to hear candidates. And I have only one thing to request, which is, that you give young Mr M'Lellan a place on the short leet."

Dominie." We were sure you would be so kind; and we give you our best wishes. And we will put Mr M'Lellan on the leek— leet, and give him a good hearing."

James." That we will."
Wm.-" Aye will we."

Hon. Mr.-"Well, good night my good friends, and I trust you will not abuse the privilege of choice you will have. Good night."

Dominie." I think we've dune no that ill after a'; Eh, Jeemsie? We've gotten what we wanted and tho' we put the Laird's man on the leek," (James and Wm. leet! man leet! ye said that ever sae aften to the Laird the nicht.)

Dominie." So would you, gin you had been chief speachifier, (Mercury ye ken,) but I was saying though we put the Laird's man on the leet, (I hae you noo, Harry Erskine,) we need na tak him. I was thinking the Laird wad hae his ain man.”

James." But we'll hae our's."

Wm." That we wull,-a real preachin match, nae papers-'an' deil tak the hindmost,' is the thing for huz."

THE LATE DR. SAMUEL BROWN.*

THE common and much-abused term genius, appears in its multiform acceptations, to have been applied to as many different forms of humanity, as there are varieties of character among mankind. The word as used, has a plasticity and accommodating spirit about it, that somewhat unfits it for imparting with precision that indispensable clearness of idea that all true thought and writing demand. Accor

* Lectures on the Atomic Theory, and Essays Scientific and Literary. By Samuel Brown. Edinburgh: Thomas Constable & Co. London: Hamilton, Adams, & Co., 1858.

ding to the common-place standard, every tenth man you meet is styled a man of genius, although he can truly claim no more kindred nor connection with the guild of genius than the dog that follows at his heels. He is only a person of considerable ability. He is familiar with the principles and details of a particular science, and otherwise his culture is unexceptionable. Knowing the principles of a given subject, he can apply them with much ability in practical everyday life. This class of men too, may possess much power,-may make for the time being, an appearance in the world far transcending most of the children of genius, but still they do not for a moment belong to this distinguished brotherhood. The greatest ability ever manifested by individual man, by no means infers the possession of genius. An individual may know all that is known, and apply his knowledge with greater success than any of his fellow-men, still he is only an able, highly useful, and praiseworthy member of society,—not a man of genius. In the estimation of the world at large, however, many such persons are confounded with the sons of genius, and it is of some importance here to unfold the ground-plan of the world's faith, for no notion can be so wide-spread and popular, without a plausible basis. Looking broadly over the face of society, we descry a numerous class of men, who contrive by every means in their power to keep their names and pretensions constantly before the world. Such persons seem to delight in living and basking in the very sunshine of popularity, under the immediate glance of mankind. They are, generally speaking, persons of great power, brilliant accomplishments, and distinguished above all things for their ability of working in a prescribed sphere with untiring energy. Nothing can resist their indomitable courage and perseverance. If superadded to these qualities, the individual has a high position in society, such as Lord High Chancellor of England, a Lord of Parliament, a Minister of State, a Professor in an established and popular University, or other prominent title in the world's eye, he is immediately enrolled by mankind as belonging to the guild of genius. The great mass of society is astounded by the extent and character of the man's knowledge and accomplishments, and still more by his indomitable perseverance and energy, and for these and these alone, at once, and without too critically sifting his pretensions farther, assign him one of the highest places among the sons of men. However little absolute acumen may thus be displayed, in awarding so prominent a niche to this class of thinkers, in the temple of the human affections, there is something so generous and full of beneficence about it, that one cannot help cherishing a love for mankind for doing so. It shews the gratitude and kindly sentiment that pervades the popular mind. It is saying in the plainest terms, "you have worked for us untiringly, and we shall reward you by assigning you the highest place in our regard." Hence public monuments without number, are erected to the memories of such men. But we must not be swept away by the strong tide of popular opinion, nor even by the generous sentiment that pervades society, in assigning the character of genius to every hard working

and prominent figure in society. Such men are only persons of distinguished ability, and are rendered more popular and attractive with the world from the very non-possession or lack of genius. But how then are men of genius to be recognised? Give us some unequivocal signs (our readers will say) by which we are to distinguish them. Give us some plain tests by which they are to be known, if not by every unlettered, at least by every educated and reflecting mind.

We have found, at least, that genius does not necessarily belong to that hard working, untiring form of nature that conducts the ordinary affairs of the world. To this class of mind, indeed, the highest place that can be assigned, is great ability. Its distinguishing feature is to know the principles of the science or art in which it works, and to apply them faithfully to practical purposes. And this definition applies to every species of human endeavour, from that of the humblest peasant to that of the statesman who directs the helm of the State. The minister of religion, the lawyer, the judge, the professor, all equally belong to this category of ability. They have all been educated in their respective departments to the highest pitch that knowledge can carry them, and each works untiringly in his prescribed circle of usefulness. From day to day, and year to year, they go on unremittingly, laying down the same principles, and applying them practically. No change, nor shadow of change, comes over their essentially practical natures. No new truth ever reaches them from the territory of darkness. They have no eye for penetrating behind the curtain of the invisible, or of dragging therefrom any new fact or law; nay, they have no power of descrying such even in the field of the visible, nor do they possess any desire or tendency of looking in these directions. But the children of genius are altogether a different description of beings. Above all things, they have a keen sense for the investigation of truth-for penetrating into the invisible, and their range of thought in the visible, embraces a circumference as large and expanded as the universe itself. But genius of the scientific order, as we meet it in the world, is of two distinct kinds. We have the discoverer in science, and the inventor in art, two classes of men as far asunder and different in point of mental capacity as it is possible to conceive. Still both belong to the guild of genius. Both are essentially, and to all ends and purposes, inspired thinkers, and both are of equally truth-breathing natures. As the difference between these distinct orders of genius may throw some light upon our subject in the sequel, we would do well to enquire into the mental peculiarities that distinguish them, and we shall take care to make our observations on the matter as broad, plain, and general, as possible.

Limiting our view, for the present, to the scientific mind, we have innumerable examples of genius of both the orders referred to. In astronomy for example, we have Kepler, Galileo, and Newton, the greatest law-discovering spirits that have appeared, in that science. In mental philosophy we have Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and a numerous train of followers. In chemistry we have a long list of dis