LINNEAN SOCIETY OV LONDON. Ixxxiii 



supposed originals of the novelist. The success of this book en- 

 couraged him, when only twenty years of age, to compose his 

 ' Traditions of Edinburgh,' many of the anecdotes in which he 

 derived from Sir Walter Scott, with whom in his later years Kobert 

 Chambers was on terms of close friendship. This work made his 

 reputation, and other books followed in rapid succession from his 

 pen. Among these may be mentioned ' Walks in Edinburgh,' 

 ' Popular Rhymes of Scotland,' the ' Picture of Scotland ' (which 

 was composed after extensive excursions on foot), the ' Histories of 

 the Scottish Rebellions,' ' Life of James I.,' ' Scottish Ballads and 

 Songs,' and a 'Biographical Dictionary of Distinguished Scotsmen.' 

 Besides writing these works and attending to his regular business, 

 Robert Chambers acted for some time as editor of the ' Edinburgh 

 Advertiser ;' and in conjunction with his brother, he brought out 

 the ' Gazetteer of Scotland,' a work involving immense labour. The 

 latter end of the year 1831 was a critical period in the fortunes of 

 the brothers Chambers. The agitation for Parliamentary Reform 

 was accompanied by a move for the spread of education. Tlie 

 Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge was started, with a 

 formidable organization of chairmen, treasurers, committees, paid 

 and honorary secretaries, and local agents. Amongst other publica- 

 tions launched by this Society was ' The Penny Magazine.' A copy 

 of the prospectus (which appeared a long time before the periodical 

 itself) was seen by William Chambers, who had long been contem- 

 plating a similar periodical ; and he forwarded to one of the chief 

 promoters of ' The Penny Magazine ' several suggestions which, in 

 his judgment, would have improved the chances of the project. No 

 answer was returned to his letter ; and he determined to carry oiit 

 his own idea, which took the form of ' Chambers's Edinburgh 

 Journal.' The first number appeared on the 4th of February 1832, 

 six weeks before the Society in London fulfilled its promise of a 

 * Penny Magazine.' Success exceeded not only expectation, but the 

 means of production. The projector had to call in the aid of his 

 brother Robert for the editorship ; and all Edinburgh proved to be 

 equal only to produce the Scotch edition, one of the largest printing 

 offices in London being employed to work off the supply for England 

 and the colonies. ' The Penny Magazine ' expired long ago. 

 ' Chambers's Journal ' still flourishes among the widely read weekly 

 periodicals of to-day. In spite of his engrossing literary occupations 

 at home, Mr. Robert Chambers managed to see a good deal of the 

 world. Being interested in geological subjects, and especially de- 

 sirous to examine the action of glaciers, he visited Switzerland, 



