227 



inent had upon his views of pauperism and poor-laws, generally. 

 Some objections to his Glasgow scheme were considered, and some 

 misapprehensions of it were explained. Under this head were de- 

 tailed his views on Ecclesiastical and Academical Endowments, and 

 his testimony to the value of the English Church and Universities, 



III. In considering Dr Chalmers as a public speaker, some speci- 

 mens of his sermons were read, with remarks upon his eloquence in 

 the pulpit. The case of his speech on the Catholic Emancipation 

 Bill, was cited as an instance of great effect produced by eloquence at 

 a public meeting. His striking reply to an accusation of inconsis- 

 tency brought against him in the General Assembly, and a speci- 

 men of his mode of lecturing were given. Some observations were 

 then made on his love of natural scenery, and his admiration of the 

 beauties of the material world. His private character and social in- 

 tercourse were referred to — his powers of conversation, and his per- 

 fect freedom from affectation, bigotry, or intolerance ; of these quali- 

 ties examples were cited, as also of his turn for humour, and his 

 keen sense of the ridiculous. The author of the paper then conclud- 

 ed by stating his conviction, that although there might be differences 

 of judgment regarding particular portions of Dr Chalmers's public 

 acts and opinions, yet that no one who had known him personally, and 

 who had been well acquainted with his real character — that no one 

 who had studied and appreciated the spirit and tendencies of his writ- 

 ings, would hesitate to admit that he was a good and a great man — 

 that he was a sincere friend to the poor, — and that his great aim in 

 life was to promote the glory of God, and the wellbeing of his fellow- 

 men — that he was a Scotchman of whom Scotland might be proud 

 — and that his labours and his writings have gained a name, and esta- 

 blished a reputation, which will not pass away. 



The following Donations to the Library were announced : — 



Catalogue of the Library of the Literary and Philosophical Society 

 of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 8vo. — By the Society. 



Catalogue of the Library of the Royal College of Physicians of 

 Edinburgh. 8vo. — By the Royal College of Physicians. 



Journal of Agriculture, and Transactions of the Highland and Agri- 

 cultural Society of Scotland. No. 24 ; (N. S.) 8vo. — By the 

 Society. 



