LORD WOODHOUSELEE. 525 
mate all his ambition of literary distinction. The period to 
which I allude, was perhaps, indeed, the most remarkable 
that has occurred in the literary history of Scotland. The 
causes which, since the era of the Union, had tended to re- 
press the spirit of literature in this country, had now ceased to 
operate: the great field of England was now opening to the 
ambition of the learned; and the ardour with which they ad- 
vanced into it, instead of being chilled by national prejudice 
or jealousy, was hailed by the applause of that generous people. 
The fame of Mr Hume was now at its summit of celebrity. 
After the honours with which the Histories of Mary and 
Charles V. were crowned, Dr Rozertson was laying the foun- 
dation of new claims to historical reputation ; and in the soli- 
tude of his native village, Mr Smrru was preparing that illus- 
trious work which was afterwards to direct the laws, and to 
regulate the welfare of nations. The different Universities of 
the country were vying with each other in the ardour of scien- 
tific pursuit, and in the dissemination of useful knowledge ; 
and from them there were annually advancing into life, some 
of those men who have since supported or extended the repu- 
tation of their country. The profession of law partook in the 
general spirit of improvement: the pleadings of the Bar began 
to display a more cultivated taste, and the decisions of the 
Bench to be directed by a more enlightened philosophy. The 
eloquence of Mr Locxuarr was still occasionally heard ; and 
Mr Erskine was beginning that brilliant career which so late- 
ly only has been closed. Lord Hares was carrying into the 
obscurity of our antiquities the torch of severe but sagacious 
criticism ; and Lord Kames was throwing over every subject 
almost of science or of literature, the lights of his own original 
and comprehensive genius. 
3U 2 These 
