168 Analysis of Scientijic Books. 



to many other objects interesting to every enlightened tra- 

 veller ; and has thus composed a far more readable book than 

 geological tours have usually been, always excepting the 

 Voyages dans les Alpes of M. de Saussure. " The study of 

 manners," says he, " considered in a general point of view, 

 and in reference to the ancient constitution and peculiar con- 

 dition of Scotland, were the subjects which next to natural 

 history, captivated my attention, during my residence in that 

 interesting country. The length of my visit ; the inappreciable 

 happiness which I enjoyed of living in the society of celebrated 

 men, who honoured me with their friendship, or aided me 

 with their advice ; and lastly, my acquaintance with the diflfer- 

 ent dialects spoken in the British Isles, put me iu the most 

 favourable position for observing with advantage." 



We can, indeed, easily imagine, that an ingenious young 

 man of agreeable manners, coming to prosecute his studies 

 in Edinburgh, from that illustrious republic which gave to 

 Scotland its revered system of ecclesiastical polity and faith, 

 would be hospitably received ; but when we recollect that this 

 stranger was the grandson of the minister Necker,and of the phi- 

 losopher de Saussure, as also the kinsman of Madame de 

 Stael, we are sure that every facility would be afforded to his 

 researches. We are happy to find that such opportunities 

 have been well bestowed; and, after the interval of a few 

 years, yield a rich return of generous feeling and information. 

 Some English readers may probably think that Rlr. Necker has 

 occasionally been led through warmth of heart, to eulogize the 

 northern part of the British island, somewhat at the expense 

 of the southern. It appears that on his arrival in Scotland, 

 he was under the influence of certain prejudices against the 

 natives of that country, " which were in vogue among the 

 English;" and, he accordingly takes some pains to shew, that 

 the reproaches bestowed by the latter people on their brethren 

 of the North, are altogether unmerited. His intention is no 

 doubt laudable ; but we believe that the sarcasms circulated 

 in England against the sister nation by Wilkes, Johnson, and 

 the author of Junius, have now little currency, and no influence 

 whatever in obstructing the industry of the Scots. This 

 pushing people have contrived in various ways to secure their 

 full share at least of all the loaves and fishes in the civil and 

 military appointments, both at home and in the colonies. 



The Scotch geologist has little need to wander far in quest 

 of gratification, however strong his migratory tendencies be in 

 other pursuits. The very nakedness of the country, the total 

 absence in many districts of soil and vegetation, present to the 

 geological student its chief value and attraction. Thus Mr. Boue 

 in h\.sEssai Geologique sur V Ecosse,\d.i&\y ]iv\A\s,\\&A, says, "I saw 

 with pleasure the nearly naked mountains of that country, and 



