1^0 statistical account of Scotland. Jan. 2^, 



serious manner I can, to guard against the introduction of 

 an evil, which, happily for us, we are in general enabled 

 to view at a distance. The subject is of too much impor- 

 tance to be thus finally dismifsed. On some future occa- 

 sion it will furnifh matter for some important remarks. 



Among other particulars that will attract the attention 

 of the curious reader on perusing this book, he can scarcely 

 avoid taking notice of the remarkable liberality of senti- 

 rtent, in regard to religious opinions, that so generally pre- 

 vails among the clergy of this country. Had Voltaire been 

 Still alive, he could not have read this work without re- 

 tracting some of the opinions he has so often inculcated in 

 his writings to the prejudice of the clergy in general) and if 

 Mr Hume had had an opportunity of reading this V9lume, 

 he could not have denied that clergymen may be found, 

 who judge with as much philanthrophic liberality of mind, 

 of the principles and conduct of those who differ from them 

 in religious opinions, as any free-thinker ever did ; with 

 much more liberality, indeed, than either Hume or Vol- 

 taire ever were capable of viewing those who differed in 

 opinion from themselves oh religious subjects. The follow- 

 ing extracts will justify these afsertions. 

 Of Kirkpatrick Durham, the reverend Mr Lamont writes, 



" The ecclesiastical affairs of this pariih, as in every other 

 parifh in Scotland, are under the direction of the kirk sef- 

 sion. This court, anxious to regulate its proceedings by a 

 strict regard to law, justice, expediency and decorum, ne- 

 ver indulges a spirit of inquisitorial investigation, or per- 

 plexes itself with a train of idle or vexatious procefses.. 

 There is no difsenting meeting-house of any denomination 

 jn the parlih. There are a few Cameronians, and a few 

 seceders in it ; but liberty of conscience, and the unques- 

 " tionable right which every man has to chuse his own reli- 

 gion, are principles so well understood, that few disturbances 

 ariose from the turbulence of faction, or th* strife of coo- 



