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 celebritv. 

 After the honours with which the Histories of Mary and 

 Charles V. were crowned, Dr Robertson was laying the foun- 

 dation of new claims to historical reputation ; and in the soli- 

 tude of his native village, Mr Smith 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 Lockhart was still occasionally heard ; and 

 Mr Erskine was beginning that brilliant career which so late- 

 ly only has been closed. Lord Hailes 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. 



3 U 2 These 



