542 MEMOIR OF 



him at first to undertake. To the opinion of these eminent 

 men, it may be supposed I very willingly subscribe ; yet, I 

 must add, that the work lias always appeared to me as entitled 

 even to a higher praise. In its plan, indeed, it appears to re- 

 late only to the principles of translation ; but in its execution, 

 it necessarily involves the principles of composition in gene- 

 ral ; and in the nature and variety of the examples he adduces, 

 and the acuteness and delicacy of the criticism he employs, Mr 

 Tytler seems, to me to have made use of one of the happiest 

 methods to lead the minds of his readers to a sense of those 

 fine and evanescent beauties in composition, which abstract 

 language can so imperfectly express, and which affords the 

 best preparation, not only for the task of translation, but for 

 the higher purpose of original composition. 



The Essay on the Principle* of Translation has now passed 

 through five editions, in each of which the author has been 

 anxious to repay the approbation of the public, by the addi- 

 tions he has made ; and after the experience of fifteen years, it 

 may now be considered as one of the standard works of Eng* 

 lish criticism. 



While Mr Tytler was thus actively and usefully employed, 

 the Government of Scotland began to consider him as one who 

 was fitted to share in its administration, and Lord Melville 

 thought himself now entitled, by the character which Mr Tyt- 

 ler had established, to testify to the public the sentiments of 

 his private friendship. His practice at the Bar, though not 

 extensive, had been respectable, and, in the conduct of it, he 

 had shewn sufficiently the talents he possessed for business. 

 His honour was high, — his integrity acknowledged, — and his 

 manners amiable and conciliating. His political opinions were 

 those of hereditary loyalty ; and in the acceptance therefore of 

 office, he had none of those sacrifices of principle to make, by 



which 



