24 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
either on religious or on ecclesiastical questions. I may venture, 
however, to make one or two observations in connection with these 
matters. 
1. Dr Muir, from an early period of his ministrations, came to 
occupy a somewhat peculiar position as a minister. He belonged 
to what was called the Moderate party in the Church, having no 
sympathy with the strong views either of popular rights or of 
spiritual independence, which characterised the High Church Pres- 
byterians. But the Moderate party had also the reputation, whether 
well or ill founded, of being rather too moderate in their doctrinal 
views; and, in this respect, Dr Muir’s opinions and style of 
preaching were more decidedly and prominently evangelical, as it 
was called, than was generally the case with his political friends. 
2. Dr Muir’s opinions were always listened to in the Church 
Courts with respect and deference; but he was not altogether 
adapted to the position of a party leader, which, in other respects, 
he might have well attained. He had a fault, or what will be con- 
sidered such by some men ; but it was that fault which a delightful 
poet has ascribed to the greatest man of his own age — he was 
“ Too fond of the right to pursue the expedient 
It has been well observed to me, by one who knew him well, 
that it is a rare thing, and anything but a disparagement, when 
all that can be said against a man is, that he followed conscience 
exclusively, and valued integrity and independence too high for 
any price to tempt him even to the semblance of a surrender. 
Perhaps his most marked characteristic was this high-minded 
conscientiousness of disposition. His habit of making conscience 
of everything made him appear stiff and unbending to those from 
whom he differed in opinion, and many may think that he took 
the alarm too soon and too sensitively when he thought that even 
the outworks of principle were in danger. His steadfastness cer- 
tainly to what he held the truth never quailed ; his independence 
was unshaken by what to others might even seem legitimate feel- 
ings. His superiority to all selfish motives had in it the essence 
of chivalry. Though to strangers his manner was reserved, those 
who had the privilege of familiar intercourse with him knew that 
beneath the surface there lay a native geniality of temper which 
