commended by gentlemen far better qualified than I am to appretiate justly his extensive knowledge of Eastern Languages. I am, &c.

ALEX. CHRISTISON.

Argyll Square, 30th June 1812.

No. XXII.

Note by Principal Baird, as to Mr Murray having been withdrawn as a Candidate for the Professorship of Oriental Languages, by Mr Christison's letter. (No. XIX.)

Mr Murray's first letter to Dr Baird (of date June 12th) expressed his desire to be proposed as a candi. date for the Professorship. But he stated, in very strong terms, some apprehensions that weighed on his mind, as to the possible effect of the laborious duties of the Chair on his health, and as to the limited and uncertain emoluments he might expect to draw.

Dr Baird was much impressed by this statement of the apprehensions alluded to. He had at first mentioned Mr Murray as a Candidate, without his knowledge. He felt deeply the serious and delicate responsibility he would incur, if Mr Murray proved successful, and afterwards actually experienced the difficulties he seemed to anticipate. Dr Baird, therefore, did, for a moment, form the resolution of declining to undertake the responsibility, and of consequently withdrawing Mr Murray's name, though, had he persevered in the resolution, he would not have withdrawn it without having had a previous communication with Mr Murray himself, and having procured his consent to the measure.

Dr Baird was at this time obliged to go suddenly to the country for some days, and had no opportunity of any conversation with Mr Christison on the subject. But a Friend, to whom they had been mentioned,

informed him of the state of Dr Baird's feelings and views.

Mr Christison, who had been previously zealous and active in recommending Mr Murray's pretensions to some of the Patrons, and who, consequently, had a similar sense of respon sibility with Dr Baird, thought, after the information he had received, that it was incumbent on him to write the letter he sent to the Lord Provost. He thought, that withdrawing Mr Murray, in the circumstances of the case, was due to himself and Dr Baird, and that intimating his being withdrawn was due from respect to the Patrons.

On Dr Baird's return from the country, however, he found a second letter addressed to him by Mr Murray. In that letter he appears to have given up decidedly all apprehension of the difficulties he had formerly suggested. He declared explicitly and earnestly, his wish to obtain the office in question, and in language completely unqualified, authorised Dr Baird to urge his pretensions.

The anxieties formerly felt by Mr Christison and Dr Baird were now removed; and Mr Murray was formally proposed as a candidate for the chair, in Dr Baird's letter to the Lord Provost.

From the preceding detail which Dr Baird has taken the liberty of submitting to the Honourable Patrons, they will see that Mr Murray had not the slightest concern in his name being withdrawn. He is a third party in the cause, and will not be held as implicated in an occurrence for which he had not given any authority, and of which he had not even any knowledge.

Dr Baird has given the Honourable Patrons the trouble of this Note, as he thought the statement it contains, due to Mr Murray, to Mr Christison, and to himself.

GEO. H. BAird.

Letter, Francis Jeffrey, Esq. Advo cate, to the Very Rev. Principal Baird, recommending Mr Murray. Reverend Sir-It may seem strange that I should not be able to give a precise answer to the simple inquiry you did me the honour of addressing to me, with regard to the articles contributed by Mr Murray to the Edinburgh Review. But the truth is, that I have not a complete set of this publication, and a very indistinct recollection of the shares of its respective authors. I can inform you, however, that, to the best of my recollection, Mr Murray reviewed Clark's Progress of Naval Discovery, in the 6th Number, for January 1804, and an Antiquarian Dissertation of General Vallencey, in some other Number, which I have now forgotten, and cannot readily find. It occurs to me, that I printed another of his reviews, but I cannot recollect what was, and may be mistaken as to its existence. I also received from him a very learned article on Horne Tooke's Epea Ptereonta, which was not printed, and is still, I believe, in my possession.

it

I hope I may add, without any improper presumption, that, from the occasional intercourse I had with Mr Murray while he resided in this place, I am led to form the very highest opinion both of his talents and acqui

sitions as a linguist, and of his moral and intellectual character in general. I have the honour to be, Reverend Sir,

Your very faithful and obedient
humble Servant,
F. JEFFREY.

92, George Street, June 25, 1812.

No. XXV.

Letter, Kincaid Mackenzie, Esq. Lord Dean of Guild, to William Ritchie, D. D. Professor of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh, 4th July 1812.

Dear Sir,-In perusing the various documents relative to the Professorship of the Oriental Languages, I observe a letter of yours, addressed to the Provost, in answer to various questions put to you by members of the Town Council, as to the fitness, in point of qualification in talent, of Mr Brunton, to suceeed Dr Moodie in the Oriental Chair; and this circumstance induces me to trouble you also for your opinion of the talents and qualifications for that Chair of another candidate, namely, the Rev. Mr A. Murray, Minister of Urr, in Dumfries-shire. This request, I am sure, you will most readily grant; and I think, independently of friendship and public duty, you will the more readily do so, when I tell you, that Mr Murray is to me a perfect stranger, and that my sole and only object is, that ample justice should be done to the merits of all the candidates, and that the qualifications of each should be distinctly and fully known to the Patrons of the University, for the regulation of their conduct and proceedings in filling up the vacant chair.

I am very certain that you will give me credit for the principle I have laid down, when I tell you what that is that, laying aside all feelings of a personal and friendly nature,

I have resolved to support, with my feeble efforts, that candidate only, who appears to be best qualified to discharge the duties of the office, and whose talents are likely to increase the already high celebrity of our University. Dear Sir,

I always am, faithful and obedient ser

Your very vant, (Signed) KINCAID MACKENZIE.

No. XXVI.

Letler, Dr Ritchie to Kincaid Mackenzie, Esq. Lord Dean of Guild.

Argyll Square, 4th July 1812. My Lord, I have this moment received your letter. I am sensible of the high honour you have done me, in condescending to ask my opinion, on a subject so very interesting to the Patrons, and of such deep importance to the University. I approve, from my heart, of the principle you have laid down as a standard by which you are to be guided in the nomination of a Professor. It is devoutly to be wished, that all patrons of churches and universities would act upon similar principles, and with similar views. And believe me, my Lord, it is with deep regret, that I feel myself under the painful necessity of declaring, that I am totally incapable of affording you the shadow of assistance in framing a judgment in the present case. I have never seen Mr Murray, and am, as you are, a total stranger to his talents and character, except in so far as may be learned from public report, according to which, both are of the first order. But the confidence which you so kindly repose in me, requires that I should be able to do more than merely to give a re-echo of public opinion. And I should certainly deserve to forfeit your confidence, were I base enough to give you, as the dictate of my own mind, in so serious a matter, what I have only heard from others. This is fre

quently done; but it is a practice which I uniformly condemn, as lessening the evidence which recommendations ought to bring.

The voice of fame has spoken to us both; and I doubt not, that in the documents to be laid before the Council, there will be found something more solid than fame,-sound evi dence, given by competent witnesses.

Never did zeal for science, and for the honour of the University, burn with a purer flame, than that which now glows in the bosom of Dr Baird; and I believe, as I do in my own existence, that he, and those who concur with him in recommending Mr Murray, are convinced, upon the most solid grounds, of those distinguished qualifications in him which they attest.

But did I affect the high tone of giving a similar attestation, founded upon absolute ignorance, you could not help smiling at my vanity, and despising my pride. When I cannot assist you by my writing, I hope, even by my silence, to preserve your es teem.

It is with unfeigned esteem, that I have the honour to be,

My Lord, Your Lordship's most obedient servant, WILL. RITCHIE.

No. XXVII,

Extract of Letter, John Playfair, Esq. Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh, to James Innes, Esq. Convener of the Trades.

Minto, Wednesday, 24th June 1812. Dear Sir,-After having mentioned to you Mr Murray's great merit as an Oriental Scholar, and as having attained such excellence in that department, (which is a matter universally acknowledged,) I am persuaded there is nothing I could add that would increase your desire to promote his interest on the present occasion.

Nothing

Nothing contributes more to the honour of the University, nor proves the disinterested zeal of its Patrons, than to be known to have sought out, from an obscure and remote corner, the person most distinguished for his merit to fill the present vacancy. I have only further to say, that the other candidates may be men of talents and learning, yet the knowledge of languages, and of the Eastern languages in particular, if it has not been an object from a very early period in life, is an acquisition they never can be expected to make in any considerable degree, or in such a degree as to be distinguished, and to do credit to their profession. I am, Dear Sir, with great esteem, your obedient servant, JOHN PLAYFAIR. Convener Innes, c. &c. Edinburgh.

No. XXVIII.

Letter from the Rev. J. G. Maitland, to the very Rev. Principal Baird, respecting Mr Murray.

Menigaff Manse, 3d July 1812. Rev. Sir,-Your letter of the 26th June did not reach me till this moment, owing to an error in the address. I do most cordially lend my feeble testimony to Mr Murray's merits. He was first introduced to my acquaintance, by a letter written by himself in Greek, when he was under sixteen years of age, and almost entirely self-taught. My attention was so strongly excited by this letter, that

I continued to mark his progress, and soon found that he possessed a most uncommon facility and diligence in the acquisition of languages, as well as the greatest propriety of conduct.

It was some time after this period, Sir, that I took the liberty of recommending him to your notice; and when you did yourself so much honour, and so well fulfilled the duties of your high office, by extending to him your favour and patronage.-July 1812.

Since then, his history has been better known to yourself than it could be to me. Permit me, however, to add, what I do know, that since his return to this country,- —as a clergyman, hé has done honour to that character, by the zeal and ability with which he has discharged its duties; and I have no doubt, if he should succeed as Professor of Oriental Languages, that not only from his profound classical learning, but also from his general talents and virtues, he would be an ornament to that Chair. honour to be,

Your

I have the

Rev. Sir, very faithful and obedient servant,

J. G. MAITLAND.

No. XXIX.

Letter, David Hume, Esq. Professor of Scots Law in the University of Edin burgh, to Dr Gregory.

George Street, 27th June 1812. Dear Sir, I have perused, and now return Mr Salt's letter, which is very decisive and satisfactory indeed.

I would fain hope, and indeed can hardly allow myself to doubt, that the Magistrates and Town Council cannot fail to avail themselves of the opportunity thus fortunately thrown in their way, of making so important and so creditable an acquisition to the University.

With much regard, I am, Dear Sir, yours most truly, DAVID HUME.

To Dr Gregory, M. D. St Andrew's
Square.

Sir, I have just now had the honour to receive your letter of this day's date, wherein you request of me to furnish you with a copy of the letter which I wrote to the Lord Provost, when I sent him one from my colleague, Professor Hume, addressed to me, on the subject of the very high character, and extraordinary qualifications, as an Oriental scholar, of the Reverend Mr Murray, who is at present a candidate for the vacant office of Professor of Oriental Languages in the University of Edinburgh.

I am very sorry that it is not in my power to comply with your request so completely and precisely as I should wish to do. But the truth is, that I kept no copy either of Mr Hume's letter to me, or of mine to the Lord Provost ; never once dreaming that the originals would be lost, or would ever be inquired after.

All that I can now do, is to state to you, as accurately as I can, from unassisted memory, the general tenour and of purport letter to the Lord Provost.

my

to Kinneil immediately, I desired "that my letters should not be for"warded; and it was only a day or that ago, a packet of them was "sent here, inclosing, among others, 66 yours of the 20th of last month."Till that moment, I had not heard "a syllable of the competition for the "vacant Professorship.

66

"I wish Murray success with all my heart, as I am persuaded, from "all I have heard of him, that he "would turn out not only an ACQUISITION, but an ORNAMENT to the "University."

66

No. XXXII.

Extracts from Mr Murray's Letters to Principal Baird, produced in or der to remove an objection which had been made, that his constitution was too infirm for the duties of the Professorship.

Extract of Letter of date Feb. 22, 1811, as to an occasional illness which

pre