gave a peculiarly good effect to family pictures, for which, howr, Scotland did not afford a very ensive demand. That of Sir John I Lady Clerk, at Pennicuick-house, nted soon after his return from ly, deserves to be particularly ntioned. Sir Henry painted portraits of most he celebrated individuals by whom tland has been illustrated during last forty years. Among those nted at an early period, the porit of Mr John Clerk, now Lord din, ranks among the best; that the late Principal Hill, St Anws, also possesses great merit. nong the works executed during è last ten years, the portraits of Walter Scott, (full length, which s been frequently engraved,) of Gr Dugald Stewart, t late Mr ayfair, the date Mr Horner, Lord ederick Campbell, MacDonnell of lengarry, Macnab of Macnab, both the Highland costume, and many hers, merit particular notice. The active mind of Sir Henry was y no means confined within the cire of his profession. Indeed, those ho best knew him conceived, that e eminence to which he attained in was less the result of any excluve propensity, than of those general owers of mind which would have ed to excellence in any pursuit to hich he had directed his attention. hough in a great degree self-taught, is knowledge was varied and extenive. His classical attainments were considerable; but mechanics and naural philosophy formed the favourite objects of his study. To these, in a particular manner, he devoted the leisure of his evenings, when not interrupted by the claims of society. Sculpture was also an object of his peculiar study; and so great was his taste for it, that at Rome, he, at one time, entertained the idea of devoting himself to that noble art as a profession, in preference to painting. A medallion of himself, which he afterwards executed, satisfied all men of taste who saw it, that he would have attained to equal excellence in this art, had he made it the object of his choice. Few men were better calculated to command respect in society than Sir Henry Raeburn. His varied knowledge, his gentlemanly and agreeable manners, an extensive command of anecdote, always well told and happily introduced, the general correctness and propriety of his whole deportment, made him be highly valued by many of the most distinguished individuals, both as a companion and a friend. His conversation might be said in some degree to resemble his style of painting-there was the same ease and simplicity, the same total absence of affectation of every kind, and the same manly turn of sense and genius. But we are not aware that the humorous gaiety and sense of the ludicrous, which often enlivened his conversation, ever guided his pencil. Sir Henry Raeburn, like Raphael, Michael Angelo, and some other masters of the art, possessed the advantage of a tall and commanding person, and a noble and expressive countenance. He excelled at archery, golf, and other Scottish exercises; and it may be added, that, while engaged in painting, his step and attitudes were at once stately and graceful. he appeared always happiest at home, in the bosom of his family and of his grandchildren; and by mingling in their youthful sports. To young men who were entering the arduous career of art, he shewed himself always a most active and generous friend. Whether acquainted or not, they were welcome to come to him, and were sure of his best advice and assistance. Notwithstanding his extensive engagements and pursuits, a large proportion of his time was always spent in rendering these kind offices. When unable to command time during the day, he would engage them to come to him early in the morning. In passing sentence on the works of his brother artists, he evinced the most liberal candour; and even where unable to bestow praise, was scarcely ever heard to blame. The merit of Sir Henry was amply acknowledged, both by literary societies and those formed for the promotion of art. He became a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, of the Imperial Academy of Florence, of the Academy of New York, and of the South Carolina Academy. In 1814, the Royal Academy of London, on occasion of the very first picture sent by him, elected him an Associate; and in the following year they named him an Academician. This honour was conferred in a manner quite unprecedented, not having been preceded by any application whatever; while in general it is the result of a very keen canvass; and at this very time the candidates were particularly numerous. The time was come, however, when the talents of the artist were to meet a still more brilliant and imposing homage. His Majesty, in the course of that visit which has left so many grateful recollections in the mind of his Scottish subjects, determined to shew his esteem for the fine arts a special mark of honour confent on the most distinguished of tr professors. This view was happ fulfilled by conferring on Mr E burn the dignity of knighthood. far was this from having been a result of any application, that k Raeburn had not the remotest of it till the evening before, when a received a letter from Mr Peel,» nouncing the Royal intention, a requesting him to meet his Mart next day at Hopetoun-house. i ceremony was performed in the g saloon, amid a numerous assemb of company, and with the sword Sir Alexander Hope. The honour thus conferred an Henry, being completely sanction by public opinion, conferred e credit on the bestower and the ceiver. His brother artists, inst! of being moved with any feeling envy, considered it as a noble tri which threw new lustre on themse and their profession. These sentimen they expressed by a public dime given to Sir Henry on the 5th Oct ber. On this occasion, Mr Nasmy in name of his brethren, bore test mony to the high satisfaction felt b them at the choice made by his M jesty, and which they founded more upon the high talent of s Henry Raeburn, than upon the may excellencies of his private character. Sir Henry made a modest and digni fied reply. 4 Sir Henry received afterwards the appointment of Portrait Painter to his Majesty for Scotland; a nomin tion, however, which was not # nounced to him till the very dr when he was seized with his last ness. The King, when conferring the dignity of knighthood, had expressed a wish to have a portrait of himse painted by this great artist; bat Sir He ve po je g e e nry's numerous engagements preated him from visiting the metrois for that purpose. It reflects great honour on the subt of this memoir, that he never ve way to those secure and indoit habits, which advanced age and tablished reputation are so apt to gender. He continued, with all the thusiasm of a student, to seek and attain farther improvement. The ctures of his two or three last years e unquestionably the best that he ver painted.* We need only adduce, examples, those of the Earl of Iopetoun, of the Earl of Breadalane, of Sir John Douglas, the Maruis of Huntly, Mrs Harvey and Child, the Lord Chief Commissioner Adam, Sir John Hay, Dr Hunter of it Andrews, and Mr Constable. But erhaps the most interesting part of is recent works consists in a series of half-length portraits of eminent Scotsmen, which, during this period, he executed for his private gratification. They include Sir Walter Scott, Mr Jeffrey, the late Mr F. Horner, Mr H. Mackenzie, the Rev. Archibald Alison, the late Mr Rennie, Mr H. Cockburn, the Rev. J. Thomson, Mr H. W. Williams, and several others. In regard to the first-named great ornament of Scottish literature, it is an interesting circumstance, that his portrait was the very last painted by Sir Henry. Although the form does not afford scope for the display of his powers in grouping and ornamental accompaniment, the admirable truth with which not only the features, but the intellectual energies and expression of these eminent persons are here delineated, give them an interest much superior to that of ordinary portraits. Although Sir Henry had now reached the decline of life, yet his vigorous constitution, fortified by habitual temperance, gave a reasonable hope of his being yet for some time preserved to his friends and to the world. These hopes were doomed to be fatally disappointed. He appeared to enjoy the most perfect health, and was just returned from an excursion into Fifeshire, with Sir Walter Scott, the Chief Baron Shepherd, and a small party of friends, united under the auspices of Lord Chief Commissioner Adam, who have for some years past interposed a parenthesis into the chapter of public business, for the purpose of visiting objects of historical curiosity and interest. None of the party, on this occasion, seemed more to enjoy the party or its objects than Sir Henry Raeburn. He shewed on all occasions his usual vigour both of body and intellect, visited with enthusiasm the ancient ruins of Saint Andrews, of Pittenweem, and other remains of antiquity, and contributed much to the hilarity of the party; and no one could have then supposed, that the lamp which yielded a light so delightful, was to be so speedily quenched. When he returned to Edinburgh, Sir Walter Scott sat to him, in order that Sir Henry might finish two portraits; one, already mentioned, for the artist himself, and one for Lord Montague. These were the last pictures which the pencil of this great master ever touched a subject of affectionate regret to the person represented, who had been long a friend Two of these were in the Exhibition of this year at Somerset-house, and very greatly admired. One, in particular, was pronounced by an eminent judge to be the very best picture in the rooms. of Sir Henry Raeburn. Within a day or two afterwards, this amiable and excellent man was suddenly affected with a general decay and debility, not accompanied by any visible complaint. This state of illness, after continuing for about a week to baffle all the efforts of medical skill, terminated fatally on the 8th July, 1823, when he had reached the age of 67. LORD ERSKINE. Thomas, afterwards Lord Erskine, was the third son of the late Earl of Buchan. Of the earlier portion of his long life our information is imperfect. His first appearance in active existence was in the naval service of his country. He had in very early life acquired a strong partiality for the turbulent variety of that service; and his prejudices were gratified, while yet in extreme youth, by a subaltern appointment under Sir John Lindsay, the distinguished relative of the Earl of Mansfield. The ardour of his enterprize was, however, speedily cooled by the slender chances of advancement, and he was easily induced to quit a profession in which his fortune seemed so unfavourable. The military service next presented itself, as an employment sufficiently active for his buoyant and adventurous spirit; and he entered into the army in the year 1768, as an ensign in the Royals, or first regiment of foot. In this corps he passed about six years, three of which were spent in the island of Minorca. The vigour and originality of his genius were appreciated during his service in the army, and procured for him the favour of Dr Johnson, who has, by the pen of Mr. Boswell, made a most gratifying notice of the ability of the young officer. The embarrassments of his fortune, perhaps the conscios ness of a capacity for higher pursin joined to the importunities of his ther, the Countess of Buchan, said to have diverted his attenti from the study of martial tactics, the more peaceful and profitable. less pleasing, occupation of the In compliance with the desire of tin excellent parent, who is known t have been a lady of vigorous ins lect and singular acquirement, Mr Erskine, at the age of 26, mence his course of legal probatic In the year 1777, he became a dent of Lincoln's Inn, and, at the same period, he entered as a Fellow Commoner of Trinity College, Ca bridge. During his partial atten ances at the University, his declans tory efforts were marked by the high approbation of the Principals of the distinguished seminary; and on a occasion he was adjudged to meri, though he refused to accept, the high est rewards of collegiate eminence The versatility of his character did not suffer his attention to be exc sively directed to the cold and tedious manuals of professional instraction; and on more than one occasion, was evinced by poetical efforts of carsiderable humour and promise. H's literary education had previously been completed in Scotland, by the is struction of an accomplished and e timable father, and the opportunities furnished by a long residence at the University of St Andrews. In the progress of his professional prepar tion, he entered into the office of Mr Buller, a special pleader of great eminence, whose ability was afterwards acknowledged by his country, in his elevation to high judicial authority. During his attendance at the cham bers of this able person, his exertions were distinguished by great activity and ardour; and to it the future chancellor was indebted for that ac aintance with the subtleties of leal analysis, and that vigorous appliation of the logic of law to the prac ce of vulgar life, to which his emi. rence has in so great a degree been stributed. Mr Erskine was called to the bar the Trinity term of 1778. He did ot long languish for an occasion of rofessional display. The case of aptain Baillie, then under prosecuon for a libel on Earl Sandwich, at at time at the head of the Admialty, proved to the bar and to the ublic the singular capacity of the oung pleader. During his exertions that cause, the independence of is character, and the vigour of his arcasm, were peculiarly distinguishd. It was indeed a rare circumstance o behold a man, previously unknown r unregarded, adventuring at once he most pointed and powerful in rective against a nobleman high in he government of his country, supDorted not only by the experience of he public prosecutor, but not unfrequently by the actual interference of he Bench. His next effort was in he cause of the bookseller, Carnan, gainst the almanack monopoly bill of Lord North, at the bar of the House of Commons; and the success of his exertions can best be demonstrated by the minority in which the noble peer found himself at the division. For these opportunities of public display, Mr Erskine was indebted to no interest or recommendation; and the result of his endeavours was an immediate accession of engagements, which at once decided his future fortunes. He certainly furnishes a most brilliant example of successful genius, unaided by patronage or party. By a singular chance, the naval experience of the aspiring pleader, afterwards contributed to procure him the high estimation of the bar, in the trial, by court-martial, of Admiral Keppel. The very decisive and peculiar forms of that summary process, which allows to the accused neither examination of witnesses, nor formal defence, by a legal pleader, must have presented the most trying difficulties even to the vigorous intellect of Mr Erskine. The ardour of his exertions was commensurate to the magnitude of the occasion; and the success of the event is not the least honourable circumstance of his public life. The trial of Lord George Gordon, for abetting the memorable troubles of 1780, furnished the next, and perhaps the most brilliant example of Mr Erskine's ability. His reply to the evidence in that cause will always be contemplated as an astonishing display of forensic ability. It is, perhaps, the best example of legal oratory that has ever been heard within a British Court of Justice. The observations upon the evidence, it is impossible to surpass, perhaps to equal. Two years afterwards, Mr Erskine was rewarded by a silk gown -an honour the more gratifying, as having been conferred at the request of his political opponent, Chief Justice Mansfield. He had then stood at the bar somewhat less than five years. It is impossible to pursue the pleader through the infinite variety of causes to which his notice was afterwards directed. In those unfortunate causes which are founded on a violation of domestic attachment, his exertions were as splendid as his practice was extensive. Often have the thunders of his accusing eloquence cloven down the invaders of conjugal happiness, and retarded the march of ruffian-like licentiousness. Often, too, without becoming the apologist of vice, has he triumphantly urged the melancholy palliations of human frailty. His efforts on the trial of the |