to a severe test, the power of that measure to do political and moral good.

Last of all-for it were injustice to my

country of England. But one easily sees that these benefits of government and position could never have produced such effects in that country, had not an education more than ordinarily enlarged, and above all, an education perfectly suited to a life of industry, enabled the people of Scotland to derive all the advantages which they do derive from the circumstances in which they are placed. Having had occasion and opportunity, during a stay of several months, to observe a moral phenomenon so remarkable, it was easy to see that it was at least in a great degree the effect of a system which long experience has consecrated, and carried to a degree of perfection which it would be difficult to surpass. I collected with care the information which may enable us to search to the bottom so valuable an instrument of public happiness, in the hope that one day these observations may be useful to my own country. I fulfilled moreover, in doing so, a duty which had been committed to me by a distinguished person, who then occupied a high place in administration in France. Such was the origin of the following article, in which the dryness of the details have no other excuse than their utility."

M. Biot then details, in the clearest manner, the whole system of Scottish education, in all the ranks of life; and returning to his admiration of its effects, thus concludes.

"Finally, it is known to every person in Scotland,

subject to leave unenumerated any difficulty which was beforehand in the way of a happy issue to our Sovereign's confiding undertaking-the royal visit was to meet and overcome no inconsiderable prejudice, among the great class of the populace, against the Royal Person itself; -the work in various ignoble ways of

that it is to the education received in youth that the Scottish people owe that honourable and generous pride, which distinguishes them in all the circumstances of their life of hardship, which sustains them in that rude and constant labour by which they purchase their subsistence, and which has induced them hitherto to resist, in spite of their poverty, the demoralising operation of poors' rates-honour, and a conscious personal dignity, incite the Scottish peasant to the greatest efforts of industry and labour, rather than submit so to lose his character and his independence. In drawing this picture of a civilization so perfect, I am bound to remark, that the features of which it is composed have nothing ideal in them, and are not by any means embellished by the imagination. I have collected them all from Nature herself, sometimes from my own personal observations, and sometimes from the conversation of the great proprietors, who are themselves the most powerful instrument of the happiness of their country." Journal des Savans Mars 1822.

his and the country's enemies-the more immediate effect of the recent movement of an engine of public agitation, which, worked, as it was, by the efforts, united for once, of anarchists in all their motley varieties, impelled, moreover, by the whole momentum of the honest on the same side, and driven by the whirlwind of popular passion, could not fail to leave some traces of its power on the loyalty of large classes of the people, before it fell suddenly to pieces. Passion dies away, and its causes, to the amazement of the once excited, dwindle into insignificance. But it was not wonderful that many, who are not accustomed to look deeper than external indications, should have dis suaded the King from hazarding disappointment, perhaps insult, in a free and extensive intercourse with his people.

LETTER II.

"You would have thought the very windows spake, "So many greedy looks of young and old

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Through casements darted their enquiring eyes "Upon his visage; and that all the walls "With painted imagery had said at once, "Jesu preserve thee! WELCOME !”

Rich. II.

It is well known to you, Sir, that, on Thursday the 18th of July 1822, it was announced to the Scottish Capital, that his Majesty King George the Fourth was, in a few weeks, to honour that city with his presence. The events which followed that intelligence require not to be communicated, as matter of information to any one, and least of all to you who were so deeply and honourably concerned in them. But as facts, they are the basis of the argument of these Letters; in which character, it is their chief value that they are known and admitted. Those who had doubted, were astonished with the unani

mity of the sentiment of enthusiasm, which the royal declaration called forth, not only in the metropolis, but all over the country. There was a mixture of emotions, but they were all cordial and loyal. There was difference of opinion, but it was as to the way and manner of best and most worthily receiving the Sovereign. There was one sentiment of satisfaction that the King was really coming; not a murmur or a grudge was heard; all was joy, pride, curiosity, eagerness, and an anxious hope that nothing should disappoint or even postpone the expected happiness. That best proof of high respect, an anxiety to be well thought of by their Sovereign, filled even the humblest bosom, and was a leading principle of the preparations of all ranks of the community. No other objection was ever heard to the arrangements than that perhaps they were less in good taste or effect than was desirable. Every recommendation of a loyal exterior was hailed by the