faces; and, indeed, there is nothing more easy to imagine, than that, with much of the same original powers and propensities, some casual enough circumstances may have been sufficient to decide, that the one of the brothers should be a poet, and the other a naturalist. The parts of the science of which Mr. James W-n is fondest, are Ornithology and Entomology-studies so delightful to every true lover of nature, that, I suspect, they are, in some measure, practically familiar to every poet who excels in depicting the manifestations, and in tracing the spirit of beauty in the external universe. Professor J, indeed, informed me, that his young friend is, in truth, no less a poet than a naturalist-that he possesses a fine genius for versification, and has already published several little pieces of exquisite beauty, although he has not ventured to give his name along with them.

On leaving the professor's, Mr. W―n and I adjourned to this house, (where, by the way, Mr. Oman enjoys very little of my company,) and had a quiet bowl of punch together, and a great deal of conversation re-pecting subjects connected with the science in which he so greatly excels, and for which I myself, albeit nothing of an adept, have long entertained a special partiality. Among other topics, the brumal retreat of the swallow was handled at considerable length. Mr. W―n I find rather inclined to that theory, which would represent Africa as the principal winter-depot of at least several of the species-the Hirundo, Apus, and Rustica, in particular; and he adduced, in confirmation of this, a passage from Herodotus, which I had never before heard pointed out with a view to this subject-according to which, one kind of swallow (from the description, he seemed to suppose it must be the Swift,) remains in Egypt throughout the whole year—δι' ετεος εοντες 8κ απολειπουσι. I have never, indeed, met with any man who seemed to possess a greater power of illustrating subjects of natural history, by quotations from writers of all kinds, and in particular from the poets. Milton and Wordsworth, above all, he appears to have completely by heart; and it was wonderfully delightful

to me to hear matters, which are commonly discussed in the driest of all possible methods, treated of in so graceful a manner by one who is so much skilled in them. Nothing could be more refreshing than to hear some minute details about birds and insects, interrupted and illuminated by a fragment of grand melancholy music from the Paradise Lost, or the Excursion.

I shall have occasion to say a great deal more to you, both about Professor J- and his young friend.

Meantime, believe me ever

Most affectionately your's,

LETTER XXII.

P. M.

DEAR DAVID,

TO THE REV. DAVID WILLIAMS.

I BELIEVE I have already hinted to you, that the students in this University are very fond of Debating Societies, and, indeed, the nature of their favourite studies might prepare one abundantly to find it so. They inhale the very atmosphere of doubt, and it is in the course of nature that they should exhale the very breath of disputation. They are always either actually struggling, vi et armis, to get over some quagmire or another, or, after establishing themselves once more on what they conceive to be a portion of the Terra Firma, falling out among themselves, which of the troop had picked his way along the neatest set of stepping-stones, or made his leap from the firmest knot of rushes. Before they have settled this mighty quarrel, it is possible they may begin to feel the ground giving way beneath their feet, and are all equally reduced once again to hop, stride, and scramble, as they best may for themselves.

The first of the institutions, however, which I visited, is supposed to be frequented by persons who have already some

what allayed their early fervour for disputation, by two or three years' attendance upon Debating Societies, of an inferior and of a far more ephemeral character. While he attends the prælections of the Professor of Logic, the student aspires to distinguish himself in a club, constituted chiefly or entirely of members of that class. The students of Ethics and of Physic are, in like manner, provided with separate rooms, in which they canvass at night the doctrines they have heard promulgated in the lecture of the morning. It is not till all this apprenticeship of discipline has been regularly gone through, that the juvenile philosopher ventures to draw up a petition, addressed to the president and members of the Speculative Society of Edinburgh, which humbly showeth forth, that he would fain be permitted to give to his polemical and oratorial faculties the last finish of sharpness and elegance, under the high auspices of their venerable body.

Without sending in such a petition as this, and being admitted formally a member of the society, it is not possible to be present at one of their meetings. These sages will scarcely

catch even one sidelong

allow a poor passing stranger to odour of their wisdom. No-it is necessary to assume the regular garb of the initiated, before these Hierophants will expand the gates of their Adytus, and reveal to you the inspiring glories of their mysteries. Although I could not help feeling some qualmish suspicions, that this arrangement might, in part at least, have been dictated by a due reverence for the old maxim, omne ignotum pro magnifico, yet the way in which I heard the society spoken of, by persons for whose opinion I could not but entertain a high respect, and the curiosity which I certainly felt, to witness for myself all possible manifestation of the rising genius of Scotland, were enough to counterbalance any little scruples I might have, and I resolved, since less might not avail, to affix the name of Peter Morris, M. D. to the regular formula of supplication. It was attested by Mr., who is an honorary member of the society, and by his nephew, a young man of considerable promise, that the said Peter Morris, M. D. was, in their judgment,

possessed of such a measure of learning and ability, as might justify the society in admitting him into their bosom; and after the usual ceremonies of doubt, delay, examination, and panegyric, the said Peter was ballotted for and admitted as aforesaid. I rather grudged a fee of three guineas, which, I was given to understand, formed an essential preliminary to my taking my seat; but, however, as I had been pretty fortunate at loo the evening before, I did not allow this to form any lasting impediment to my honours. As the poet sings—

"I prize not treasure for itself,

But what it can procure;
Go hang, said I, the paltry pelf

Would keep the spirit poor."

So I paid my three guineas, and prepared to make my appearance next Tuesday evening.

For the sake of being near the scene of action, I agreed to the proposal of the gentlemen who had recommended me to the society, viz. to having a snug dinner with one or two friends in addition, in a tavern immediately adjoining. The name of the house is the Lord Nelson, and it is kept by an Englishman, one Barclay. We went at half past four, in order that we might have time to drink our bottle comfortably before the meeting; and I assure you, I have very seldom enjoyed either a better dinner or a better bottle. There is an ordinary in the house every day at that very hour, which is attended, as I was informed, by a considerable number of students, besides a host of bagmen, and other travellers of all descriptions, and many half-pay officers of the naval, military, and, above all, of the medical establishments. We had a glimpse of them and their dinner, en passant, and I promise you both made a very joyous appearance. As for us, we dined apart in a room of very magnificent proportions, which, of old, it seems, had been the dining-room of a celebrated President of the Court of Session; a lofty hall, with a rich ceiling in the French style of stucco work, and decorated at one extremity with a huge portrait of the Hero

whose name the tavern bears-evidently a genuine production of the sign-post school. The princely size of the room, however, and elevation of the roof, were sufficient to give the whole affair an air of gentility, and even of splendour, such as is not often to be met with in a house of this description. I don't know whether your comfort is so much affected by accessaries of this sort as mine are; but I do at all times enjoy a dinner tenfold, when it is served up in a room of airy and stately dimensions. The fare in itself was very excellent. We had a dish of Mullicatawny, and some cod'shead and shrimp sauce-superior corned beef, and a boiled turkey-a haricot-a pigeon-pie and macaroni-all for halfa-crown a-head, being only a sixpence more than the charge at the ordinary. But to me, the greatest luxury was some very fine draught-porter, the first I have met with since I came to Scotland, for the people of this place in general drink all their malt liquor bottled-but the landlord of the Nelson is an Englishman, and knows better. After finishing a bottle of Madeira, we had some very fair Port, which we chose to drink mulled, being assured that Mrs. Barclay piques herself upon her scientific use of spices in that kind of preparation. The skill of our hostess gave us entire satisfaction, and we kept her at work pretty closely till seven o'clock. Being so very agreeably seated and entertained, I could scarcely think of removing at so very extraordinary an hour, and dropped a modest hint that the Speculative might be advantageously deferred till another opportunity; but my objections were over-ruled by my companions. I insisted, however, that we should, at least, come back after the debate, to enjoy an epilogue in the same taste with our prologue,— an idea which appeared to meet the wishes of the company, and was indeed agreed to per acclamationem.

The Speculative Society is the only institution of the kind, whose existence is acknowledged in a formal manner by the University. It forms a part of the system, and, as such, is provided with chambers within the College-advantages which are, no doubt, owing to the high reputation the Soci