ing regulations. A Doctor in Divinity He is assisted by a Council of 30 memmust be twenty years old at least, and bèrs. Each academy has its Rector have maintained several theses, one and Council.

in Latin. Very minute regulations The greater part of the laws respect are made concerning the rauk and the several details of their formation, titles of the Officers of the University, which have no general interest. Many The 6th Chap. "On the obliga- of their regulations are good and tions contracted by the Members of useful; and certainly as far as the the University," contains several pro- establishment of the University may visions establishing the absolute au- contribute to the extension of any thority of the Government over all the education to the lower classes, it may professors, tutors, and functionaries of be viewed with pleasure. Unfortu the Universities, for such only appear nately, this part is the most vague and to be designated by the term Member. indeterminate: we see no provision They, to use the terms of the law, for securing to all, the inestimable "promise obedience to the Grand attainments of reading and writing.— Master in all that he shall cominand 800,000 livres are assigned far the sup them for our service, and for the be- port of the University, besides the fees nefit of instruction." They are pro- on taking degrees, examinations, &c. hibited leaving the instructing body in the academies, and a twentieth of (le corps enseignant) and their func- the sum paid by every scholar for his tions, without his permission (which, education, in every school of the em on certain terms, he is obliged to pire. grant). They are subject to the regulations of a kind of correctional When Mr. Pratt published his censorship, in which, it is remarkable Gleanings in 1794, he observed, that that the same sort of discipline which a traveller in Holland would see every is applied to the students of our Uni- eye so busy, every foot so hard at work, versities is here employed towards the and every head so full, that catching masters. They may be suspended in the spirit of the objects before him, their functions, that is rusticated, and he would think it as good and as natheir names may be struck off the tural for mau to be in motion as at University roll: this latter punishment rest. But a late traveller says, an brings with it the incapacity of being indolent person would now find many . employed in any public administra- a companion in traversing the streets tion, and they can accept no public of Amsterdam. Fortunately for the or private employment for which a salary is received, without the authenticated permission of the Grand Master. Finally,

Holland.

46

Dutch, it was looked upon as shameful behaviour, if a person lived up to his income, and did not lay by a little every year, for his old age, his wife, Art. 46. The Members of the Uni- or children. By this practice, which versity will be bound to inform the was almost without exception, the inGrand Master and his officers of what- habitants of Holland have been able ever may come to their knowledge in to endure adversity and the loss of the Establishments of Public Instruc- trade much longer than any other tion, which is contrary to the doctrines nation. Notwithstanding the consi and principles of the Instructing derable sums they have been obliged Body." to pay to the French, and the great The Grand Master nominates of capitals they have lost at sea, it is course to all the high offices of the surprising that no national bankruptcy University, and is himself nominated has yet taken place." by, and removable at the will of, the Emperor., Among other acts of pre- The late Sir W. Jones, it has been rogative, he may remove the Principals recently asserted, was much delighted of the Colleges and Professors of the with a Persian work, which he perused Lyceums from one academy to ano- in manuscript, and thongirt it threw ther (as is done here to excisemen), great light on the original history of taking the advice of three members of the human race. A part of this work, the Council; and he also fixes the which is called Dubestan, may be regulations for the different schools, found in the Asiatic Miscellany, trans

Persia.

Russia.

lated by Mr. Gladwin of Calcutta ; but this has only excited a greater A late statistic account of this vast desire for the whole, which, as a empire makes it appear, that its inhálearned orientalist has asserted, con- bitants constitute at least 80 separate tains many interesting particulars, nations, who differ essentially as well relative not only to Hindoos and in their primary origin as in customs Parses, but also to Jews and Chris and language. Such an extraordinary tians; and a very beautiful translation number, united in one political body, into Pérsian of some passages of the may justly challenge the whole world Hebrew Scriptures. A complete ver- to produce a parallel. The Jews and sion, therefore, of the Dabestan into Gipsies are not included, among a Hebrew or Latin, is a literary deside- number of other erratic individuals, who find a home every where.

ratum.

MEMOIRS OF REMARKABLE PERSONS. NAPTAIN THOMAS MORRIS, who ceeded where bravery and numbers Mary-street, Fitzroy-square, in the Capt. Morris was once made prisoner 74th year of his age, was a man of a by the Indians, and condemned to die highly cultivated mind. He was born at the stake; at the instant when the in the environs of London, where his women and children were preparing father passed the evening of a well to inflict those tortures upon him spent life, on an income sufficient, which are even shocking to relate, his through economy, to enable him to fornier humanity to an old Indian educate his children in those arts that Sachem, whose life he had saved, elevate and embellish human nature. pleaded in his behalf; and this old man, Mr. Morris, having exhibited a very happening to be present, snatched early passion for reading, his father him from impending death. He was was resolved that a disposition so con- unbound, and permitted to return to genial to his own, should not want for his friends, who had given him up for cultivation, and he accordingly placed lost. But, notwithstanding all the him under a gentleman of known taste trials and hardships which Captain and classical learning. Young Morris, Morris underwent while he was ainong in the course of a few years, could not the North American Indians, he was so only translate the writers of Greece attached to them and their rude waứ and Rome, but comment upon them of life, that he used often to declare also. As his father wished to supply they were the only race worthy of the his want of fortune by putting him name of MEN.

into some honourable pursuit, he On his return from America to availed himself of the partiality of a England, he gave himself up entirely materual uncle, a military man, who to literature and the conversation of a soon procured for his nephew an en- few learned and enlightened friends. signey, rightly judging the army the In this list the Rev. David Williams, best field for the natural gaiety of his the translator of Voltaire, and the disposition. founder and advocate of that laudable Having been sent upon a recruiting institution, the Literary Fund, was not party to Bridgwater, Somersetshire, the last in his estimation. It may be be there married a Miss Chubb, a supposed, that a mind so eminently beautiful and accomplished woman, qualified for enjoying the charms of by whom he had several children. philosophic converse, would be fully Unfortunately they lost their mother, gratified; yet, in the midst of this while the eldest was but young. Mr. feast of reason and flow of soul," he Morris having afterwards been pro- has been known to steal a sigh for the moted to the rank of Captain, went rude, but grand imagery of nature in with his regiment to America, and America, and to have listened in engaged in several conflicts with thought to the dashing cataracts of the French and Indians, in each of Columbia, and the wild murmurs of which he displayed that courage and the rivers that roll there through resources of mind which often suc mountains, woods, and desarts. Hav UNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. IX.

was

3 G

ing met with some disappointment, But biography consists neither in forthat his philosophy,which was no small mal narration, nor splendid descripportion, was still insufficient to sup- tion. A tedious and minute chronicle of port, he sought for a spot in the neigh- events and transactions, which made bourhood of London, where he might up the life of any individual, would pass the rest of his days in retirement. not alone give us a knowledge of his This he at length found out, in a nur- character. A dull representation of sery garden, belonging to a Mr. Bowel, artificial manners, or a record of the in Paddington. This was a small cot- childish gossipings of eminent men, tage, in which he sat down to compare may gratify vanity or curiosity, but Mr. Pope's translation of Homer with they can add little to the theory of the original, in which he was assisted the human constitution: these are at by Mr. George Dyer, a gentleman well best but secondary objects of attenqualified for so pleasing a task. In this tion. The biographer should exhibit pursuit he passed some years, which the man divested, as much as possihe declared to a friend were the hap- ble, of the unnatural and superficial piest in his life. colouring which he derives from the He had translated Juvenal into Eng- ever-changing customs and forms of Jish, and enriched it with many notes; sociey. He should present a philo but he could never be prevailed upon sophical analysis of character; an to publish it. He was also the author accurate view of the mind of the inof a little poem, called Quashi, or the dividual, elucidated and explained by Coal-black Maid, published some years a reference to those events of his life ago: the scene is in the West Indies, which had any influence in modify and the story highly pathetic. While ing his opinions, in directing his in America, also, he collected a num- exertions, or in determining the na ber of curious and interesting mate- ture and extent of his enjoyments. rials for the natural and civil history Discussions of this kind unques of that country. Towards the close of tionably embrace by far the most imhis life, his temper was frequently pet- portant part of the labour of the tish, and he seemed to have a touch of biographer. A comprehensive and the misanthrope in his composition; well constructed theory of the cha this, however, was only a transient racter of any individual is always inshade. His property, which is hand- teresting, and none perhaps is more some, devolves to his children of so than that of a literary man. A per

course.

Account of the Life and Character of the late WILLIAM BARRON, A. M. F. R. S. Edinburgh, and Professor of Belles Lettres and Logic in the University of St. Andrews.

TH

son who devotes himself to study has not eradicated the common feelings of his nature. Though much of his time may be spent in solitary contemplation, yet he is not dead to the affairs of the world. The motives and principles which regulate the deterHE history of the lives of lite- minations of other men, have not rary men has in general been lost their power over him. The rank, represented as destitute of those therefore, which he should hold in topics which ought to attract the no- the estimation of society, can never tice of the biographer. Although be ascertained by the bare inspection there may be some degree of bold- of a record of his studies and his ness in questioning the validity of works, while we exclude every thing a position which has met with uni- which was descriptive of him as a versal consent, we are nevertheless inoral agent, or bury the remem disposed to think that it rests on no brance of his good or bad qualities solid foundation. If the biographer in a pompous catalogue of doubtful propose to himself no other object virtues.

than to trace the hero of his tale In the present instance various reathrough dangers and difficulties, and sons prevent us from carrying these to present a lively picture of striking views fully into execution. In the incidents and adventures, the lives of short notice, however, which follows, most literary men will afford him but several facts and observations will be few inaterials for such an undertaking, found illustrative of the character of a

man who had some claims to be re- We are not exactly certain at what membered by posterity. time Mr. Barron received his licence William Barron was born in 1735, to preach the Gospel, nor when he at a small farm in the parish of Cor- was first ordained a minister: we storphine, named Kershall, which know, however, what is of infinitely was at that time rented by his father. more importance, that he was not He received the greatest part of his very fortunate in any of his parochial education at Edinburgh, where he charges, and that the experience devoted himself to the study of theo. which he obtained of the life of a logy. We are not so well acquainted country clergyman, by no means inwith his early habits and propensities, creased his attachment to that profesas to be able to trace with accuracy the sion. His first settlement took place progress of his improvement, and the at Wamfrey; from thence he went development of his intellectual facul- to Whitburn. In both these places ties. We know, however, that his he had frequent cause to lament the father could not afford him much pe- pernicious effects of those doctrines cuniary aid, and that early difficul- which had poisoned the minds of his ties and obstacles called forth his parishioners, by accustoming them to powers, and habituated him to those look upon religion as a subject of spe exertions of industry and persever- culation and controversy, without reance, to which alone he was to trust ference to their conduct as members for his future consequence and suc- of society. The consequences of cess in the world. He applied with such opinions he always deplored, as uncommon assiduity to the study of they necessarily involve the comfort ancient literature and philosophy, and or the character of the clergyman, by transferred the information derived forcing him either to maintain an from these sources to facilitate the endless struggle with ignorance and acquirement of the different branches folly, or at once to resign all hopes of of modern science. Among these, being useful, debase his talents, disMathematics and Natural Philosophy grace his profession, and sink into an attracted much of his attention, and unworthy and precarious popularity, formed part of his course of study by making a compromise with truth, for many years. His labours while and administering to the prejudices at the University distinguished. him of his hearers. Mr. Barron uniformly among his fellow-students, and procured for him the respect and friendship of several of the most eminent of the professors.

withstood this corruption, and to a torrent of misguided zeal, and the fas natical fury of bigotted enthusiasm, opposed the dignity of a virtuous and The first literary enterprise in which upright mind, and with an ardent and he was engaged was as the redacteur of manly eloquence boldly taught that the journals of Mr. Bell of Antermony, active benevolence and integrity in who travelled in the years 1715 and this world were alone compatible with 1719, from Petersburgh to various parts the glory and happiness of heaven. of Asia. In composing this work from The leisure which was left to him the materials afforded him by Mr. Bell, after performing his ministerial funche had no great opportunity of display- tions, he devoted to the improvement ing his own talents. The manner, of his own mind, and the advance however, in which he executed it, ment of science. Agricultural pura fully justified the opinion entertained suits occupied a good deal of his at of him by his friends, and by those tention, and in 1774 he published an who recommended him to the task. Essay on the Mechanical Principles The first edition of this work was pub- of the Plough;" but his principal lished in 1761. Subsequent geogra- labours consisted in researches con phical discoveries have confirmed the cerning the government and policy of information originally acquired by Mr. ancient nations, with a view to illus Bell, while the very valuable intelli- trate the doctrines of political science. gence which he communicates cou- With this intention he published, in cerning the interior of Asia, has as 1777, a work entitled," History of sumed unusual importance from the the Colonization of the Free States of extraordinary events of the present Antiquity, applied to the present con time. test between Great Britain and her

American Colonies." When he was sation, however, for the loss of which, a clergyman be also composed his his Majesty many years afterwards, "History of the Political Connection was pleased to confer upon him a penbetween Great Britain and Ireland," sion of 100% per annum. which was published about the year When Mr. Barron went to St. An1780, soon after he went to St. An- drews, he carried with him a considrews. It is likewise proper to men- derable share of literary reputation, tion that he wrote an "Account of and the extent of his knowledge and the Life of Thomson," which was the vigour of his intellect promised prefixed to an edition of his Seasons still further to increase his fame. printed at Edinburgh. He also was Zealous in performing the duties to a regular contributor to a literary which he had been called, he commagazine, which was established at menced his academical career with an that place about the time that he re- ardour which for a considerable time sided there, and occasionally furnish- had a manifest influence on the acquireed articles for some of the reviews ments and pursuits of his pupils. He published in Londen. faithfully executed what was required. The integrity with which he dis-, of him as a lecturer, and attempted at charged bis duties in private life, and the same time to establish a new class the proots which he had given of for composition and elocution, as a learning and talents, enabled him to practical continuation of the one which rank among his intimates and friends he taught. In doing so he wished to many of the most eminent literary carry on the improvement of his pucharacters of his country, and procured pils in writing their own language, by for him flattering marks of respect prescribing to them subjects for essays from many of those who had distin- and orations, and to habituate them guished themselves in the most ex- to the practice of public speaking and alted departments of political life. elocution. We need not pursue this The circumstances connected with plan through all its details: no one his appointment to the situation which could be better calculated for answerbe held in St. Andrews were certainly ing the purposes for which it was inhonourable to himself, and evince at tended, nor for establishing and proleast the sentiments which were en- moting the advancement of his stutertained of him by those who are dents. But St. Andrews, it should chiefly instrumental to the success, seem, was not the place where any and consequently ought to be best such plans for enlarging the mind, calculated to judge of the claims of or exciting liberal inquiry, were to literary men. He was nominated meet with much encouragement. Professor of Rhetoric and Logic in His establishment seconded by all that university totally without his the exertions of his friends, could knowledge. For this mark of distinc- only maintain a doubtful existence for tion he was indebted to Lord Suffolk, one or two sessions. It received no (at that time one of the Secretaries of countenance from his colleagues, and State) who on various occasions had as most of the students are bursars, expressed it to be his fixed intens and consequently under the controul tion to take the first opportunity of of the masters, it soon perished. recommending Mr. Barron to some. We would willingly examine with mark of his majesty's favour, and that some degree of minuteness, the his merely on the ground of literary tory of Mr. Barron's academical life, merit." Several reasons, however, as it would afford opportunity for induced Mr. B. to hesitate before he introducing many interesting specu accepted this appointment, chiefly lations concerning his character and because it would force him to give happiness, and throw light upon the up the living which he possessed, with theory of education, by tending to out materially contributing to his pro- ascertain the claims of St. Andrews motion or bettering his circumstances. as a place for the instruction of youth. Lord Suffolk was not aware at that At present we must be exceedingly time that the professorship was in- brief on all these topics. We must compatible with the situation which be permitted to observe, however, he held as a clergyman; as a compen- that a small town with a society com