СНАР. CLXIII. struck, and therefore having a greater degree of loudness. As ti-tùm or tùm-ti-tum-ti, or when two weak notes precede a more forcible one, as tă-tă-tùm ; or when they follow one, 1754–1757, as tùm-ti-ti, tùm-ti-ti.” The Select Society, seeing only the desirableness of the object, overlooked entirely the difficulties and impossibilities which opposed it, such as the want of models of correct pronunciation for the great mass of the inhabitants - the rigidity of the organs of speech of adults-and the succession of persons from the lower orders, and from the remote provinces, who must have the accents as much as the features of their parents. Our grave divines, lawyers, and philosophers thought that the Scottish dialect was to be got rid of by a lecture, as they had known a cutaneous disease to be cured by ointment. They consequently resolved unanimously "That it would be of great advantage to this country, if a proper number of persons from England, duly qualified to instruct gentlemen in the knowledge of the English tongue, the manner of pronouncing it with purity, and the art of public speaking, were settled in Edinburgh; and if at the same time a proper number of masters from the same country, duly qualified for teaching children the reading of English, should open schools in Edinburgh for that purpose." With this view they determined that a fund should be raised by contribution, and that the contributors, together with the members of the Select Society, should take the name of "The Society for promoting the reading and speaking of the English Language in Scotland." A large body of directors was named, including Lord Auchinleck, Dr. Robertson, the Earl of Errol, the Earl of Eglinton, the Earl of Galloway, and the Earl of Elgin. the Select To benefit the nation by their example, they resolved that, The memfrom and after a given day, they themselves would all begin bers of to speak English, according to the rules of grammar, and Society Sheridan's scale of progression-"ti-tùm or tùm-ti-tùm-tĭ.” According to all accounts, never since the confusion tongues at Babel was there such an exhibition. Few Failure severed in the attempt more than twenty-four hours, and it attempt. begin to speak of English. per of the CLXIII. CHAP. was soon discovered that they might as well have petitioned Parliament for a law forbidding red hair, or high cheek-bones, in 1754-1757. any part of Scotland! Establish ment of Review. The ridicule of what they had attempted, even prevented them from going on with educational measures which might have been practicable and advantageous. "The Society for promoting the reading and speaking of the English Language in Scotland" did publish an advertisement in the "Edinburgh Courant and Caledonian Mercury," "that they had engaged Mr. Leigh, a person well qualified to teach the pronunciation of the English tongue with propriety and grace;" but here its labours ended. It immediataly fell to pieces, and no such national attempt at sudden reform has since been attempted, although individuals have from time to time exposed themselves to a little laughter, and have materially injured their success in public life, by violently attempting to get rid of their Scotch accent, and to speak “High English. I have little more to relate of Wedderburn in his own the original country, except the share which he had in starting the Edinburgh original "EDINBURGH REVIEW." Unfortunately, there was no Sydney Smith to give us graphically the history of this publication, as of its more distinguished and prosperous successor, which appeared under the same name just half a *It is said, in Ritchie's Life of David Hume, in which there is a lively account of these vagaries, that Dr. Robertson ever after adhered to his resolution to speak English, and was successful in his language although not in his intonation. But I have been told by my father, who enjoyed the familiarity and friendship of the historian, that "although he could write English better than any Englishmen, in conversation he spoke broad Scotch without any attempt at disguise." This corresponds with the compliment paid to him in England, that "he must not expect to speak as well as to write English better than the English;" as well as with the solution Boswell gives of his silence in society in London, that "he was afraid of falling into Scotticisms." From my standing and long experience, perhaps may be forgiven if I earnestly warn my young countrymen against "clipping the Queen's English." A Scotch accent being often found in company with birth, education, and talent, is not vulgar, and it will in no degree impair the effect of eloquence either in the House of Commons, or at the bar of the House of Lords. But they do no justice to their powers, when they hesitate about the pronunciation of a word; and after all, they are sure to make greater blunders than they avoid; for purity of accent to a Scotchman who continues domiciled in Scotland is utterly unattainable. century later. Whether the projectors had any private bond of their association, such as CHAP. CLXIII. A. D. 1755. and whether they tried to find a public motto from some ancient author whom they had never read,-will for ever remain unknown to the world. † All that is certain is, that some of the most eminent members of the "Select Society" resolved, in the beginning of 1755, to establish a Review on a new plan, to be published half-yearly, to contain criticism, chiefly upon works printed in Scotland, but with notices of others printed in England and on the Continent; the analyses of the works criticised and the dissertations to be introduced to be of a profounder and bolder character than those which appeared in the monthly publications to which reviewing in England had been confined. Wedderburn was Wedderthe editor. Thus was the first number entitled, — "The Edinburgh Review, [To be published every six months]. Containing an account of all the BOOKS and PAMPHLETS that have been published in Scotland from the 1st of January to the 1st of July, 1755. To each Number will be added an APPENDIX, giving an account of the Books published in England and other countries, that are most worthy of notice." burn editor. First number. by Wedder burn. The PREFACE was by Wedderburn, and as this is almost The Prethe only literary composition which can be distinctly traced face written to him, there may be a general desire to peruse it. I own it seems to me to be a very promising specimen of his powers, and it may raise regret that he afterwards abandoned authorship in quest of fame more fleeting, if more flattering: "The design of this work is to lay before the public, from time to time, a view of the progressive state of learning in this country. The great number of performances of this "We cultivate literature upon a little oatmeal." The historiographer of the present Edinburgh Review says, "We took our present grave motto [Judex damnatur cum nocens absolvitur], from Publius Syrus, of whom none of us had, I am sure, ever read a single line.". Preface to Sydney Smith's Works. CHAP. CLXIII. nature which, for almost a century past, have appeared in every part of Europe where knowledge is held in esteem, A. D. 1755. sufficiently proves that they have been found useful. 66 Upon the first revival of letters in Europe their progress in Scotland was very rapid and very remarkable. The force of Buchanan's numbers, the elegance of his manner, and the undaunted spirit of liberty he breathes, entitle him to be named with the most chosen spirits of Leo X.'s age, and reflect a splendour upon the rise of science in the North. From such a beginning Scotland might well have flattered herself with hopes of attaining a distinguished rank in the literary world. But those happy prospects soon gave place to the melancholy scene of disorder and violence which civil dissensions produced. Letters could not be cultivated where humanity was neglected; the precepts of philosophy suited ill with the rage of party; nor could the arts of peace flourish in a country averse to industry and rent with divisions. Upon the accession of James VI. to the crown of England, the minds of men were entirely occupied with that event. The advancement of their own fortune became an object of attention to very many; whilst the general interest of their country was little regarded. The more unquiet it remained, the more influence would each individual share, who had ambitious desires to gratify. Thus, unfortunately, private interest was opposed to the public good, and the improvement of Scotland was not at that time an agreeable idea to England, jealous and disgusted with the preference shown by the monarch to particular Scotsmen. "From this state of languor and retardation in every species of improvement Scotland soon passed through a series of more dreadful evils. The devastations of Charles I.'s reign and the slavery of Cromwell's usurpation were but ill repaired by the tyranny and oppression of Charles II.'s ministers and the arbitrary rule of James VII. Amidst all the gloom of those times there were still some men who kept alive the remains of science, and preserved the flame of genius from being altogether extinguished. At the Revolution, liberty was re-established and property rendered se CLXIII. A. D. 1755. cure; the uncertainty and rigour of the law were corrected CHAP. and softened; but the violence of parties was scarce abated, nor had industry yet taken place. What the Revolution had begun, the Union rendered more complete. The memory of our ancient state is not so much obliterated but that, by comparing the past with the present, we may clearly see the superior advantages we now enjoy, and readily discern from what source they flow. The communication of trade has awakened industry; the equal administration of laws produced good manners, and the watchful care of the government, seconded by the public spirit of some individuals, has excited, promoted, and encouraged a disposition to every species of improvement in the minds of a people naturally active and intelligent. If countries have their ages with respect to moral advancement and decline, North Britain may be considered in a state of early youth, guarded and supported by the more mature strength of her kindred country. If in any thing her advances have been such as to mark a more forward state, it is in science. The progress of knowledge depending more upon genius and application than upon any external circumstance, wherever these are not repressed, they will exert themselves. The opportunities of education, and the ready means of acquiring knowledge in this country, with even a very moderate share of genius diffused through the nation, ought to make it distinguished for letters. Two considerable obstacles have long obstructed the progress of science. One is the difficulty of a proper expression of ideas in a country where there is either no standard of language, or, at least, one very remote. Some late instances, however, have discovered that this difficulty is not insurmountable; and that a serious endeavour to conquer it may acquire, to one born on the north side of the Tweed, a correct and even an elegant style. Another obstacle arose from the slow advances that the country had made in the art of printing: no literary improvement can be carried far where the means of communication are defective: but this obstacle has been of late entirely removed; and the |