town (of Birmingham) which caused me frequently to be stopped in the street to ascertain the fact."

Besides the works which have been noticed in this sketch, Mr. Hutton has published "the History of Derby, 8vo." bearing the same characteristics of industry, ingenuity, and humour, as that of Birmingham... There are also many fugitive pieces from his pen, both in prose and verse, scattered in various periodical publications, but particularly in the Gentleman's Magazine. Some of his poetical productions are neat, easy, and pleasing. He had a considerable collection of these, which, with other manuscripts, were entirely destroyed by the rioters in 1791.

Mr. Hutton is a very cheerful companion; he still possesses an excellent state of health; and retains in full vigour his mental faculties, a pleasing consequence, no doubt, of that activity and temperance which have ever marked his conduct.

DR. WILLIAM THOMSON.

B. D.

WILLIAM THOMSON was born in 1746, at Burnside, in the parish of Fortevoit, Strathern, in Perthshire. His father, Matthew Thomson, was a carpenter and house-builder, and held a small farm of the Earl of Kinnoul, whose seat, Duplin, is in the adjoining parish. His mother was daughter of Mr. Miller, schoolmaster at Airntully, near Dunkeld. From his mother William received the first rudiments of education, literary and religious, in English read

ing and the catechism; after which he was sent to Forteviot school, to complete his knowledge of English reading, and to learn writing and arithmetic. Mr. Young, his schoolmaster, soon discovered that his genius was fitted for much higher attainments, and advised his parents to suffer him to be instructed in the Latin tongue. They, though their circumstances were confined, and he was one of thirteen children, complied. Mr. Young being afterwards translated to Inchture, in the Carse of Gowrie, pressed Mr. and Mrs. Thomson to continue William under his

care. In this application he was seconded by Mr. Randall, the clergyman of Inchture, who had a son about William's age, to whom he wished to have a companion that might assist and stimulate him in his studies. Matthew had only one objection to the proposal, the ways and means. These, however, were supplied through the assistance of Matthew's father, a respectable farmer, who joined with his son in contributing to the education of his promising grandson. William very early shewed that his genius did not consist merely in an aptness to learn. Even when a boy, he was a penetrating and sagacious observer of men. He very readily discovered the character of his reverend friend Mr. Randall, which was both strongly marked and peculiar. The Rev. Thomas Randall was a man of considerable talents and learning, especially in theology; with a dash of religiousness which at first sight appeared the genuine enthusiasm of lively fancy and ardent passion; but was not wholly unmixed with policy. At this time most of

the

the great towns in Scotland were enamoured of preachers who gave them what they called the real spirit of the gospel, and inculcated faith and grace instead of moral virtue. As the livings in towns were more lucrative than in the country, the assumption of this evangelical garb often promoted the ambition of aspiring politicians in the church, as the appearance of loyalty, and what they call zeal for the constitution, often exalts aspiring politicians in the state. Mr. Randall assisted in the tuition of his son and young Thomson. He was at incredible pains to inspire the youths with a horror against popery. Thomson mentions the following as one of the modes by which he endeavoured to imprint on their juvenile minds a proper abhorrence of Antichrist. He would shew them a map of Europe, with certain parts marked with red lines. These lines described the progress of the Holy Ghost in converting sinners, and making the simple wise. Exhibiting to the boys Scotland, with which they were best acquainted, he traced the course of the Holy Spirit through the southern and western counties, wherein the line had no interruption, that is, where enthusiasm had vaded the whole country, There were small specks or dots of red in eastern and northern parts, where the Spirit had occasionally reached and established detached outposts, though at a great distance from the head-quarters! The red line was not to be seen in Strathmore, the Stormont, or Athol, these being the scenes of sound and rational religion without puritanical fanaticism. An extraordinary portion of

per

oker

oker was placed upon Stirling, an excellent benefice, afterwards held by this spiritual geographer himself. The contemplation of such a mixture of absurdity with religious profession tended to give the youthful mind of William rather a wrong notion on the subject of religion in general, before his judgment was sufficiently matured to distinguish between genuine piety and the freaks or fancies of its professors. The same character made a very different impression on William Thomson, a boy of extremely strong parts and strong passions, and on his companion, Thomas Randall the younger, a boy of very moderate abilities, mild and plastic. The former, bold and original, thought for himself, imbibed no portion of his ghostly director's spiritual sentiments, and perhaps rather verged to the opposite extreme. The latter, a mere creature of example and authority, became the very saint that his father wished to form. After William had been near three years at Inchture, his schoolmaster Mr. Young dying, he was sent to the grammar-school at Perth, and his comrade to Haddington. The worthy clergyman, who easily discerned the uncommon abilities of William, and who had not found out that he was somewhat wanting in spiritual grace, desired carnestly to preserve the intimacy between him and his son, and exhorted the boys to maintain an epistolary correspondence; but the totally different casts of their respective characters rendered this wish unavailing.

Arrived at Perth, William very soon attracted the notice of Mr. Cornfute, master of the school, emi

nent

nent for preceptorial ability and success. This gentleman was particularly remarkable for his thorough comprehension of a pupil's powers and dispositions. He predicted that William would possess, and if opportunity admitted and incited exertion, display abilities equal to the most illustrious scholar of his predecessor.

Having made great proficiency in the classics, William at fifteen years of age was sent to St. Andrew's university. The class in which he was placed contained a greater number than usual of very good scholars. Among these, several gentlemen have since attained distinction in their respective professions and departments. These were George Hill, . now principal of St. Andrew's, successor of Robertson as the leader of the General Assembly, and a celebrated preacher; Dr. Moncrief, now rising so high in medical reputation at Bristol; Mr. Neil Fergusson, who having attained great professional and ge neral respectability as an advocate, and thereby an office of extensive and important trust, is expected speedily to exchange the black for the red robes; Mr. John Playfair, now professor of mathematics at Edinburgh, and one of the most profound philosophical scholars of the age; and the Hon. Thomas Erskine, who, though not more than twelve years

William Murray, afterwards Earl of Mansfield, received his first literary instructions from Mr. Martin of Perth, the Busby of Scotland.

Sce Public Characters for 1799-1800, in the life of Fergus son; and for 1800-1801, in the life of Dugald Stewart.

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