Biographical Sketch Of The Late Sir Archibald Alison, Bart., &C,

able portion of his distinction in the literary Avorld . His father , the Rev . Archibald Alison , LL . B ., was for a number of years senior clergyman of an Episcopal Chapel in the Cowgate of Edinburgh ,

and is reputed to have been possessed of various taleuts and accomplishments—the more prominent of Avhich were a cultivated taste , ever susceptible to entertain and encourage what was ennobling and grand wherever found;—a pulpifc eloquence

characterised by much simplicity , warmth , ancl fervency , but devoid of the tone of lofty command , vehement mouthing , and denunciation which obtains so extensively among our over-aealous and dogmatic Scottish modern divines . He dre *> v his

illustrations , fair and fresh , from every field of nature , which , coupled Avith an amplitude of fittingwords conveying his sparkling and original ideas , made his sermons peculiarly entertaining and attractive . Being thoroughly alive to the

importance of the solemn themes he Avas inculcating , his preaching Avas profoundly earnest , and the truths he impressed on his hearers Avent direct to their hearts , and consequently left an indelible impression on the meinory . His bi * oad catholicity

of spirit , and his thorough honesty of heart and purpose , secured for him , as they should do for all who possess them , unbounded admiration and respect . The historian's father was not only held in the highest esteem by the various . religious

denominations of that day , but even the political powers then in authority entertained for him the greatest regard . He was particularly fond of company , and he enjoyed the good offices and friendship of the celebrated literary critics then

located in the metropolis of Scotland . His father was author of a small treatise entitled , " Essays on Taste , " which once attracted the attention of students of mental philosophy . As he invariably carried about Avith him an inexhaustible stock of

enjoyable humour , he met . with a cordial reception wherever he went . He held various religious preferments in the English Church , among others , being Prebendary of Sarum and Rector of Rodingfcon . —Sir Archibald was born afc the

Parsonage House of Kenley , in Shropshire , December , 1792 . His mother , Dorothea Gregory , was daughter of Dr . John Gregory of Edinburgh , and grand-daughter of the 14 th Lord Forbes . His mother being a Avoman of lofty character , fine feelings , and hi gh intelligence , rendered valuable assistance in the cultivation of his

judgment , in the enlightenment of his mind , and in the moulding of his talents , which were evinced Avhen a mere boy in an eminent degree , ancl prepared him for making * himself worthy of the dignified and honourable position which destiny

had reserved for him . The education he thus received at the hands of a loving * and solicitous mother exerted a powerful and exhilarating influence upon his ardent and susceptible mind . A mother ' s love is touchingly described in the following lines : —

"A mother ' s love ! how sweet the name . ' AVhat is a mother ' s love ? The noblest , purest , tenclerest flame That kindles from above , Within a heart of earthly mould ;

As much of heaven as heart can hold , Ivor through eternity grow cold ; This is a mothers's love . " He Avas thus connected Avith a family AA'hich , during many generations , gave substantial evidence of hereditary talent so far at least as mathematics

and the exact sciences are concerned . His elder brother , it may be mentioned , Avas Dr . W . P . Alison , the late medical professor in Edinburgh , AVIIO attained great distinction in his profession , Avhile his praiseworthy philanthropic labours

throughout that city have deservedly embalmed his name in the memories of many of its citizens . The residence of the family Avas transferred thither Avhen the subject of our delineation was in his eighth year . He was educated in due course at the University , which then enjoyed the services of Dugald Stewart—a philosopher of rare compass

of mind and vast learning—Play fair and Leslie , and other intellectual giants , who , though long dead , nevertheless by their neAV and gloAving combinations of thought and fervid imaginations , yet speak , urging us on as it were to continued

exertion and persevering effort , in order that Ave may leave behind us " footprints on the sands of time . " Endowed with a retentive memory and great aptitude for the acquisition of knowledge , he made considerable progress in the exact sciences , so

much so that he held a position in the front rank of the classes under the immediate surveillance of Play fair and Leslie . In the Greek class he likewise excelled , and triumphantly carried off the highest honours , and even in his later years ,

although engaged in pursuits at once engrossing and distracting , he still retained the same passionate fondness for this language as Avas exhibited by him in his earlier years . By the