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

indomitable perseverance and imnncible courage with AA'hich he AA'as so eminently endowed , he acquired tolerably proficiency in the literatures of France , Germany s and Italy . Sir Archibald chose the IBAV as a profession ,

and was called to the Scotch bar in 1814 , when Monerieff , Jeffrey , Cockburn , & c , Avere the chief leaders . At the same period a baud of eager but younger men Avere rising up , AVIIO embraced with the utmost vigour and enthusiasm political

propositions of a different order , the most famous of which AA ere Wilson and Lockharfc— although lawyers , Avere more distinguished in the fields of intellectual endeaA our than in those of the law—Patrick Robertson , John Hope , and Duncan M'Neill . On the opposite side were Andrew Kutherforcl and Thomas Maitland . Sir Archibald

adhered to the majority of these contemporaries and riA'als . Before , however , commencing tho practice of the laAV , he took a Continental tour , which materially affected and shaped his whole future life . During that tour he necessarily

became acquainted with the characters , institutions , and modes of government of various nations , which lie found to be afterwards highly serviceable to Mm . Having an eye open to appreciate the beauties of nature , the picturesque and romantic

scenery Avhich ever aud auon meets the gaze in all its beauty , sublimity , and rugged grandeur in Continental cities , made a deep ancl fixed impression on his mind ; and we don ' t blame him for falling in love with the beautiful and varied scenes on the Continent . At this period the European nation Avas on the brink of a revolution , and no

words can adequately convey an idea of the profound emotion and consternation which universall y reigned in the hearts of the people , more particularly among the inhabitants of France . The vanity , self-conceit , and inordinate ambition of the

first Napoleon manifested itself conspicuously at this time ; and , in order to achieve his own selfish ends and capricious purposes , he seized every favourable opportunity which presented itself of signalising himself by his extraordinary measures

, regardless of the consequences which inevitably follows a reckless and thoughtless course of action . Napoleon unquestionably was a man of great poAver , unbending Avill , and unconquerable energy , but he lacked prudence and discretion—hence his

audacious designs . He had the ambition even to aspire at universal dominion—an aspiration unprecedented , Ave believe , in modern times ; but

the country Avhich he had treated with the most unrelenting malignity , naturally declined to accede to his exorbitant and foolish proposals , and made a determined stand in the vindication of the liberties and privileges Avhich are indispensable to society .

Napoleon Avas environed as in an atmosphere by indiscriminate admirers and smooth-tongued flatterers , who surreptitiously exercised an undue preponderance and control in the afiairs of the country , and Avho with a regard to their own

interests , magnified by attributing to him qualities ancl endowments which he unfortunately never possessed—indeed , their rank steaming praise , windy vanities , ancl other absurdities , Avhich only misled him . At Prague , hacl he restrained his

ambitions hand , he could have bounded his empire by theRhine , ancl at Chatillon he might have retained the territory of ancient France ; but as his ambition knew no limits , and as the power of combination against him was so great , he had eventually

to relinquish his throne , to Avhich he rose on the crest of the revolution—all that Avas left for him Avas the miniature sovereignty of Elba , to which he retreated as best he could , there to " rest aud be thankful , " to coin the expression of Earl

Russell . Verily the lofty position of the monarch is far from being an enviable one , as the whole history of the past in a thousand startling instances shows . The poet of " Ohilde Harold" beautifully remarks : —

"He that ascends to mountain tops must find The highest peaks most wrapt in clouds and snow , He that surpasses or subdues mankind , Must look clown on the hate of those below , Though high above the sun of glory glow , And far beneath the earth and ocean spread ,

Around him are icy rocks , and fiercely blow Contending tempests on his naked head , And thus reward the toils which to such summits led . " A magnificent gathering was held in the abandoned capital in commemoration of this memorable epoch in European histoiy , at which the subject of our memoir attended . Sir Archibald had long Avatched Avith the intensest interest the

stirring events transpiring across the channel but being on the field witnessing the enormous assemblage he was inspired Avith deep enthusiasm , and it was then that he first conceived the idea of narrating these events , ancl the happy

consummation of this idea which flashed into his mind , like an electric shock , Avas his colossal "History of Europe " —a Avork which has gained for him a very extensive popularity . B y his thorough knowledge of the principles of