The pendulum, as it swings at London, to beat seconds of time, he proposes to be the measure of length.

Sir James, after having laid down his fundamental principles, proposes an ingenious plan for rendering their adoption universal all over the world, for the particulars of which I must refer to the treatise itself.

He proposes that the solemn verification of the standards should take place in London, which, on the ground of the acknowledged fame, and ancient superiority of Rome, once the capital of Europe, I would have to be performed in that city. England sinking, as it is daily in real importance, can never hope to take the lead in future schemes of glory and eminence; and therefore I hope that the American states may have the advantage of verifying the noble project of our illustrious Scot.

Generations, writes he, pass away, kingdoms and empires change, but mankind may be said to be immortal. It is, therefore, no objection against any scheme for their improvement, that time is required for the execution of it. A thousand years to mankind are not equal to a day in human life. Weights and measures, once properly esteblished, would survive the greatest revolutions and convulsions of states; and therefore the only possible method by which such a plan can be brought to bear, is by time, the prospect of ease and utility, and by the medium of science and of

the arts. I am sorry to have slighted my own country and nation in the course of these rel marks. But Great Britain never had, in the eye of a true philosopher and politician, the stamina of a sound and lasting constitution. Her features indeed were bold, and her temper amiable. She once obeyed the laws of nature and nations, of justice and of humanity. Her morals were purer than those of the surrounding nations. Such a nation deserved, if I may so say, the countenance and approbation of the God of justice and mercy, and the God of battles ratified her pretensions by his over-ruling providence.

These times are past.

Sir James, after having obtained his pardon, retired to Coltness, in the county of Lanark, the paternal estate of his family, where he turned his attention to the improvement of his neighbourhood by publick works and police, and drew the first good plan for a turnpike bill, suited to the circumstances of Scotland, which has been since generally adopted. He repaired his house, planted, improved, and deco rated his estate, and in social intercourse rendered himself the delight of his neighbourhood and country.

Never was there a man, who, with so much knowledge, and so much energy of expression in conversation, rendered himself more delightful to his company, or was more regretted by his acquaintance when he died. Nor was the active mind of Sir James unemployed for

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retreat.

the general benefit of his country during his He was engaged by the directors of the East India Company of England to digest a code for the regulation of the current coin of Bengal; the plan for which important regulation he printed, and received from the court of sdirectors a handsome diamond ring, as a mark of their approbation.

He prepared for the press, but never published, An antidote to the systeme de la nature, by Mirabeau, wherein the paralalogisms, and foolish reasoning of that infidel work, are examined, detected, and confuted. It is written in French, and were the work of Mirabeau worth refutation, might be printed with much advantage to Sir James's reputation as a controversial writer.

. Non tali auxilio, non defensoribus istis tempus egit.

Sir James died in November 1780, and was buried at Cambusnethan, in Lanarkshire, on Tuesday the 28th of that month; the Duke of Hamilton and his neighbours performing the last offices to the remains of that truly interesting citizen, and bedewing his ashes with their tears. I had the honour and comfort to attend him till he became insensible by the fever that carried him to his grave. On Sunday the 19th of November I saw, for the last time, this excellent person, and left him at two o'clock in the afternoon, when he took to his death-bed. On the Friday preceding, I saw him sign his last letter to Sir George Cole

broke, guiding him in his researches on the revenue of France. With his own hand he wrote the following note subjoined to his

name:

"Written at Coltness, in the month of Octo"ber 1780, and now transmitted, while in the "hands of surgeons, at Edinburgh, the 17th of "November."

If for the names of the just any place be found; if as wise men hold, great spirits perish not with the body, pleasing be his repose. Let us adorn his memory with deathless praises, and, as far as our infirmities will allow, by pursuing and adopting his excellencies. This is true honour; this the natural duty incumbent on his affectionate relation,

ALBANICUS,

Biography, continued.

Sketch of the Life of George Heriot.

FOR THE BEE.-NOVEMBER 17. 1791.

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GEORGE HERIOT, the founder of that noble charity at Edinburgh, which has produced so many useful and valuable citizens, was the son of George Heriot of Trabrown, or Trabrane, in East Lothian, and was

born in the beginning of June 1503 *. His father was a goldsmith in Edinburgh, and made a handsome fortune for the times and country in which he lived, and gavė a suitable education to a numerous family. George, the son, worked with his father as a jeweller and goldsmith, and at the age of 23, in the year 1586, was, by his father's interest, creditably married to Christian Marjoribanks, daughter of Simon Marjoribanks, merchant in Edinburgh. On his marriage he received 1000 f merks for his portion, and 500 to fit up a shop, and furnish himself with clothes and tools; a small sum indeed, even considering the value of money at that time, for such an undertaking, the whole not exceed ing 80 pounds Sterling. With his wife he got a mortgage, amounting to the capital sum of 1075 merks, the interest of which, at the then legal interest of ten per centum, amounted to no more than 107 merks 6s. 8d. Scots money; both sums not exceeding L.14.. 1s. Sterling.

As appears by the appointment of the annual procession of the boys, and an inscription on his original portrait, in the collection of the Earl of Buchan, who is possessed likewise of an original portrait of George's father, both of which were presented to him by Mr George Paton of the customs, son of Mr Paton bookseller at Edinburgh.

+ One thousand merks Scots is equal to .55.. 11 .. 4 Sterling.