were those, not of a politician, writing for temporary purposes and influence; none of them discover any ambition of literary fame. Lastly, the author of Junius, be he who he may, is now, in all human probability, dead, and has died without confession. It does not then appear that this argu. ment can tell heavier against any one claimant than against another.

The resident landed gentry of this country form a class peculiarly characteristic of Britain, and form a prominent feature, both in its society and legislation. Its general aspect is respectable, and its influence salutary. If it affords somewhat too ample an allowance of drunken squires and senseless prodigals, it redeems these by a large proportion of very superior characters. The plain honest country gentleman, who resides chiefly on his own estate, proves the father of his tenants and villagers, gives an independent vote in Parliament, and promotes all patriotic improvements, exhibits human nature in one of her most favour. able lights.

Among these characters, few hold a higher place than GEORGE DEMPSTER, proprietor of Dunnichen, near Dundee, an estate which his grandfather bad earned by successful trade. He received his education first at the grammar school of Dundee, and then at the University of St Andrews; after which he removed to Edinburgh. Having gone over the preliminary studies, he was admitted a member of the Faculty of Advocates. This is a profession, in which young practitioners usually undergo a long probation, and which, indeed, by young men of fortune, is rather assumed as an ornamental title than a real and serious occupation. He availed himself chiefly of his residence in Edinburgh to cultivate the society of those distinguished men, from whose intellect that

are derived such lustre. He became a member of the Poker Club, a scene of intellectual conviviality, instituted by Dr Adam Ferguson, near the Netherbow. He formed an original member of the Select Society, composed of all the intellectual worthies of the last age, and finally matured into the Royal Society. Having enlarged his powers and observation by making the tour of Europe, he determined to enter into political life. After a very long struggle, which cost no less than 10,000l., he was returned to Parliament for the Fife and Forfar district of burghs, and took his seat on the 25th November, 1762. He maintained his place for twenty-eight years, during the whole of which time he acted in the most honest and independent manner, siding with or opposing every minister exactly as he thought his measures conducive to the public welfare. Upon this principle he gave his decided support to the Marquis of Rockingham, and opposed the American war from beginning to end. He was nominated a Director of the East India Company, in opposition to the wishes of those who were supposed to possess the greatest influence there; but finding that he could not wean that body from its designs of conquest, or confine it to the humble routine of commercial employment, he quitted it, and became an advocate for an entire change in our oriental system. He declared on one occasion, that all chartered rights should be held inviolable, except the single charter of the East India Company; but this one should be destroyed, for the sake of the country, of India, and of humanity. He wished that the navigation of India had never been discovered, and conjured ministers to abandon all thoughts of sovereignty in that part of the world. On Mr Pitt's accession to power, Mr Dempster gave his cordial support to that great states

man in his plans for the reduction of the public debt, his commutation tax, and his efforts to extend the freedom of trade. When, however, the question of the Regency came on, he objected to the restrictions proposed to be laid on the Prince of Wales, declaring, that the executive thus created was an "unwhig, untory-like, odd, anomalous monster."

In 1790, at the age of 55, he closed his career as a senator, but whether from choice or from being unable to contend with the influence of the Athol family, has been left uncertain. From this time he acted in an humble sphere, but where his exertions were perhaps more effective and permanently useful. The agriculture of Scotland, and its peasantry, were then in a state equally miserable. His own description will suffice. "I found," says he," my few tenants without leases, subject to the blacksmith of the barony; thirled to its mills; wedded to the wretched system of out-field and in; bound to pay kain, and perform personal services; clothed in hodden, and lodged in hovels." He immediately granted leases to his farmers, released them from all enforced rotation of crops, and dispensed with all personal services. Thus encouraged by the assurance that the fruits of their industry would be their own, they soon improved materially, both their own condition, and that of the estate. He united advice with example, to induce the neighbouring landlords to do the same; and though he complains of the slowness with which the impression was made, yet it cannot be doubted, that the now general diffusion of this improved system took place in a great measure through him. He improved, moreover, his own property, and instructed his neighbours, by draining and ren dering fertile a great extent of moss; in the course of which operation, he discovered a large quantity of marl on

his grounds. He built also the neat village of Letham, and established in it a manufactory of linen and yarn.

Besides these private undertakings, Mr Dempster was the means of setting on foot others on a national scale, but in which the prospects of success, and the natural progress of industry, were not so exactly calculated. He had long entertained the most sanguine expectations as to the benefits which Scotland might derive from the fisheries on its coasts. Through his efforts chiefly, a joint stock company was formed, under the protection of Parliament, for promoting this great object. The nation was seized with a great enthusiasm for the undertaking; 5000l. came home from Bengal, and it was expected that the entire stock subscribed would amount to 150,000l. The society then purchased large tracts of land at Tobermory, in Mull, and at Ullapool, on Loch Broom, in Inverness-shire; they erected harbours, quays, store-houses, and feued ground for building. They afterwards added a station in the Isle Skye. Such a great branch of national industry, however, was not to be thus formed, especially by the loose and profuse management of a great joint stock company. In a few years, this fishery was found a very losing concern, and the value of its stock rapidly fell. The undertakers could only console themselves by imputing the failure to the breaking out of the war. Mr Dempster attempted also to found a manufacturing village at Skibo, on the coast of Caithness, imagining that the cheapness of labour and provisions would compensate for the local disadvantages; but this forced plant soon died, involving himself and his brother in considerable loss.

Mr Dempster, while in Parliament, had spent part of every year in London. This practice he afterwards discontinued, but passed a great part

of

his time at St Andrews, amid the scenes of his youthful studies, where he enjoyed an agreeable literary society, and met with his early and respected friend, Dr Ferguson. Though his life extended above the age of 80, he remained always serene, cheerful, and active, till a severe illness carried him off in the 13th February, 1818.

This year was also marked by the death of Sir THOMAS BERNARD, a gentleman whose diffusive philanthrophy renders him well deserving of notice. His father being appointed governor of New Jersey, he received his first education in America, and on his return applied to the study of the law. His attention was chiefly confined to the branch of conveyancing, in which he obtained a respectable degree of practice. Having married, however, the daughter of the late Patrick Adair, Esq. he obtained with her so large a fortune, as rendered farther applica tion to business unnecessary. From that time he devoted his attention entirely to philanthropic plans and pursuits. Britain derives a high and al. most peculiar glory from a class of ci. tizens, who seem to consider themselves as born for the welfare of their fellows; who devote their time, their thoughts, and their fortune, to that single object. She can boast not a few who have devoted their lives to the relief of the unfortunate; but the subject of this memoir is perhaps the only one who has embraced equally the highest and the humblest objects; who has at once studied to exalt and improve the most elevated classes of society, to relieve and instruct the lowest; and who has been equally successful in both pursuits.

The first object, to which Sir Thomas directed his attention, is perhaps the only one the felicity of which may admit of some controversy. Having distinguished himself as one of the go

vernors of the Foundling Hospital, he was elected its treasurer, to which of fice an elegant and comfortable residence is attached; he held this place for seven years. In 1796, with the support of the Bishop of Durham, Mr Wilberforce, and other gentlemen, he founded the " Society for bettering the condition of the poor." Its main object was the instruction of the lower orders, among whom it was the means of diffusing a large mass of useful information. His next achievement was the foundation of the Royal Institution, which has contributed so much to the intellectual improvement of the metropolis. In 1810, it obtained the King's charter; an extensive library, and most valuable philosophical apparatus were formed; and a succession of the most eminent literary men have filled the office of lecturers. We need only mention Sir Humphry Davy, whose greatest discoveries have been facilitated by the command of instruments, with which he was here supplied. This institution has served also as an impulse and a model to similar establishments, both in the metropolis, and in other parts of the kingdom. With this he combined a literary club, called the Alfred, which still subsists, though it is said to have assumed more of a convivial character than was at first intended.

Descending again to the lower classes, Sir T. studied to obviate the want of church-room for their accommodation in the metropolis. With the consent of the rector, he established near Broad Street, St Giles's, a free chapel, with two schools attached to it. Upon this was afterwards grafted the society, called the Chapel Benevolent Society.

In 1805, Sir T. directed his views to the improvement of the fine arts. He sketched the plan of the institution called the British Gallery, having in view at once the exhibition of the pic

tures of living artists for sale, and those of the old school for improvement and public gratification. This institution has completely fulfilled its object, and has continued to flourish during a long series of years.

Besides these more prominent objects, it is understood that there has scarcely been a recent benevolent un dertaking of which Sir Thomas was not either in the front or the rear. The plans for extending vaccination-for stopping the progress of the typhus for instructing the blind, the proposition made to Parliament relative to children employed in cotton factories, and the sweeping of chimneys are all said to have originated in the same quarter. His last effort was made to procure a repeal of the salt duties, the hardships of which, especially on the poor, he clearly pointed out in a pam. phlet on the subject, which has been at least the means of procuring some mitigation of their pressure. His efforts on this occasion are supposed to have shattered his constitution, and aggravated a dropsical affection, which, on the 1st July, 1818, terminated in death, when he had nearly completed the 68th year of his age. He was twice married; and in one of his works has warmly panegyrized his first wife, to whom he was fondly attached.

to the majority of the Assembly, he was violently denounced as having de ceived the Legislative Body,and having employed aristrocrats in the expedition to St Domingo. On the 19th Decem ber he made a speech, in which he painted in lively colours the disasters of the colonies, traced their origin to the friends of the negroes, and pointed out the means of remedying them. Notwithstanding the boldness of this speech, it was on the whole favourably received. In January 1792, he was accused by a committee, of allowing abuses in the establishment at Brest; but after long and tumultuous debates, which lasted for several days, the Assembly decreed, that there was no ground of charge. Next day, however, his enemies had influence to procure a decree, that observations on his conduct should be presented to the King; and Herault de Sechelles was entrusted with this species of denun ciation. The King replied, that he still gave his confidence to M. de Ber trand; but this answer raised such a ferment in the Assembly, that the mi nister himself chose a few days after to give in his resignation. Retaining still, however, the entire confidence of Louis, he was entrusted with the confidential office of watching the motions of the Jacobin party, and disposing the Royal Guard and sections in favour of the crown. He offered different plans for escape, which were not accepted. After the fatal 10th of August he was prose cuted, and with great difficulty made his escape out of France. He withdrew to London, where he established his residence. Here he wrote Annals of the French Revolution in nine oc tavo volumes, which, though some what prolix, were considered faithful, and drew a good deal of attention. He published also some correspondence with Mr Fox on the subject of the Annals, and wrote other works, which, with those now mentioned, were trans

In France this year, also died BERTRAND DE MOLEVILLE, a statesman of some note. Previous to the Revolution, he held the office of Intendant of Brittany, and was employed along with the Count de Thiard, to dissolve the Parliament of Rennes. This operation occasioned a rising of the youth in defence of the Parliament, in which De Moleville narrowly escaped with his life. He then repaired to Paris, and having strenuously espoused the cause of his unfortunate monarch, was, in Oc tober 1791, appointed Minister of the Marine. Being odious, however,

Esq.

This year terminated the life of several of the actors in those great military events which lately agitated Europe, and turned the tide of its fortunes. None took here a more conspicuous part, or attracted a greater share of the admiration of mankind, than PLATOFF, the Cossack chief. Without this singular equestrian force, forming the first light cavalry in the world, the Russian armies would often be a huge unwieldy mass, which might fight a battle with desperate energy, but could not occupy a country, or carry on the movements of an extended campaign. All their energies, however, were never fully displayed till they fought on Russian soil. The enthusiastic zeal of Platoff, their chief, against the French invaders, is attested by the memorable proffer of his daughter in marriage to the captor of Buonaparte, be he who he might. It was by the efforts of Platoff and his soldiers that Moscow was rendered absolutely untenable for the French army. Their clouds completely encircled that capital; men, horses, cannon, every thing that straggled, every thing that came out in the shape of detachment from the French army, was almost inevitably swallowed up. It has been calculated, that during the occupation of Moscow, upwards of 30,000 men disappeared without a blow. When the invading army began its final retreat, the Cossack hurra never ceased to resound behind them. The enemy at first had somewhat the start; but at Kolotsk, Platoff, with the light troops under Miloradovitch, came up with them, and cut off at Viasma and Doroghobuz a considerable portion of the rear guard. Platoff acted also a conspicuous part, at Krasnoi, where the Russians, having blocked up the passage of the French army, succeeded in cutting off a large de

Ney. At Dombrowna, he took prisoners a body of 3000 men, which had escaped from Krasnoi. He now lost all account of the numbers taken, merely making the average estimate of 1000 a-day. In short, it is chiefly to Platoff and his Cossacks that we are to ascribe the almost total destruction of the French army in this fatal retreat. In the triumphant and unresisted march through Germany, Platoff and his Cossacks formed the advanced guard. The pitched battles of Lutzen, Dresden, and Leipsic, were not so favour. able to the display of their peculiar qualities. When the war, however, was transferred into France, they performed in a superior degree the services peculiar to light troops, and obviated almost all the disadvantages of making war in an enemy's country. They secured the subsistence of the army,kept up the communication between its different corps, and held the enemy, and Paris itself, in perpetual alarm. The French bulletins reproached them, perhaps with some reason, for their habits of plunder, declaring that many of them were loaded with gold and jewels, and had eight or ten watches a-piece. It does not seem, however, that they could be blamed, when they occupied the palace of Fontainbleau, for carrying off the horse-cloths from the imperial studs. During this campaign, an incident happened, of which an interesting account is given by a foreign writer, an intimate friend of Platoff: " He heard, that near one of the spots destined for pillage, might be found the residence of Thaddeus Kosciusko, late General of the Poles, who lived there in the occupation and seclusion of a peasant. Platoff dispatched a party of his Cossacks to protect the person and property of that great man, once the adversary of three invading sovereigns, but now even more illustrious in his obscurity, than at the