we hereby show and declare to the Vicar of Christ, and to the whole Christian world, that if your holiness do not deal justly between them and us, confusion will inevitably take place-the destruction of our bodies-the exit of our souls-and the other inconvenient consequences which will follow, and which we believe they have imputed to us, and which we have done to them. From what we are, and will be, as well from the obedience with which we, as your children, keep our tenets, as from the good feeling which exists between us and you, our head and judge, we trust our cause will be looked after, thinking and hoping firmly, that you will deal rightly with us, and will reduce our enemies to nothing, and will preserve the safety of your holiness, who has been this good while head of this holy church. This was dated at the monastery of Abirbrothoe, in Scotland, 6th April, 1320, and in the 15th year of our kingdom, under our king above mentioned.

My next visit was to the Museum of the Royal Society of Surgeons, and the day following to the Anatomical Museum, and dissecting rooms in the College. The professors and other gentlemen showed me marked attention.

In one of the large rooms is kept the collection which belonged to the late Dr. Hunter of London. This is said to be the largest and best anatomical collection in Europe. In visiting these institutions the mind is lost. You there see the human frame in all its parts, inward and outward, and in all its forms and deformities. But volumes could not contain the matter that might be

written on these subjects; and perhaps in no language could the subject be expressed in such emphatic words, as in the 139th Psalm-" We are fearfully and wonderfully made."

In the College, I saw the skeleton of Burk, the man who was hanged in Edinburgh some years ago for murdering subjects, and selling them to the doctors for dissection.

CHAPTER XIV.

SLANDER ON NEW-YORK REFUTED-HOLYROOD HOUSEHOUSE OF JEANNIE DEANS-WILLIE TAMSON'S SHOPMURDER OF RIZZIO-ANECDOTE OF SHERIFF WOODS.

BEING in Edinburgh on the 25th January, I observed an article in the Evening Courant of that date to the following purport : "We have been informed by the Rev. Mr. Grant of Forres, that he was told by a respectable presbyterian clergyman from the United States, and now in this country, that in New-York alone, there are eighty thousand deists, that the ministers are very little respected, and very poorly paid."

Not liking to see my favourite city so shamefully scandalized in a foreign country, I wrote the following communication, carried it to the office, and give it to the editor. He read it. Says I, "Will you publish the reply ?" Says he, "As soon as my partner comes in, he shall see it-if you call in an hour I will let you know." "If spared, I will call," said I, "but you will observe, by the way, that if you don't print it another will. You have been led into an error, and it is duty to correct it." It was published next day.

your

To the Editor of the Courant.

Dalkeith, January 28, 1834.

SIR, I observed, in your paper of Saturday last, a statement, said to be obtained from a respectable Presbyterian clergyman from the United States.

He ob

serves, that "it is computed, that eighty thousand deists, or infidels, exist in New-York alone." Now, Sir, NewYork does not contain eighty thousand men altogether, good, bad, and indifferent. But I will state a fact, I think it was about this time five years ago when Miss Fanny Wright (a Scotswoman, and, of course, a disgrace to our country,) by the aid of thirty or forty infidels, most, if not all, of them Europeans, opened a small building, which they dedicated to the God of Nature, under the name of "The Temple of Science." For nearly twelve months Miss Fanny received the adorations of a small rabble,the offscourings of all things, she occasionally officiating as the Goddess of Reason. But (deism being both unpopular and unfashionable in New-York,) the unhappy few were unable to pay for the building, the candles, or gas-light. It was sold, and is now occupied by the Methodists as a chapel, where the gospel is preached. In New-York there are two hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants; there are also above one hundred and fifty churches, chapels, or meeting-houses; the ministers receive from one to three thousand dollars per annum. It is, therefore, not true, that the ministers are treated with disrespect, nor is it true, that they are not well paid.

I have resided nearly forty years in New-York, and lately spent three months about London, Liverpool,

and Edinburgh; but, from all I have seen, I think there is more external respect paid to the Sabbath in New-York, than in any of the above cities. As a proof of this assertion, I will state, there is a law of the city which gives each church the privilege of stopping up the street opposite the place of worship, in the time of service, by fastening an iron chain across the street; a decent regulation this, which perhaps no city in Britain can boast of.

I am, &c.

GRANT THORburn, of New-York.

The Evening Courant is a warm church and state paper. The separation papers all over the country, republished this letter with numerous remarks. There was a large separation meeting to be held in Edinburgh the week following. Two gentlemen called to see if I would attend, and state what I knew about the American churches. Says I, Gentlemen, when Washington was the first President of the United States, I was naturalized. I wish all the world enjoyed the same religious and civil privileges that we do. But, as I have neither lot nor part in your church and state, were I even competent to the task, it would be highly improper in me to open my mouth in public on the subject. I saw my adopted city scandalized, so I thought I had a right, being on the spot, to speak in her vindication." They acknowledged the propriety of my remarks, and so it ended.

I made some inquiries, but could hear of no Presbyterian minister in Scotland, except Mr. Fraser from New Jersey. I called at his lodgings. He denied being