MEMOIR. PART I. 1804-1820. Mr Patterson's Birth-Early Education, and Character of his Childhood-Removal to Scotland-Residence at HaddingtonRemoval to Edinburgh, and Career at High School-Specimens of School-exercises-Juvenile Correspondence-Mr Patterson's Recollections of the High School. Ir the author of the following Biographical Sketch shall succeed in conveying any distinct impression of the features of a mind as lovely as it was powerful and accomplished, he will have found at once a sufficient motive and reward for his labour. The memory of the Good should survive the grave. It is our duty as well as solace to cherish the remembrance of departed worth,-to consecrate a portion of our thoughts and affections to those revered friends whom Death has snatched from the circle of our associates, and thus maintain, as it were, our communion with them in the land of spirits. And, if the character of him whose memory we thus fondly cherish be one of more than ordinary excellence,— if its attributes be of that high stamp which must command the admiration and esteem of all,—if, especially, it present a rich and rare combination of the gifts and virtues which exalt the man with the graces which adorn the Christian,—the attempt to provide some memorial of our friend, in which others may become acquainted with his worth, and from which the influence and moral effect of his genius and example may continue to be diffused over society after he has ceased to adorn and bless it by his living presence, will require little apology at our hands from the Wise and the Good. It is this latter consideration which has prevailed upon those most deeply interested in the subject of the following Memoir to consent to its publication. Perhaps, had they consulted only their own feelings, they would have chosen rather to bow in silence and submission to the appointment which has bereaved them of an object peculiarly dear, and sought to solace themselves with cherishing in the hidingplace of their own bosoms the precious remembrance of him who has been, by an inscrutable but unerring Providence, taken from them. But it was strongly urged with them that a Memoir of one whose character presented so fine a union of high intellectual power and deep devotional feeling,-in whom were exhibited the varied accomplishments of the profound scholar, enriched and exalted by the wisdom and grace which are from above,-of one, too, who had attained, in the course of his brief professional career, so high a place in the public estimation, could not fail, if executed with any judgment and fidelity, to awaken interest and impart instruction; and might, with the Divine blessing, be made useful to the Church of Christ. Yielding to this representation, they have consented that a Memoir of their young relative, as brief and unobtrusive in its details as is consistent with the objects of the biographer, should be laid before the public, and have selected an early and intimate friend of the deceased for the discharge of this pious task. For himself, the writer of the following brief, and, as he fears they may prove, unsatisfactory notices of Mr Patterson's life and character, can only say, that he enjoyed considerable opportunities of observing the mental development and estimating the talents and worth of his friend, during an intimate and affectionate intercourse begun in boyhood and only interrupted by death. Still, he deeply feels how incompetent he is for the high duty of embalming the memory of departed genius, and entertains a trembling suspicion lest the reputation of one dear to him as a brother may suffer at his hands. Neither is it improbable that in some quarters he may incur a |