Chambers' encyclopædia Volume 4; A dictionary of universal knowledge

by William Chambers

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1892 ...Lord Cockburn jnstly says, ' It was the Faculty of Advocates alone that suffered.' Erskine was elected member for the Haddington burghs in March 1806, and in the following November for the Dumfries burghs. He died at Amondell, his seat near MidcaTder, 8th October 1817. During his second tenure of the office of Lord Advocate, Erskine practically carried into effect some of the legal reforms for which a pamphlet, published in London in 1807, and attributed to him on good authority, pleaded forcibly--viz. the introduction of jury trial in civil cases, and the alolition of the rule by which the fifteen judges of the Court of Session sat together. He was the author of several metrical translations from the classics, and other poems, of which the best known is The Emigrant (1773), inspired by the depopulation of the Highlands. Erskine's forensic style was the delight of his contemporaries, and the recorded fragments of his speeches justify his high reputation as an orator and a wit, and warrant the conclusion that, had Henry Erskine, in his own witty language, 'played at the guinea tables' in London, instead of 'at the shilling tables' in Edinburgh, he would have been no unworthy rival to his distinguished brother, Lord Erskine. See Colonel Alexander Fergusson's Henry Erskine (1882). Erskine, JOHN, of Dun, Scottish Reformer, was bora in 1509. All through the reign of Mary Queen of Scots, and through part of that of her son James, Erskine took an active share in public affairs, lending steadfast support to the reformed preachers, especially to Wishart and Knox, whilst at the same time his moderate and conciliatory temper not only secured him against the enmity of the leaders of the Catholic party, but gave him considerable personal influence in the country. He was...

960 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1880

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

William Chambers of Glenormiston was a Scottish publisher and politician, and brother of Robert Chambers. The two brothers eventually united as partners in the publishing firm of W. & R. Chambers. In the beginning of 1832 William Chambers started a weekly publication under the title of Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, which speedily attained a large circulation. The publishing business prospered, and in 1859 Chambers founded a museum and art gallery in Peebles. The brothers collaborated on the publication of Chambers Encyclopaedia between 1860 and 1868.

As Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1865 to 1869, Chambers was responsible for the restoration of St Giles Cathedral and other major town planning exercises, including the creation of Jeffrey Street, St Marys Street and Blackfriars Street. These streets were all created under the City Improvement Act of 1866.