MACPHAIL'S EDINBURGH ECCLESIASTICAL JOURNAL. No. CXCIII. FEBRUARY 1862. PRINCIPAL LEE'S INAUGURAL ADDRESSES, "A path, Inviting you, distinct with foot-prints yet, Of many a mighty spirit gone that way." THE Rev. Dr John Lee's connection with the University of Edinburgh, for almost twenty years, as Principal, gave him many opportunities of addressing the students at the commencement of each winter session. The publication of the present volume will gratify a large number of those who had the privilege of listening to these Inaugural Addresses from the venerable man who was recently laid at rest, full of honours and of years. Many persons, also, who quitted the University before Dr Lee was appointed Principal, in 1840, will share this feeling of interest. Nor will others, whose academic training has been received in the sister universities, whether of Scotland or England, be inclined to lay down this unpretending but interesting little work without a feeling of reverential esteem for the author, and freshened curiosity as well as kindly wishes regarding the ancient and honoured seat of learning where he himself had received his early training, and for a score of years directed the studies of ingenuous youth. It is mentioned that the practice of delivering an address, such as these now printed, had fallen into disuse, if it had ever been general, Inaugural Addresses in the University of Edinburgh. By the late John Lee, D.D., LL.D., Principal of the University: to which is prefixed, a Memoir of the Author, by Lord Neaves. Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood and Sons. 1861. Pp. 122. He died May 2, 1859, in the 80th year of his age. VOL. XXXIII. A before the time of Principal Lee. He revived it, and maintained it to the end of his career, only once omitting the duty, and then only in consequence of a severe illness. Five of his Addresses are given, viz., those delivered at the beginning of November in the years 1840, 1841, 1842, 1846, and 1854. They furnish not only valuable practical directions to students, of all classes and in all places, but they likewise form the record of important incidents in the history of the Edinburgh University. When Principal Lee speaks of his own early days, and of the illustrious men who were cotemporary with him, and fellow-students, there is no deficiency of vigour, we may be sure, in the story of his recollections, even though it be little more than fragmentary notices. Readers will naturally desire to learn more of him, and will turn to the brief 'Memoir,' written by the Hon. Lord Neaves, and delivered in the opening address to the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 5th December 1859. In the absence of a fuller account, this friendly tribute to Dr Lee is doubly valuable. We avail ourselves of it to present the simple story of a useful but not adventurous life. "John Lee, late Principal of the University of Edinburgh, was one of the most remarkable and estimable men of his time. His intellectual qualities were of a high order; his attainments and acquisitions of knowledge were of the most varied and extensive kind. On almost all subjects he was admirably well-informed, and in some departments he was unquestionably the most learned man of his age and country. He was more than all this; he was a most pious Christian minister, and he was one of the most friendly and affectionate of men." -(Memoir, by Lord Neaves, in this Volume, p. ix.) Born at Torwoodlee-Mains, in the parish of Stow, November 22, 1779, John Lee was sent, when ten years old, to Cadonlee School at Clovenford. At that time the schoolmaster, Mr James Paris, had as assistant Dr Leyden, of whom Sir Walter Scott well speaks as a "light untimely quenched." About five years later, John Lee went to the University of Edinburgh; this was in 1794. We find him afterwards indulging in recollections of the joyful feelings which possessed him at his first acquaintance with Alma Mater, and with generous enthusiasm mentioning the many distinguished men who with him had shared the benefits of college life. For ten years he remained at the University, studying both theology and medicine. In 1801 he took his M.D. degree, and we are told that "his Graduation Thesis was much admired for its Ciceronian Latinity." In 1804 he was licensed as a probationer of the Established Church. Shortly before this time it had nearly happened that his country lost the services of the young medical graduate. He was offered the chair of Moral Philosophy at the University of Wilna, in Russia. This offer he accepted, and it appeared probable that Thomas Campbell the Poet, and also Sir David Brewster, would accept appointments at the same University. Political events disturbed these arrangements, however, and for awhile it continued doubtful whether Dr Lee would pursue his career as a physician or as a clergyman-if, indeed, he did not accept one of two offers made to him by his ward, Sir John Lowther Johnstone of Westerhall, either to bring him into Parliament or to procure for him a commission in the Guards. The young physician was not without many friends or eligible openings, but by 1807 he had decided on his course, and thenceforward became devoted to the Church. He commenced as minister of a Scotch Chapel in London, and within the twelvemonth was presented to the parish of Peebles, where he officiated till 1812, when he became Professor of Church History in St Mary's College, St Andrews. He remained there till 1821, having shortly before been appointed Professor of Moral Philosophy in King's College, Aberdeen. In Edinburgh, the parish of Canongate became his charge in 1821; Lady Yester's Church and the Old Church parish being held by him afterwards. The list of his appointments is an extensive one. He was chosen in 1824 one of the Royal Commissioners whose duty it was to visit the Scottish Universities. In 1827 he became Principal Clerk of the General Assembly, and in 1837, Principal of the United College of St Andrews. He was elected Principal of the Edinburgh University in 1840, and the Professorship of Divinity was conferred on him in 1843. A Chaplaincy to the Queen, a Deanery of the Chapel Royal, and the Chaplaincy of the Royal Scottish Academy were among his other appointments. He was intimate with most of the distinguished men of his own time and country, and when we remember the venerable age to which he survived, and his close association with collegiate dignitaries, from his boyhood until the hour when he slept his last sleep, we may guess how interesting must have been the reminiscences of such a man-how valuable would be their record if skilfully treated. The able and rapid sketch given by Lord Neaves conveys little more than the chronicle of the Rev. Dr Lee's public appointments, together with a friendly estimate of his personal character and intellectual worth. But all who read the memoir will desire some fuller history of a man who was thought worthy by "Jupiter Carlyle," in 1805, to be appointed his literary executor; who, earlier, had assisted Professor Robison in editing Dr Black's "Lectures on Chemistry," and whose own lectures, delivered at St Andrews, on the "History of the Church of Scotland from the Reformation," have secured distinguished approbation when recently published. The following tribute to his worth from the pen of Lord Neaves, will not be deemed exaggeration by any who had opportunity of knowing the Principal as he deserved to be known : "I have ventured to say that he was one of the most learned men of his time, and in some departments of National and Church History, particularly in all that concerns the civil and ecclesiastical affairs, as well as the manners and habits of the people of Scotland, during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, his knowledge was most minute and accurate. He was also at home in the cognate subject of the History of the Puritans during the same period. The subject of Bibliography had been from his early years a favourite study; and his habits of assiduity and perseverance, as well as his capacious and retentive memory, enabled him to prosecute it with singular success. Nor was his intellectual power overlaid or paralysed by the immense mass of his acquired knowledge. His opinions on all subjects, and particularly on those to which he had directed his special attention, were clear and comprehensive; while, at the same time they were marked by that candour and moderation, which I believe to be universally produced by the thorough and accurate study of any branch of knowledge or portion of history. "As in the case of many men of learning and talent, his published works are but an imperfect indication of his actual powers. His stores of learning also were always at the service of those who wished to make use of them; and his ready aid has been repeatedly acknowledged as having given additional value to some of the most important works of our time on ecclesiastical or antiquarian subjects."-(Lord Neaves' 'Memoir,' p. xvi.) And again we read, after mentioning the energy with which Dr Lee employed himself in his favourite pursuits despite the delicacy of his constitution, and the painful results of early habits of excessive abstinence and midnight study: "No man could be more universally regretted; he had not an enemy or an ill-wisher in the world. The numerous appointments which he successively and simultaneously held are a proof of the esteem and respect with which he was regarded by all; but those only who knew him well can speak to his amiable disposition, to his cheerful and genial habits, and to the Charity and Christian kindness which he extended to all men of worth and merit, of whatever opinions or whatever persuasion. An account of Dr Lee, indeed, would be very inadequate if it did not prominently bring forward what I have thus alluded to-his highly amiable and affectionate character. In early life he earned on all sides the love as well as the respect of those who knew him. In his ministerial charge at Peebles, he was long remembered for his quiet and unostentatious, but most faithful discharge of his pastoral duties, for his ready and hearty sympathy with all who needed it, for his consolatory tenderness to the sick, and his great liberality to the poor. Nor were these qualities of the heart extinguished or impaired by the long life of labour and study which he afterwards led; on the contrary, they continued to the end. He was ever ready to relax into a playful cheerfulness and pleasantry in society; while his attention to such of his friends as from sorrow or suffering had more serious claims upon him, was unremitting and invaluable. "In consequence, perhaps, of some defect of manner, Dr Lee was not sought after as an attractive preacher. But his sermons were excellent, both in matter and in style. .. In other respects he was all that a minister of the Gospel ought to be. Orthodox in doctrine, evangelical in sentiment, and blameless in conduct, he had a frankness and freedom from professional pedantry or clerical rigour which are rarely met with in men of his learning and condition. We shall not soon see his like again, if we ever do so in our day. Piety, zeal, eloquence, and assiduity, will not be wanting to the Church; but the combination of these with the learning, the wide range of information and sympathy, and the knowledge of the world which he possessed, will not readily be found again."-(Ib. p. xviii.) The valuable Addresses given in this volume, have two chief subjects of interest. The primary one, as already expressed, is the importance of the studies about to be commenced and the obligations to be assumed, by those who prepare to enter on the learned professions. And on these matters the remarks are characterised by strong practical sagacity and earnestness. The tone of admonition is often as stern as could well be endured by an assemblage of youthful men; but we have to remember that in Scotland the age in which the majority of students commence their attendance is much earlier than what is usual in the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; moreover, that owing to the extra-mural residence of the collegians they are more removed from the influence of the University authorities in other than the hours of attendance at lectures, &c., consequently, there may be more necessity. for reminding the students of the penalties attendant on infringement of the laws of the University. The other subject to which attention is frequently directed, is the history of the University itself, the difficulties that beset it from the early days when the least creditable and last of the Scottish Kings, the mean-spirited James VI., pretended to make a gift of land for the benefit of the infant undertaking: nominally confirming a grant from his mother, Mary. But the real benefactors of the University have always been men of humbler station. To this subject, a history of the Edinburgh University, the fourth address (November, 1846) is almost entirely devoted, but the other addresses also contain valuable information regarding the changes which occurred in the appearance of the building and in the means of its support and management. Dr Lee thus speaks regarding THE DANGER OF REMISSNESS IN STUDY. "With whatever measure of previous acquisition any of you come to the University, let me most earnestly implore you to devote yourselves with intense application to the studies on which you are prepared to enter, without attempting prematurely to overtake in one year what, if you consult any sagacious and experienced friend, you will find to be more than is within your reach, unless your preliminary (or, as I may call it, your anteacademical) preparation has been more than common. Beware of relaxing your diligence one season, in the delusive expectation that you will be able, by increased efforts of attention, to make up afterwards what has been neglected in its proper place. The habit of negligence, if once indulged, is apt to grow rather than to fade; and it is a most unhappy mistake to suppose that any degree of diligence can enable any one, whatever be his talents. to carry on simultaneously to a successful result a plurality of studies, when one of them is an indispensable introduction to the other." -Inaugural Address, Nov. 1840, p. 16.) And thus concerning THE RIGHT EMPLOYMENT OF TIME. "Gentlemen, you cannot all be equally distinguished. But all may be insured of the possession of substantial benefits, if they will only exercise the diligence without which neither wisdom nor worth can be acquired. By hearty, strenuous, and persevering application, even moderate talents cannot fail to realise much more than the most shining abilities can gain by occasional starts of exertion not steadily carried on with a definite and consistent aim, but sometimes pressing forward with vehement and almost preternatural impetuosity, then slackening the pace or relapsing into voluptuous indolence. While the mind is not strengthened by such alternations of inordinate action and occasional listlessness, a main object of academical nurture is frustrated, if steadfast and well-directed habits of industry be not established. |