solution the questions then arising out of the interests committed to
him. In consequence, the government was enabled to avail itself of
his experience at the Court of Berlin, where events seemed to require
the exercise of great diplomatic ability. He was afterward appointed
to Madrid, where, by his highly honorable personal character, and
captivating manners, he obtained great influence, even at that most
proud and distrustful court, and conducted, with consummate skill and
marked success, the important and delicate negotiations then pending
between the United States and Spain. He remained at Madrid for many
years, where he attained the reputation of being one of the most able
and accomplished diplomatists that the United States had ever sent
abroad. Upon his final retirement from this post, and, in fact, from
all public employment, the administration of General Jackson sought
to secure his services in the mission to Constantinople, but the
proffered appointment was declined.

"There are many interesting incidents in his public and diplomatic
career, which a more extended notice would enable us to detail.
Indeed, we hope that so instructive a life as that of Mr. Erving
may hereafter find a fit historian. That historian may not have
to chronicle victories won upon the battle field, but the civic
achievement he will have to record, if not so dazzling as the former,
will, at least, be as replete with evidences of public usefulness.

"The latter years of his life were passed in Europe, chiefly in Paris.
The public agitations consequent upon the last French revolution,
need of quiet at his advanced age, and the presentiment of approaching
dissolution, induced him to return home. Indeed it was meet that he
should close his mortal career in that country which he had so long
and faithfully served, and whose welfare and happiness had been the
constant object of his every earthly aspiration."

* * * * *

DR. JOHN BURNS.

Among those who perished in the wreck of the _Orion_, was Dr. John
Burns, Professor of Surgery in the University of Glasgow, aged about
eighty years. Dr. Burns held a distinguished place in the medical
world, for at least half a century, as an author and a teacher. He was
a son of the Rev. Dr. John Burns, for more than sixty years minister
of the Barony parish of Glasgow, who died about fourteen years ago,
at the age of ninety. He was originally intended to be a manufacturer,