ances. The church the family attended was the Old
Greyfriars, of which the celebrated Doctors Robertson and Erskine
were the ministers. Thither went Mr. and Mrs. Scott every
Sabbath, when well and at home, attended by their fine young
family of children, and their domestic servants--a sight so
amiable and exemplary as often to excite in my breast a glow of
heartfelt satisfaction. According to an established and laudable
practice in the family, the heads of it, the children, and
servants, were assembled on Sunday evenings in the drawing-room,
and examined on the Church Catechism and sermons they had heard
delivered during the course of the day; on which occasions I had
to perform the part of chaplain, and conclude with prayer. From
Mrs. Scott I learned that Mr. Scott was one that had not been
seduced from the paths of virtue; but had been enabled to
venerate good morals from his youth. When he first came to
Edinburgh to follow out his profession, some of his
schoolfellows, who, like him, had come to reside in Edinburgh,
attempted to unhinge his principles, and corrupt his morals; but
when they found him resolute, and unshaken in his virtuous
dispositions, they gave up the attempt; but, instead of
abandoning him altogether, they thought the more of him, and
honored him with their confidence and patronage; which is
certainly a great inducement to young men in the outset of life
to act a similar part.

"After having heard of his inflexible adherence to the cause of
virtue in his youth, and his regular attendance on the ordinances
of religion in after-life, we will not be surprised to be told
that he bore a sacred regard for the Sabbath, nor at the
following anecdote illustrative of it. An opulent farmer of East
Lothian had employed Mr. Scott as his agent, in a cause depending
before the Court of Session. Having a curiosity to see something
in the papers relative to the process, which were deposited in
Mr. Scott's hands, this worldly man came into Edinburgh on a
Sunday to have an inspection of them. As there was no immediate
necessity for this measure, Mr. Scott asked the farmer if an
ordinary week-day would not answer equally well. {p.093} The
farmer was not willing to take this advice, but insisted on the
production of his papers. Mr. Scott