oted adherent, both in a professional and in a private
capacity. In the General Assembly of 1870, he seconded Dr. Pirie's
motion against the Law of Patronage in a speech of great argumentative
power, and on the same and other occasions he has spoken effectively on
behalf of union with other Presbyterian Churches, his leading
ecclesiastical idea being in favour of the reconstruction of the
National Church on such a basis as will enable her to co-operate and
unite with other Churches, and thereby emphatically make her what she
professes to be. His disposition is of a most kindly and generous
tendency. He practises charity and toleration towards all mankind. At
the time of the Disruption, he used all his influence with the late Lord
Justice-Clerk with a view of maintaining intact the position and
privileges of the parish schoolmasters, who had elected to leave the
establishment and become members of the Free Church. He strongly urged
upon the leaders of the Establishment that a measure so harsh as this,
besides being unduly severe upon the teachers, could not benefit the
Church of Scotland, and would only raise up enemies against her. This is
only one of many proofs of his broad humanity that might be adduced.

It is almost unnecessary to remark that Mr. Gordon enjoys in a high
degree the confidence and esteem of the political party with whom he
acts. We happen to know that the present Earl of Derby values his
counsel and co-operation very highly, and as for Mr. Disraeli he has
long made it a principle to consult Mr. Gordon on questions specially
affecting Scotland. He is regarded as a decidedly safe man. Prudent and
unassuming, he never seeks to catch the eye of the Speaker unless he has
something of importance to say, and hence he is listened to by both his
own and the opposite parties with attention and deference. In the
discussions that have taken place during the present session on the
Scotch Education Bill, he has proposed several amendments all tending in
the same direction--namely, that of preserving the element of religious
teaching in our national schools. He is also strongly in favour of
maintaining a high curriculum, and, as far as possible, improving the
status and efficiency of the teachers.

We may add, in conclusion, that Mr. Gordon is a Queen's Counsel, and he
has been rewarded for his splendid legal and literary acquirements with
the degree of LL.D. by Edinburgh University. He is likewise Chancellor's
As