It is further remarkable, that two Scots members, the Solicitor General, and Mr. Erskine of Grange, were then attending an appeal in the House of Lords, and were refused leave of absence in order to be at this discussion, otherwise the Bill would have been entirely lost.

Now, in affright, he starts upright, Awaked by such a clatter: He rubs both eyes, and boldly cries, 'For God's sake, what's the matter?' At his bedside he then espied Sir Erskine at command, sirs; Upon one foot he had one boot, And t'other in his hand, sirs.

[Illustration: Madge Erskine From a Photo. by Allison & Allison, Belfast.]

Boswell wrote to Erskine on Dec. 8, 1761: 'I, James Boswell Esq., who "am happily possessed of a facility of manners"to use the very words of Mr. Professor [Adam] Smith, which upon honour were addressed to me.'

To these documents are added a communication just made by Mr. Erskine to the Secretary of State, and his answer.