INTRODUCTION xxxvii

It is not to be inferred from such strictures on the admini-
stration of justice; a matter on which, as an upright lawyer,
Lauder was keenly sensitive, that he was an ill-natured critic
of his professional ,brethren or of public men. On the con-
trary, the tone of his observations, though shrewd and
humorous, is kindly and large-minded. He admired Lock-
hart, who was his senior at the bar, and whom he perhaps
regarded more than any other man as his professional leader
and chief, though he does not escape a certain amount of
genial criticism. Hîs enthusiastic eulogy of Lockhart.s
eloquence has been often quoted. In his estimation of Mac-
kenzie it is easy to see, that while he doubted the wisdom and
humanity of his relentless prosecutions, and while his arrogance
comes in for criticism in a lighter vein, respect for his capacity,
learning, and industry was the predominating element. It is
pleasant to see the constant interest that he took in Bishop
Bumefs books and movements, though they do not appear
ever to have met. Our Dr. Burnet; as he calls him. But
that only means that he was a Scotsman, for he describes
Ferguson the Plotter in the same way. There is nowhere a
touch of jealousy or envy in those private journals.
The influence of Lauder's period of youthful trav els, his
tYandrrjahre, on his future development is seen in various
ways. He always kept up his interest in foreign countries
and foreign literature. He bought a great many books, a
list of which y ear by y ear is preserved, and he read them.
The law manuscripts, though they embrace a pretty wide field,
are confined to domestic affairs. But in the Obserz·e~ there
are every year notes and reflections on the ev ents passing in
every part of Europe, and especially France. There is some
interest in the following passage, almost the last sentence
in the Historical Observes, In regard the Duke of Branden-
burgh and States of Holland have not roume in ther countries
for all the fugitive Protestants, they are treating with Pen
and other ouners of thesse countries of Pensylvania, Carolina,