Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 3.djvu/218

246 In person, Mr Henry Erskine was above the middle size; he was taller than either of his brothers, and well-proportioned, but slender ; and in the bloom of manhood, was considered handsome in no common degree. In early life, his carriage was remarkably graceful; and so persuasive was his address, that he never failed to attract attention, and by the spell of irresistible fascination, to fix and enchain it. His features were all character, his voice was powerful and melodious, his enunciation uncommonly accurate, and distinct, and there was a peculiar grace in his utterance, which enhanced the value of all he said, and engraved the remembrance of his eloquence indelibly on the minds of his bearers. His habits were domestic in an eminent degree. It has been said of men of wit in general, that they delight and fascinate every where but at home; this observation, however, though too generally true, could not be applied to him, for no man delighted more in the enjoyment of home, or felt more truly happy in the bosom of his family, while at the same time none were more capable of entering into the gayeties of polished society, or more courted for the brilliancy of his wit, and the ease and polish of his manners.

"The character of Mr Erskine's eloquence," says another friend, well capable of estimating his merits, "bore a strong resemblance to that of his noble brother; but being much less diffuse, it was better calculated to leave a forcible impression. He had the art of concentrating his ideas, and presenting them at once in so luminous and irresistible a form, as to render his hearers master of the view he took of his subject, which, however dry or complex in its nature, never failed to become entertaining and instructive in his hands; for to professional knowledge of the highest order, he united a most extensive acquaintance with history, literature, and science, and a thorough conversancy with human life." His oratory was of that comprehensive species which can address itself to every audience, and to every circumstance, and touch every chord of human emotion. Fervid and affecting in the extreme degree, when the occasion called for it : it was no less powerful, in opposite circumstances, by the potency of wit and the irresistible force of comic humour, which he could make use of at all times, and in perfect subordination to his judgment " In his profession, indeed, all his art was argument, and each of his delightful illustrations a material step in his reasoning. To himself it seemed always as if they were recommended rather for their use than their beauty; and unquestionably they often enabled him to state a fine argument, or a nice distinction, not only in a more striking and pleasing way, but actually with greater precision than could have been obtained by the severer forms of reasoning. In this extraordinary talent, as well as in the charming facility of his eloquence, and the constant radiance of good humour and gayety which encircled his manners in debate, he had no rival in his own times, and as yet has no successor. That part of eloquence is now mute, that honour in abeyance."

There exists a bust of Mr Erskine, from the chisel of Turnerelli. We are not aware that any good portrait of him was ever taken.