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viii he deplored that the all-prevailing power of Christian love was never brought to bear on the heart of this greatest of Scotland's sons. If Thomas Chalmers had been in the place of Russell, who knows what might have been ? But, doubtless, God in His providence had wise purposes to serve. It is often by such instruments that He scourges and purifies His Church. For, let us not forget, that scenes such as are depicted in the " Holy Fair," however painful to our better feelings, were strictly and literally true. This I have myself heard from an eye-witness, who could not have been swayed by any leanings towards the anti- puritan side : and, doubtless, many others are aware of testimony on the same side of equal weight. We may hope that the time is passing away when the more exceptionable parts of Burns' character and writings are capable of working mischief, at least among the higher and middle classes. It is cause of thankfulness, that in re- gard to such, and with him as with others, there is a sort of purifying process goes on, which leaves the higher and finer elements of genius to float buoyantly, and fulfil their own destiny in the universal plan, while the grosser are left to sink like lead in the mighty waters. Thus it is in those portions of society already refined and elevated. But there is yet a portion of the lower strata where mid- night orgies continue to prevail, and where every idea of pleasure is connected with libertinism and the bottle ; and