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Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II

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288 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [ S t . Giles Street. In course of time the politics of the Couranf graduallychanged, and it is still a flourishing paper as the organ of the Conservatives and of the landed ?interest in Scotland. The DaiZy Review, which came into existence in April, 1861, has always been a highclass and wellconducted paper of Liberal principles, and a leading -organ on ecclesiastical matters among the greater body of Scottish Dissenters-the Free and United coveries yet made to his prejudice,? the judges inflicted punishment upon MacEwan, who was compelled in his next issue to apologise to his country subscribers, and explain why they were not served ?? with that day?s Couranf, as also why we have been so sparing all along of home news.? esteemed as one of the greatest journalists in Scotland, it gained a high reputation for art criticism, and an increased circulation. Mr. Manson had an earnest susceptibility for art, and everything he wrote on that subject proceeded from genuine and native interest on the subject, and expressed convictions which he cherished deeply. The quarterlies, too, occasionally contained articles from his facile pen, and not unfrequently has Pzmch been Presbyterian chnrches. It was founded by the late Mr. David Guthrie to advance the views and interests of the Nonconformist Evangelical Church in Scotland, while at the same time taking its fair share in the general news of the country. ? Under the editorship of Mr. James Bolivar Manson, who was INTERIOR OF TRINITY COLLEGE CHURCH, JEFFREY STREET.
Volume 2 Page 288
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St. Giles Street] THE DAILY REVIBW: 289 the vehicle for the dissemination of the rich vein of humour which ran through his character, His qualities as a writer in a daily journal were amply displayed during the six years he edited the Ddy Review, and a melancholy interest attaches to his connection with that journal, as he literally ?died in harness.? His great reading gave him genuine mind and culture, was ever and anon made evident, sometimes with curious solicitude.? When death came upon Mr. Manson he was only in his forty-ninth year, and had not been confined by illness to the house for a single day. After breakfast, he had seated himself in his study to write a leader welcoming John Bright to Edinburgh j and the few * TRINITY COLLEGE CHURCH (RESTORED). extensive resources, while his long study of public matters and knowledge of past political transactions were remarkable, or equalled only in the parallel instance of Alexander Russel, of the Scotsman His tastes were various ; for in classic authors and in the Scottish vernacuIar he was equally at home. ?He could scourge pretenders, but he loved to welcome every genline accession to our literary treasures, and to give a fresh and advantageous setting to any gFms that might be found in the volume with which he had to deaL Indeed, amid the rough strokes of political war, his regard for any opponent whom he believed to be a man of 31 lines he wrote were penned, as usual, without a single elision, when Mrs. Manson entering the room about twelve o?clock, saw him lying back in his chair, as she supposed asleep-but it was the sleep of death. This was on the 2nd of November, 1868. Mr. Manson, who was long regretted by men of many professions pver the length and breadth of the kingdom, and by friends who mourned him as a genial acquaintance, was succeeded by the late Henry Kingsley, who occupied the editonal chair for eighteen months, and who was succeeded in turn by Dr. George Smith, formerly
Volume 2 Page 289
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