20 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
mutual improvement in public speaking, formed themselves into a debating
club, called the Speculative fiociety, which met in one of therooms of the College.
This association soon became more extensive, and assumed an aspect of
stability and eminence, which it still continues to maintain. Mr. Maconochie
was then in his seventeenth year, and his associates were all nearly of a
similar age.’
In 1768, after having completed his studies at the University, he went to
the Continent, and resided some time at Paris. On his return the following
yea?, he entered himself a student at Lincoln’s Inn, and kept several termshis
object being to attend the Court of King’s Bench, in order to observe the
decisions of the great Lord Mansfield.
Retnrning to Scotland, Mr. Maconochie was admitted a member of the
Faculty of Advocates upon the 8th of December 1770 ja but, being still desirous
of increasing his general and practical knowledge, he soon after made a second
journey to France, where he remained till 1773. During his stay there he
chiefly resided at Rheims; but the greater portion of his time was spent in
visiting various parts of the country.
In 1774 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Wellwood, Esq., of
Garvock, in the county of Fife. Through the influence of this connection it
is supposed he owed his return to the General Assembly of that year, as layrepresentative
of the burgh of Dunfermline-a point of considerable importance
to a young barrister j as, should he be fortunate enough to make a successful
debut in the ecclesiastical court, his future success is generally looked upon
as certain.a
From this period the reputation of Mr. Maconochie began gradually to be
established. In addition to the practice of law, and a thorough acquaintance
with the Statute-book, he had studied deeply the philosophy of law ; and such
was the character which his talents and acquirements had secured for him, that,
in 1779,’ on the resignation of Mr. Balfour, he was elected Professor of the
Law of Nature and Nations in the University of Edinburgh. Much to the
regret of the public, however, he gave lectures only during two sessions, his
It is curious to notice the contemptuous opinion entertained of the Speculative Society at its
commencement. For instance, one publication says-“ A trifling club is set up under the name of
the SpeculatiTe Society.”
He was examined on Tit. xiv. Lib. xxxvii. Pand. de jure Patronatus, and found “sufficiently
qualXed.”-MX. Miiiutm of Fac. of Advocates.
Probably the earliest appearance made by the subject of this sketch waa in the important case
of Hinton w. Donaldson and others, in which his father was mandatory for the pursuer, where the
question of copyright, and the exclusive right of authors to their works, was discussed. The six
counsel for the parties were heard at great length before the whole Court, and Mr. Maconochie distinguished
himself on this occasion a8 an able pleader. The Court, with the exception of Lord
Monboddo, was against the claims advanced for the authors ; and, on the 28th of July 1773, decided
against Hinton. A Report of the Speeches of the Judges was printed by James Boswell (afterwards
the biographer of Johnson), one of the counsel for the defenders. ‘ On the 18th December 1779, upon the resignation of Mr. James Balfour, Mr. Maconochie was
elected treasurer of the Faculty of Advocates.
Edinburgh, 1774. &o.