cording to his own final directions, and in concert with his family, under the care of a person who had been his literary assistant in carrying it on, and in whom he placed entire confidence *

Besides these English editions, amounting to at least twelve thousand copies, I have received, from an American bookseller of respectability, the particulars of eight editions printed within the territories of the United States, at Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and Hartford, from the year 1808 to 1819, amounting to twenty-five thousand two hundred and fifty copies: besides an edition of the sacred text only, with my father's references, contents of chapters, and introductions to the several books of scripture.

The retail price of all the English copies, taking their number as above stated, (which I believe to be short of the truth,) would, I find, amount to the sum of 67,600l.: that of the American copies, to 132,300l. making together 199,900l. [or eight hundred and eighty seven thousand five hundred and fifty six dollars.] Probably no theological work can be pointed out, which produced, by its sale during the author's life-time, an equal sum.

To his history of his Commentary my father subjoins the following paragraph:

"In the same year that the Bible was begun, my youngest son (Benjamin) was born, and two years and a half afterwards, in September 1790, my wife died; while my hands were full of employment, and my heart of most overwhelming cares: so that my distress and anguish, at that period, were beyond, whatever will be known or conceived by others, at least in this world. But the Lord, in unspeakable mercy, gave me my present wife, who has proved in every respect a blessing to me and my children; a very useful assistant in my various labors; and I trust an instrument of good to numbers."

I shall add little to what my father has here said upon this subject. Of the overwhelming distress which he felt on my mother's decease, I could bear striking testimony: and many could join me in declaring the tender affection with which he ever cherished her memory. If any one should be ready to think the fact of his marrying again, within much less time than is usual on such occasions, an evidence to the contrary, I confidently affirm that such a person is mistaken; and

[* The American publishers of this work would give notice, that their new edition of Scott's Family Bible, which is immediately going to press, will be copied from the corrected edition here mentioned ]

I fully believe that, if the whole case could be fairly laid before a wise and impartial judge, he would justify my father's conduct. Let it be considered in what circumstances he was left-with four children of an age peculiarly requiring superintendence-without any person to take charge of them superior to a servant-himself involved in labors and struggles, sufficient, one would imagine, not only to occupy all his time, but to wear down his health and spirits—his habits so perfectly domestic, that he never thought of seeking relaxation out of his own doors, unless it were in a short walk, and one evening in a fortnight in meeting his clerical brethren in a private society. To them he submitted his case and the question of his marriage: they did not disapprove the measure, and he determined upon it. His situation was peculiar; nor was his character quite of the ordinary standard. I am persuaded he acted rightly, and that the blessing of heaven followed the step he took. Indeed, no person could be more happy than my father was, in both his marriages. Of the person who formed the object of his second choice, as she survives him, I shall say nothing more, than that the whole family concurs in the sentence which my father pronounced on his dying bed, "That she had been an unspeakable blessing to him and his for more than thirty years."

I annex a few letters connected with the changes which have thus been adverted to. They are valuable in themselves, and tend further to illustrate the character of the writer.

The following letter announced the death of my dear mother to her sister, and through her to the rest of her family.

"Chapel Street, September 9, 1790. Dear sister, I should be glad to spare you, and our poor aged mother, and my other friends in Northumberland, the pain and sorrow that this letter must occasion: but it must not be. Your dear sister is gone to heaven before us; and has left many, and me especially, and her children, selfishly to lament, that she is no longer a sinner or a sufferer, and almost to wish her back again. She was taken, about a fortnight ago, with apparently a slight indisposition in her stomach, which it was thought some trivial medicines would remove; but it proved obstinate, and at length terminated in fever and nervous delirium, and baffled every effort of the medical gentlemen who kindly attended her. She died yesterday

a little after seven in the evening.—I see, and trust you will see, and submit to the hand of the Lord in this most painful dispensation: and I would study how to get comfort under it, and derive benefit from it. But my heart rebels against my judgment frequently; and I feel my loss to be so great, that gloom and distrust rush in. Yet the Lord can make it up to us by his own all-sufficiency.-I can truly say, that, during the fifteen years and three quarters that the Lord hath lent me this loan, I have valued it more and more daily. In every sense, she has been a blessing to me, even as a minister, as well as a Christian: and few persons have died more generally and justly lamented by all that knew her. But the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; and blessed be the name of the Lord! I would say so from my heart: though it aches when I attempt it.-The last time she had the clear use of her faculties, she expressed the fullest joy and confidence in the Lord, and assurance, that, if she died, she should go to be with Christ: and she wished me to say to all her friends, as her last advice, that they would never know happiness, till they left all other dependences and vain pursuits, to seek salvation and comfort by faith in Christ crucified, and in communion with God through him. She was greatly rejoiced by your last letter: but she would have said a good deal to brother about the snares of the world, and the danger of willing to be rich, if he had stood by her bed-side. I must leave it to you to break the melancholy subject to our mother, as you see best..... My dear, unknown sister, to whom I sincerely wish all happiness for my poor wife's sake, this world, beheve me, is a bubble: we shall soon be in the same situation with her: let us, then, seek the one thing needful more diligently, even that good part which shall never be taken away."

To the husband of the same correspondent, April 4, 1791. "I should have written before this, had it not been for my excessive engagements; notwithstanding that I was aware you and other friends in the north would not be very well pleased with the step which you have heard I have taken. But, whatever you may suppose, I certainly acted most conscientiously in what I did; and, I doubt not, this will appear in the day when all the motives of all actions shall be made known. A variety of peculiarities in my situation, disposition, &c. rendered it necessary for me to deviate from the etiquette of human custom, if I would go on with my many and important undertakings with a quiet mind. 1

have no doubt that your dear deceased sister, could she come to give her opinion, would sanction my conduct.... Nobody, that knows me, and my behavior to her, from the time we met till that most distressing hour of my life when the Lord separated us for a season, will suppose that my conduct arose from want of love to her, or of respect for her memory; which will be dear to me to my latest hour...... I can only add, that I shall always be glad to see, or hear from, or do any service to any of you, as much as ever; and I have not forgotten my proposal made to my mother last year, as I mean shortly to evince. Whenever you come to London, you will meet with as hearty a welcome in my house as ever, if you will favor me with making it your home..... My most affectionate and dutiful remembrances to my mother Kell. May the Lord be her support and comfort under the infirmities of her old age, and in the hour of death, and her portion for ever. I seldom forget to pray for you, that you may be all made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light; that we may be there united for ever, after the various changes and troubles of this sinful world."

The following letter he addressed to his deceased wife's mother.

"August 5, 1791. Honored Madam, Unexpected incidents, arising from the expensive publication in which I am concerned, have rendered it inconvenient to me to send the enclosed £10 sooner; though the delay has grieved me. I understand that you now reside with brother

-; yet

there may bé many little matters, tending to the comfort of your advanced age, that you may wish for, and should have in your power. Probably as the providence of God hath ordered matters, you and I may never meet in this world; but your present comfort and future felicity are and must be near my heart, for the sake of your valuable daughter,→ now a saint in glory, surrounded with her three children that went thither before her, as I am fully satisfied. Whilst it pleases God to continue your life and mine, you may be assured of the same sum every year, and probably earlier next year than I have at present been able to send it; and I hope you will oblige me by receiving it without hesitation: else you will add another sorrow to the many I have experienced. If you knew all that God knows of the circumstances in which I have been placed, you could not blame, you would approve of the step I have taken, since it pleased God to take your dear daughter to himself. Situated

and engaged as I was, it was literally impossible for me to proceed in any other way. . . . I remain, dear madam, with sincere affection, and good wishes, and prayers, for your present and future felicity, Your's affectionately and respectfully, THOMAS SCOTT."

I add one more extract, from a letter addressed, like the first, to my mother's sister, and dated January 23, 1793.

"It cannot have given any person more satisfaction than it has done me, that the Lord put it into my power to add any thing to the comfort of the aged mother of her, who was so long my choicest earthly blessing, and whose memory must ever be dear to me. Though I have never seen her, I cannot but feel a measure of filial respect and affection for her, as well as love for you and your's: and I should rejoice at the opportunity of conversing with you, if the Lord saw good. But that is not likely in present circumstances. My desire therefore and prayer are, that we may be found amongst those, whom Jesus hath redeemed unto God with his blood, and may meet in heaven to spend together a joyful eternity. We are all poor sinners, in our best estate; and they who know their own hearts most, and are best acquainted with the spiritual law of God, will be most ready to make allowance for others, as well as most prepared to value the atonement, grace, and salvation of our divine Redeemer: and thus alone can we be made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. You have no reason, therefore, to write with timidity to such a poor, weak, wretched sinner as I am. The Lord hath shewn me a little of his glorious salvation, and I bear witness, in a feeble manner, to his preciousness, his power, truth, mercy, and grace: but I have no reason to assume any precedence above the feeblest of his disciples; and he alone makes me to differ from the vilest of his enemies; and must preserve that difference, if it continue-as I trust it will ..... I send you all the numbers to complete three copies of the Bible..... I sent the third copy for my mother, at my late dear wife's desire. If then you have sold it, the money is properly her's: and I hope you will employ it in any way for her comfort, and that you will fairly tell me, whether any more can at all alleviate her sufferings in her present state. Depend upon it, neither I nor my family shall be hurt by it.-Give my dutiful love to her, and tell her that it is my fervent prayer, that the Lord would be her support, comfort, teacher, and Savior; and that at last she may, in humble and lively faith,