( ii )
fall on me. I certainly had no raſh confidence in my qualifications otherwiſe; and my friends beſides knew, as well as I did myſelf, that neither my habits nor inclinations were greatly academical. Yet the ſtation was moſt honourable: and in my circumſtances alſo (if my abilities could at all compaſs the duty) to decline the offer would have been a crime. I did not deliberate long: and I loſt leſs time ſtill in taking the neceſſary meaſures upon my reſolution. So far as in a moſt inſignificant perſon, and in a ſtill more inſignificant life, any thing could have been done by me to create either enmity or favour, there was nothing that I had to hope (as I was well aware) from the ruling political intereſt in Scotland. It was then with me juſt as it is now; in power equally and in wiſhes. Neither was want
