MAITLAND, the name of a Scottish family, celebrated both in the literary and polit ical history of their country. The first who acquired distinction was Sir RICHARD MAITLAND of Lethington, son of William Maitland of Lethington and Thirlstane, who fell at Flodden, and of Martha, daughter of George, Lord Seaton. Ile was born in 149G, studied at St. Andrews and in France, and on his return to Scotland was successively employed by James V., the regent Arran, and Mary of Lorraine. About 1551-52, he received the honor of knighthood, became a lord of the court of session in 1561 (before which, however, be had the misfortune to lose his sight), and lord privy seal in 1562. He died Mar. 20, 1386, at the ag,e of 90. Maitland was one of the best meu of his time. In an age of violence, fanaticism, and perfidy, he was honorably conspicuous by his moderation, integrity, and anxiety.for the establishment of law and order. He merits consideration not only as an eminent and upright lawyer, but as a poet, a poeti cal antiquary, and an historian. All his own verses were written after his 60th year,
and show what thino.s he had most deeply at heart. For the most part they consist of lamentations for ther'distracted state of his native country, the feuds of the nobles, Ihe discontents of the common people, complaints .' aganis the lang proces in the courts of justice," and the depredations " of the border robbers." A complete edition of Mait land's original poerns.was first published in 1830 (1 4to vol.) by the Maitland club, a. society of literary antiquaries, taking its name from Sir Richard. His collection of early Scottish poetry was a work undertaken, if not completed, before his blindness attacked him. It consists of two MS. vols.; the first containing 176, and the second 96 pieces; they are now preserved in the Pepysian library, Magdalen college, Oxford. Maitland's principal historical performance is the Historic and Croniele of the Haus and Surename of Seytoun, etc.