But the largest and most celebrated library in Scot land is one belonging to the Faculty of Advocates, which was founded by Sir George Mackenzie, in the year 1680. Here the number of printed volumes now exceeds 70,000, and there are about 1000 volumes of manuscripts; the whole are enumerated in a printed catalogue, of above 1700 folio pages, the last part of which was terminated in 1807, except 10 or 12,000 articles contained in a ma nuscript catalogue. This library possesses many rare, curious, and valuable printed works, and a number of important manuscripts ; among the latter are the records of thirteen of the religious houses preserved from the general destruction which took place at the Reformation ; the two earliest records of criminal trials in 1494 and 1506; several confesssions of faith, written on parch ment, with the original subscriptions of those who swore to maintain the established religion; a valuable manu script of Martial's Epigrams on vellum, nearly 1000 years old ; beautiful manuscripts of the Bible ; a copy of the gospels in the Malay tongue, written on the leaves of trees, and various treatises on law and history. The primed works embrace every department of science and literature, but more particularly the cla•stes, antiquities, and jurisprudence. Among the mot.- cu rious works, may be named the Mazarine Bible, in two volumes folio, which is probably the earliest printed book with an impression on hue pages, aad may be da ted about the year 1450. 11 is in the Gothic character. clear and entire as it came from the press ; and for the sake of preservation, is never exhibited but 1,) 1 arti cular order. This book was purchased in l806 kr 15o guineas. The library also possesses the first at.d se cond books printed in Scotland; the one in 1508, con taming a collection of maxims and poems of little int•in sic value ; the other, dated 1509, is the 13reviary Aberdeen. There arc several works printed on vellum, particulat ly a breviary of the Roman Catholic church, of large size, in black and red, oi namented with beau tiful illuminations, from the Venetian press of Jenson. in 1478 ; a fine copy of the Heures a !'usage de Rome, every page of whicn is bordered with engravings, print ed about 1507 ; a copy of certain Scottish statutes, dated 1541 ; the antiquarix Suppclectilis Portiunczda of Pete vius in 1610; and three modern works by the same au thor, printed at Edinburgh in 1809, 1811, 1814. It may easily be conceived, that a library which has subsisted between 130 and 140 years, and belonging to a body al ways distinguished by learning, must have accumulated an infinity of valuable works. Accordingly, we find, among others, the Thesaurus of Ecclesiastical Antiqui ties by Ugolini ; those of the Greek and Roman Anti quities by Grxvius and Gronovius, with the supple ments; the first editions of Homer and Cornelius Ne pos ; and the modern editions of classics most in repute. There are here the French Encyclopedic, as published in folio, by D'Alembert and Diderot, and the Encyclopedie Methodigue, so far as complete, in about 150 quarto volumes; some other French works of the same description, and all the celebrated Encyclopmlias in English. The Transactions of different learned so cieties belong to this library,-as those of the Royal Aca demy of France, the Memoirs of the National Institute, and the Academy of Inscriptions; the Memorie della So cieta Italiani; and a valuable collection, called the Scrit tori Economici di Milano, in 44 octavo volumes. All the celebrated French scientific journals arc here, as the Journal de Physiquf, annalcs do Gzimie, annales des arts, Journal des Mines, and some less important pro ductions, both in French and English, as L'Esprit des Journaux, a collection now exceeding 400 volumes ; reviews and magazines. There is a set of the Mani/ear complete, for which the Faculty lately paid above 25C/. In typography, the library possesses the works of many eminent printers, such as Fust and Guttemberg, Jenson and Aldus, of the older class, and those of Bodoni, Marra, and Degen among the moderns ; besides the productions of the most esteemed printers of Britain. There is an Egyptian mummy in the original case, belonging to the library; a cabinet of Greek and Roman coins, which are but partly arranged ; and a very fine collection of Scot tish gold, which is in perfect order. The expense of this establishment is about 1500/. per annum, of which about 1000/. is devoted exclusively to the purchase of books: and the library is besides entitled to a copy of every work entered at Stationers' Hall. With these ad vantages, greater progress would be made in other hands ; but the constant change of management, and the little regard paid by the Faeultv to the choice of those of their own body, who oversee the whole, proves a great retar dation. Although this is entirely a private collection,
ready access is allowed to strangers; and if any reputa ble literary person has occasion for expensive works, which he himself does not possess, they are purchased by the library for his accommodation ;—a praise-worthy liberality. Thus, it proves of infinite use to the public ; *Ind we should be wanting in gratitude did we neglect to express our sense of the assistance which this work has derived from its ample stares.
There are several smaller libraries in Edinburgh; such as one belonging to the writers to the signet, con taining 10,000 or 12,000 volumes, which is under good management, and in excellent order ; a library lately instituted for biblical criticism; two private subscrip tion libraries, and some others. There arc also six or eight circulating libraries, where works of merit may occasionally be found; but only novels, and that portion consisting of books of mere entertainment, are in com mon request.
We have yet to speak of the population of the city, the division, and pursuits of the people, in so far as not anticipated by the general notices already given. Edinburgh consists of 13 parishes, St Andrew's, Canon gate, College Church, St Cuthbert's, St George's, New Grey Friars, Old Grey Friars, High Church, New North Church, Old Church, Tolbooth Church, Tron Church, and Lady Yester's, which are subdivided into 26 wards. The total population amounts to 82,624 individuals, of whom 35,275 are males, and 47,329 females, being an excess of 12,064 of the latter. The total number of fa milies amounts to 18,183; thus each is found to con sist of between four and five individuals; or one half the families may be computed at four, and the other half at five. The number of families engaged in agri culture is 272; in trade, manufactures, and handicraft operations, 7432 ; and those employed otherwise amount to 9379. Thus the individuals, supported by agricul ture, trade, and manufactures, does not exceed 31,000, a very small proportion of the whole. It is to be obser ved, however, that a portion of the most populous parish being in the country, the general amount would be di minished to 77,786, by deducting it; but making a rea sonable allowance for omissions, which indubitably took place, the whole population will be found to consist very nearly of 80,000 souls. \Ve are well aware, that many arc of opinion that the population exceeded this number twenty years ago, and that it has always been increasing; but we are much inclined to doubt the progressive in crease. It can take place only by an influx from the country, or by the greater frequency or greater fertility of marriages. But the expense of subsistence must un doubtedly operate as a partial check on the former, and in no town in the world perhaps are there so few mar riages. The excess of females proves the fact in some degree, and it may be owing to a similar cause with the other, namely, the expense of subsistence. The city .bas extended wonderfully indeed, not so much, how ever, from new inhabitants seeking an abode, as from those previously residing in it requiring more accommo dation. It is indisputed, that there is a gradual and con tinued migration from the older and less commodious parts of the town to occupy the edifices daily erecting, while their places are left vacant, or are occupied only by sitnilar numbers. But if 61 houses, which we find were building in the year 181;, received as many fa milies from the country, the accession of population would not be great, allowing the due proportion to each; and at that time a number of houses were uninhabited. Thus we are induced to conclude, that although the po pulation may be increasing, the ratio is inferior to the general belief. But to obtain an accurate view of the population of a nation, the whole list, town and country, should he taken upon the same day.
There are few persons of high rank citizens of Edin burgh, or those not engaged in professional pursuits. Almost all are actively and industriously employed, and chiefly in quest of subsistence. The principal profes sions here are the bar, medicine, surgery, that of at torney, and the more liberal mercantile vocations: the ecclesiastical establishment is so confined, that it can scarce find a place in calculation. As families of the highest rank frequently breed their younger sons, or sometimes the eldest, to the bar, the law is usually placed first in order.