ERSKINE, JOHN, a writer on law, was born iu the year 1695. Ilia father was the honourable John Erskine, son of Lord Cardross, and he was thus the cousin-gewman of Lord Chancellor Erskine. Erskine's life was that of a recluse student, and was marked by few Incidents. In 1719 he became a member of the faculty of advocates, but he does not appear to have had much practice. In 1737, he was appointed professor of Scots Law in the university of Edinburgh. In 1754, he published' Principles of the Law of Seetland ' in 1 vol. Sao, a work remarkable for its lucid arrangement, and for the terseness and clearness of its exposition of the leading principles of the law.
It was destined to be a text-book for his students, but became a leading law authority. It passed through several editions, the last of which was edited in 1827, by Professor More, the present (1856) occupant of Erakiee's chair. Erskine retired from his professorship In 1760, and died at his own estate of Cardroas in 1765. He had employed his years of retirement in expanding the matter of his 'Principles' into a larger work, which he left behind him nearly finished, and which was published in 1773, in 2 voles folio, with the title, 'An Institute of the Law of Scotland.' This work has been repeatedly republished with notes, bringing down the law to th dates of the respective editions. It is the great oracle of Scottish law an authority almost without appeal, and as firmly established as Coke upon Littleton' is in England. It is of little value in respect of its constitutional law, which the anther seems not to have been capable of observing than in mere detail. Owing to the increase of commerce and manufacture.' in Scotland, the portion
relating to these subjects is meagre and antiquated. In all things however relating to the rights of persons arising from their relation to each and in the peculiar rules of the feudal system in Scot land, the work continues to be of great value, and to be as useful to the practical lawyer as in its profuudity of research and clearness of detail it is an object of admiration to the theoretical student EIiSKINE, JOHN, an ecclesiastical leader, sou of the preceding, was born on the 2nd of June 1721. He was licensed as a preacher in 1743, and in 1744 obtained the charge of the parish of Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow. In 1763 he received the degree of D.D. from the university of Glasgow. In 1767 he was appointed one of the ministers of the collegiate church of the Greyfriers in Edinburgh. Ile had for his colleague Dr. Robertson the historian, who was leader of the moderate party in church politics, or that body which had the least affection for the predominant characteristics of the Presbyterian creed and polity, while Erskine was the leader of the popular Evangelical, or as it was sometimes called Orthodox party—the same which in 1843 seceded from the Church of Scotland, and formed the " Free Church." Erskine was an active popular preacher and leader, and the titles of the books and pamphlets written by him would fill a considerable space. He died on the 19th of January 1803. His memory hi still revered by his own party.
(Account of the Life and Writings of John Erskine, by Sir Henry Monorief NVellwoost.)