-- I have declared my opinion on
this head to some of the most sensible men of this country,
observing, at the same time, that if they would employ a few
natives of England to teach the pronunciation of our vernacular
tongue, in twenty years there would be no difference, in point of
dialect, between the youth of Edinburgh and of London.
The civil regulations of this kingdom and metropolis are taken
from very different models from those of England, except in a few
particular establishments, the necessary consequences of the
union. -- Their college of justice is a bench of great dignity,
filled with judges of character and ability. -- I have heard some
causes tried before this venerable tribunal; and was very much
pleased with the pleadings of their advocates, who are by no
means deficient either in argument or elocution. The Scottish
legislation is founded, in a great measure, on the civil law;
consequently, their proceedings vary from those of the English
tribunals; but, I think, they have the advantage of us in their
method of examining witnesses apart, and in the constitution of
their jury, by which they certainly avoid the evil which I
mentioned in my last from Lismahago's observation.
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