first day of meeting of the general committee for business of the Scottish Episcopal Church Society.  I gave a large dinner.  Much have I worked for this society, and done better things than give dinners.  By the by William Ramsay [his brother the admiral] made a capital speech.”  On March 5, 1841, it is noted, Bishop Walker died—­“a good man.  His mind cast in a limited mould of strong prejudices; but a fair man, strictly honest in all his ways.  He was not fitted to unravel difficulties in his episcopate, and scarcely suited to these times.  He had been a furious opponent of the old evangelicals.  A constant and kind friend to me.  May his memory be honoured.  Bishop Terrot elected bishop.  I am very grateful to think that in all this business I can look with satisfaction upon everything that has been done by me.”

From this time Mr. Ramsay’s thoughts were very much taken up with the Episcopal Church Society, and he records in his journal most of its meetings, and the English friends who came across the Borders to help them.  He mentions also a Scotch Presbyterian churchman who became convinced of the apostolical authority of episcopacy—­“an excellent man.”  Then a visit of Mr. ——­, “an accomplished and able man, somewhat strong of the popish leaven.”  That was in 1842, and on the margin is written—­“Gone over to the Church of Rome, 1845.”  He mentions also the “stupid business at Portobello and squabbles,” and his going down to make peace.  On September 4th we have some things which seemed important at their time—­the Queen’s visit to Scotland.  He says, “It was a stirring subject for old Scotland.”  “This day, 4th Sept., I read prayers and preached before her Majesty, and also dined and sat near Prince Albert and the Queen.  In the evening presented to the Queen and Prince Albert, and introduced to Sir Robert Peel.”  Then comes the cry—­“All vanity of vanities!” At the end of this month the Bishop of London—­“very agreeable”—­was in Edinburgh, and the Dean accompanied him to Glenalmond, to see the proposed site for Trinity College.  In 1843 he mentions the death of a friend, who, he feared, died an infidel:  “However, I have no wish to proclaim his errors.  To me he was ever kind and considerate.  Let us leave judgment to Him who cannot err.”  In June of that year he paid a visit to England, spent Sunday at Leeds, and was much interested with Dr. Hook and his church.  “I have considerable dubitation as to the expediency of making the services of our parish churches choral.”  He went on to London and Oxford, where it was long vacation, but he met with great kindness from the heads of University College and Exeter.  “Magdalene is faultless.”