These remarks apply perhaps more especially to the state of religious feeling amongst the upper classes of society.  Though I am not aware of so much change in the religious habits of the Scottish peasantry, still the elders have yielded much from the sternness of David Deans; and upon the whole view of the question there have been many and great changes in the Scottish people during the last sixty years.  It could hardly be otherwise, when we consider the increased facilities of communication between the two countries—­a facility which extends to the introduction of English books upon religious subjects.  The most popular and engaging works connected with the Church of England have now a free circulation in Scotland; and it is impossible that such productions as the “Christian Year,” for example, and many others—­whether for good or bad is not now the question—­should not produce their effects upon minds trained in the strictest school of Calvinistic theology.  I should be disposed to extend the boundaries of this division, and to include under “Religious Feelings and Religious Observances” many anecdotes which belong perhaps rather indirectly than directly to the subject.  There is a very interesting reminiscence, and one of a sacred character also, which I think will come very suitably under this head.  When I joined the Scottish Episcopal Church, nearly fifty years ago, it was quite customary for members of our communion to ask for the blessing of their Bishop, and to ask it especially on any remarkable event in their life, as marriage, loss of friends, leaving home, returning home, etc.; and it was the custom amongst the old Scottish Episcopalians to give the blessing in a peculiar form, which had become venerable from its traditionary application by our bishops.  I have myself received it from my bishop, the late good Bishop Walker, and have heard him pronounce it on others.  But whether the custom of asking the bishop’s blessing be past or not, the form I speak of has become a reminiscence, and I feel assured is not known even by some of our own bishops.  I shall give it to my readers as I received it from the family of the late Bishop Walker of Edinburgh:—­

     “God Almighty bless thee with his Holy Spirit;
     Guard thee in thy going out and coming in;
     Keep thee ever in his faith and fear;
     Free from Sin, and safe from Danger.”

I have been much pleased with a remark of my friend, the Rev. W. Gillespie of the U.P.  Church, Edinburgh, upon this subject.  He writes to me as follows:—­“I read with particular interest the paragraph on the subject of the Bishop’s Blessing, for certainly there seems to be in these days a general disbelief in the efficacy of blessings, and a neglect or disregard of the practice.  If the spirit of God is in good men, as He certainly is, then who can doubt the value and the efficacy of the blessing which they bestow?  I remember being blessed by a very venerable minister, John Dempster of Denny, while kneeling in his study, shortly before I left this country to go to China, and his prayer over me then was surely the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man.  Its effect upon me then and ever since will never be forgotten.”