HUGH BLAIR, whose “Rhetoric” made him famous as a critical essayist, was born at Edinburgh, April 7th, 1718. He was educated at the University of Edinburgh, and its chair of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres was founded as a result of his lectures delivered under the patronage of Lord Kames. A still more important result was Blair’s “Lectures on Rhetoric,” which has been in the hands of students ever since. Dr. Blair’s work as a preacher and lecturer makes him somewhat discursive, but he is always attractive. His work as an essayist began at sixteen with an “Essay on the Beautiful,” which won him the favor of Professor Stevenson, of Edinburgh. In 1741 he was licensed to preach, and his sermons, when published, were greatly admired by Dr. Samuel Johnson. It is said that they have been “translated into almost every language of Europe.” Dr. Blair died December 27th, 1800.