was
Currie, in Mid Lothian, to which he was translated in 1844. It was while
he was in the latter charge that the Principalship of the Glasgow
University became vacant, owing to the death of the late Principal
Macfarlan, and the office was conferred by the Government, with whom the
patronage lay, upon Dr. Barclay. The appointment was a good deal
discussed at the time, and it was said in some circles that it was
scarcely judicious, the fact being that Mr. Barclay's claims and
qualifications for such a high position were not fully known. But he had
really earned the honour by his ability and scholarship. It is
questionable whether any man in Scotland has a more extensive
acquaintance with languages, both modern and ancient. He is particularly
conversant with Icelandic literature, which very few people have
studied, but which is specially worthy of study, both for its historical
interest and its poetry. Indeed, from the Mediterranean to Iceland there
is, perhaps, no language spoken that Principal Barclay does not
understand. Besides this, however, he has devoted much attention to
Biblical criticism, and he was long distinguished as one of the ablest
and staunchest of the few advocates of reform and liberalism that during
his ministerial career adorned the Church Courts. Hence, although they
might be comparatively unknown, Dr. Barclay was not without due
qualifications for the office. One of the leading journals, in referring
to Principal Barclay's appointment, which was made in December, 1857,
declared "that to stand up as he did against a mass of brethren in
matters on which the _esprit de corps_ is morbidly strong, requires not
only the exercise of some of the higher moral and intellectual powers,
but the sacrifice of some of the weaknesses especially incident to the
clerical character, and those who in the Established Church Courts
perform such a duty in the interests of justice, of progress, and of the
public, have much need of the sympathy and encouragement that can be
given from without. Hitherto, however, there has been a sort of
impression that the support of liberal measures formed rather an
obstacle than a recommendation to the good offices of even liberal
dispensers of patronage, and there is matter for congratulation in so
much being done towards the destruction of this impression by the fact
of Dr. Barclay, being a Liberal in Church and State not having been
allowed to act as a counterbalance to his other quali