It was in 1792 that the first volume of his "Elements"was published.In 1793, appeared his " Outlines of Moral Philosophy," containing an epitome of the doctrines expanded in his larger writings.His other works appeared after successive intervals: his Account of Adam Smith in 1793, of Robertson in 1796, and of Reid in 1802; his "Philosophical Essays" in 1810; the second volume of his "Elements" in 1814; the first part of his Dissertation, in 1815, and the second in 1821; the third volume of his "Elements" in 1827;and the "Active and Moral Powers" in 1828.The lectures on Political Economy, were not published till 1856.
In 1805, he threw himself, with more eagerness than he was wont to display in public matters, into the controversy which arose about the appointment of Leslie -- a man of high scientific eminence, but with a great deal of the gross animal in his nature-to the chair of mathematics.He wrote a pamphlet on the subject, and appeared in the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, as a Presbyterian elder, to aid the evangelical party, who, under the leadership of Sir Henry Moncreiff, were no way inclined to join the moderate party in their attempt to keep out a distinguished man, because he entertained certain views on the subject of physical causation, and to retain the college chairs for themselves.In his speech on the occasion, Stewart does let out feeling for once, and it is mingled pride and scorn."After having discharged for more than thirty years (not, Itrust, without discredit to myself) the important duties of my academical station, I flatter myself that the House does not think it incumbent on me to descend to philosophical controversies with such antagonists.Such of the members, at least, as I have the honor to be known to, will not, I am confident, easily allow themselves to be persuaded that Iwould have committed myself rashly and wantonly on a question in which the highest interests of mankind are involved." In delivering the speech from which the above is an extract, he was called to order, and, not being accustomed to such handling, he sat down abruptly.The motion of Sir Henry Moncreiff was carried by a majority, which occasioned great joy to the Edinburgh Liberals, and helped to sever the connection between the universities and the church.
In 1806, the Whig party, being in power, procured for him a sinecure {285} office, entitled the writership of the "Edinburgh Gazette," with a salary Of 300l.a year.In 1809, he was in a precarious state of health, much aggravated by the death of a son by his second wife, and he asked Dr.
Thomas Brown to lecture for him.In 1810, Brown, being strongly recommended to the Town Council by Stewart, was appointed conjoint professor, and henceforth discharged all the duties of the office.Brown never attacked Stewart, but he openly assailed Reid; and we suppose the intimacy between Stewart and Brown henceforth could not have been great.
Stewart delivered his ultimate estimate of Brown in a note appended to the third volume of the " Elements." There is evidently keen feeling underlying it; but the criticism is, on the whole, a fair and just one.Stewart now lived, till the close of his life, at Kinniel House, Linlithgowshire, --a residence placed at his service by the Duke of Hamilton Henceforth he was chiefly employed in maturing and arranging the philosophical works which he published.The details given of this part of his life are scanty and uninstructive.
In 1820, he came forth to support Sir James Mackintosh as successor to Brown; and when Sir James declined the office, Stewart recommended Sir William Hamilton, who seems ever afterwards to have cherished a feeling of gratitude towards Stewart.The election fell on Professor Wilson, who, while the fittest man living for the chair of rhetoric and belles-lettres, had no special qualifications for a chair of philosophy.
In 1822, Mr.Stewart had a stroke of paralysis, from which, however, he partially recovered.Mrs.Stewart describes him, in 1824, as troubled with a difficulty of speech, and a tremor in his hand, as walking two or three hours every day, as cheerful in his spirits, his mind as acute as ever, and as amusing himself with reading on his favorite pursuits, and with the classics.He had just given to the world his work on the "Active Powers," and was on a visit to a friend in Edinburgh, when he died on 11th June, 1828.He was buried in the family vault in the Canongate.
There is a monument in honor of him on the Calton Hill; but the fittest memorial of him is to be found, first, in his pupils, who have done a good work in their day, and now in his writings, which may do a good work for ages to come.
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