Lord Minto's speech in the house of lords in support of the union with Ireland, a measure which met his sincere support, was one of considerable effect, and much admired even by those with whom he differed on that occasion. Early in 1799, his lordship was appointed envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the court of Vienna, where he resided, and ably executed the duties of his very important office, till the end of the year 1801. On the accession of the whig administration in 1806, he filled, for a short time, the office of president of the board of controul; but having soon after been appointed to the situation of governor-general of India, he embarked for that distant region in February, 1807. As the company, board of controul, and ministers had differed about the filling of this office (vacant by the death of Marquis Cormvallis), the appointment of lord Minto must be considered as a testimony of the general confidence in his abilities and integrity, more especially as he was at the time quite ignorant of Indian affairs. The result fully justified all that had been anticipated. Under the care of lord Minto, the debts of the company rapidly diminished, the animosities of the native princes were subdued,
and the jealousy of the government was diminished. In quelling the mutiny of the coast army, he evinced much prudence, temper, and firmness ; but his administration was rendered more conspicuously brilliant by his well-concerted and triumphant expeditions against the isles of France and Bourbon in 1810, and that of Java in 1811. Although these enterprises were in conformity to the general instructions, yet the British ministers candidly allowed, in honour of lord Minto, that to him was due the whole merit of the plan, and also its successful termination. He himself accompanied the expedition against Java: and it is well known that his presence not only contributed materially to its early surrender, but also to the maintenance of harmony in all departments of the expedition, and tended materially to conciliate the inhabitants after the surrender. For these eminent services, lord Minto received the thanks of both houses of parliament; and in February, 1813, as a proof of his majesty's continued approbation, he was promoted to an earldom, with the additional title of viscount Melgund. His lordship returned to England in 1814, in apparent health; but after a short residence in London, alarming symptoms of decline began to show themselves, and he died June 21st, at Stevenage, on his way to Scotland.
Lord Minto's general abilities are best seen in his acts. His manners were mild and pleasant, his conversation naturally playful but he could make it serious and instructive. He displayed, both in speaking and writing, great purity of Language, and an uncommon degree of perspicuity in his mode of expression and narration. He was an elegant scholar, a good linguist, and well versed both in ancient and modern history. With all these qualifications, he possessed one which gives a charm to all others modesty. In short, it is rare that a person appears with such a perfect balance of good qualities as the earl of Minto.
ELPHINSTONE, James, a miscellaneous writer, was born at Edinburgh, November 25th, O. S., 1721. He appears to have descended from a race of non-jurant episcopalians, and to have had some distinguished connections among that body. His father was the liev. William Elphinstone, an episcopal minister. His mother was daughter to the Rev. Mr Honeyman, minister of Kineff, and niece to Honeyman, bishop of Orkney, a prelate very obnoxious to the presbyterian party in the reign of Charles II., and who died in consequence of a pistol-wound which he received while entering archbishop's Sharpe's coach, and which was intended for the primate. Mr Elphinstone was educated at the high school and university of Edinburgh; and before the age of seventeen, was deemed fit to act as tutor to the son of lord Blantyre. When about twenty-one years of age, he became acquainted at London with the Jacobite historian.
