sympathise with the young Scotch surgeon, driven from his home by the intolerant laws of his country. The Bishop soon discovered his genuine worth. He admired his vigorous intellect, sound judgment, and depth of religious feeling, and was probably in no small degree instrumental in leading Mr Hay to devote himself to the service of God and his neighbour in the ecclesiastical state. Certain it is that the acquaintance of these two remarkable men at this time led to their being afterwards united in the bonds of the closest friendship. At a later period they entered into a pious compact, that on the death of either, the survivor should offer up the holy sacrifice three times every week for the repose of his soul; and this engagement Dr Hay fulfilled with scrupulous fidelity for nearly a quarter of a century after the decease of his esteemed friend.
But whatever was the advice given by Dr Challoner at this time, or whatever effect it may have had upon Mr Hay's mind, he was not a person to decide hastily in such an important matter. He took full time for mature deliberation, proceeded to the Mediterranean, completed his engagement there, and it was not till the 10th September 175 1 that he entered the Scotch College in Rome — nearly two years after he had embraced the Catholic faith. There he found only nine students, but that little band contained no less than four persons who were afterwards well known by their services to religion — the Rev. William Guthrie, Bishop Geddes, Bishop John M Donald, and Cardinal Erskine.
In Rome he spent eight years in the study of philosophy and theology, and his progress is well attested by the valuable works with which he afterwards favoured the world. But his chief care during his college life was to sanctify himself, by the exact and fervent discharge of all his religious duties. Having completed his course of studies
