Produced by Brendan OConnor, Stephanie Eason, Jonathan Ingram and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Library of Early Journals.) BLACKWOOD'S EDINBURGH MAGAZINE. NO. CCCL. DECEMBER, 1844. VOL. LVI. CONTENTS. The Scottish Banking System, 671 The Milkman of Walworth, 687 Injured Ireland, 701 Singular Passages in the Life of a Russian Officer, 713 Traditions and Tales of Upper Lusatia. No IV. The Moor Maiden, 726 "That's What We Are," 741 Edmund Burke, 745 My College Friends. No. II. John Brown, 763 Nelson's Despatches and Letters, 775 Guizot, 786 EDINBURGH: WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, 45, GEORGE STREET; AND 22, PALL-MALL, LONDON. _To whom all Communications (post paid) must be addressed._ SOLD BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE AND HUGHES, EDINBURGH. BLACKWOOD'S EDINBURGH MAGAZINE. No. CCCL. DECEMBER, 1844. Vol. LVI. THE SCOTTISH BANKING SYSTEM. When any important branch of national polity has been impeached, arraigned, and brought to stand its trial before the bar of public opinion, it is satisfactory to know that the subject has been thoroughly investigated, since a searching investigation alone can excuse a verdict, be it of acquittal or of condemnation. That no man can be twice tried upon the same indictment, is a proud boast of the British constitution. It would be well if the same rule were always applied when mightier interests than those of individuals are at stake!