THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT.
The Scottish Parliament : its Constitution and Procedure, 1603- 1707. With an Appendix of Documents. By Charles Sanford Terry. (James MacLehose and Sons, Glasgow. 10s.)—" So far from remaining, as is the general impression, a Chamber doomed to futility by the overshadowing Committee of the Articles, the following pages not only show that the development of Parlia- ment's powers and processes was striking and rapid within the period, but that by 1707 it had brought itself, bah as a Chamber of debate and of legislation, to a reasonable level of procedure with the English Parliament of the day." This may be said to be the keynote of an excellent and erudite historical work by the Professor of History in Aberdeen. The Scottish Parliament between the Union of the Crowns in 1603 and the Union of the Kingdoms in 1707 was a poor affair politically, and in every way. "To the end of its history, however, it remained a feudal and non-popular Chamber, from which all but the Crown's vassals and officials were excluded." Its constitution was against it. Legisla- tion was accomplished by a "Committee of Articles," and the elective Members sent by shires and Royal burghs had not even the right to vote. The Scottish Parliament was extinguished just when it seemed to have a chance of doing its proper work. This story of failure might have been dreary and dryasdustish. Thanks to Professor Terry, it is not.
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