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290 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
in sub-divisions to Drylaw Mains, about three miles from town, in the following
order :-Light Horse, Royal Edinburgh Artillery, First Regiment, first battalion
of the Second Regiment, Royal Edinburgh Highlanders, second battalion of the
Second Regiment, Leith Volunteers, Mid-Lothian Artillery. After arriving on
the ground, the brigade drew up in a line, which extended a great length. A
salute mas then fired by the Artillery on each flank; and his Excellency Sir
Ralph Abercromby, Commander-in-Chief, attended by General Vyse, the North
British staff, several other officers, and the Right Hon. Secretary Dundas,
entered from the right, and rode along the whole line. Mr, Dundas was dressed
in the uniform of the First Regiment, of which he is a private. In passing the
line both times he rode with his hat off. The appearance and discipline of the
different corps gave general satisfaction to the military gentlemen and a numerous
body of spectators. A party of the Norfolk Cavalry and Shropshire Militia
attended to keep the ground clear.”
Lord Melville at one time proposed that a certain allowance weekly should
be given to the members of the First Regiment of Edinburgh Volunteers, but
the offer was declined.
No. CXVIII.
ANDREW NICOL,
WITH A PLAN OF HIS MIDDENSTEAD.
THIS is one of the “ Parliament House worthies ” mentioned in the Traditions of
Edinburgh, where, he is described as “ a sensible-looking man, with a large blue
bonnet, in which guise Kay has a very good portrait of him, displaying, with
chuckling pride, a plan of his precious middenstead.”
MUCKA NDREWa,s he was familiarly termed, was a native of the ancient burgh
of Kinross. He was a linen-weaver to trade ; and, if,not in affluent circumstances,
could at all events boast an honest independence, in the possession of a house
and a kail-yard, which had descended to him through a long line of forefathers.
About the beginning of this century it was esteemed quite an unfashionable thing
for a gentleman of property not to have a law-suit. Poor Andrew unluckily fell a
victim to the mania. Some misunderstanding having arisen between him and
a neighbour proprietor about the situation or boundary of a dunghill, nothing
less could adjust matters than an appeal to a court of law. Andrew
seems to have been successful in the inferior courts; but his opponent,
having a longer purse, carried the case to the Court of Session, and by one
expedient or other, protracted a decision until he compelled poor Andrew
to litigate in forma pauperis. The whole affair was certainly a satire on judicial
proceedings j but it took such possession of the simpleton’s mind as to engross

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. in sub-divisions to Drylaw Mains, about three miles from town, in the following order ...

Book 8 p. 406
(Score 0.78)

238 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
The Lord Provost, by virtue of his office, was Oolonel of the regiment ; and
all the other commissions were conferred by the King on the recommendation
of the Volunteers themselves.’
The first review of the Volunteers took place at Bruntsfield Links on the
22d November 1794, when they were inspected by the Duke of Buccleuch,
Lord-Lieutenant of the county. On this occasion the spectators were very
numerous and highly respectable. Among the nobility and gentry present were
-the Duchess of Buccleuch and family, the Earl of Morton, Lord Ancrum,
the Lord President, the Lord Advocate, and many of the Lords of Session,
On the 6th July 1795, they had another “grand field-day ” at the Links, when
the Right Honourable Mr. Secretary Dundas was received as a volunteer into
the corps. The same day he gave an elegant entertainment, in Fortune’s
Tavern, to the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council, and to several other
gentlemen. As a mark of respect, Mr. Dundas was immediately afterwards
requested, by the Lord Provost, in name of the COTS, to accept the station of
Captain-Lieutenant, which he declined, but gratefully acknowledged the honour
in a highly complimentary letter.
The patriotic example of arming in defence of their country which had been
shown by the gentlemen of Edinburgh, was speedily followed throughout
Scotland. Every district had its band of armed citizens-the discontented
became silent, and loyalty was the order of the day-
“ We’ll give them a welcome, we’ll give them a grave,”
was the prevailing sentiment, should the enemy dare to set a foot on Scottish
ground. Burns, in his impassioned song of “ The Dumfries Volunteers,” seems
to have thoroughly embodied in it the spirit of the times,-
“ Does haughty Gaul invasion threat ?
Then let the loons beware, sir :
There’s wooden walls upon our seas,
And volunteers on shore, sir.
The Nith shall rin to Corsincon,
And Criffel sink in Solway,
Ere we permit a foreign foe
On British ground to rally ! ”
* * *
“ The kettle 0’ the Kirk and State,
Perhaps a clout may fail in’t ;
But dei1 a foreign tinkler loon
Shall ever ca’ a nail in’t.
hut for its extreme length, might have been worth transcribing. At that period no less than fiftyfive
members of the celebrated “ Cape Club ” were enrolled in the corps. Five old Bovereigm of the
Cape were doing duty in one company, and seven knights were officers of the Volunteers.
The privates of each company were permitted to name individuals of their number to be their
officers ; and it is related, as a curious fact, that several of these officers owed their elevation solely
to their being unfit to march, or keep their places in the ranks properly, having been selected by the
privates in order that they might get rid of the annoyance of an awkward comrade.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. The Lord Provost, by virtue of his office, was Oolonel of the regiment ; and all the ...

Book 8 p. 335
(Score 0.77)

270 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
it would be disgraceful to our character as Scotsmen were such an act of exclusion
recorded in the books of this society. Were he the son of a beggardid
his talents entitle him-he has a right to the highest distinction in the land.”’
No. CIX.
JOHN WRIGHT, ESQ.,
ADVOCATE.
THIS Print represents the subject of our sketch at a later period of life than
the former etching ; and, to judge from his attitude, he may be supposed in the
act of addressing the bench.
He spoke so
very slow that his pleadings were far from being effective. On one occasion
he was engaged in conducting a case before Lord Hailes. Mr. -, the
opposing council, who first addressed the bench, spoke so thick, fast, and indistinct,
that his lordship was under the necessity of requesting him to speak slower,
that he might understand him; but the judge found himself in the adverse
predicament with Mr. Wright. “Get on a little faster,” said his lordship,
addressing the advocate, “ for I am tired following you.” “ If it were possible,”
observed Erskine, solta voce, “ to card the two together, something good might
be made of them both,”
Mr. Wright was unquestionably more fitted for a lecturer than an advocate,
and to his success in the former avocation he was chiefly indebted for a livelihood.
He also derived no inconsiderable income from his literaT labours.
For many years he wrote all the Latin theses. One work on mathematics’
MR. WRIGHTn ever attained to great eminence as a pleader.
That the political principles of Mr. Wright were liberal may be inferred from his intimacy
with, and the friendship shown him by, Mr. Erskine ; but it may not be generally known that he
ever published his sentiments on the subject of Reform. We have, however, accidentally fallen in
with a pamphlet which seems to have been published by Mr. Witght in 1784, entitled “ An Essay
on Parliamentary Representation and the Magistracies of our Royal Boroughs ; showing tht the
abuses at present complained of, respecting both, are late deviations from our constitution, as well as
from common sense ; and the necessity of a speedy Reform.” This pamphlet is anonymous ; but
from the following words, in the handwriting of Mr. Wright, being written on the title-page, there
can be no doubt that the production was his own :-“This Essay ccnatuins the mbstaace of the Author’s
idem on Parle’anwntary Representation. Mr. Alison’a opinion of it would oblige his hwn&le servant
-JOHN WRIQHT.” The Essay is well written, and affords a luminous review of the rise and progress
of feudal government, and the various lawa and enactments which have led to the formation of
what is called the British constitution. His observationa extend to almost every branch of national
economy. [The MT. Alism alluded to waa probably an accountant of that name who lived in St.
James’ Square.]
2 Elements of Trigonometry, Plane and Spherical ; with the Principles of Perspective and Projection
of the Sphere.” In 8v0, Edinblwh, 1772.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. it would be disgraceful to our character as Scotsmen were such an act of ...

Book 8 p. 377
(Score 0.76)

170 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [St. Andrew Square.
old Scottish school. His habits were active, anc
he was fond of all invigorating sports. He wa
skilled as an archer, golfer, skater, bowler, ant
curler, and to several kindred associations of thosc
sports he and ol$ Dr. Duncan acted as secretarie!
for nearly half a century. For years old EbeI
Wilson, the bell-ringer of the Tron Church, had thc
reversion of his left-off cocked hats, which he wore
together with enormous shoe-buckles, till his deatl
in 1823. For years he and the Doctor had been thc
only men who wore the old dress, which the latte
retained till he too died, twelve years after.
No. 24 was the house of the famous millionaire
Gilbert Innes of Stowe.
The Scottish Equitable Assurance Society occu
pies No. 26. It was established in 1831, and war
incorporated by royal charter in 1838 and 1846
It is conducted on the principle of mutual as
surance, ranks a~ a first-class office, and has accumu
lated funds amounting to upwards of ~ 2 , 2 5 0 , 0 0 0
with branch offices in London, Dublin, Glasgow
and elsewhere.
No. 29 was in 1802 the house of Sir Patrick
Murray, Bart., of Ochtertyre, Baron of the Ex
chequer Court, who died in 1837. It is now thc
offices of the North British Investment Corn
PanYNo.
33, now a shop, was in 1784 the house oi
the Hon. Francis Charteris of Amisfield, afterwards
fifth Earl of Wemyss. He was well known during
his residence in Edinburgh as the particular patron
of ?Old Geordie Syme,? the famous town-piper
of Dalkeith, and a retainer of the house of Buccleuch,
whose skill on the pipe caused him to be
much noticed by the great folk of his time. 01
Geordie, in his long yellow coat lined with red,
red plush breeches, white stockings, buckled shoes
and blue bonnet, there is an excellent portrait in
Kay. The earl died in 1808, and was succeeded
by his grandson, who also inherited the earldom
of March.
Nos. 34 and 35 were long occupied as Douglas?s
hotel, one of the most fashionable in the city, and
one which has been largely patronised by the royal
families of many countries, including the Empress
EugCnie when she came to Edinburgh, to avail
herself, we believe, of the professional skill of Sir
James Simpson. On that occasion Colonel Ewart
marched the 78th Regiment or Ross-shire Buffs,
recently returned from the wars of India, before
the hotel windows, with the band playing Padant
pour Za Syrie, on which the Empress came to
the balcony and repeatedly bowed and waved her
handkerchief to the Highlanders.
In this hotel Sir Walter Scott resided for a few
days after his return from Italy, and just before his
death at Abbotsford, in September, 1832.
No. 35 is now the new head office of the Scottish
Provident Institution, removed hither from No. 6.
It was originally the residence of Mr. Andrew
Crosbie, the advocate, a well-known character in
his time, who built it. He was the original of
Counsellor Pleydell in the novel of ? Guy Mannering.?
In 1754 Sir Philip Ainslie was the occupant of
No. 38. Born in 1728, he was the son of George
Ainslie, a Scottish merchant of Bordeaux, who,
having made a fortune, returned home in 1727,
and purchased the estate of Pilton, near Edinburgh.
Sir Philip?s youngest daughter, Louisa, became the
wife of John Allan of Errol House, who resided in
No. 8. Sir Philip?s mother was a daughter of
William Morton of Gray.
His house is now, with No. 39, a portion of the
office of the British Linen Company?s Bank, the
origin and pro?gress of which we have noticed in
our description of the Old Town. It stands immediately
south of the recess in front of the Royal
Bank, and was mainly built in 1851-2, after designs
by David Bryce, R.S.A., at a cost of about
~30,000. It has a three-storeyed front, above
sixty feet in height,.with an entablature set back
to the wall, and surmounted above the six-fluted
and projecting Corinthian columns by six statues,
each eight feet in height, representing Navigation,
Commerce, Manufacture, Art, Science, and Agricu!
ture; and it has a splendid cruciform tellingroom,
seventy-four feet by sixty-nine, lighted by a
most ornate cupola of stained glass, thirty feet in
diameter and fifty high. With its magnificent
columns of Peterhead granite, its busts of celebrated
Scotsmen, and its Roman tile pavement,
it is all in perfect keeping with the grandeur of
the external facade. This bank has about 1,080
partners.
Immediately adjoining, on the south, is the
National Bank of Scotland, presenting a flank to
West Register Street. It was enlarged backward
;n 1868, but is a plain almost unsightly building
mid its present surroundings. It is a bank of
:omparatively modem origin, having been estabished
on the zIst March, 1825. In terms of a
:ontract of co-partnership between and among the
iartners, the capit31 and stock of the company were
ixed at &,ooo,ooo, the paid-up portion of which
s ~I,OOO,OOO. In the royal charter granted to
he National Bank on the 5th August, 1831, a
ipecific declaration is made, that ? nothing in these
resents ? shall be construed to limit the responsiility
and liability of the individual partners of the

... OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [St. Andrew Square. old Scottish school. His habits were active, anc he was fond of ...

Book 3 p. 170
(Score 0.76)

Arthur?s Seat.] . ORIGIN OF
battle of Camelon, unsupported tradition has always
alleged that Arthur?s Seat obtained its name ; while
with equal veracity the craigs are said to have
been so entitled from the Earl of Salisbury, who
accompanied Edward 111. in one of his invasions
of Scotland, an idle story told by h o t , and ofter,
repeated since.
Maitland, a much more acute writer, says, ?(that
the idea of the mountain being named from Arthur,
a British or Cimrian king, I cannot give into,? and
305 THE NAME.
?Do thou not thus, brigane, thou sal1 be brynt,
With pik, tar, fire, gunpoldre, and lynt
On Arthuris-Sete, or on a hyar hyll.?
And this is seventy-seven years before the publication
of Camden?s c?Britannia,? in which it is so
named. But this is not the only Arthur?s Seat in
Scotland, as there is one near the top of Loch
Long, and a third near Dunnichen in Forfarshire.
Conceriiing the adjacent craigs, Lord Hailes in a
note to the first volume of his Annals, says of ?? the
THE HOLYROOD DAIKY.* (firm a CarOtypr (5. Dr. Tkmmu Keith.)
[The circular structure in the background to the right waq a temporary Government store.]
adds that he considers (? the appellation of Arthur?s
Seat to be a corruption of the Gaelic Ard-na-Said,
which implies the ? Height of Arrows ; ? than which
nothing can be more probable; for no spot of
ground is fitter for the exercise of archery, either
at butts or rovers, than this; wherefore Ard-na-
Sad, by an easy transition, might well be changed
to Arthur?s Seat.?
Many have asserted the latter to be a name of
yesterday, but it certainly bore it at the date of
WalterKennedy?s poem, his ? flyting,? With Dunbar,
which was published in 1508 :- 1
precipice now called Salisbury Craigs; some of
my readers may wish to be informed of the ongin
of a word so familiar to them. In the Anglo-
Saxon language, saw, sme, means dty, withered,
zcrasfe. The Anglo-Saxon termination of Burgh,
Burh, Barrow, BUY^, Biry, implies a castle, town,
or habitation ; but in a secondary sense only, for it
is admitted that the common original is Beorg a
rock . . . . Hence we may conclude, &m>bury,
Sbisbuv, Salisbury, is the waste or dg hbifafion.
An apt description, when it is remembered that the 1 hills which now pass under the general but corrupted
Dr. J. A. Sidey writes: ?The Holyrood Dairy, which stood at the enhance to St. Aone?s Yard, had no reference to the F?alaoc (from
which it was 19 feet distant) except in =gad to name. It was taken down about 1858. and was kept by R o b McBan, whose sm was afterwards
m e of the ? Keeperr? d the F?ab(as Mr. Andrew Kar tdL me) and Rad the old sign in his porrasion. Mr. K a says the dairy Man@
m the Corpont;on of Path, and was held for charitable purpmq and sold frr the sum of money that wuuld yield the ame amount as the reatal of
the dairy.?
87

... Seat.] . ORIGIN OF battle of Camelon, unsupported tradition has always alleged that Arthur?s Seat ...

Book 4 p. 305
(Score 0.76)

.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 203
NO. LXXXIV.
THE EARL OF ERROL
AND
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD HADDO.
THE first of these “Noble Friends” (to the left), is GEORGE, fourteenth
EARL of ERROL. He was born at Slanes Castle’-the principal seat of
the family-in Aberdeenahire, in 1767. His father, James Lord Boyd, was
the eldest son of Lord Kilmarnock, who suffered in 1746 on account of the
Rebellion. Lord Boyd held a commission in the 21st Regiment of Foot at the
time, and fought against the young Chevalier, whose cause his father had
espoused. In 1758, on the death of his grand-aunt, he succeeded to the title
as thirteenth Earl of Errol. The hereditary honour of Lord High Constable of
Scotland was conferred by King Robert Bruce upon his lordship’s ancestor in 13 15.
GEORGEt,h e subject of this sketch, succeeded to the title, while yet at
Harrow School, by the death of his father in 1778. He purchased a cornetcy
in the 1stDragoons in 1780, being then only thirteen years of age. He afterwards
held commissions in various regiments-was Major of the 78th Foot in
1793, and latterly Captain of a company in the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards.
At the general election in 1796, his lordship was elected one of the sixteen
representatives of the Scottish Peerage. On this occasion the Earl of Lauderdale
entered a protest against the votes of British Peers created since the
Union ; and also protested against the return of the Earl of Errol. In pursuance
of this protest, Lauderdale presented a petition to the House of Lords
against Errol, on the ground that, not being paternally descended from the High
Constable, he did not hold his title consistently with the original charter.
The petition was referred to a committee of privileges, and counseI were heard
on both sides. The case was finally determined on the 19th of May 1797.
The Lord Chancellor spoke at great length on the subject : He stated that the
petition laid its principal stress on the Earl of Errol not being a male descendant,
to which the original charter no doubt was limited; but it should be
recollected that it was no uncommon thiig formerly for the nobility to surrender
their honours to the King, for the purpose of having them renewed, with
some additional privileges, or relieved of some restrictions. This had been the
case with Gilbert, tenth Earl of Errol. He surrendered his honours to the King
in 1660, and had his charter renewed, which, instead of confirming it to male
The old CastIe of Slanes, formerly the principal residence of the Earls of Em& waa deatroyed
as far back aa the early part of the reign of Jam= VI. The greater part of the lands belonging to
the barony are now in the possession of Colonel John Gordon of Clnny.

... SKETCHES. 203 NO. LXXXIV. THE EARL OF ERROL AND THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD HADDO. THE first of ...

Book 8 p. 286
(Score 0.75)

198 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
“ For worth revered, 10 I full of years,
Amid the sorrowing people’s tears,
Does Hopetoun to the tomb descend,
Who mourn their constant, kindest friend,
Oft have I heard, as o’er hie land
I wandered in my youthful days,
The farmer bless his fostering hand,
And ploughman’s ruder note of praise.
Oft,(too, in Humbie’s fairy vale-
Of Hopetoun have I heard the tale
Romantic vale I so sweetly wild-
Of sorrow soothed or want beguiled.
The mausoleum may arise,
But far superior are the sighs
Displaying well the sculptor’s art ;
That rise from many a wounded heart.
The historic record shall survive,
The legendary tribute live
And unimpaired its meed bestow ;
When time haa laid the structure low.
In early life to warfare trained,
He gained the glory arms can yield ;
When Gallia had her lilies stained
On Minden’s memorable field.
Hsnce wreathed, the titled path he trod-
A path (haw few pursue his plan !)
Bright, marked with piety to God
And warm benevolence to man.
The niche he leaves a brother fills,
Long, long o’er Scotia’s vales and hills
Whose prowess fame has blazoned wide ;
Shall Niddry’s deeds be told with pride !”
Having no male issue, the Earl of Hopetoun was succeeded by his half-brother
John, fourth Earl, G.C.B., and General in the Army, who had distinguished
himself so much by his gallantry and abilities in the West Indies in 1794 ; in
Holland in 1799 j and at the battles of Corunna, Bayonne, Bourdeaux, and
Toulouse. For these services he was created a British Peer in 1814, by the
title of Baron Niddry. A
handsome equestrian statue has lately been erected to his memory in St. Andrew
Square, in front of the Royal Bank, by the citizens of Edinburgh.
. Earl John was twice married,-first, in 1798, to Elizabeth, youngest
.(aughter of Charles Hope Vere of Craighall, who died without issue in 1801 ;
secondly, in 1803, to Louisa Dorothea, third daughter of Sir John Wedderburn
of Ballendean, by whom he had twelve children,’ of whom seven sons and
It will be recollected that when George IV. visited Scotland in 1822, his Majesty embarked at
Port-Edgar, having previously partaken of a repast at Hopetoun House with the Earl, his family,
and a select company assembled for the occasion. While at breakfaat, one of the Earl’s sons, a lively
He died at Paris on the 27th August 1823.
‘

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. “ For worth revered, 10 I full of years, Amid the sorrowing people’s tears, Does ...

Book 8 p. 278
(Score 0.74)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 233
personal knowledge possessed by the artist, and rumour has not assigned any
particular circumstance matrimonial as a foundation for the caricature.’ His
lordship was universally known to be a very excellent and patriotic man-goodnatured,
though not so to a fault ; and we are not aware that the Countess had
a more inordinate desire of domination than is common to most other ladies of
spirit.
JOHN FIRST MARQUIS OF BREADALBANE, EARL OF ORMELIE, etc.,
was born in 1762. He was the eldest son of Colin Campbell of Carwhin, by
Elizabeth, daughter of Archibald Campbell of Stonefield, Sheriff of Argyleshire,
and sister to Lord Stonefield, one of the Senators of the College of Justice.
He was educated at Westminster School; and afterwards resided for some
time at Lausanne, in Switzerland. He succeeded to the earldom and estates of
Breadalbane on the death of his cousin (father of the late Countess de Grey)
in 1783.
In 1784 his lordship was elected one of the sixteen representative Peers of
Scotland; and until created a British Peer in 1806, by the title of Baron
Breadalbane, was rechosen at all the subsequent elections.
In 17 9 3 he raised the Breadalbane Regiment of Fencibles,whichwas afterwards
increased to four battalions. One of these was enrolled, as the 11 6th Regiment,
in the regular service, and his lordship appointed Colonel of the corps. He
subsequently held the rank of a field officer, and was created a Marquis in 1831,
at the coronation of William IV.
The habits and disposition of the noble lord were not such as to make him
ostentatiously forward in public affairs. His attention was chiefly devoted to
the improvement of his immense estates, great portions of which, being unfitted
for cultivation he laid out in plantations. In 1805 he received the gold medal
of the Society of Arts for his success in planting forty-four acres of waste
land, in the parish of Kenmore, with Scots and larch firs, a species of rather
precarious growth, and adapted only to peculiar soils. In the magnificent
improvements at Taymouth his lordship displayed much taste ; and the Park
has been frequently described as one of the most extensive and beautiful in the
country.
Prince Leopold (afterwards King of the Belgians), when on a tour through
part of Scotland in 1819, paid a visit to Taymouth, where he was received with
all the hospitality characteristic of the olden times. His lordship’s tenantry
being summoned to attend in honour of the distinguished guest, about two
thousand men assembled in front of the Castle,
“ All plaided and plumed in their tartan array,”
where they performed a variety of evolutions very much to the gratification of
the Prince.
1 It ww said the Print waa suggested by some of the officem of the Fencibles, who, having been
refused leave of absence, attributed their want of success to the interference of Lady Breadalbane.
VOL 11. 2 H

... SKETCHES. 233 personal knowledge possessed by the artist, and rumour has not assigned any particular ...

Book 9 p. 310
(Score 0.73)

B T 0 G R A P HI CA L S I< ET C HE S. 245
their private library. By singular regularity in the arrangement of his time,
and strict frugality, Mr. Paton not only discharged his duties in the Custom-
House with fidelity, but found leisure to acquire a degree of antiquarian lore,
and was enabled to increase his curious collections to an extent seldom attained
by a single individual.
He was well known to almost all the literary characters of his own country,
and to many English antiquaries and men of letters. Apparently unambitious
of figuring in the world as an author himself, Mr. Paton was by no means chary
of assisting others. His services-his knowledge-his time-as well as his
library,’ were at the command of all his friends. These ultimately became a
sort of common, where our antiquarian writers of last century were wont to
luxuriate, and whence they would return, like bees, each to his own peculiar
locality, laden with the spoil obtained from the stores of this singularly obliging
and single-hearted individual.
Mr. Paton was thus led into a very extended circle of literary acquaintance,
with whom he maintained a constant and very voluminous correspondence,
Amongst others, we may instance Lord Hailes, Dr. Robertson, Gough? Percy,
Ritson, Pennant, George Chalmers (author of Caledonia), Captain Grose,
Callander of Craigforth, Riddle of Glenriddle, Law (author of the “Fauna
Orcadensis ”), Herd (the Collector of Scotfish Ballads), etc.
Of the “ Paton Correspondence,” preserved in the Advocates’ Library, two
small volumes have been published; the one in 1829, the other in 1830. The
former is entitled “Letters from Joseph Ritson, Esq., to George Paton;” the
latter, “ Letters from Thomas Percy, D.D. (afterwards Bishop of Dromore),
John Callander of Craigforth, David Herd, and others, to George Paton.”
These volumes, not generally known, from the limited impression thrown off,
are enriched by many interesting editorial notes, and are highly entertaining and
curious, They also bear unquestionable testimony to the status in which Mr.
Paton was held as a literary antiquary, and to the alacrity with which he
laboured to supply the desiderata of his friends.
It is a curious fact, hawever, that, with the exception of Gough, few or none
of those who were so materially indebted to him for information and assistance
had the candour to acknowledge the source from whence they were aided ;
and many of them afterwards seemed desirous of suppressing all knowledge of
the fact. The correspondence between Gough and Paton at once shows the
extent and importance of the information furnished by the latter ; and, indeed,
this is acknowledged in handsome terms by Gough, in the preface to his new
edition of the British Topography. Alluding to the article upon Scottish
topography, he says-“ by the indefatigable attention of his very ingenious and
communicative friend, Mr. George Paton, of the Custom House, Edinburgh,”
It is said the late Archibald Constable derived much of his knowledge of the rarity of books
Two large volumes of Mr. Paton’a letters to Gough, full of important literary and topographical
from his acquaintance with Mr. Paton.
information, are in the library of the Faculty of Advocates.

... T 0 G R A P HI CA L S I< ET C HE S. 245 their private library. By singular regularity in the arrangement of ...

Book 8 p. 343
(Score 0.73)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 47
maps of the counties, besides a general one. The work was reprinted in eight
volumes, in 1787.
The success of this work induced Grose to illustrate in a similar manner
“ The Antiquities of Scotland.” This publication, in numbers of four plates
each, commenced in the beginning of 1789, and was finished in 1791, forming
two volumes, with 190 views, and letterpress. Before the plates of the latter
numbers were out of the engraver’s hands, the author “ turned his eyes to Ireland,
who seemed to invite him to her hospitable shore, to save from impending
oblivion her mouldering monuments, and to unite her, as she should ever be,
in closest association with the British Isles. The Captain arrived in Dublin
in May 179 1,’ with the fairest prospect of completing the noblest literaqdesign
attempted in this century.” Such are the words of Dr. Ledwich, to whom
Grose had applied for assistance, and by whom the work was completed, in two
volumes, in 1795. But, while in Dublin, at the house of Mr. Hone, Grose was
suddenly seized with an apoplectic fit, and died, in the fifty-second year of his
age, upon the 12th of May 1791. The following epitaph proposed for him,
was inserted in the St. James’s Chyoniele, May 26 :-
Here lies Francis Grose :
On Thursday, May 12t11, 1791,
Death put an end to
His views and prospects.
Upon occasion of his marriage, Grose took up his residence in Canterbury,
where he remained several years, during which period his wit and vivacity made
him many friends. No one possessed more than himself the faculty of setting
the table “ in a roar,” but it was never at the expense of virtue or good manners.
He left several sons and daughters ; one of the latter married Anketil Singleton,
Esq., Lieut.-Governor of Sandguard Fort. His son, Daniel Grose, F.A.S., Captain
of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, was, after several campaigns in America,
appointed Depute-Governor of the new settlement at Botany Bay, 1790.
Besides the works above noticed, he published-
“ A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons ; illustrated by plates taken
from the original armour in the Tower of London, and other arsenals, museums,
and cabinets.’’ Lond. 1785. 4to. A Supplement was added in 1789.
“A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue.” Lond. 1785. ~ V O .
“A Guide to Health, Wealth, Honour, and Riches.” Lond. 1785. Svo.
This is a most amusing collection of advertisements, principally illustrative of
the extreme gullibility of the citizens of London. A very humorous introduction
is prefixed.
“ Military Antiquities, respecting a History of the English Army, from the
Conquest to the Present Time.” 2 vols. Lond. 1786-88. 4to. With numerous
plates. This work was published in numbers.
He was accompanied, for the last three yeara of his travels, by a young man whom he called
his Guinea-pig, and who had caught hie manner of etching.

... SKETCHES. 47 maps of the counties, besides a general one. The work was reprinted in eight volumes, ...

Book 8 p. 64
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324 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
conceiving that he might, in the course of events, become serviceable to his
views, resolved upon making him his friend. Lovat then lived in a villa somewhere
about the head of Leith Walk, and often observed young Home pass up and
down between Edinburgh and Leith. Presuming upon very slight acquaintance,
his lordship one day ran out, and, clasping the advocate in his arms, began to
administer some of those compliments which he used to call his weapons-
“My dear Henry,” he cried, “how heartily do .I rejoice in this rencontre.
How does it come to pass that you never look in upon me 3 Almost every day
I see you go past my windows, as if for the purpose of inflaming me with a
more and more passionate desire for your company. Now, you are so finelooking-
so tall, and altoget,her so delightful in your aspect, that unless you
will vouchsafe me some favour, I must absolutely die of unrequited passion.”
“ My Lord,” cried Home, endeavouring to extricate himself from his admirer’s
arms, “ this is quite intolerable ; I ken very wee1 I am the coarsest and most
black-a-vised b-h in a’ the Court 0’ Session. Hae dune-hae dune!”
“ Well, Henry,” said Lovat, in an altered tone, “ you are the first man I have
ever met with who had the understanding to withstand flattery.” “My dear
Lord,” said Home, swallowing the compliment with avidity, and returning the
embrace, “ I am rejoiced to hear you say so.”
The following anecdote is told of the other “ shadow,” HUG0 ARNOT,
and Mr. Hill, afterwards Professor of Humanity (Latin), who was then tutor to
the Lord Justice-clerk‘s son. Arnot met him returning from the Grassmarket
on one occasion when three men were executed there, and inqukng where he had
been, Mr. Hill replied that “ he had been seeing the execution.” ‘<W hat ! ” said
Hugo, “ you, George Hill, candidate for the Professor’s chair of Humanity /”
“Yes,” said Mr. Hill. “Then, by G-d,” continued the indignant Hugo,
“ you should rather be Professor of Barbarity ; and you are sure of the situation,
for it is in the gift of my Lord Justice-clerk ! ”
Mr. Arnot’s celebrated ‘( Essay on Nothing,” so full of quaint humour itself,
and the subject of several good sayings by his contemporaries, is now, perhaps,
only familiar in name to the generality of readers. As a epecinien of the
nervous style of the author, the following quotation from the preface may not
be unamusing :-“ I do not communicate this treatise,” says Hugo, ‘( to promote
directly piety, morality, meekness, moderation, candour, sympathy, liberality,
knowledge, or truth ; but indirectly, by attempting to expose and to lash pride,
pedantry, violence, persecution, affectation, ignorance, impudence, absurdity,
falsehood, and vice. Besides the stilts of Preface and Dedication, I intended
to have procured some recommendatory verses, which may be called ‘ Passports
for begging civility and favour from the Christiun reader.’ But as I know
no person living (at least in the British realms), who is endued with any
share of poetic fire ; and, besides, am persuaded, if there were any such, none
of them would be so fool-hardy as to recommend this performance, I hope,
instead of these, the reader mill accept the following verses, written in praise of
.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. conceiving that he might, in the course of events, become serviceable to his views, ...

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 63
regarding the management and improvement of the navy. Previous to the’
resignation of Lord North, owing to various causes, among which was the insincerity
of the Cabinet on the subject of peace, Mr. Sinclair had become so
sensible of the necessity of a change, that he was a principal promoter of the
St. Alban’s Club, whose deliberations led to the formation of the Coalition
,Ministry. - In the parliamentary histov of this year, an instance of watchful attention
to his country falls to be recorded. Owing to a very unpropitious season, a
general failure of the crops throughout the northern counties had occurred, and
the people were reduced to severe distress. By the exertion of Mr. Sinclair a
grant of ;ElS,OOO was obtained from Government, by which the inhabitants of
fifteen counties were preserved from starvation. Another measure gratifying to
Scotland, obtained in 1782, and in which Mr. Sinclair deeply interested himself,
was the repeal of the act prohibiting the use of the national garb. On his
next visit to Caithness, attired in the full Highland costume, he had left his
carriage, and was enjoying a ramble on foot, followed bya crowd of natives, one
of whom, in his simplicity, assured him that if he was (‘ come in the good old
cause, there were a hundred gude men ready to join him within the sound 0’ the
Bell 0’ Logierait !”
After the accession of the Shelburne Ministry, and when overtures for peace
came to be entertained, much discussion ensued on the state of the national
finances. In the opinion of Mr. Sinclair, very mistaken notions were entertained
and promulgated on the subject, both in and out of Parliament, tending to injure
Britain in the estimation of her opponents. At this juncture, he came forward
with a pamphlet (‘ On the State of our Finances,” which took a comprehensive,
accurate, and well-founded view of the resources of the country. This was succeeded
by another, containing a plan for the re-establishment of public credit.
These speculations give rise to a more extended and laborious production,
published in 1784, his “History of the Public Revenue of the British Empire”
-2 vols. 4to. This work at once established the reputation of its author as a
financier and economist. It was r’eceived with the highest encomiums abroad
8s well as in England, and passed through several editions.
On the dissolution of Parliament in 1784, in consequence of the system of
alternate representation, and the unexpected opposition of Mr. Fox as a candidate,
occasioned by the Westminster scrutiny, Mr. Sinclair lost his seat for the
northern burghs. He had, however, secured his return for Lostwithiel, in
Cornwall, and took his seat accordingly. Some members of the corporation
visiting London, embraced the opportunity of waiting on their member. After
expressing their satisfaction in complimentary terms, one of them, contemplating
the tall figure of Mr. Sinclair, observed that they were glad to be able to
look up to their representative. “I assure you,” answered Mr. Sinclair, ($1
never shall look down on my constituency.”
By the death of Mrs. Sinclair, in 1785, he was so deeply affected as to propose
abandoning public life altogether. In order to divert his attention, he set

... SKETCHES. 63 regarding the management and improvement of the navy. Previous to the’ resignation of ...

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385 B I0 GBAP HICAL SRET CHE S.
and the author ; the former asserting that many of the ideas he had promulgated
in his " Translation of the Gospels," published a short time before, were
appropriated without acknowledpent in the Essay of the latter. Mr. Tytler,
however, proved satisfactorily that no such thing as plagiarism could have been
the case ; and that the extraordinary similarity was alone the result of a unison
of sentiment. Of this the Doctor, although at first somewhat sceptical, was so
thoroughly satisfied, that a warm friendship between the parties was the agreeable
result.
In 1790 Mr. Tytler was appointed Judge-Advocate of Scotland, an office
which he filled in the most conscientious manner, performing the duties personally,
and in several instances displaying a creditable degree of humanity,
by procuring a mitigation of punishment, in cases where the sentence of the
Courts-Martial appeared unnecessarily severe.
In 1792 he succeeded, by the demise of his father, to the estate of Woodhouselee,
where he afterwards continued to reside, and for a few years enjoyed
the utmost felicity in improving and ornamenting his much-loved paternal
residence. A dangerous illness with which he was seized in 1795 nearly proved
fa,tal, and confined him for a length of time. His hours of convalescence and
leisure, however, were sedulously devoted to literary pursuits, and to this period
several productions of his pen are due.
On the death of Lord Stonefield, in 1805, Mr. Tytler was promoted to the
bench; and appointed a Lord of Justiciary in 1811. Shortly after returning
from London, the following year, whither he had gone to make arrangements
respecting some property bequeathed him by his relative, Sir James Craig,
Governor-General of British North America, he was attacked by a return of
his former disorder. To have the advantage of prompt medical assistance, he
was induced to remove from Woodhouselee to Edinburgh ; but, notwithstanding
every effort, the malady made daily progress. " Feeling that he had not long
to live, although perhaps not aware that the period was to be so brief, he
desired his coachman to drive him out on the road in the direction of Woodhouselee,
the scene of the greater portion of the happiness which he had enjoyed
through life, that he might obtain a last sight of his beloved retreat. On
coming within view of the well-known grounds, his eyes beamed with a momentary
feeling of delight. He returned home-ascended the stairs which led to
his study with unwonted vigour-gained the apartmentsank on the floor, and
expired without a groan. Lord Woodhouselee died on the 5th January 1813,
in the sixty-sixth year of his age ; leaving a name which will not soon be forgotten,
and a reputation for taste, talent, and personal worth, which will not
often be surpassed.
One of his sons, Patrick Fraser Tytler, Esq.,
advocate, attained considerable reputation by a valuable History of Scotland,
and other historical and biographical works.
He left several children.
The following is a list of Lord Wooclhouselee's writings :-

... B I0 GBAP HICAL SRET CHE S. and the author ; the former asserting that many of the ideas he had ...

Book 9 p. 511
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 28 1
There were likewise produced to the patrons certificates from the differeut
Professors of Latin and Greek, of Philosophy and Mathematics, and of the
Professors of Medicine in the University of Edinburgh, under whom he had
studied ; together with attestations from a great number of the students who
had attended his demonstrations and lectures. Evidence was also produced
that he was above twenty-one years of age, These papers were laid before the
patrons in June 1754, and the prayer of the petition was granted.
Mr. Monro did not immediately repair to the Continent, but remained in
Scotland for a year. The reason of this was probably a wish that he might
graduate at the University of Edinburgh. This he accordingly did upon the 20th
October 1755. He chose as the subject of his thesis “De Testibus et Semine
in variis Animalibus.” He could hardly have selected one more difficult to
discuss. It is fully twice the size of ordinary theses, and is accompanied with
plates, in order to explain the situation of the parts, their functions, and his
reasoning.concerning them. Such as
have examined it uniformly concur in opinion that it possesses great merit, and
affords an excellent specimen of what was to be expected from him as a Professor
of Anatomy.
When he went abroad, it was with the view principally of studying anatomy
under the best masters in Europe. At Eerlin he attended Professor Meckel’s
lectures, whose reputation as an anatomist stood very high. He now and then
referred to him in his own lectures, and spoke of his old master in very high
terms. He was for some time at Leyden; but whether he ever-visited Paris
we are not informed. Upon his return to Scotland, he was admitted a licentiate
of the Edinburgh Royal College of Physicians on the 2d of May 1758, and
elected a fellow on the 1st May 1759.
His character as a lecturer on anatomy stood very high during the long period
that he discharged its duties. As an anatomist he was well known, not only
throughout the British dominions and in America, but over the whole Continent
of Europe ; and he contributed most essentially to spread the fame of the University
of Edinburgh as a medical school. He was not only a skilful anatomist, but
an enthusiast in the study of it ; and was constantly employed in exercising his
mechanical genius in inventing and improving surgical instruments. Neither
he nor his father read any of their lectures. His elocution was distinct-slow
but somewhat formal-and he generally detained the students more than an hour
at lecture. The following notice of his death occurs in the Scots Magazine :--
At Edinburgh, in the eighty-fifth year of his age, Alexander Monro of Craiglockhart,
Esq., M.D., Professor of Medicine, Anatomy, and Surgery, in the University of Edinburgh.
This distinguished physician was admitted joint Professor with his father, 12th July 1754 ; and,
during more than half a century, shone as one of the brightest ornaments of that much and justly
celebrated seminary ; his elegant and scientific lecturea attracting students from all quarten of the
globe.”
He was succeeded by his son, the third Dr. Alexander Monro in lineal succession.
The three held the professorship successively for upwards of a hundred
years.
It is long since it became very scarce.
“ Oct. 2, [1817].
2 0

... SKETCHES. 28 1 There were likewise produced to the patrons certificates from the ...

Book 8 p. 394
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 67
more ancient than the beltid plaid (or kilt) worn by the other Highland regiments.
His opinions on this subject he embodied in a pamphlet; and in a
song, written by him for the Caithness Fencibles, the idea was not forgotten-
“ Let others brag of philibeg,
Of kilt, and belted plaid,
Whilst we the ancient trews will wear
In which our fathers bled.”
A few years after the Fencibles were embodied, Sir John raised another corps
for more extended service. This regiment, at first six hundred, and afterwards
one thousand strong, was called the ‘‘ Caithness Highlanders,” and served in
Ireland in suppressing the Rebellion.‘ During the volunteer period, he commanded
the Camp at Aberdeen, and as usual on every subject that engrossed
his attention, he published several pamphlets on military matters. One of his
essays was entitled “ Cursory Observations on the Military System of Great
Britain,” in which the tactics of Napoleon were investigated, and improvements
in the British system suggested.
Sir John had no seat in Parliament from 1794 till 1797, when he was returned
through the interest of the Prince of Wales, for Petersfield, in Hampi
shire. The treasury was then exhausted, while its demands were increasing,
and barriers almost insurmountable appeared in the way of negotiating a new
loan. In this dilemma Pitt had recourse to his advice, and the result was the
scheme known by the name of the “ Loyalty Loan ” the germ of several subsequent
financial measures. So long as war seemed unavoidable, the Baronet
gave his support unhesitatingly to the ministry; but at length, conceiving that
peace was practicable, from the disposition of the French Directory, he readily
entered into the scheme of a new administration, attempted in 1798 under
the Earl of Moira. This, however, came to nothing; and, throughout the
remaining years of Pitt’s retention of power, he took a lively interest in all the
financial measures of Government, and stood forward almost alone as the
champion of economy and retrenchment. When the Union with Ireland was in
progress, he made a bold but unsuccessful effort to have the number of Scottish
representatives au,pented to the amount since accomplished by the Reform
Bill.
When party changes had settled down after the reign of “AI1 the Talents,”
convinced from the conduct of the First Consul-who had abolished all aemblance
of deliberative government in France-that safety only consisted in the
vigorous prosecution of the war, Sir John entered warmly into the measures
of Government ; and, during the Premiership of Perceval, had the honour of
being sworn a member of his Majesty’s Privy Council, Much, however, as he
admired the general capacity of that minister, he sincerely regretted the coun-
When the expedition to Egypt waa undertaken, s considerable body of the Caithness Fenciblles
One of them, named Siclair, was the soIdier of the 42d
For this service Si
volunteered into regimeni of the line.
regiment who took an eagle from the Invincibles at the battle of AIexandria.
John procured him promotion.

... SKETCHES. 67 more ancient than the beltid plaid (or kilt) worn by the other Highland regiments. His ...

Book 9 p. 89
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 409
believe him guilty of such an absurdity; for, with all his preciseness in
matters of duty, and his sensitive notions of etiquette, he entertained a much
greater dread of rendering himself unbecomingly conspicuous, than of any
ridicule that could possibly arise from an oversight in the punctilio of dress.
He was particularly kind
and attentive to such young persons as appeared bashful ; and, that they might
feel more at ease, lost no opportunity of engaging them in conversation.
Lord Napier married Maria-Margaret, eldest daughter of Lieut.-General Sir
William Clavering, K.B. By this marriage his lordship had nine children.
He died in 1823: and was succeeded by his eldest son, William-John eighth
Lord Napierl-a spirited and benevolent nobleman, long eminent in the south
of Scotland as an improver in store-farming, and as a benefactor of the Forest.
He died in his forty-eighth year, at Macao, in China, October 11, 1834, of a
lingering fever, brought on by anxiety in the performance of a high official duty,
as Chief Superintendent of British Trade in that empire, and which was increased
by the harsh treatment he received from the Chinese government.
In company his lordship was far from reserved,
The figure to the right of Lord Napier is an excellent likeness of
old MAJOR PILMER. He was a native of Fifeshire, and commenced his
military life as an ensign in the 21st Regiment of Foot. He had seen a great
deal of service, and served along with Lord Napier during the war in America,
where he was wounded. He retired from the army on the half-pay of a Captain,
and resided in the neighbourhood of Cupar-Fife, where he had at one period
a small estate; but which, it is believed, was entirely dissipated while he
was abroad, His appointment in the Hopetoun Fencibles, by which his
half-pay was relinquished for the full pay of a Major, was obtained through the
influence of Lord Napier.
There was something rather remarkable in the appearance of Old Pilmer.
His regimentals were none of the newest, and his boots-which the artist has
hit off with great precision-were of a curious and antique description. They
had been so often mended and re-mended, that it is questionable whether, like
Sir John Cutler's stockings, any portion of the original remained, While
stationed at Aberdeen, along with the Rutland Fencible Cavalry, the officers of
that corps used to amuse themselves occasionally at the expense of Major Pilmer
and his boots j and Pilmer at last became a standard and expressive appellation
amongst them. " You have got your PiZmers on to-day ! " was a common remark
to any one whose boots were a little the worse for wear.
The Major, who was L worthy old soldier, relished his bottle and a joke at
table, and did not feel at all out of humour at the allusions to his Pilrners.
The third figure represents MAJOR CLARKSON, another veteran. He
at one time possessed the estate of Blackburn, in Linlithgowshire. He entered
1 Captain Charles Napier, R.N., who lately distinguished himself in the service of the Queen of
3 6
Portugal, and the late Lord Napier were cousins.

... SKETCHES. 409 believe him guilty of such an absurdity; for, with all his preciseness in matters of ...

Book 8 p. 568
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 95
might have ranked with the first names in the British Senate. He retired from
the business of the Church Courts in 1780, but still continued his pastoral duties,
preaching when his health permitted, till within a few months of his death,
which took place at Grange House, near Edinburgh, on the 11th June 1793.
His colleague Dr, John Erskine, in a sermon preached after his death, said,
“ Few minds were naturally so large and capacious as Dr, Robertson’s, or stored
by study, experience, and observation, with so rich furniture. His imagination
was correct, his judgment sound, his memory tenacious, his temper agreeable,
his knowledge extensive, and his acquaintance with the world and the heart of
man very remarkable.”
Dr. Robertson is said to have excited the enmity of Dr. Gilbert Stuart, in
consequence of his assumed opposition to the appointment of that clever, but
vindictive personage, to one of the Law chairs in the University. Whether the
Principal really interfered is not certain, but Stuart believed he had done so,
and that was quite sufficient to induce him to take every means in his power to
annoy his imagined enemy. The “View of Society in Europe,” is in direct
opposition to the luminous introduction to Dr. Robertson’s ‘‘ History of Charles
V.,” and the ‘‘ History of Scotland, from the Reformation to the Death of Queen
Mary,” is an undisguised and virulent hypercritical attack on the “History
of Scotland ” by the same eminent writer, and does no great credit to the talents
of Dr. Stuart. The Empress Catherine of Russia was so delighted with Dr.
Robertson’s works, that she presented him with a handsome gold enamelled snuffbox,
richly set with diamonds, through Dr. Rogerson, which is still in possession
of the family.
The eldest son, a Lord
of Session, retired some years ago from the Bench ; he lived in Charlotte Square,
and died only last year (1836). The next son, Lieutenant-General James, who
distinguished himself under Lord Conmallis, still lives at Canaan Bank, near
Edinburgh. The third son was also in the army, but, having ’married the
heiress of Kinloch-Moidart, now (1837) resides almost entirely on his eshte.
The eldest daughter married Patrick Brydone, Esq. of Lennel House, author of’
a “ Tour through Sicily and Malta,” one of whose daughters became Countess
of Minto; and another, the wife of Admiral Sir Charles Adam, K.B. The
youngest daughter married John Russell, Esq., Writer to the Signet.
Dr. Robertson left three sons and two daughters.
No. XIlIII.
QUARTERMASTER TAYLOR.
THIS gentleman was an officer in the 7th Regiment of Foot, and served under
General Elliot, afterwards Lord Heathfield, during the memorable siege of Gibraltar
by the Spaniards. While in Edinburgh, during the year 1788, his
extreme corpulency rendered him very conspicuous, and induced Mr. Kay to
make him the subject of the present etching. It is said that the night before
his death he was offered €400 for his commission, which he refused

... SKETCHES. 95 might have ranked with the first names in the British Senate. He retired from the ...

Book 8 p. 137
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 327
his troops, and the place was speedily retaken. Ever since the Cape has
remained in possession of Britain.
General Dundas wasappointed Governor of Dumbarton Castle in 1819. He
died at his house in Shandwick Place, Edinburgh, on the 4th of January 1824,
after a long and painful illness, “which he supported with the patience of a
Christian, and the fortitude of a soldier.”
The next of the military figures, with the volunteer cap and feather, in the
centre of the Promenade, is SIX HENRY JARDINE. His father, the
Rev. Dr. John Jardine-who died in 1766, aged fifty-one, and in the twentyfifth
year of his ministry-was one of the ministers of Edinburgh, one of the
Deans of the Chapel-Royal, and Dean of the Order of the Thistle. His mother
was a daughter of Provost Drummond, of whose patriotic exertions for the
city of Edinburgh, the New Town and the Royal Infirmary are honourable
memorials. Sir Henry was brought up to the profession of the law, and passed
a Writer to the Signet in 1790. He was appointed golicitor of Taxes for
Scotland in 1793 ; Depute King’s Remembrancer in the Exchequer in 1802 ;
and King’s Remembrancer in 1820, which latter office he held till the total
change of the Court of Exchequer in Scotland in 1831. He was knighted by
George the Fourth in 1825.
Sir Henry was the original Secretary to the Committee for raising the Royal
Edinburgh Volunteers in 1794, of which corps he was appointed a Lieutenant
on the 20th October of the same year; a Captain in 1799 ; and Major in
March 1801. He was the last individual alive enumerated in the original list of
officers ; and he was one of three trustees for managing the fund remaining, after
the Volunteers were disbanded, for behoof of any member of the corps in distress.
Sir Henry Jardine was long conspicuous as a public-spirited citizen, there
being few institutions for the promotion of any useful or national object
of which he was not a member. In the lists of the year 1838 his
name appeared as one of the Councillors of the Royal Society of Edinburgh;
one of the Vice-Presidents of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland;
one of the Extraordinary Directors of the Royal Institution for the
Encouragement of the Fine Arts,; one:of the Ordinary Directors of the Scottish
Naval and Military Academy; one of the Brigadier-Generals of the Royal
Company of Archers ; one of the Councillors of the Skating Club ; one of the
Directors of the Assembly Rooms, George Street ; and one of the Sub-Committee
of Directors of the Royal Association of Contributors to the National Monument.
He was also one of the Ordinary Directors of the Bank of Scotland ; one of the
”rustees for the Encouragement of Scottish Manufactures ; one of the Trustees
for Promoting the British White Herring Fishery j and one of the Vice-Presidents
of the Caledonian Horticultural Society.
With the charitable and humane institutions of the city the name of Sir
Henry was not less extensively associated. He was one of the Managers of the
Orphan Hospital; one of the Auditors of the Society of the Industrious

... SKETCHES. 327 his troops, and the place was speedily retaken. Ever since the Cape has remained in ...

Book 9 p. 436
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 29
by his relatives and a numerous circle of friends and acquaintances.” The son
of this gentleman was connected with the Commissariat Department in the
British Service, in which capacity he sustained several important offices.
MR ROBERT CLERK, the centre figure, was for many years a bookseller
and publisher in the Parliament Square. His father, John Clerk, a printer,
was said to have been descended from Alexander Clark, Lord Provost of the
city of Edinburgh at the commencement of the seventeenth century.
Mr. Clerk was born in 1738 ; and about the age of seventeen, after finishing
his apprenticeship, married Barbara, daughter of John Williamson, farmer at
Bellside, near Linlithgow ; and with her it is believed he obtained a small portion,
which enabled him to commence bookseller on his own account.’ Although
at that period the book trade of Edinburgh was comparatively limited, he succeeded
in establishing a profitable business-having a good many bookbinders
employed-and latterly engaging in several fortunate speculations as a publisher?
In the course of a few years he purchased a house in the Cowgate from Provost
Kincaid, called “ Kincaid’s Land,” where he resided some time. In 1772
he bought a property at Newhaven-known from its size by the name of U the
Whale”8-with a large piece of ground and stabling attached. The under
part he first let to John,’ father of the late Wil.liam Dumbreck of Coates j and
in the summer the upper flat was either occupied by Mr. Clerk‘s own family,
or let out during the bathing season. As an inn, the house was subsequently
possessed by various tenants.
In 1789, having sold off his stock, and (( the Whale ” being at that time
without a tenant, Mr. Clerk let his house in Edinburgh, and retired to Newhaven.
Here he continued for several years, almost daily visited by his friends
from Edipburgh, a party of whom, on Saturdays in particular, were in the habit
of playing at quoits in his garden, and thereafter regaling themselves with a
plentiful supply of gin and oysters, then and still a favourite indulgence at
Newhaven. At length, finding a suitable tenant for his house, ‘( the Whale ”
again became an inn ; and, under the good management of the late Mr. James
Duguid, as well as of his widow many years afterwards, was well frequented.
In 1800, in consequence of his wife’s death, Mr. Clerk gave up houskeeping,
and boarded with Mrs. Duguid of ‘(the Whale,” where his old friends rallied
They had eight sons, six of whom died in infancy. Robert, the eldest, died in 1786 ; and
Alexander, the only remaining son, was a Solicitor-at-law in Edinburgh.
Among other works published by-?. Clerk waa the “ Builder’s Jewel”-a book of considerable
note in those days
“The Whale” was totally destroyed by fire about 1834, but the name is preserped by the
Whale Brae. ‘ From Newhaven Mr. Dumbreck removed to the White Horse Inn, Canongate, and afhrw-arda
opened the hotel, long known by his name in Princes Street, where he realised an independent
fortune. His son William continued the business for some time after his death, but Latterly r e t i i
to Coates.

... SKETCHES. 29 by his relatives and a numerous circle of friends and acquaintances.” The son of this ...

Book 9 p. 39
(Score 0.71)

296 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
where he supposed the prisoner had taken refuge, and he gave notice that, if
Jefferson was not instantly delivered up, he would blow the town to atoms. A
shot or two soon had the desired effect. About three thousand of the natives
were seen approaching towards the fort, with Jefferson in the centre. No sooner
had the prisoner been brought into the court than the Captain gave him to
understand that he had not a moment to live. Then ordering one of the
cannons to be prepared, had him instantly lashed to the muzzle of the piece.
The prisoner bade one of his comrades beg for one half hour to say his prayers‘;
but the answer the Captain returned was-“ No, you rascal ; if any man speaks
a word in his favour I will blow out his brains ;I’ at the same time brandishing
the pistol which he held in his hand. A portion of the burial-service being read
to the prisoner, the Captain ordered the prayer-book to be pulled out of his hands.
Jefferson than hastily took leave of his comrades ; and, after upbraiding the
tyrant, as he called the Captain, gave the signal. In a moment the match was
applied, and the next the prisoner was blown over the wall. His remains were
afterwards .picked up by the men and interred.
In defence of such an extraordinary and savage stretch of power, Captain
M‘Kenzie endeavoured to prove that his company were mutinous-that Jefferson
had been a ringleader, and had been repeatedly heard to threaten the life of
the Captain. The evidence was by no means conclusive as to this allegation ;
and the implicit obedience displayed by the men in the execution of an illegal
and shocking sentence does not strengthen his assertion. It appeared, however,
from unquestionable authority, that he had a very worthless set of characters
under his command ‘--the garrison being mostly composed of convicts ; and
besides, he had not the means of forming a court-martial for the trial of the
prisoner.
The jury found M‘Kenzie guilty of wilful murder ; but, in consideration of
the “ desperate crew he had to command,” they recommended him to mercy.
During the trial and passing of sentence, the Captain behaved with the utmost
composure. His execution was first delayed for a week-then he was respitedand
ultimately pardoned.
After obtaining his liberty, the Captain returned to his native country ; and,
during his stay in Edinburgh, afforded Kay an opportunity of taking his likeness
as one of “ The Bucks.’’ On observing the Print in the booksellers’ windows,
the Captain was offended at being classed, as he said, “with fiddlers and
madmen.” He called on the artist, and offered a guinea to have it altered ; but,
finding his entreaty vain, he insisted on leaving half-a-guinea, for which he soon
after got a miniature painting of himself.
Although M‘Kenzie had incapacitated himself for the British service, yet
being still “intent on war,” he resolved to try his hand against the Turks.
The unfortunate Murray M‘Kenzie alias Jefferson had been a drummer in the 3d Regiment of
Foot Guards ; but unluckily, about twelve years previous to his death, he fell in with a gang of shoplifters.
He had been ten times tried, and four times sentenced to be hanged ; but always found
friends to obtain a mitigation of his sentence.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. where he supposed the prisoner had taken refuge, and he gave notice that, if Jefferson ...

Book 8 p. 415
(Score 0.71)

6 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
porch of the Parliament House, '' for she has stood lang i' the outside, and it mad
be a treat for her to see the inside, like other strangers !'I
He was of a kindly and inoffensive disposition, and, in keeping with this
character, was extremely fond of children, and of those young persons generally
who treated him with becoming respect. For these he always carried about with
him in his pocket a large supply of tops, peerks, and tee-totums, of his own
manufacture, which he distributed liberally amongst them ; while to adults
he was equally generous in the articles of snuff and tobacco, giving these freely
to all who chose to enter into conversation with him. The Laird was thus a
general favourite with both young and old.
He resided on the Castlehill, and was most frequently to be seen there, and
in the Grassmarket, Lawnmarket, and Bow-head.
He wore a cocked Highland bonnet, as represented in the picture, which is
an admirable likeness, was handsome in person, and possessed of great bodily
strength. He retained to his dying hour his allegiance
to the House of St,uart ; and, about two years before his demise, gave a decisive
instance of it, by creating a disturbance at Bishop Abernethy Drummond's
chapel, in consequence of the reverend gentleman and his congregation, who
had previously been Nonjurants, praying for King George 111,
He died in J d y 1790.
JOHN DHU, the centre figure on the Print,'was, in the days of Mr. Kay, a
distinguished member of the Town-Guard, a band of civic militia, or armed
police, which existed in Edinburgh till 1817, and of which some notice will be
subsequently presented. John, a Highlander by birth, was conspicuous for his
peculiarly robust and rough appearance, which was of itself as effectual in keeping
the younger and more mischievous part of the population in awe, as any ten
Lochaber axes in the corps. The Author of Waverley speaks of him somewhere
as one of the fiercest-looking fellows he had ever seen. In facihg the unruly
mobs of those days, John had shown such a degree of valour as to impress the
Magistrates with a high sense of his utility as a public servant. That such an
image of military violence should have been necessary at the close of the
eighteenth century, to protect the peace of a British city, presents us with a
singular contrast of what we lately were, and what we have now become. On
one occasion, about the time of the French Revolution, when the Town-Guard
had been signalising the King's birthday by firing in the Parliament Square,
being unusually pressed and insulted by the populace, this undaunted warrior
turned upon one peculiarly outrageous member of the democracy, and, with one
blow of his battle-axe, laid him lifeless on the causeway.
With all this vigour in the execution of his duty, John Dhu is represented
as having been, in reality, a kind-hearted man, exceedingly gentle and affectionate
to his wife, and of so obliging a disposition, that he often did the duty of
lis brethren as well as his own, thereby frequently exposing himself to an
amount of fatigue that few men could have borne.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. porch of the Parliament House, '' for she has stood lang i' the outside, ...

Book 8 p. 7
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272 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
The regiment remained in Ireland till 1775, when, after an absence of thirtytwo
years, it embarked at Donaghadee for Scotland, where it did not long
remain. The War of Independence having broken out, the corps was again
destined for America. Previous to leaving Glasgow, in 1776, the soldiers
were supplied with new arms and accoutrements, including broadswords and
pistols, which latter were provided by the Colonel. They sailed from Greenock
on the 14th of May, and were constantly engaged in the arduous struggle
which ensued in the New World, until peace was concluded in 1783. Here we
may mention that during this war the broadsword was laid aside, from a belief
that it retarded the progress of the men while marching through the woods ;
and it has never since been resumed. At the termination of the war, the
regiment was removed to Nova Scotia, and did not return to Scotland till the
year 1790.
On the breaking out of the war with France, in 1794, it was again actively
engaged in Flanders-fought at the battle of Nimeguen, and suffered in the
harassing retreat to Bremen ; and when that short and unsuccessful campaign
had been finished, was embarked for the West Indies, where, under the gallant
Abercromby, it assisted in reconquering these islands from the French.
The
conduct of the Royal Highlanders at Alexandria, where the Invincibles of
France were broken and defeated, became the theme of general commendation.
It is worthy of remark, that the only man in all England who attempted to
depreciate their fame was the late William Cobbett, who attempted, in his
Register, to show that the standard surrendered to Major Stirling of the 42d,
had been taken by one Lutz of another regiment. This petty hostility, on
the part of the “Lion of Bottley,” proceeded from the vulgar and narrowminded
prejudice which his splenetic disposition entertained towards everything
appertaining to Scotland or Scotsmen; an antipathy, however, which he
had the candour to renounce, after he had actually visited the country, and
seen Scotland as she is. So great was the enthusiasm of the public at the
success of the British arms, that the Highland Society of London resolved to
present their soldier-countrymen of the 42d Regiment with a handsome mark
of their approbation; but the affair of the standard led to a communication
with some of the officers, which, from a mistaken notion of honour on the part of
the latter, had the effect of retarding for a time the intentions of the Society.’
“At a fete given at the
Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh, on the 13th of January 1802,” says a journal
of that date, “ Major Stirling, of the 42d regiment, appeared in the full uniform
of that gallant corps, He was received with loud and most enthusiastic
applause, the music striking up the favourite air of ‘ The Garb of Old Gaul.’ ’’
The next ‘‘ field of glory” was the well-known campaign in Egypt.
Much national feeling prevailed at this period.
AS we have already noticed in the memoir of the Marquis of Huntly, the late Duke of York,
being President of the Society in 1817, presented the Marquis, on behalf of the 42d Regiment, with
a superb piece of plate.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. The regiment remained in Ireland till 1775, when, after an absence of thirtytwo years, ...

Book 9 p. 362
(Score 0.71)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 361
hoisted Blue Peter; while all agreed that he set the darbies and .u$les charmingly,
and that nothing was wanting to complete his full dress but a nosegay,
which he would easily procure among the Flowers of Edinburgh.” The prisoner
arrived in Glasgow on the 8th of April 1812-was committed for trial-and
while in jail offered to put the bank in possession of $1000 of their money,
which their agent in London actually procured from Mr. Harmer, who was then
Mackcoull’s solicitor.’ He also gave a bill for $400, granted by himself on
Ann Wheeler, his sister, with her endorsation. Notwithstanding this implied
admission of his guilt, he ran his letters against the King’s Advocate ; and it
being supposed that sufficient proof could not be procured to convict him
capitally, he was liberated on the 2d July 1812.
Mackcoull now returned to London, and with great activity set about cashing
his Scotch notes. Besides employing a confidential individual in the business,
he made several journeys to Scotland, buying bills on London in various
names. On the last of these expeditions, in 181 3, having been seen by Mr.
I)enovan, who then superintended the Leith Police, his motions were carefully
observed, After purchasing bills, amounting to nearly $1 000, at various banking
establishments in Edinburgh and Leith, he was again apprehended on the
5th of March, when just on the eve of sailing by one of the smacks. He was
next day examined before the Magistrates of Edinburgh ; but, from a belief
that he could not be legally prosecuted after having “run his letters” on the
former occasion, Mackcoull was again set at liberty. His bills and money,
however-with the exception of 336 (in English notes)-were retained in the
hands of Mr. Callander, the City Clerk. That he did not insist on having the
whole of the money restored to him at that time was probably owing to his
anxiety to escape.
In October 1813, while Mackcoull was confined in Newgate for a breach of
the peace, committed in the house of his wife (for at that time he was not
living with her), the Paisley Union Bank obtained possession of the bills from
the Magistrates of Edinburgh, on lodging a bond of indemnity and relief; but
it was not till 1815 that he mustered assurance enough to demand restitution.
He first wrote several letters to Mr. Callander-next came himself to Edinburgh
-called at the British Linen Company’s Office, and imperiously demanded the
bills he had purchased from them in 1813. He wrote a statement of his case
to the then Lord Advocate (Colquhoun of Killermont) ; and, failing to procure
his interference, made personal application to the Council Chambers, where
his conduct was such as to cause the city officers to turn him out.
Mackcoull first brought his case before the Sheriff Court, but not meeting
with success, he commenced a series of proceedings in the Supreme Court,
which lasted several years, and in which he had well-nigh been victorious. The
1 This snm had been deposited for the purpose by Mackcoull’s mother. As an instance of his
villany, after the death of Old Uunpowder (as he called her), he instituted a process against Mr.
Harmer, on the ground that he had no authorityfvom him for paying away the money, and was
actually successful.
VOL. IL S A

... SKETCHES. 361 hoisted Blue Peter; while all agreed that he set the darbies and .u$les ...

Book 9 p. 480
(Score 0.7)

104 BI 0 GRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
No. XLIX.
BAILIE JAMES DICKSON
AND
BAILIE JAMES TORRY.
THE first of these city dignitaries, MR. JAMES DICKSON, was for a long
time a bookseller and stationer in Edinburgh. His shop was on the west side
of the front of the Royal Exchange entry, and was much frequented by clerical
gentlemen, Mr. Dickson himself having been a licentiate of the Presbytery of
Edinburgh. In early life, like many others of our “ Scottish probationers,” he
was glad to shelter himself under the wing of a patron, by undertaking to
perform the duties of preceptor to the family of James Kerr, Esq. of Boughtrigg,’
jeweller, who represented the city of Edinburgh in Parliament from
1747 to 1754, with a very small salary; but having a counterbalancing
equivalent in the promise of the first church vacancy that Mr. Kerr could
procure for him, The death of this gentleman, however (in 1765), entirely
destroyed the young probationer’s hopes. He therefore bethought himself of a
lay profession, and commenced business as a bookseller, which he carried on
with very considerable success. Mr. Dickson was elected a member of Town
Council, as kirk treasurer, in 1774 j and from that period till 1786, we find his
name repeatedly mentioned in the list of “ Magistrates and Town Council of
Edinburgh,” as well as in the annals of the “ Chamber of Commerce.” Bailie
Dickson was married to a sister of the famous Admiral Greig.* None of his
1 Mr. Kerr was married to a daughter of Lord Charles Kerr, consequently connected with the
Lothian family.
a Sir Samuel Greig was born at Inverkeithing, county of Fife, in 1735. He was a lieutenant in
the British Navy at the time he was sent, among others, at the request of tbe Court of Russia, to
improve the marine of that country, which was then in a despicable condition. He was soon made a
Captain, and from his great services in the war which ensued against the Turks, under Count Orlow,
owing principally to which their whole fleet was destroyed at the Island of Scio, he was appointed
Commodore, then Admiral ; and not long afterwards the Empress rewarded his services by promoting
him to be Admiral of all the Russias, and Governor of Cronstadt. Be had also conferred on him the
different honours of the empire, viz. :-St. Andrew, St. Alexander Newsky, St. George, etc. He died
at Revel of a fever, on the 26th October 1788, shortly after his engagement with the Swedish fleet in
the Black Sea, and waa interred on the 5th December following, with all the pomp and splendour
which the Empress or the empire could bestow. Sir Samuel visited his native country in 1777, on
which occasion the Empress ordered a man-of-war to be fitted out for his conveyance. He arrived
in Edinburgh on the 20th of August, where he waa received with every demon8tration of respect.
“ On Thursday, October 2, the Empress of Russia’s birthday, the Russian frigate in Leith Roads fired
a round of twenty-one guns, which was answered by the same number from the Castle of Edinburgh,
and on that occasion the Admiral gave a grand entertainment in Fortune’s tavern, to the Prince

... BI 0 GRAPHICAL SKETCHES. No. XLIX. BAILIE JAMES DICKSON AND BAILIE JAMES TORRY. THE first of these city ...

Book 8 p. 151
(Score 0.7)

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