strange figure of mr arnot in Edinburgh Bookshelf

Index for “strange figure of mr arnot”

... SKETCHES. 5 Failing, however, in every attempt to provoke the hostility of Government, and thinking, ...

Book 8 p. 6
(Score 0.77)

... SKETCHES. 193. Mft. MONCRIEF of Moredun, the venerablelooking old gentleman on the right, entered as ...

Book 8 p. 271
(Score 0.77)

$54 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. He felt the approaches of old age somewhat early, and was under the necessity of employing an assistant when only about sixty years of age. He restricted himself to a moderate, or rather abstemious diet, and regulated his food and exercise by the measure of his strength. He entertained many apprehensions of a long-continued sick-bed, which he was anxious to avoid, not from any selfish motive, but that it might not occasion trouble or distress to his friends. This anticipated evil was averted by the suddenness of his departure, which took place on the 26th November 1799, while sitting at table with his usual fare before him, viz. some bread, a few prunes, and a measured quantity of milk, diluted with water, with the cup in his hands containing the liquid, resting on his knees. In this posture he was found by the servant who attended him. He was in the seventy-first year of his age. Dr. Black, who had never been married, left more money than any one thought he could have acquired in the course of his career. It was disposed of by his will in a manner highly characteristic : Being divided into ten thousand shares, it was parcelled out to a numerous list of individuals, in shares, or fractions of shares, according to the degree in which he thought they were proper objects of his care os solicitude. He was succeeded, as Professor of Chemistry, by Dr. Hope. “ The aspect of Dr. Black,” says Chalmers,’ “ was comely and interesting. His countenance exhibited that pleasing expression of inward satisfaction, which, by giving ease to the beholder, never fails to please. His manner was unaffected and graceful ; he was affable, and readily entered into conversation, whether serious or trivial; he was a stranger to none of the elegant nccomplishments of life; he had a fine musical ear, with a voice which could obey it in the most perfect manner ; for he sung, and performed on the flute, with great taste and feeling, and would sing a plain air at sight, which many instrumental performers cannot do. Without having studied drawing, he had acquired a considerable power of expression with his pencil, and seemed in this respect to have the talents of a historical painter. Figure, indeed, of every kind attracted his attention-even a retort, or a crucible, was to his eye an example of beauty or deformity. He had the strongest claim to the appellation of a man of propriety or correctness.” The house where Dr. Black’resided was afterwards occupied by the Female Department of the Industrious Blind, in Nicolson Street. No. XXIII. DR. JOSEPH BLACK, LECTURING. THE notice illustrative of the preceding portrait of Dr. Black renders any description of this Print unnecessary, except to add that his “Lectures on the Elements of Chemistry, delivered in the University of Edinburgh,” were published in 2 vols. 4t0, by Professor Robison, in 1803. 1 Biographical Dictinnary,val. v. p. 311. London, 1812, 8vo.$ ... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. He felt the approaches of old age somewhat early, and was under the necessity of ...

Book 8 p. 75
(Score 0.77)

$APPENDIX. 439 trA model of Edinburgh was executed by the late Gavin Hamilton, bookeeIler : it was most accurat& done, with his intended improvements of carrying a street of a gentle ascent from the Grassmarket in a line up to the west end of the Luckenbooths, for which purpose he could shift the repmentation of the home, and lay open his plan to public view. This finished work cost him some yeears’ labour, and was shown in a room of the Royal Infirmary in 1753 and 1754 : but after his .death it was neglected, and destroyed for firewood His proposals, like other commodious, salutary, and beneficial projects for the improvement of the place, were rejected ; as was likewise the scheme of an entry into the High Street of Edinburgh from St Cuthbert’s or West Church, along the hill side by south and west of the Castle, which by a gradual ascent might be completed at no very considerable sum, to facilitate the easier conveyance of carriages from the south and west than by the West Bow, a most inconvenient and steep height for horses with coals and other articles for the citizens’ me ; this might terminate the head of the causeway on the Castle HilL A south entry to the High Street being much wanted for the =me necessary purposes, has been of late proposed, but hitherto rejected also, from an excessof toll all needful carriages would be subjected to, which many of the inhabitants are unable to bear. “Sir John Dalrymple has been at uncommon care and expence in causing to be executed an accnrate survey and plan for an easy access inta the city from the south, by a gentle declivity and ascent from the High Street at the head of Marlin’s Wynd to Nicolson’BPark in a streight line, without any amh.” The following jm d’e8p-d may suffice, like some of the school-rhymed arithmetical and grammatical d e s , days of the month, and the like useful help8 to short memories, to preserve in the reader’s recollection some memento of the strange associations that have already been related in sober prose as pertaining to the old West Bow : the like of which he will in vain seek for in any existing corner either of the Old or New Town. THE WAST BOW. DEDICATETDO THE HON.BO ARDOF COMMISSIONEFROSR C r r ~IM PBOVEMWXTS. Through the auld Wast Bow, and to the Grass-Market, Mony a ane haa gane daun fast an’ erie ; Gentles wi’ htillands fn’ brawly besarkit*- Covenant hauldera 0’ warld’a care fu’ weary,- Doom gaol an’ gallows birds naething has carkit, Fu’ dauntonly fitting it to the Gram-Market. Hurrying doun, stoiterin’ an’ stumhlin’, The gleger ye gang better luck against tumblin’ : Up o’er its crooked an’ dingy suld oausey, Fu’ atately an’ trig in their cleadin’ 0’ braws, Our Jamiea escorted ilk royal Scottish lassie To weddin’ and beddin’ in Holyrood ha’s ; Our pedant, King Jamie, King Charlie the naucy, As’ bauld Noll, rade in state, ilka ane o’er ita caueey, Hurrying doun, 8c. An’ Provost an’ Bailies, fu’ prudely I’se warrant, Ha’e bided for Royalty doun the Wast Bow ; An’ speered at the yet\ whan he cam, fur his errand, An’ keeked round the corner, wi’ face in a IOW ; An’ h o n an’ Guild-Dean, an’ Town-Clerk auld-farand, Pracheging their beat bow id loyale I’M warrant. Hurrying douti, &O .$ ... 439 trA model of Edinburgh was executed by the late Gavin Hamilton, bookeeIler : it was most ...

Book 10 p. 478
(Score 0.77)