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B I0 GRAPH I C AL SI< ET CHES. 165 he meant to have the pleasure of drinking tea with her that evening. The lady, resolving to do honour to her guest, ordered her servant to place her hest set of china on the table, and to wheel it up opposite her nest. Mr. Wood made his appearance at the appointed hour, and having, with all due gravity, partaken of a dish of tea, he suddenly laid hold of a portion of the favourite tea-equipage, rushed towards the window, which he opened, and seemed about to throw the whole into the street. hlrs. * * *, alarmed at the insane-like proceeding of her guest, flew to save the valuable china, when hlr. Wood, seizing the opportunity, herried the nest, and broke all the eggs. By this stratagem the whim of his patient was effectually put to flight. At her first visit to Edinburgh, many were the fainting and hysterical fits among the fairer portion of the audience. Indeed they were so common, that to be supposed to have escaped might almost have argued a want of proper feeling. One night when the house had been thrown into confusion by repeated scenes of this kind, and when Mr. Wood was most reluctantly gett,ing from the pit (the favourite resort of all the theatrical critics of that day) to attend some fashionable female, a friend said to him in passing, “ This is glorious acting, Sandy,” alluding to Mrs. Siddons ; to which hlr. Wood answered, “ Yes, and a d-d deal o’t too,” looking round at the fainting and screaming ladies in the boxes. When routs were first introduced in Edinburgh, they were very formal affairs, being in no way congenial to the manners or temper of the people. At one of the first that had been given by a person of distinction, the guests were painfully wearing away the time, stiffly ranged in rows along the sides of the room, and looking at each other, the very pictures of dulness and ennui, when bfr. Wood was announced, who, casting his eyes round him, proceeded up the empty space in the middle of the drawing-room, and then addressed the lady of the house, saying, “Well, my lady, will ye just tell me what we are all brought here to doI”-an enquiry which every one felt to be so perfectly appropriate that it was followed by a hearty laugh, which had the effect of breaking up the formality of the party, and producing general hilarity and cheerfulness for the rest of the evening. If Mr. Wood‘s kindness of disposition widely diffused itself towards his fellow creatures, young and old, he was almost equally remarkable for his love of animals, Not to mention dogs and cats, there were two others that individually were better known to the citizens of Edinburgh-a sheep and a raven, the latter of which is alluded to by Sir Walter Scott, in the quotation which has been given from Guy Mannering. Willy the sheep, pastured in the ground adjoining to the Excise Office, now the Royal Bank, and might be daily seen standing at the railings, watching Mr. Wood’s passing to or from his house in York Place, when Willy used to poke his head into his coat-pocket, which was always filled with supplies for his favourite, and would then trot along after him through the town, and sometimes Mr. Wood was an enthusiastic admirer of the great Mrs. Siddons. His pets were numerous, and of all kinds. ... I0 GRAPH I C AL SI< ET CHES. 165 he meant to have the pleasure of drinking tea with her that evening. The ...

Book 8  p. 233
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16 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 4to ; “Elucidations respecting the Common and Statute Zaw of Scotland,” 1777, 8vo ; “Select Decisions of the Court of Session, from 1752 to 1768,” 1780, folio; and “Loose Hints upon Education, chiefly concerning the Culture of the Heart,” 1781, 8vo. HUG0 ARNOT, Esq., the singularly attenuated gentleman who appears between Lord Kames and Lord Monboddo, was, in as far as his person is concerned, a sort of natural curiosity. He was of great height, but, as the Print shows, sadly deficient in breadth ; yet an intelligent friend, who has contributed some information to this work, and who knew him well, complains that the limner has made him “ really too solid ! ” If this be so, it is an error which is corrected in another likeness of him, which appears elsewhere in the present work Mr. Arnot’s person was, in truth, altogether an extraordinary and remarkable one, and it was in consequence the source of many jests and witticisms. Mr. Arnot was the son of a merchant and ship proprietor at Leith, where he was born on the 8th December 1749. His name was originally Pollock, but he changed it in early life to Arnot, on the occasion of his falling heir, through his mother, to the estate of Balcormo in Fife.’ He was bred to the law, and became a member of the Faculty of Advocates in the year 1772. A severe asthma, however, which was greatly aggravated by almost every kind of exertion, proved a serious obstruction to his progress at the bar, where, but for this unfortunate circumstance, there is little doubt that his talents would have raised him to eminence. Mr. Arnot published in 12m0, London, 1776, “An Essay on Nothing, a Discourse delivered in a Society,” which was favourably received. In 1779 appeared his “History of Edinburgh,” which makes, perhaps, as near an approach to classical excellence as any topographical publication which has ever appeared in Scotland. The merit of this work is sufficiently expressed in the fact of its not having been thrown into the shade, either in respect of information or composition, by any subsequent production In 1785, Mr. Axnot published a “ Collection of Celebrated Criminal Trials, with Historical and Critical Remarks,” which added considerably to the reputation of its author. Prior to the publication of this curious work, Arnot quarrelled with the booksellers ; and, in December 1784, he advertised the book to be published by subscription, adding, ‘‘ Mr. Arnot printed, a few days ago, a prospectus of the. work, that the public might form some idea of its nature, and he sent it to be hung up in the principal booksellers in town; but they have thought proper to refuse, in a body, to allow the prospectus and subscription papers to hang in their shops. The prospectus will therefore be seen at the Royal Exchange Coffee-House, Exchange Coffee-House, Prince’s Street Coffee-House, And Messrs. Corri and Sutherland‘s Music-Shop, Edinburgh, and Gibb’s Coffee- House, Leith.” ? “Died, December 6, 1773 deceased Mr. Pollock, merchant. ;, at her house in Fifeshire, Mrs. h o t o f Balcormo, relict of the ... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 4to ; “Elucidations respecting the Common and Statute Zaw of Scotland,” 1777, 8vo ; ...

Book 8  p. 20
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80 B I 0 GRAPH I C A L S I< ETCH E S. . The subject of our engraving was born in 1749. He was educated at the High School ; and, after taking his degree at the University, he spent several years on the Continent. The respect in which his family had long been held conspired with his own merit to secure for Dr. Hamilton an encouraging reception on his return to his native city. At an early age he was elected one of the Physicians to the Royal Infirmary; and he afterwards obtained, in succession, the same office in George Heriot's-the Merchant Maiden-and the Trades' Maiden Hospitals. For upwards of fifty years he continued actively to superintend these benevolent institutions-in the two first of which his portrait is preserved, in respect for the zeal with which he discharged the trust reposed in him. A field of extensive usefulness was thus opened to Dr. Hamilton, which he cultivated with unremitting assiduity j and while he followed the bent of his nature in promoting, by every act of kindness, the comfort of t,hose committed to his care, he accumulated a mass of experience which enabled him, at a later period, to give to the world his well-known work, entitled " Observations on the Utility and Administration of Purgative Medicine in several Diseases "-one of the most elegant professional works which has ever issued from the pressa work which may be regarded as a model, whether we consider its practical value, or the conciseness, the perspicuity, and the modesty of its style. The eighth edition, " Revised and Improved by the Author, with a Chapter on Cold Bathing, considered in its Purgative Effect," was published in 1836. The kindliness of Dr. Hamilton's disposition could not fail to procure for him the affectionate regard of the. numerous children, and of the sick poor, under his professional charge j and hence he acquired an honoured notoriety among all classes of our citizens, more general perhaps than ever fell to the lot of any other individual. Dr. Hamilton's appearance was so remarkable that it attracted the notice of the most casual observer. His upright gait, his elastic step, and his dress of the old scliool, have not yet faded from our recollection. His character presented a rare union of the amiable with the sterner virtues. His demeanour was highly polished, with more of what is termed manner-though never passing the bounds of the strictest propriety-than is now generally met with. Another prominent trait in Dr. Hamilton was the simplicity and sincerity of his mind. Himself a stranger to the remotest feeling of meanness or duplicity, he could ill conceal his abhorrence of these vices, when he discovered them in others ; but while he possessed an uncommon power of discriminating character, this was not accompanied by a suspicious disposition-it merely aided him in selecting those with whom he might indulge in social intercourse ; and with father having given rise to a suspicion that he was not qualified to discharge the solemn obligation imposed by that ordinance. A protracted discussion took place, which promised no satisfactory termination. The Professor retired unobserved ; and, after holding a private conversation tith the parent, he baptized the child, and returned to his brethren, whose debate was thus abruptly closed. The case was brought before the Presbytery. ... B I 0 GRAPH I C A L S I< ETCH E S. . The subject of our engraving was born in 1749. He was educated at ...

Book 9  p. 107
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High Street.] SCOTTISH COINAGE. 269 ~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ crown for Mary of Guise, and inclosed with arches the present crown of Scotland. The early .gold coins of Mary?s reign were of native ore, and, during the minority of James VI., Cornelius de Vos, a Dutchman, who had licence to seek for gold and silver, obtained considerable quantities, according to the records relating to mines and mining in Scotland, published by Mr. Cochran-Patrick. The oldest gold coin found in Scotland bears - ~~ under pain of death. The coins current in Scotland in the reign of James 111. were named the demi, the lion, the groat of the crown, the groat of the fleur-de-lis, the penny, farthing, and plack. English coins were also current, but their value was regulated by the estates. From ?Miscelleanea Scotica? we learn that in 1512 Sir Alexander Napier of Merchiston found gold in the Pentland Hills, and from the Balcarres MSS. (in the Advocates? Library) he and his son figure conspicuously 3 2 RELICS OF THE OLD SCOTTISH MINT. I, Delicate Set of Balances, 2, Dies ; 3, hnch : 4. Implements for Knarling the Coins : 5, Large Tiding-pin of the Great Door : 6, Roller for Flattening the Silver; 7, Key of the Mint Door. (From Origiwlr am ia fhr ScottW Antiyuarzizn Musrum.) the nameof Robert, but which of the three monarchs so called is uncertain. Gold was not coined in England till 1257. The first gold coins struck in Scotland were of a broad surface and very thin. There is some doubt about when copper coinage was introduced, but in 1466, during the reign of James III., an Act was passed to the effect that, for the benefit 6f the poor, ?there be cuinyied copper money, four to the (silver) penny, having on the one part the cross of St. Andrew and the crown, and on the other part the subscription of Edinburgh,? together with JAMES R. The same monarch issued a silver coin containing an alloy of copper, which went under the name of black money, and to ensure the circulation of this depreciated coin the parliament ordained that no counterfeits of it be taken in payment, or used, in connection With the Mint, of which the latter was general for some years after 1592. In 1572 the Regent Morton coined base money in his castle at Dalkeith, and by proclamation made it pass current for thrice its real value ; and having got rid of it all in 1575, by paying workmen in the repair of Edinburgh Castle and other public places, he issued a council order reducing it to its intrinsic value, an act of oppression which won him the hatred of the people. In the reign of James VI., all the silver coin, extending to two hundred and eleven stone ten pounds in weight, was called in, and a coin was issued from the Mint in Gray?s Close, ?in ten shilling pieces of eleven pennies fine,? having on one side his effigywith the inscription, JZZU~US YI., Da? Gratia Rex Scofomm, on the other the royal arms, crowned. In hisreign ... Street.] SCOTTISH COINAGE. 269 ~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ crown for Mary of Guise, and inclosed with arches the ...

Book 2  p. 269
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YAMES VI. TO RESTORATION OF CHARLES Ir. 87 the Nether Bow to be repaired-bonfires--“a propyne of ane jowell to the Quenis grace,” &c. &c. The King and Queen at length arrived at Leith on the 1st of May 1590, and remained in “the King’s work there” till the 6th of the month, while the Palace of Holyrood was getting ready. On the 17th of May the Queen was crowned in Holyrood Abbey, Mr Robert Bruce pouring upon her breast bonye quantitie of oyll,” and “Mr Andro Meluene, principal1 of the Colledge of the Theolloges, making ane oratione in tua hunder Lateine verse !” The second day they at length entered the capital, the manner of approaching which from the Palace is worthy of notice, as a key to the usual route pursued on similar occasions. <(At her comming to the south side of the yardes of the Canogit, along the parke wall, being in sight of the Castle, they gave her thence a great voley of shot, with their banners and ancient displays upon the walls. where she was received with a Latin oration, EO that the royal procession must have skirted along the whole line of the more modern city wall, where Lauriston now is. At the West Port they were welcomed with even more than the usual costly display. The same variety of allegories and ingenious devices had been prepared. An angel presented the keys to her Majesty ; she rode in a chariot drawn by eight horses, decorated with velvet trappings, richly embroidered with gold and silver, and was attended by sixty youths, as Moors, with chains about their necks, and gorgeously apparelled with jewels and ornaments of gold. The nine muses received them at the Butter Trone, with very excellent singing of psalms. At the Cross she had another ‘( verie good psalme,” and then entered St Giles’s Church, where a sermon was preached before their Majesties. Numerous allegories, goddesses, Christian virtues, and the like, followed. Indeed, from the inventory furnished by a poet of the period, the wide range of classic fancy would seem to have been ransacked for the occasion :- Thence she came to the West Port,” To recreat hir hie renoun, Of curious things thair wes all sort, The stairs and houses of the toun With Tapestries were spred athort, Quhair Histories men micht behauld, With Images and Anticks add. It written wes with stories mae, How VENTS, with a thuodring thud, Inclos’d ACEATEaSn d ENAE, Within a mekill mistie dud : And how fair ANNA, wondrous wraith, Deplors hir sister Dmoa daith. Ixron that the quheill dois tarne In Hell, that ugly hole, 80 mirk ; And EBOSTRAqTuVha~ did b m e The costly fair EPHESIAKNir k : And BLIADESq, uho falls in aouo With drawing buckets up and down. * .. t * * 1 Xarriage of James VI., Bann. Club, p. 39. ... VI. TO RESTORATION OF CHARLES Ir. 87 the Nether Bow to be repaired-bonfires--“a propyne of ane jowell to ...

Book 10  p. 95
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16 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH. ‘of the Chancellor, in the Castle of Edinburgh. His increasing years, however, seem to have led to his enjoying greater liberty of person, as well as deference to his opinion. Under the guidance of the Bishops of Aberdeen and Moray, then residing in Edinburgh, a conference was held in the church of St Giles, between him and his rival guardians, which, from their mutual hatred to the Earl of Douglas, again led to an amicable arrangement, the King making choice of Edinburgh Castle as the place where he should continue to reside. No sooner were the rival statesmen reconciled, than they consulted together to aecure the overthrow of the Douglas, whose exorbitant power was employed for the most oppressive and tyrannical objects. To have openly proceeded against him as a criminal, while at the head of his numerous forces, would only have proved the sequel for a civil war. He was accordingly invited to Edinburgh, with the most flattering assurances of friendship. On the way, the Chancellor met him at Crichton Castle, about twelve miles &E. of Edinburgh, where he was entertained with every mark of hospitality, insomuch so as to have excited the jealous fears of his friends. He rode thereafter to the Castle of Edinburgh, accompanied by his brother and Sir Malcolm Fleming of Cumbernauld : they were received with every show of welcome, and admitted to the same table with the King ; but, towards t.he close of the entertainment, a bull’s head, the well-known symbol of destruction, was set before them. They recognised the fatal signal, and sprang from the board, but being immediately surrounded by armed men, they were led forth, in defiance of the tears and entreaties of the young King, and immediately beheaded 66 in the back court of the Castle that lyeth to the west ; ” or, according to Balfour, in the great hall of the Castle.’ In the year 1753, some workmen digging for a foundation to a new storehouse within the Castle, found the golden handles and plates of a coffin, which are supposed to have belonged to that in which the Earl of Douglas was interred8 From a protest afterwards taken by the son of Sir Malcolm Fleming, against the sentence of his father, as being unwarrantable and illegal, as well as from the fact of no attempt being made to bring the Chancellor to trial for the deed when the Douglas faction prevailed, there would seem to have been some form of trial, and a sentence of condemnation pronounced, with the assumed authority of the King.+ The popular estimation of the deed may be inferred from the rude rhymes quoted by Hume of Godscroft :- “ Edinburgh Castle, towne and tower, God grant thou sinke for sinne ; An’ that even for the black dinner Earle Douglm gat therein.” The Chancellor continued to maintain possession of the Castle, even when the Douglas party succeeded in obtaining the guardianship of the young King, and used the royal authority for demanding its surrender. Here he held out during a siege of nine months, till he succeeded in securing satisfactory terms for himself; while of his less fortunate coadjutors some only redeemed their lives with their estates, and the others, including three members of the Livingstone family, were all tried and beheaded within its walls. History of the Douglasses, 1643, p. 165. Arnot, p. 11. * Balfour’s Aunals, vol. i. p. 169. ‘ Nartial Achievements, vol. ii. p. 330. ... MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH. ‘of the Chancellor, in the Castle of Edinburgh. His increasing years, however, seem ...

Book 10  p. 17
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400 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. toy merchant,’ having failed, he took the bankrupt’s goods at a valuation, and entered into his shop as his successor. In the course of a short time he added groceries to his other stock ; and, finding that branch turn out the most advantageous, latterly discarded the hardware business altogether. Mr. Johnston’s manner was peculiar, and he spoke very fast and indistinctly. He died on the 20th May 1’197, aged sixty-three. The other bulky figure, with the indescribable head-dress, kept a millinery establishment, as has been already mentioned, in the Royal Exchange. MISS SIBILLA HUTTON was the daughter of a very worthy dissenting clergyman, the Rev. Mr. William Hutton of Dalkeith.’ Xi6by-for that was the name by which she was best known-was, without exception, the most fantastic lady of her day. This disposition grew with her growth, and strengthened with her strength. She by no means coincided with the poet’s idea of beauty- When unadorned, adorned the most.” From her infancy she had been remarkable for her love of ornament ; and, notwithstanding all the injunctions and rebukes of her father, Sibby still admired and followed the capricious changes of fashion. Sibby carried on business to great purpose, and daily added to the heaviness of her purse, as well as to the rotundity of her person. Neither did she neglect her early imbibed notions of personal decoration. She was always at the head of the ton, and indeed generally so far in advance that few attempted to follow. Miss Sibi!la’s silks, too, and the profusion of lace with which she was overlaid, were always of the most costly description, and must have been procured at immense expense. During her residence in Edinburgh she occasionally visited her friends at Dalkeith. The old Secession minister was sadly scandalised at Sibby’s obduracy in the practice of vain ornament. One day Sibby appeared at Dalkeith with the identical head-dress in which she is portrayed in the Print. It was the first occasion on which it had graced her portly figure. ‘‘ Sibby ! Sibby ! ” said the father, with more than usual gravity; “do you really expect to get to heaven with such a bonnet on your head?” “And why not, father?” said Sibilla, with her accustomed good humour ; “ I’m sure I’ll make a better appear- Merchant in Scotland at that time was applied to all traders, whether wholesale or retail. An anecdote is told of him and the Rev. Mr. Sheriff, whose prayers are said to have been so wonderfully efficacious in driving Paul Jones to sea, when that adventurer threatened to land at Leith in 1779. The Dalkeith minister was on one occasion preaching before the Synod, when, on the expiry of the first hour, by way of giving him a gentle hint, Mr. Sheriff held out his watch in such a way as he could not fail to observe it. The preacher paused for a moment, but immediately went on with renewed vigour, till another hour had expired. Mr. Sheriff then repeated his former motion, but still without effect ; and a third hour elapsed ere the sermon came to a conclusion. At dinner the preacher ventured to inquire the reason of his friend’s having acted the part of monitor. “The first hour I heard you with pleasure, and, as I hope every one else did, with profit ; the second, I listened with impatience ; and the third with contempt /“ -a Mr. Hutton was rather famed for lengthy sermons. I‘ I will tell you,” said Mr. Sheriff. ... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. toy merchant,’ having failed, he took the bankrupt’s goods at a valuation, ...

Book 8  p. 557
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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
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146 OLD AND NET into the royal presence, the king became alarmed, and retired into the Tolbooth, amid shouts of ?? &ly !? .? Save yourself !? ?Armour ! Armour !? When the deputation returned to the portion of St. Giles?s absurdly named the little kirk, they found another multitude listening to the harangue of a clergyman named Michael Cranston, on the text of ? Hamanand Mordecai.? The auditors, on hearing that the king had retired without any explanation, now rush?ed forth, and with shouts of ?Bring out the wicksd Haman !? endeavoured to batter down the doors of the Tolbooth,? from which James was glad to make his escape to Holyrood, swearing he would uproot Edinburgh, and salt its site ! This disturbance, which Tytler details in his History, was one which had no definite or decided purpose-one of the few in Scottish annals where The species of spire or lantern formed by groined ribs of stone, which forms the most remarkable feature in the venerable church, seems to be. pecumonarch to show his gratitude by attention to the cause of religion, and his care of the new Subjects committed to his care. The king now rose, and addressed the people from whom he was about to part in a very warm and affectionate strain. He bade them a long adieu with much tenderness, promised to keep them and their best interests in fond memory during his absence, ?and often to visit them and communicate to them marks of his bounty when in foreign parts, as ample as any which he had been used to bestow when present with? them. A mixture of approbation and weeping,? says Scott in his History, ?followed this speech; and the good-natured king wept plentifully himself at taking leave of his native subjects.? The north transept of the church long bore the queer name of Haddo?s Hole, because a famous cavalier, Sir John Gordon of Haddo-who defended his castle of Kelly against the Covenanters, and loyally served King Charles 1.-was imprisoned there for some time before his execution at the adjacent cross in 1644. high alm) was ordered to be cast-into cannon for the town walls, instead of which they were sold for Azzo. Maitland further records that two of the remaining bells were re-cast at Campvere in 1621 ; one of these was again recast at London in 1846. ? In 1585 the Town Council purchased the clock belonging to the abbey church of Lindores in Fifeshire, and placed it in the tower of St. Giles?s, ? previous to which time,? says Wilson, ? the citizens probably regulated time chiefly by the bells for matins and vespers, and the other daily services of the Roman Catholic Church.? In I 68 I we first find mention of the musical bells in the spire. Fountainhall records, with reference to the legacy left to the city by Thomas Moodie, the Council propose ?to buy with it a peal of bells, to hang in St. Giles?s steeple, to ring musically, and to build a Tolbooth above the West Port of Edinburgh, and put Thomas Moodie?s nanie and arms thereon.? When the precincts of St. Giles?s church were secularised, the edifice became degraded, about . - ... OLD AND NET into the royal presence, the king became alarmed, and retired into the Tolbooth, amid shouts ...

Book 1  p. 146
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I82 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Parliament Close. for a considerable amount, binding themselves to support the Beacon, against which such strong proceedings were instituted that the print was withdrawn from the public entirely by the zznd of September. ?But the discovery of the bond,? continues the magazine just quoted, ?was nearly leading to more serious consequences, for, if report be true, Mr. James Gibson, W.S., one of those who had been grossly calumniated in the Beacon, had thought proper to make such a demand upon Sir Walter Scott as he could only be prevented from, ordinary scene for the indulgence of mirth and of festivity than this subterranean crypt or denfacetiously named the Greping O#ce-certainly could not well be conceived, nor could wit, poetry, and phgsic well have chosen a darker scene; yet it was the favourite of one whose writings were distinguished for their brilliancy and elegant htinity. He died in 1713, and was buried in the Greyfriars? Churchyard. In the fourth floor of the Zand overlooking the aforesaid cellar, there dwelt, about 1775, Lord to the justice of Heaven; but it seems scarcely credible, though such was the fact, that the still more calamitous fire of 1824, in the same place, was ?attributed by the lower orders in and near Edinburgh also to be the judgment of Heaven, specially commissioned to punish the city for tolerating such a dreadful enormity as-the Musical Festival ! ? . Early on the morning of the 24th of June, rF24, a fire broke out in a spirit-vault, or low drinkingshop, at the head of the Royal Bank Close, and it made great progress before the engines arrived, and nearly all the old edifices being panelled or wainscoted, the supply of water proved ineffectual to check the flames, and early in the afternoon the eastern half of the Parliament Square was a heap of blackened ruins. To the surprise of all who witnessed this calamity, and observed the hardihood and temerity displayed by several persons to save property, or to arrest the progress of the flames, the only individual who fell a sacrifice was a city oflicer named Chalmers, who was so dreadfully scorched that he died in the infirmary a few days after. liament Close, was attributed by the magistrates?is portrait of George 111. :- ? Well done, my lord ! With noble taste, You?ve made Charles gay as five-and-twenty, We may be xarce of gold and cam, ?But sure there?s lead and oil in plenty ; Yet, for a public work like this, You might have had some famous artist ; Though I had made each merk a pound, I would have had the very smartest. ? Why not bring Allan Ramsay down, From sketching coronet and cushion? ? And knows-the English Constitution. But why thus daub the man all over, The cream complexion of HANOVER? ? For he can paint a living khg, The mgk-white s#ed is well enough ; And to the swarthy STUART give In 1832, when a drain was being dug in the Parliament Square, close by St. Giles?s Church, there was found the bronze seal of a Knight of St. John of Jerusalem. It is now preserved in the Museum of Antiquities, and bears the legend, ? S. AERNAULD LAMMIUS.? the son of the poet, who had just painted the ... OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Parliament Close. for a considerable amount, binding themselves to support the ...

Book 1  p. 182
(Score 0.31)

42 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH. magnificence, and such displays of loyal attachment, as testified the hearty welcome of the people. The young Queen was of R most tender and affectionate disposition; she seems to have given ‘(Her hand with her heart in it ” to her royal lover, with a gentle spirit of resignation. So soon a8 she stepped on the Scottish shore, she knelt and kissed the ground, praying for all happiness to her adopted country and people ; but ere six weeks had elapsed, the pomp of worldly honour that had greeted her arrival, was called to follow the young bride to the tomb. She was buried with the greatest mourning Scotland ever, till that time, was participant of, in the church of Holyrood House, near King James 11.’ Buchanan, who was an eye-witness, says it was the f i s t instance of mourning-dresses being worn by the Scots ; and triumph and mirrinea was all turned into deregies and soul1 massis, verrie lamentable to behold.” Sir David Lindsay, in a poem of singular inequality, has expressed his Deploratioun of the Deith of Quene Magdalene. He thus apostrophises (Crewel1 Deith) : - Theif ! raw thow nocht the p i t preparatyvis Of Edinburgh, the nobill famous toun, Thow saw the pepill, lauboring for thair lyvis, To mak tryumphe, with trump, and clarioun ; Sic plesour waa never into this regioun, A8 suld haif bene the day of hir entrsce, With greit propynis,‘ gevin till hir Grace.‘ Thow saw makand right costlie scaffalding, Depaintit weill, with gold, and &sure fyne, Reddye preparit for the upsetting, With fontanis, flowing water cleir, and wyne, Disagysit folks: lyke creaturis divyne, On ilk scaffold, to play ane syndrie storie, Bot, all in greiting turnit thow that glorie. Provest, baillies, and lordis of the toun, And princis of the preistis venerabill, Full plesandlye in thair processioun, With all the cunnyng clerkis honorabill ; The herauldis, with their awful vestimentis, With maseris upon ather of thair handis, To rewle the press, with burneist silver wandis. Syne, last of all, in ordour-tl-gumphall, That maist illuster Princee honorabill, With hir the lustye ladyis of Scotland, Quhilk sulde haif bene ane sicht maist delectabil : Hir rayment to rehers, I am nocht habill, Of gold, and perle, and precious stonis brycht, Twinklyog lyke aterris in ane fostie nycht. Under ane pale of golde scho suld haif paat, Be burgeis borne, clothit in silkie fyne, ; 1 Hawthornden, p, 104. Ibid. a Pitacottie, vol. ii. p 374. 4 Presents. Disguised folk or &ora. a Macer. ... MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH. magnificence, and such displays of loyal attachment, as testified the hearty welcome ...

Book 10  p. 46
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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS . . THE UNIVERSITY.-~~ontirpi~ce. PAGE The Kirk-of-Field . . . . . . . I Rough Sketch of the Kirk.of.Field, February. 1567. taken hastily for the English Court . . . 5 The Library of the Old University. as seen from the south-east corner of the Quadrangle. looking North The Lihrary of the Old University. as seen from the south-western corner of the Quadrangle. looking East . . . . . . . . ., 12 Part of the Buildings of the South side of thc Quad- Laying the Foundation Stone of the New University. 9 rangle of the Old University . . . . 13 November 16. 1789 . . . . . . 17 The original Design for the East Front of the New Building for the University of Edinburgh . . 20 Original Plan of the Principal Storey of the New Building for the University of Edinburgh . . ZI The Quadrangle. Edinburgh University . . . 25 The Library Hall. Edinburgh University . . . z8 The Bore-Stane . . . . . . . . . zg Wright?s Houses and the Barclay Church. from Brnnts- . . . . . . . field Links 32 TheAvenue. Bruntsfield Links . . . . . 33 Wrychtishousis. from the South-west . . . . 36 Merchiston Castle ; Napier Room ; Queen Mary?s Pear Tree ; Drawing Room ; Entrance Gateway Tu /;(cc pap 37 . . . Cillespie?s Hospital. from the East ? 37 Christ Church. Morningside . 41 Braid Cottages. 1850 . . . . . . . 40 . . . . The Hermitage . Braid ; Craig House ; Kitchen. Craig House; Dining-room Craig House . . . 44 TheGrangeCernetery . . . . . . 45 OldTombat Warrender Park . . . . . 46 Warrender House ; St . Margaret?s Convent ; Ruins of St . Roque?s Chapel ; Grange House. 1820 ; Draw- . . . ing-room in Orange House, 1882 . 48 Broadstairs House. Causawayside. 1880 . . . 52 Mr . Dullcan McLaren . . . . . . Ruins of the Convent of St . Katharine. Sciennes. north-west view. 1854 . . . . . Interior of the Ruins of the Convent of St . Katharine. Sciennes . 1854 . . . . . . . Seal of the Convent of St . Katharine . . . . Prestonfield House . . . . . . . Old Houses . Echo Bank . . . . . . Craigmillar Castle . . . . Tofarepage Craigmillar Castle: The Hall ; The Keep; Queen Mary?s Tree; South-west Tower ; The Chapel . Peffer Mill House . . . . . . . . Bell?s Mills Bridge . . . . . . . The Dean House. 1832 . . . . . . Watson?s, Orphans?. and Stewart?s Hospitals. from Drumsheugh Grounds. 1859 . . . . Views in the Dean Cemetery . . . . . Randolph Cliff and Dean Bridge . Tofacepage The Water of Leith Village . : . . . The Water of Leith. 1825 . . . . . . 3 . Bernard?s Well. 1825 . . . . . . The House where David Roberts was horn . . . Fettes College. from the South-west . . . . St . Stephen?s Church . :? . . . . . . The Edinburgh Academy . . . . . . Canonmills Loch and House. 1830 . . . . Heriot?s Hill House . . . . . . . Tanfield Hall . . . . . . . . Pilrig House . . . . . . . . Bonnington House ; Stewadfield ; Redbraes ; Silvermills House ; Broughton Hall; Powder Hall ; Canonmills House . . . . . . View in Bonnington. 185 I . . . . . . Warriston House . . . . . . . The Royal Botanic Gardens: General View of the Gardens ; The Arboretum ; Rock Garden ; Palm PAGE 53 54 54 55 56 ? 57 58 60 6: 64 65 68 69 70 72 73 76 77 80 81 84 85 88 89 92 93 96 97 .Houses ; Class Room and Entrance to Museum . 100 ... OF ILLUSTRATIONS . . THE UNIVERSITY.-~~ontirpi~ce. PAGE The Kirk-of-Field . . . . . . . I Rough Sketch of ...

Book 6  p. 401
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316 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. the Hon. Henry Erskine, intelligence was brought that his wife had been safely delivered of a son-the subject of the present memoir. From this circumstance he was named after the learned gentleman. On leaving school, HENRYER SKINEJ OHNSTwOasN p laced by his father in the office of a Writer to the Signet ; but, finding Erskine’s Institutes not such pleasant reading as Shakspeare’s dramas, he soon abandoned the profession, and was for three years afterwards in the shop of a linen draper, from which he stepped on the boards of the Theatre-Royal. Jl’hen twenty years of age he recited “Collins’ Ode on the Passions” for ‘the benefit of a friend, with his manner of delivering which Mr. Stephen Kemble was so much struck, that he immediately offered him an engagement. He now made his appearance in the characters of Hamlet and Harlequin, to the great delight of an overflowing audience, attracted by the novelty of such an attempt. His success was complete ; and in order to distinguish him from his Irish namesake, he mas shortly afterwards endowed with the soubriqicet of “The Edinburgh Roscius.” In 1797, while he was the nightly attraction of the Scottish playgoers, Miss Parker, daughter of the proprietor of an exhibition, called (( The Storming of Seringapatam,” saw him act ; and seeing, fell desperately in love ; and after a very short, albeit impassioned courtship, she became Mrs. Johnston, although at that period only about fifteen. After playing at different theatres in the northern circuit, he went to Dublin to perform twelve nights, seven of which were devoted to the representation of Home’s egotistical hero, Douglas. Mrs. Johnston having prevailed on her husband to allow her to make one appearance, she did so, for the first time, on the occasion of his benefit, in the characters of Lady Contest in the Wedding-Day, and Josephine in The Children in the Wood, and was enthusiastically received. After Johnston had appeared with great success in Ireland, and most of the English provincial towns, Nr. Harris offered him an engagement, which he accepted, and appeared on the boards of Covent Garden in the character of Douglas, when he met with a most flattering reception. He next trode the Haymarket stage, at which theatre Mrs. Johnston made her appearance as Ophelia and Roxnlana, and immediately rose in the favour of the town. She became the rage ; and, unhappily for Mr. Johnston’s domestic comfort, and her own happiness and reputation, she yielded to the many temptations thrown in her way, and a separation ensued-she to blaze for a few short years in the theatrical hemisphere of London, and then to sink into comparative insignificance ; and he to become a houseless, heart-broken wanderer. For some time he was manager of the Glasgow Theatre; and on the 27th of December 1823, he opened the Caledonian Theatre, Edinburgh, where he remained some short time ; but his repeated losses at length caused him to give up the speculation. He did not return to Edinburgh till the autumn of 1830, when he appeared for four nights at the same theatre, then under the management of Mr. C. Bass. While in London he was universally admired for his performance of panto ... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. the Hon. Henry Erskine, intelligence was brought that his wife had been ...

Book 9  p. 421
(Score 0.31)

THE CA S TL E. I33 David I. to Holyrood Abbey, in the description of the lands lying under the Castle. the old song, entitled added some verses, the laird addresses his mistress?- In The Young Laird and Edinburgh Katy,” to which Allan Ramsay My dear, quoth J, thanks to the Night That never wisht a Lover ill; Since ye ’re out of your Nither’s sight, Let ’8 take a walk up to the Hill. In a footnote the poet adds--“ The Castle Hill, where young people frequently take the air on an evening,” but the local allusions of the earlier stanza are not carried out in his additions,’ This favourite walk of the citizens has been greatly improved since then, by levelling and the construction of parapet walls. In an act passed in the reign of Queen Anne, for the better keeping of the Lord’s Day, it is specially mentioned, along with the King’s Park ahd the Pier of Leith, as the most frequent scene of the Sunday promenadings that then excited the stern rebukes of the clergy ; and, notwithstanding the great changes that have occurred since that period, the same description might still be given, with the single addition of the Calton Hill to the list. 1 The Castle Hill was very often made the scene of public executions, and waa particularly famous for the burning of witches, and those convicted of unnatural crimes. In the reign of James IT., in 1538, John Lord Forbes was beheaded here, and a few daya afterwards, the Lady Glamis, sister of the Earl of Angus, was burnt alive, on a charge of high treason. Here also, during the following reign? Foret, the Vicar of Dollar, and several others of the earliest reformers, perished at the stake, The Diurnal of Occurrents records many other executions, such as-“September Ist, 1570, thair wer tua personis brint in the Castell Hill of Edinburgh, for the committing of ane horrible sinne.” Bhel again mentions, e.g., July 1605, “Henry Lourie brunt on the Castell Hill for witchcraft, committed and done by him in Kyle; ” and in Nicol’s Diary, from 1650 to 1667, including the period of the Commonwealth, executions on this spot occur with painful frequency, as on the 15th of October 1656, when seven culprits, including three women, were executed for different crimes, two of whom were burut. Again, “ 9th March 1659, thair wer fyve wemen, witches, brint on the Castell Hill for witchcraft, all of them confeasand thair covenanting with Satan, sum of thame renunceand thair baptisme, all of thame oft tymes dancing with the DevilL” In the reign of Charles I. a novel character was assigned to it. The Earl of Stirling, having obtained leave to colonise Nova Scotia, and sell the honour of the baronetage to two hundred imaginary colonists, the difficulty of infeoffing the knights in their remote possessions was overcome by a royal mandate converting the soil of the Castle Hill of Edinburgh, for the time being, into that of Nova Scotia, and the new baroneta were accordingly inrested with their honours on this spot. ... CA S TL E. I33 David I. to Holyrood Abbey, in the description of the lands lying under the Castle. the old ...

Book 10  p. 144
(Score 0.31)

.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 181 tion in being enabled, from the gradual increase of his salary, to contribute to her comforts. By his undeviating rectitude, steady application, and the display of very superior qualifications for the profession, he had early attracted the notice of Messrs. Coutts, with whom he was, in 1761, admitted into partnership, with only a small share in the profits. Owing to the death of one of these gentlemen, and the retirement of the other on account of bad health (the other two brothers being settled in London), a new company was formed in 1763, consisting of Sir William Forbes, Mr. James Hunter (afterwards Sir James Hunter Blair), and Sir Robert Herries. Although neither of the Messrs. Coutts had any share in the new concern, the firm continued under the old name until 1773, when, on the withdrawal of Sir Robert Herries, who forme& a separate establishment in London, the name of the firm was changed to that of Forbes, Hunter, and Co. Sir William was at the head of the concern, over which he ever after continued to preside, and the uncommon success which attended its operations is in no small degree attributable to his peculiar sagacity and prudence. In 1783 the Company commenced to issue notes, which obtained an extent of credit almost without parallel. Sir William married, in 1770, the eldest daughter of Dr. (afterwards Sir James) Hay, which event obliged him to separate from the " venerated guide of his infant years," who lived to a good old age, happy in the growing prosperity and kind attention of her son.' Sir William had now fairly commenced that career of usefulness which so much distinguished his long life. Naturally of a benevolent disposition, his attention was early directed to the charitable institutions of the city, many of which, previous to his taking an interest in them, were in a languishing state. The Charity Workhouse, of which he became a Manager in 1771, felt, in an especial manner, the effects of his persevering solicitude. In 1777 he published a pamphlet on the improvement of this institution, which was characterised as '' full of practical knowledge and enlightened benevolence ;I' and he continued through life to take an active interest in its welfare. Of the Orphan Hospital, too, he was a Manager for many years, and always, from 1774, one of its most zealous and efficient directors. The erection of the late High School, in which Sir Walter Scott and other eminent men were educated, is another proof of Sir William's public spirit as a citizen, and his active perseverance and power of overcoming difficulties. He was a zealous Manager of the Royal Infirmary, to which, at his death, he left Q200. The Lunatic and Blind Asylums owed much to his exertions ; and, in short, no improvements were contemplated, and no benevolent work projected, which did not find in Sir William ready and efficient support. In accordance with a long-cherished desire of restoring his family, which had been reduced by attainder, to its former dignity and fortune, Sir William embraced a favourable opportunity of purchasing seventy acres of the upper 1 She died in 1789. ... SKETCHES. 181 tion in being enabled, from the gradual increase of his salary, to contribute to her ...

Book 8  p. 256
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142 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. most powerful speakers in favour of the accused-was not concluded till about midnight of the second day, when his opponents were outvoted by ninety-six to eighty-four. Mr. Leslie now took possession of the Mathematical chair without further opposition. Finding the class apparatus very deficient, he immediately set about remedying the defect, by making extensive collections and adding several instruments of his own invention ; and throughout the whole period of his professorship, much of his leisure was devoted to the accomplishment of still further improvements. In 1810, by the aid of the hygrometer-one of his ingenious contrivances-he arrived at the discovery of artificial congelation, or the mode of converting water and mercury into, ice, which has been characterised as a process “ singularly beautiful.” In 181 9, on the death of Professor Playfair, he obtained the chair of Natural Philosophy, and thereby found his sphere of usefulness extended, and a wider field for the display of his talents. The various works produced by Mr. Leslie are as follow :-In 1809, “ Elements of Geometry,” which immediately became a class book-1813, an “Account of Experiments and Instruments depending on the relation of Air to Heat and Moisture ”-1817, “ Philosophy of Arithmetic, exhibiting a progressive view of the Theory and Progress of Calculation”-l821, “ Geometrical Analysis, and Geometry of Curve Lines, being volume second of a course of Mathematics, and designed as an Introduction to the Study of Natural Philosophy,” for the use of his class, of which only one volume appeared-1828, “Rudiments of Geometry,” a small octavo, designed for popular use. Besides these, he wrote many articles in the Edinburgh Review ; in Nicholson’s Philosophical Journal ; in \ the Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh ; and furnished several valuable treatises on different branches of physics in the Supplement to the Emyclopledia Britannica. In the seventh edition of that work, begun in 1829, he-wrote a “ Discourse on the History of Mathematics and Physical Science during the Eighteenth Century,” which is allowed to be the most pleasing and faultless of all his writings. In 1832, on the recommendation of Lord Brougham, then Lord Chancellor, Mr. Leslie was created a Knight of the Guelphic Order, and a similar honour was conferred on Herschel, Bell, Ivory, Rrewster, South, Nicholas, and other iudividuals equally eminent for their attainments ; but he did not long enjoy the honour conferred on him. He had purchased an estate, called Coates, near his native place, where, by exposing himself to wet while superintending some improvements, he caught a severe cold, which terminated in his death on the 3d November 1832. All have admired the invqntive fertility of his genius-his extensive knowledge and vigorous mind. As a writer, however, his style has been criticised ; and he has been accused as somewhat illiberal in his estimate of kindred merit, while he is represented to have been credulous in matters of common life, and sceptical in science. “ His faults,” says his biographer, ‘‘ were far more than . The character of Sir John has been subject to some littls stricture. ... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. most powerful speakers in favour of the accused-was not concluded till about midnight ...

Book 9  p. 190
(Score 0.31)

402 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Soon after he began business, a circumstance occurred, which not only tended to increase his professional fame, but proved the origin of no less an incident in his domestic history than that of “setting up a carriage.” One day Mr. James Dempster, jeweller in the Parliament Square, after a fit of hard drinking, threatened, in the company of some of his cronies, to cut his own throat. One of the individuals present (Mr. Hamilton of Wishaw), a gentleman of very convivial habits, jocularly said--“I will Bave you that trouble;” and, suiting the action to the word, advanced with a knife in a threatening attitude towards the jeweller, and very nearly converted jest into earnest, by accidentally making a severe incision. Hamilton, in a state of great alarm, instantly sent for Mr. Bennet, who closed up the wound, and afterwards effected a rapid cure of his patient. Mr. Hamilton was so much satisfied with the important service rendered on this occasion, that he presented Mr. Bennet with an elegant chariot. of a well-bred gentleman, and was accustomed to mix in the best society. With the late Duke of Gordon (then Marquis of Huntly), Made of Panmure (Lord Panmure), and many other persons of family, he was on terms of intimacy. He is accused of having occasionally indulged in those excesses and frolics which, some thirty years ago, were deemed extremely fashionable. On one occasion, having lost a sporting bet for “dinner and drink,” Mr. Bennet entertained his friends in a house of good cheer at Leith. It had been a condition of the wager that the party should be taken to the theatre at night at the expense of the loser. After dinner Mr. Bennet caused the wine, as well as a more stimulating beverage, to be pretty freely circulated; so that the wassailers were soon, according to the notions of the Indians, in a “state of perfect happiness.” At the hour appointed, instead of the common hackney conveyances, a number of mourning coaches drew up, in which the revellers seated themselves, and were driven to the theatre in slow time, amid the wonderment of a numerous crowd, who were no less astonished at the mirth of the mourners than amazed at the place where the procession halted. These and other unprofessional frolics did not injure Mr. Bennet in his career ; on the contrary, they rather tended to increase his celebrity. He was appointed Surgeon to the Garrison of Edinburgh Castle in 1791 ; and elected President of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1803. And such was his status among the citizens in 1805, that, when the volunteer corps called the “ Loyal Edinburgh Spearmen” were embodied, he held the honourable commission of Lieut.-Colonel Commandant of the regiment. This band of citizen warriors had their stand of colours delivered to them on the 12th of August, in Heriot’s Hospital Green. We quote the following brief account of it :- Mr. Bennet possessed the polish and pleasant manners “The colours were presented by Mra. Bennet, the Colonel’s lady, and Miss Scott of Logie, with an appropriate speech from each ; and consecrated by the Rev. Mr. Brunton, one of the ministem ... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Soon after he began business, a circumstance occurred, which not only tended to ...

Book 8  p. 560
(Score 0.31)

Ldth.1 THE LEITH RACE WEEK. 269 afterwards James VII., during the time he was Royal Commissioner at Holyrood. ?? They have been rehearsed in verse by Robert Ferguson,? says Robertson in 1851, ?? and still form a topic of converse with the elder part of our citizens, as one of the prominent features of the glorious days of old.? The earliest records of them have all been lost, he adds. They took place on the east side of the harbour, where now the great new docks are formed. The Leith race week was a species of carnival to the citizens of Edinburgh, and in many instances caused a partial suspension of must have seen it many times, ?? that long before the procession could reach Leith the functionaries had disappeared, and nothing was visible amid the moving myriads but the purse on the top of the pole.? The scene at Leith races, as described by those who have been present, was of a very striking description. Vast lines of tents and booths, covered with canvas or blankets, stretched along the level shore ; recruiting-sergeants with their drummers beating, sailors ashore for a holiday, mechanics accompanied by their wives or sweethearts, servant girls, and most motley groups, were constantly pass- THE YARTELLO TOWER, FROM LEITH PIER. work and business. They were under the direct patronage of the magistrates of the city, and it was usual for one of the town officers, in his livery, to walk in procession every morning from the Council Chambers to Leith, bearing aloft on a pole or halberd, profusely decorated with ribbons and streamers, the ?? City Purse,? accompanied by a file of the City Guard, with their bayonets fixed and in full uniform, accompanied by a drummer, beating that peculiar cadence on his drum which is believed to have been the old U Scottish March.? This procession gathered in strength and interest as it moved along Leith Walk, as hundreds were on the outlook for the appearance of this accredited civic body, and who preferred ?gaun doon wi? the Purse,? as the phrase was, to any other mode of proceeding thither. Such a dense mass of boys and girls finally surrounded the town officers, the ?drummer, and the old veterans,? wrote one wha ing in and out of the drinking places ; the whole varied by shows, roley-poleys, hobby-horses, wheelsof- fortune, and many of those strange characters which were once familiar in the streets of Edmburgh, and of whom, ?Jamie, the Showman,? A veteran of the Glengarry Fencibles, a native of the Canongate, who figures in 66Hone?s Year Book,?? was perhaps the last. Saturday, which was the last day of the races, was the most joyous and outrageous of this seashore carnival. On that day was the ?subscription? for the horses beaten during the week, and these unfortunate nags contended for the negative honour of not being the worst on the course. Then, when night closed in, there was invariably a general brawl, a promiscuous free fight being maintained by the returning crowds along the entire length of Leith Walk. A few quotations from entries will serve to show that, in the progression of all things, racing ... THE LEITH RACE WEEK. 269 afterwards James VII., during the time he was Royal Commissioner at Holyrood. ?? ...

Book 6  p. 269
(Score 0.3)

244 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. to assume. These two gentlemen *had been acquainted from infancy; and duriug a long period their intimacy had suffered no interruption. His lordship’s name was Alexander Murray. He was the son of Archibald Murray, Esq. of Murrayfield, advocate, and born at Edinburgh in 1736. Being early designed for the profession of the law, he was admitted a member of the Faculty of Advocates in 1758. He was appointed to the Sheriffdom of Peebles in 1761, and succeeded his father as one of the Commissaries of Edinburgh in 1765. In the course of a few years he became Solicitor-General for Scotland, in the room of Mr. Henry Dundas, who had been made Lord Advocate. He was elected member of Parliament for the county of Peebles, and soon after was raised tQ the bench, and received what is called a double gown,-on which occasion he assumed the designation of Lord Henderland, from an estate he possessed in Peeblesshire. He also held the office of Clerk of the Pipe in the Court of Exchequer; an office which, through the interest of Lord Melville, was given to his two sons. Lord Henderland died in 1795, leaving two sons and a daughter, the issue of his marriage with Katherine, daughter of Sir Alexander Lindsay of Eveleck. Mrs. Murray died in 1828. The eldest son, William, joined the English bar. John Archibald, his youngest son, while Lord Advocate for Scotland, was four times elected member of Parliament for the Leith district of burghs.’ His daughter, Amelia Jane, died unmarried in 1798. MR. GEORGE PATON, whose figure occupies the centre division, was a keen bibliographer and antiquary. His father, hlr. John Paton, a respectable bookseller in the Old Parliament Square, was one of the committee of philanthropic citizens who, in conjunction with the worthy Provost Drummond, originated that invaluable institution, the Royal Infirmary. The facts and circumstances in the history of Mr. Paton, the younger, are scanty. He received a liberal education, but without any professional design, having been bred by his father to his own business. This, however, he relinquished, on obtaining a clerkship in the Custom-House, at a salary for many years of only 360. In this humble situation, the emoluments of which were subsequently augmented to S80, he continued during the remainder of his long life, apparently without the smallest desire of attaining either to higher honour or greater wealth. The chief aim of his ambition seemed to be the acquisition of such monuments of antiquity as might tend to elucidate the literature, history, and topography of his native country. His father had been an antiquary of some research, and at his death left a valuabIe collection, which the subject of our sketch took care, by every means within the compass of his narrow income, to augment. As illustrative of the strong bibliomania both in father and son, it is told of them, that whenever they happened to meet with any curious publication, instead of exposing it in the shop for sale, they immediately placed it in Nr, Murray was afterwards raised to the bench, and took the title of Lord Mumy. ... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. to assume. These two gentlemen *had been acquainted from infancy; and duriug a long ...

Book 8  p. 342
(Score 0.3)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 119 ripen a plan of augmentation of the parochial stipends, and to use all prudent and proper means to learn the sentiments of the members of the Church, and of the landed proprietors of Scotland ; and to report to next Assembly.” In accordance with this resolution, a bill was prepared by the Lord Advocate (Robert Dundas, Esq. of Arniston), and introduced into Parliament in 1793 ; but, from the little countenance extended towards it by the ministry, and the strong opposition of the landed proprietors, he was under the necessity of withdrawing the measure. Adverting to the subject in the ensuing General Assembly, the Lord Advocate stated that “ the bill brought into Parliament for defining and regulating the powers of the Commission of Teinds, was not to be considered as losf; but was withdrawn by him at the desire of a great body of the landholders of Scotland, who had stated that they had not considered the same with sufficient attention, and who requested delay.” The zeal displayed by the Lord Advocate, for the interests of the Church, was acknowledged in a vote of thanks; and the Moderator (the Rev. Dr. Hardie), and several other gentlemen, were added to the former committee, “with instructions that they should attend to the subject, and take such steps as should appear to them conducive to the interest of the Church,”’ But in the discussion to which the unexpected failure of the bill gave rise, notwithstanding the explanation of the Lord Advocate, some of the members-especially those of the moderate party-were led into warm expressions of dissatisfaction with the little sympathy manifested for them by the administration ; and among others, DRS. CARLYLE of Inveresk and GRIEVE* of Edinburghwhose heads adorn the necks of the two JACKASSES-went the length of charging the ministry with ingratitude to those who had proved themselves their best friends ; who had laboured in every way to uphold their government ; and who, as the latter reverend gentleman asserted, had even risked the friendship of their flocks, and their own usefulness as pastors, in their efforts to serve them. Such language as this could not fail to be displeasing to a portion of the Assembly. Shortly after Dr. Grieve had finished his harangue, Dr, Bryce Johnstone rose and remarked, that the complaint of his reverend brother had recalled to his mind an incident that occurred some years before in that part of the country where his lot wars cast. At the ordination of a young minister, the charge happened to be delivered by one who had been some considerable time in the The exertions of the clergy were ultimately successful in procuring an augmentation of their incomes by the passing of an Act of Parliament, which provided that each pastor is entitIed to a manse and glebe, of the value of 240 a year, besides a salary of 2.150 ; and when the tithes of the parish cannot supply this sum, the deficiency is to be made good by the Exchequer. * Dr. Henry Grieve-formerly of Dalkeith-was then one of the ministen of the Old Church, Elinburgh; and, along with Dm. Robertson and Carlyle, had uniformly given his influence tu maintain the ascendency of the moderate, or Government party in the Church courts. He died in 1810. The following notice occurs of his death :-“ Feb: 10. ’ At Canaan House, in the seventyfourth year of his age, Dr. Henry Grieve, Senior Minister of the Old Church of Edinburgh, one of the Deans of the Chapel Royal, and one of His Majesty’s Chaplains in Ordinary for Scotland. , ... SKETCHES. 119 ripen a plan of augmentation of the parochial stipends, and to use all prudent and ...

Book 9  p. 159
(Score 0.3)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 341 he calmly, yet with spirit, urged the groundlessness of the accusation, and the unprovoked asperity of his opponent. In the meantime law proceedings had been instituted against the publisher of the ‘‘ Guide,” in order to discover the author, while Dr. Hamilton commenced counter-proceedings against Dr. Gregory, for the injuries his character had sustained by the manner in which he had been traduced. In 1800, another paper warfare occurred, in consequence of a memorial addressed by Dr. Gregory to the managers of the Royal Infirmary, complaining of the younger members of the College of Surgeons being there allowed to perform operations. This was replied to by Mr. John Bell, surgeon; and a controversy ensued, which for some time engrossed the whole attention of the Edinburgh medical profession. Again, in 1806, the Doctor.entered into a warm controversy with the College of Physicians, owing to some proceedings on the part of that body which he considered derogatory to the profession. In 1808, he printed, for private circulation, a small volume in 8170, entitled “ Lucubrations on an Epigram ;” also, in 18 10, “ There is Wisdom in Silence ” -an imitation from the Anthologia; and “The Viper and the l?ile”-an imitation of the well-known fable of Phiedrus, “Vipera et Lima.” As a specimen of his epigrammatic talents, we give the following- “ ‘ 0 give me, dear angel, one lock of your hair’- A bashful young lover took courage aud sighed ; ‘ You shall hare my whole wig,’ the dear angel replied.” ’Twas a sin to refuse so modest a pray’r- Dr. Gregory was of an athletic figure, and naturally of a strong constitution. He had enjoyed good health; and from his abstemious mode of life, might have been expected to live to extreme old age. The overturn of his carriage, whilst returning from visiting a patient, by which accident his arm was broken, proved injurious to his constitution. He was afterwards repeatedly attacked with inflammation of the lungs, which iiltimately caused his death. He died at his house in St. Andrew Square, on the 2d April 1821, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. By his second wife-a daughter of Donald Macleod, Esq. of Geanies, and who survived him-he left a numerous family. His eldest son was educated for the bar, and was admitted a member of the Baculty of Advocates in 1820. A younger son, Donald, who died in October 1836, in the prime of life, was for several years Secretary to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland ; and in this situation he highly distinguished himself by his zeal, assiduity, and agreeable manners. In his late work entitled the , “ History of the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotland,” brought down to the year 1625, he has fortunately left us a permanent memorial of his learning and accurate research-not the less valuable that it is in fact one of the first attempts to investigate the history of that portion of the British Empire, not by reference to vague traditions and idle reveries, but by the most careful Dr. Gregory was twice married. ... SKETCHES. 341 he calmly, yet with spirit, urged the groundlessness of the accusation, and ...

Book 8  p. 476
(Score 0.3)

448. MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH. Till by old age you gently die, To live immortal in the sky. To own my faults I have no will, For I have done both good and ill ; Aa to the crime for which I die, To my laat gasp, Not guilty, I. But to this magisterial hate I shall aasign the pristine date. When the intrepid, matchless Charles Came here with many Highland Car4 And o’er my top, in public sight, Proclaim’d aloud his Father’s Right ; From that day forth it waa agreed, That I should a8 a %be1 bleed ; And at this time they think it meet. To snatch my fabric off the street, Lest I should tell to them once more The tale I told ten years before, At my deatroyers bear no grudge, Nor do you 8 t h their mason-lodge, Tho’ well may all by-standers nee That better masona built up me. The royal statue in the close Will share the fate of me, poor Crosa ; Heav’ns, earth, and sea, all in a range, Like me, will perish for Ezcliangc“ Few civic events connected with the destruction of old, or the rearing of new buildings, escape the poet’s notice. One poem records the repair of the Abbey Church ; another mourns the &ling of ita sepulchres ; a third refers to the laying the foundation-stone of St Bernard’s Mineral Well, 15th September 1760 ; while between these are lampoons and eulogies on old citizens, most of them long since forgotten. The fate of the Nether Bow Port, which he witnessed, forms the subject of some of hirr wittiest prose, in ‘&A Sermon preached by Claudero, on the Condemnation of the Nether Bow Porch of Edinburgh, 9th July 1764, before a crowded audience.” A brief extract from this will suftice for an example of his humour, which is the more curious, as what was then extravagant hyperbole, sounds now like the shrewdest foresight :- (‘ What was too hard for the great ones of the earth, yea even queens, to effect, is now, even now in our day, accomplished. No patriot duke opposeth the scheme, aa did the p a t hull in the grand senate of our nation ; therefore the project shall go into execution, and down shall Edina’s lofty porches be hurled with a vengeance. -Streets shall be extended to the east, regular and beautiful, as far as the Frigate Whins, and Port0 Bello shall be a lodge for the captom of tea and brandy. The city shall be joined to Leith on the North, and a procession of &e masons shall there lay the foundation of a spacious harbour. Pequin or Nanquin shall not-be able to compare with Edina for magnificence. Our city shall be the greatest wonder of the world ; and the fame of its glory shall reach the distant ends of the earth. “No more shall the porch resound to the hammer of the cheerful Zaccheus ; and hia neighbours are bathed in team at the overthrow of his well-tuned anvil. I‘ The Nether Bow coffee-house of the loyal Smieton can now no longer enjoy ita ancient name with propriety ; and from henceforth !& Revolutiun Cofeehousc shall its name be called. “ Our gates must be extended wide for accommodating the gilded chariots, which, from the luxury of the age, are become numeroua-With an impetuous career they jostle against one another in our streets, and the u n w q foobpasaenger is in danger of being crushed to piecea ... MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH. Till by old age you gently die, To live immortal in the sky. To own my faults I ...

Book 10  p. 487
(Score 0.3)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 287 afterwards, with much inconsistency, established another, having similar objects in view, called the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Although engaged in literary and antiquarian research, the Earl of Buchan was far from being an indifferent spectator of passing events. He did not enter the political arena ; but when invasion threatened common r&, he not only with his pen endeavoured to create union among his countrymen, but, buckling on his sword, essayed to rouse them by example. The Earl, however, was no adherent of the powers that were ; and when the interference of the Court had completely set aside all semblance of freedom in the election of the Scottish peers, he stood forward in defence of his order; and, although he long fought singly, he at last succeeded in asserting its independence. The residence of Lord Buchan had for many years been in Edinburgh : but, in 1787, he retired on account of his health to Dryburgh Abbey-a property he acquired by purchase. Here he instituted an annual festive commemoration of the author of “ The Seasons,” the first meeting of which was held at Ednam Hill, on the 22d September 1791-on which occasion he crowned a copy of the j k s t collected edition of the Seasons with a wreath of bays. The following may be taken as a sample of the eulogium of the noble Lord on the occasion :- “And the immortal Prussian, standing like a herald in the procession of ages, to mark the beginning of that order of men who are to banish from the earth the delusions of priestcraft, and the monstrous prerogatives of despotic authority ! ” His lordship also took that opportunity of attacking the great English lexicographer, “ by whose rude hands the memory of Thomson has been profanely touched.” Burns wrote his beautiful lines to the shade of the bard of Ednam for the occasion ; and only five years afterwards, at the usual anniversary in 1796, Lord Buchan had the melancholy pleasure of placing an urn of Parian marble beside the bust of Thomson, in memory of the bard of Ayrshire. The copy of the Seasons alluded to, enclosed in a beautifully ornamented case, and enriched with some original autographs of the Poet, was subsequently presented by his lordship to the University of Edinburgh. The political sentiments of the Earl of Buchan were generally known ; but, in a work published in 1792, entitled “Essays on the Lives and Writings of Fletcher of Saltoun, and the Poet Thomson, Biographical and Political,” he embraced the opportunity of enforcing his favourite doctrines. In the same year his lordship presented the President of the United States with an elegantly mounted snuff-box, made from the tree which sheltered Wallace. This magnificent and truly characteristic present,” says a Philadelphia Journal, of January 2, “is from the Earl of Buchan, by the hands of Mr. Archibald Robertson, a Scots gentleman, and portrait painter, who arrived in America some months ago.’’ The box had been presented to Lord Buchan by the goldsmiths of Edinburgh in 1782, from whom he obtained leave to transfer it to the only man in the world to whom he thought it justly due.” The box was made by Robert Hay, might, afterwards in the Edinburgh Vendue. ... SKETCHES. 287 afterwards, with much inconsistency, established another, having similar objects in ...

Book 8  p. 402
(Score 0.3)

200 EIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. to look again might easily discover, in his bearing and manner, enough to recall the remembrance of his high lineage and unexampled misfortunes. Charles sometimes indulged in a walk through the city ; but the crowds of people that usually followed him, anxious to gratify their curiosity, in some measure detracted from the pleasure of these perambulations. When he first appeared in this manner, a few days after his arrival, he escaped observation for some time ; but in Hanover Street the crowd became so great that, though not the slightest insult was offered him, he deemed it prudent to abridge his walk ; and passing along the Mound returned to the Palace by the High Street and Canongate. With the exception of a slight stoop, the King appeared so little altered since he had formerly sojourned in Edinburgh, that many old people easily recognised him. Though far advanced in year$, he walked with a firm step ; and his health and strength were such that he often went on shoot,- ing excursions, accompanied by the Duc d'Angouleme and his suite ; sometimes crossing the ferry to Fordel, the estate of Sir Philip Durham, but more frequently enjoying himself on the property of the Earl of Wemyss. That his Majesty was an excellent shot, the quantity of game brought home to Holyrood House amply testified. In Dalmeny Park, on one occasion, he bagged thirty-six pheasants, besides hares and partridges, in an incredibly short space of time. In their habits and general deportment the Duc and Duchesse d'dngouleme, or more properly speaking, the Dauphin and Dauphiness, were as unostentatious as his Majesty. Early in the morning of a market-day, they might be met armin- arm perambulating the Canongate and High Street, apparently much interested in the busy scene around them ; the one attired in an old blue greatcoat, the other enveloped in a cloak not mantle, or much superior in appearance. Unlike the Duke, however, the Duchess was a well-proportioned, active-looking woman. The former, strict in his religious observances, was a regular attendant at mass ; the latter employed more of her time in the perusal of books, or in carrying on a correspondence with the friends of the family in France. Arthur's Seat and the King's Park afforded many a solitary walk to the exiled party, and they seemed much delighted with their residence. It was evident from the first that Charles, when he sought the shores of Scotland, intended to make Holyrood House his home j and it may be imagined how keenly he felt, on finding himself, after a residence of nearly two years, under the necessity of removing to another country. Full of the recollection of former days, which time had not effaced from his memory, he said he had anticipated spending the remainder of his days in the Scottish capital, and laying his bones amongst the dust of our ancient kings in the Chapel of Holyrood. . The unexpected departure of Charles and his suite is ascribed to a remonstrance addressed by Louis Philippe to the British Government, which, having recognised the latter as King of the French, felt it necessary to discountenance the foreign correspondence alleged to have been carried on by the royal inmates of Holyrood. The order, though couched in polite language, is under ... EIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. to look again might easily discover, in his bearing and manner, enough to recall the ...

Book 9  p. 269
(Score 0.3)

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