200 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
alone, but even, it is said, the honest discharge of commercial obligations.’ For forty
years Mr Creech carried on the most extensive publishing concern in Scotland, and during
the whole of this long period nearly all the valuable literary productions of the time
passed through his hands. He published the writings of the celebrated judge and
philosopher, Lord Kames, who appears to have regarded him with friendship and esteem.
He was also the publisher of the works of Drs Blair, Beattie, Campbell (the opponent of
Hume), Cullen, Gregory, Adam Smith, Henry Mackenzie (the Man of Feeling), Lord
Woodhouselee, Dugald Stewart, and Burns, besides many others of inferior note ; all of
whom resorted to the old land in the Luckenbooths, or to the more select assemblies that
frequently took place at his breakfast table, designated by the wits Creech‘s levees. The
old bibliopolist is the subject of Burns’ amusing poem, “ Willie’s amz,’’ written on the
occasion of a long visit he paid to London in 1787, and forwarded to him by the poet at
the time. One or two of its stanzas are very lively and characteristic :-
0 Willie was a witty wight,
And had 0’ things an uuco slight ;
Auld Reekie aye he keepit tight,
And trig and braw ;
But now they ’11 busk her like a fright,
Willie ‘s awa,.
Nae mair we see his levee door,
Philosophers and poets pour,
And toothy critics by the score
The adjutant of a’ the core,
In bloody raw ;
Willie ’a awa.
From the same classic haunt the Mirror and Lounger were originally issued, the appearance
of which formed a new era in the literature of Edinburgh. The first paper of the
Mirror appeared on Saturday, 23d January 1779, aud created quite a sensation among the
blue-stocking coteries of the capital, The succeeding numbers were delivered at Mr Creech’s
shop every Wednesday and Saturday, and afforded a general source of interest and literary
amusement. Mr Mackenzie was the conductor and principal writer, but the chief contributors
latterly formed themselves into the ‘‘ Mirror Club,” which consisted of Henry
Mackenzie, Lord Craig, Lord Abercromby, Lord Bannatyne, Lord Cullen, George Home
of Wedderburn, William Gordon of Newhall, and George Ogilvie, advocates.’ Mr
Creech, like his predecessor, bore his share in the civic government, and twice filled
the office of Lord Provost. His reputation is still preserved by his “ Fugitive Pieces,” a
work of considerable local celebrity, although affording a very imperfect idea of the wit
Some curious illustrations, both of the wit and penuriousness of this old city bookseller, will be found scattered
through the pages of “ Ray’s Portraits.” ’ Lord Craig, then an advocate, was the originator, and, next to Mackenzie, the greatest contributor to the Mimr. The
Club previously existed under the name of the Tabernacle, but assumed that which had been adopted for their periodical,
The namea of the writers were carefully concealed, and in order to avoid observation, the Club held its weekly meetings
in no fixed place. ‘‘ Sometimes in Clerihugh’s, in Writer‘s Court, sometimes in Somer’s, opposite the Guard House,
in the High Street, sometimea in Stewart’s Oyster House, in the Old Fishmarket Close,” &c., when one of the most
interesting occupations of the evening was the examination of the contents of the Contributors’ box, which stood open
for all correspondents, at Yr Creech’s door.--Vide Scot. Biog. Dictionary,-Article “ Craig.”
