26 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
NO. rx.
DR. GLEN AND THE DAFT HIGHLAND LAIRD.
THE first of these figures represents a gentleman who enjoyed considerable
celebrity in his day, at once for the amount of his wealth and the tenacity with
which he held it. He had made a fortune abroad in the practice of his profession
; and, in his latter years, returned to his native country-nut to enjoy
it. He was twice married. On the second occasion he had attained the
discreet age of seventy ; and it is said that, amongst the other soft and captivating
things which the venerable lover whispered into the ear of the young
lady on whom his choice had fallen, to induce her to receive his addresses,
was the promise of a carriage. The
carriage was got-but no horses. (‘ That’s more than I bargained for,” said
the Doctor ; “I promised a carriage, and there it is ; but I promised no horses,
neither shall you have them.” And here again the Doctor was as good as his
word. The consequence was a quarrel with his young wife, aggravated by
certain attempts on her part to revolutionise his house. The result may be
anticipated-three weeks after the marriage a separation took place by mutual
consent, the husband settling a sufficient aliment on his affectionate spouse.
There is another anecdote of the Doctor’s happy talent for saving, but of so
incredible and absurd a character, that, assured as we are of its truth, we have
some hesitation in mentioning it. It is said that, on the death of his wife-the
&st, we presume-he adopted the ingenious expedient of attempting to procure
a second-hand coffin to hold her remains, for lessening the funeral expenses on
this melancholy occasion.
At a very advanced period of life, the Doctor was prevailed upon by a friend,
but by what process of reasoning is not known, nor can be conjectured,’to enter
the society of Freemasons-a step which not a little surprised every one who
knew him, or was aware of his penurious habits. How much was their surprise
increased, when they found the Doctor entering, as he did, into all the spirit of
the association, whether in its business or its pleasures, with an ardour and enthusiasm
unequalled by the youngest member I The Doctor became, in truth, in so
far at least as the circumstance of his connexion with the brethren was concerned,
a totally changed man. He headed deputations, presided at lodges, and became,
in short, the leading spirit of the fraternity. The members of the Lodge of St.
Andrew’s, to which he belonged, and which was at this juncture rather barren of
funds, early saw, in the Ooctor’s new-born passion, a very pleasant and rational
prospect of effecting an improvement in their exchequer, Without loss of time
they flattered the Doctor’s vanity by electing him their Master, and ere long
To this promise the Doctor was faithful.