Kay's Originals Vol. 1

All Books Kay's Originals Vol. 1 Kay's Originals Vol. 2 Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time Edinburgh Past and Present Old and New Edinburgh Vol. I Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II Old and New Edinburgh Vol. III Old and New Edinburgh Vol. IV Old and New Edinburgh Vol. V Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI

Go to: Kay's Originals Vol. 1 Title Pages Advertisement Introductory Notice to Original Portraits, Biographical Sketches I. Mr. John Kay II. A Triumvirate. The Daft Highland Laird, John Dhu, or Dow, alias Macdonald, and Jamie Duff, an idiot. III. Francis McNab, Esq. of McNab IV. Three Giants, with a Group of Spectators V. Lord Kames. Hugo Arnot, Esq. of Balcormo, Advocate. Lord Monboddo. VI. Contemplation VII. Lord Gardenstone VIII. Hugo Arnot, Esq., Advocate, and Gingerbread Jock IX. Dr. Glen and the Daft Highland Laird X. A Sleepy Congregation XI. Dr. James Graham going along the North Bridge in a High Wind XII. Dr. James Graham lecturing in Edinburgh XIII. James Macrae, Esq. XIV. Captain Page and Captain Vicars XV. The Three Captains of the City Guard. George Pitcairn, George Robertson, Robert Pillans. XVI. Provost David Steuart and Bailie John Lothian XVII. Alexander Hunter, Esq. of Polmood, and Roger Hog, Esq. of Newliston XVIII. Francis Grose, Esq., F.A.S. of London and Perth XIX. Captain Mingay, with a porter carrying George Cranstoun in his creel XX. Samuel McDonald and George Cranstoun XXI. Major Fisher XXII. Dr. Joseph Black XXIII. Dr. Joseph Black, Lecturing XXIV. Dr. James Hutton XXV. Philosophers XXVI. Dr. John Brown XXVII. Dr. Brown in his study XXVIII. Sir James Hunter Blair, Bart., Late Lord Provost of Edinburgh XXIX. Alexander Carlyle, D.D., Inveresk XXX. The Modern Hercules XXXI. Adam Ritchie XXXII. Angelo Tremamondo, Esq., Riding Master XXXIII. Lord Rockville Dr. Adam Smith, and Commissioner Brown XXXIV. Adam Smith, LL.D. And F.R.S. of London and Edinburgh XXXV. The Sapient Septemviri. King's College, Aberdeen. XXXVI. Vincent Lunardi, in his basket, ready to ascend. XXXVII. Marriage XXXVIII. A group of Aeronauts. XXXIX. The Right Honourable Colonel Lennox. XL. Colonel Hunter. XLI. The Rev. William Robertson, D.D., author of the History of Scotland and Charles V XLII. Dr. William Robertson, D.D., in his full clerical dress XLIII. Quartermaster Taylor XLIV. Cock-fighting Match between the counties of Lanark and Haddington XLV. James Donaldson XLVI. Mr. Alexander Thomson and Miss Crawford XLVII. Retaliation; or the Cudgeller caught XLVIII. Henry Viscount Melville and The Hob. Robert Dundas of Arniston XLIX. Bailie James Dickson and Bailie James Torry L. William Doyle, Samuel Sone, and William Foster LI. Sir Ralph Abercromby, K.B., giving the word of command LII. General Sir Ralph Abercromby, K.B., viewing the army, encamped on the plains of Egypt LIII. Lauchlan McBain LIV. Second print of Lauchlan McBain LV. Mrs. Siddons, Mr. Sutherland, Mrs. Woods, of the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh LVI. Captain George Gordon, Captain George Robertson, and John Grieve, Esq., Lord Provost of Edinburgh LVII. Rev. Hugh Blair, D.D. of the High Church, Edinburgh LVIII. The Honourable Henry Erskine, Dean of the faculty of Advocates LIX. James Bruce, Esq. of Kinnaird, and Peter Williamson LX. Courtship LXI. Mr. William Martin, Bookseller and Auctioneer in Edinburgh LXII. Mr. Thomas White LXIII. Mr. Henderson and Mr. Charteris, of the Theatre-Royal, Edinburgh LXIV. The Rev. Joseph Robertson Macgregor, First Minister of the Edinburgh Gaelic Chapel LXV. The Rev. James Lawson of Belvidere, The Job of Present Times LXVI. An Exchange of Heads. Hugo Arnot, Esq. - Mr. William Macpherson, and Roger Hog, Esq. LXVII. The Rev. John McLure, Chaplain to the Grand Lodge LXVIII. Mr. Alexander Wood, surgeon LXIX. Mr. Wood LXX. Captain Hind LXXI. Robert McQueen of Braxfield, Lord Justice-Clerk LXXII. George Pratt (The Town-Crier) LXXIII. The Rev. Dr. John Erskine, late of the Old Greyfriars' Church, Edinburgh LXXIV. Dr. Erskine LXXV. Dr. Henry Moyes, lectureer on Chemistry, etc. LXXVI. Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo, banker in Edinburgh LXXVII. Thomas Fraser (A Natural) LXXVIII. The Marquis of Huntly, afterwards Duke of Gordon LXXIX. Sir James Montgomery of Stanhope and David Stuart Moncrief, esq. of Moredun LXXX. Rev. Greville Ewing LXXXI. The Earl of Hopetoun LXXXII. Charles Hay, Esq., Advocate LXXXIII. Lord Newton on the Bench LXXXIV. The Earl of Errol and the Right Honourable Lord Haddo. LXXXV. Voltaire, the French Philosopher, and Mr. Watson, an Edinburgh Messenger LXXXVI. Mr. William Smellie, Printer and Mr. Andrew Bell, Engraver LXXXVII. The Right Honourable David Earl of Leven and Melville LXXXVIII. The Right Honourable Lord Adam Gordon LXXXIX. Right Honourable Lord Adam Gordon and His Royal Highness the Count D'Artois, afterwards Charles X XC. John Dhu XCI. Sir William Nairne, Baronet, Lord Dunsinnan XCII. Mr. Ralph Rylance XCIII. Levelling of the High Street of Edinburgh XCIV. Mr. Moss in the character of 'Caleb' XCV. Mr. Robert Meikle XCVI. Mr. Thomas Neil, Wright and Precentor XCVII. Major Campbell of the 35th Regiment XCVIII. The Royal Edinburgh Volunteers. Mr. Archibald Gilchrist XCIX. John Davidson, Esq., and Lord Henderland. George Paton, Esq. Lord Monboddo and Dr. Hutton. C. David Ross, Lord Ankerville CI. Francis Home, M.D. CII. The Right Hon. the Earl of Haddington, Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo, Bart., and Sir James Hunter Blair, Bart. CIII. Dr. William Cullen CIV. Dr. Cullen in his study CV. William Brodie, Deacon of the Incorporation of Wrights and Masons, Edinburgh CVI. George Smith and Deacon William Brodie CVII. General Buttons, An American Officer CVIII. Mr. John Wright, Lecturer on Law CIX. John Wright, Edq., Advocate CX. The Rev. William Beat, Minister of Kilrenny CXI. James Marshall, Esq., writer to the Signet CXII. Rev. John Wesley CXIII. Sir James Grant of Grant, Bart. CXIV. Dr. Alexander Monro, Secundus, Professor of Anatomy CXV. Rev. John Kemp, D.D. CXVI. The Most Noble the Marquis of Graham, and The Right Hon. the Earl of Buchan CXVII. Henry Dundas, Viscount Melville CXVIII. Andrew Nicol CXIX. Three Legal Devotees. Andrew Nicol, Mary Walker, and John Skene CXX. Four Bucks. Dr. Eiston, Signior Stabilini, Captain McKenzie, and Macnab of Macnab CXXI. Dr. Andrew Hunter CXXII. Lord Craig CXXIII. Mungo Watson, Beadle of Lady Yester's Church, etc. CXXIV. James Robertson of Kincraigie CXXV. Thomas Muir, Esq. Younger of Huntershill CXXVI. Sir Archibald Hope of Pinkie, Bart. CXXVII. Robert Blair, Esq. CXXVIII. Robert Blair, Esq., Solicitor-General CXXIX. The Hon. Robert Dundas of Arniston CXXX. Captain James Justice of Justice Hall, and a Lady in the costume of 1790 CXXXI. Andrew Dalziel, A.M., F.R.S. CXXXII. Two Shadows. Lord Kames, and Hugo Arnot, Esq. CXXXIII. Neil Ferguson, Esq., Advocate, and the Little Polish Count CXXXIV. Dr. Alexander Hamilton, Professor of Midwifery CXXXV. Rev. Rowland Hill, A.M. CXXXVI. James Gregory, M.D. CXXXVII. Dr. James Gregory, in the uniform of the Royal Edinburgh Volunteers CXXXVIII. Alexander Osborne, Esq., and Francis Ronaldson, Esq. CXXXIX. Rev. Robert Walker CXL. Sir David Rae of Eskgrove, Bart., Lord Justice-Clerk CXLI. Mr. David Downie, Goldsmith in Edinburgh - tried for High Treason along with Robert Watt in 1794 CXLII. Mr. Thomas Blair, late of the Stamp-Office, Edinburgh CXLIII. Rev. William Moodie, D.D. CXLIV. Thomas Elder, Esq. of Forneth, Late Lord Provost of Edinburgh CXLV. The Right Hon. Lord Viscount Duncan CXLVI. Admiral Duncan on the Quarter-Deck CXLVII. Lord Hailes CXLVIII. Rev. Dr. David Johnston, Minister of North Leith CXLIX. Sir James Stirling, Bart. CL. Henry Dundas, and Sir James Stirling, Bart. CLI. Lord High Chancellor Loughborough, afterwards Earl of Rosslyn CLII. John Campbell, Esq., of Blythswood CLIII. The Hon. Basil Cochrane, and James Edgar, Esq., Commissioners of the Customs CLIV. Rev. Dr. Thomas Davidson, late of the Tolbooth Church, Edinburgh CLV. Colonel Patrick Crichton CLVI. George Fergusson, Lord Hermand CLVII. Mr. John Shiells, Surgeon CLVIII. Mr. Robert Johnston, and Miss Sibilla Hutton CLIX. Mr. John Bennet, Surgeon CLX. Three Officers of the Hopetoun Fencibles. Lord Napier, Major Pilmer, and Major Clarkson. CLXI. Mr. John Adams, Master of the Royal Riding Menage CLXII. Mr. William Scott, Mr. James Sibbald, George Fairholme, Esq., and James Kerr, Esq. CLXIII. Rev. William Paul CLXIV. Byrne, the Irish Giant, Mr. Watson, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Fairholme, and Geordie Cranstoun CLXV. Allan Macdougall, Esq. of Glenlochan, Alexander Watson, Esq. of Glenturkie, and Colquhoun Grant, Esq. CLXVI. Ensign Macdougal, of the Hopetoun Fencibles CLXVII. Mr. James Rae, Dr. William Laing, and Dr. James Hay CLXVIII. George Mealmaker, author of the 'Moral and Political Catechism of Man' CLXIX. Two Turks CLXX. The City Guard House. Corporal John Dhu Notes to Vol. 1 Index to the Portraits, etc. in Vol. 1 Index to the Names Incidentally Mentioned in the First Volume » Kay's Originals Vol. 2 » Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time » Edinburgh Past and Present » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. I » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. III » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. IV » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. V » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI

82 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. ing alighted at Campsie, about twelve miles distant, where he was received by the Rev. Mr. Lapsley, minister of that place, who transmitted an account of his descent to one of the Glasgow journals. The fifth ascent of Lunardi in Scotland, and the second at Edinburgh, again occurred at Heriot’s Hospital Green. He made offer of the profits of this second exhibition for the benefit of the Charity Workhouse, but the directors politely declined accepting his offer, on the ground that, however desirous they might be to promote the interest of the institution, they were unwilling that any one should rbk his Zife for its benefit. On Tuesday the 20th December, Lunardi took his flight a few minutes before one o’clock. On this occasion he was dressed in the uniform of the Scots Archers, having been previously admitted an honorary member of that body, as well as having had the freedom of Edinburgh conferred upon him. He was also provided with a cork jacket, as on the former occasion furnished by Dr. Rae, togeLher with other precautionary means of safety, in case of an immersion in the German Ocean.’ These, as it happened, were not without their use. The balloon ascended with great rapidity, taking a more easterly direction than formerly, and was seen, by means of a telescope, about two o’clock, in rather a perilous situation, about two miles north-east of Gullanness. Not far from this place, it appears the balloou had descended so low as to immerse the car in the water, when some fishermen observing the occurrence, imniediately proceeded to his rescue. Owing, however, to the rapidity with which the car was dragged, nearly three quarters of an hour elapsed before they were able to render any assistance ; and when they came up, Lunardi was breast deep in the water, and benumbed with cold. They were then five or sib miles from land. He would have cut away the balloon, but seeing the fishermen approaching, he was unwilling to lose it by doing so. On leaving the car for the boat, however, the balloon, being thus lightened, rose with great force, carrying every appendage with it in its flight. hir. Lunardi was then taken to Mr. Nisbet’s of Dirleton, where he spent the evening. In a letter dated that night to the magistrates of Edinburgh, he speaks lightly of his danger, expresses reget at losing the balloon, but was hopeful that the people would be satisfied with his conduct. Fortunately the balloon was picked up next day by the May cutter, about twelve miles off Anstruther. Lunardi then returned to England, exhibiting his aerial ingenuity in the provincial towns (having been in London some time previous to his arrival in Scotland); A very unfortunate occurrence took place on his ascending at Newcastle : -A Mr. Heron having hold of one of the ropes, incautiously twisted it round his arm, and not being able to disentangle himself in time, he was lifted up to a considerable height, when the rope giving way, he fell, and was killed on the spot. Mr. Heron was on the eve of marriage, and at the time the accident occurred the lady of his affections-was by his side. wind, that he would be driven into the German Ocean. me up.” Fortunately for him somebody didpick him up. On this occasion, says our informant, Lunardi was positively assured, from the diction of the “ Me don’t mind that-somebody will pick

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 83 Mr. Lunardi again visited Edinburgh the year following (1 786), and ascended the third time from Heriot’s Hospital Green, on the 31st of July. On this occasion a lady (Mrs. Lamash, an actress) was to have accompanied him, and had actually taken her seat in the car ; but the balloon being unable to ascend with both, Lunardi ascended alone. In consequence of little wind, he came down about two miles distant. On his return to the city in the evening, he was carried through the streets in his car by the populace, and received other demonstrations of admiration, Very little is known of Mr. Lunardi’s personal history, save that he was a native of Italy, and some time Secretary to the then late Neapolitan ambassador. In 1786, he published an account of his aerial voyages in Scotland, which he dedicated to the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch. This small volume, although proving him to be a man of education, and some talent as a writer, throws very little light upon his history. It consists of a series of letters addressed to his guardian, (‘ Chevalier Gerardo Compagni.” These letters were evidently written under the impulse of the moment, and afford a connected detail of his progress in Scotland. They are chiefly interesting at this distance of time, as showing;the feelings and motives of one, who, whether his “labours were misdirected” or not, obtained an extraordinary degree of notoriety. In short, the volume is amusing in this particular, and adds another proof to the many, that few, very few, seek the advancement of society, or of the sciences, for humanity’s sake alone, Fame is the grand stimulus. A portrait of the author is prefixed, which corresponds extremely well with Mr. Kay’s sketches of him. Lunardi must have been at that time a very young man. The young adventurer, on his arrival in the Scottish capital, is much pleased with its ancient and romantic appearance. He expresses himself with great animation on all he sees around him, and apparently with great sincerity. As a specimen of the man and his opinions, we are induced to make one or two extracts. In the first letter, after describing his arrival, he says :- “ I have apartments in Walker’s Hotel, Prince’s Street, from whence I behold innumerable elegant baildings, and my ears are saluted with the sounds of industry from many others similarly arising. It vibrates more forcibly on the chords of my heart than the most harmonious notes of music, and gives birth to sensations that.1 would not exchange for all the boasted pleasures of luxury and dissipation.” These sentiments would have done credit to one less gay and youthful than Lunardi. In another letter he says, ‘‘ I am now happy in the acquaintance of the Hon. Henry Erskine, Sir William Forbes, and Major Fraser.” True to his clime, however, the letters of Lnnardi betray in him all the volatility and passion ascribed to his countrymen. At one moment he is in ecstasy, the other in despair, He had chosen George Square for his first display, and had contracted with Isaac Braidwood of the Luckenbooths, who had actually begun to enclose the area, when an order from the Magistrates stopped farther proceedings. The Hail to the voice of labour !

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