BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 89
an ingenious artist, but who, from a feeling of modesty, prevailed 04 the limner
to alter it.
The fourth, or extreme figure on the left, is MR. JOHN MITCHELL,
of the firm of Mitchell and White, hardware-merchants, at that time residing
in North Bridge Street. He was a respectable trader, and a great admirer of
balloons.
The fifth, in the background on the right, is a capital likeness of MR.
JAMES NEILSON, writer and clerk to the Rev. Sir Henry Moncreiff Wellwood,
Bart., and his predecessors, Mr. Stewart and Dr. Webster, as collectors of the
Ministers’ Widows’ Fund. He lived in Turk’s Close, a little to the west of the
Luckenbooths, and died a bachelor, in March 1797. He was a particular friend
to Lunardi. He belonged, at a former period, to the first volunteer regiment
raised in Great Britain, viz. the Edinburgh Defensive Band,
The sixth is a striking likeness of JOHN SPOTTISWOOD, Esq., one of
the magistrates of Edinburgh, a most respectable gentleman. He was at one
time a dealer in Carron-wares in the Grassmarket, and afterwards in Adam
Square (South Bridge). Kay has in his MS. preserved the following anecdote
relative to him :-This Print had hardly appeared when the Bailie came up to
the limner, and challenged him for publishing such a scandalous print, saying he
ought to be horsewhipped, and adding that he ought rather to have paid a compliment
to Lnnardi, than to have classed him with Lord North the caddy. “ I
don’t know,” said Kay, “ but Lord North is as good a man as he ; but I should
like to see the man who would horsewhip me.”-“It is one of the horriblest things
on earth,” replied the Bailie, “to put me on a level with a caddy.”--“ Oh! Bailie,
are you there toot’’ exclaimed Kay, by way of interrogation. “Yes, sir,” returned
the magistrate, “you know I am there ; I have a daughter only five years old,
who points me out at first sight.”-“ She must be a smart girl,” said the limner;
“ but if you please, Bailie, I shall do another print of you by yburse1f.”-“I’d see
you hanged first,” answered our hero. “Oh! Bailie, Bailie!” said Kay, “I hope
you are not angry.”-“ Angry ! I’m shocking angry !” returned the provoked
magistrate, stamping the ground with his foot, to the no small amusement of
the spectators who happened to be looking at the prints in Kay’s window, in
the Parliament Square, at the time.
The Seventh, or extreme figiire on the right, is MYLES M‘PHAIL, better
known by the name of LORD NORTH, the Caddy. This sobriquet was
bestowed in consequence of his personal resemblance to Lord North, afterwards
Earl of Guildford. M‘Phail, besides his occupation as a caddy, kept a tavern in
the High Street, and was much esteemed for his activity ; he was also officer of
the Caledonian Hunt. On the occasion of Lunardi’s ascent from the .Green of
Heriot’s Hospital, Lord North collected the money.
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