98 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
No. XLVI.
MR. ALEXANDER THOMSON
AND
MISS CRAWFORD.
THOSE who recollect MR. THOMSON, affirm this representation of him to be
extremely faithful. He was very remarkable for the length of his arms, which,
while walking, he kept dangling by his side, as represented in the Print. He
carried on business as a grocer in a shop nearly opposite the Tron Church,
where, by persevering industry and fair dealing, he is said to have amassed a
considerable fortune ; from which circumstance, together with his long and
honourable career, he obtained the title of the “ Prince of Grocers.” Not much
in accordance, however, with this high-sounding title he was known also by the
less dignified appellation of “Farthing Sandy,” owing to his having at one
period issued a great number of brass farthings, for the better adjustment of
accounts with his numerous customers.
Thomson was a widower of long standing; but having grown in riches as
well as in years, it appears strange fantasies of greatness began to flit before his
imagination. He used to compare himself with the other grocers as a large mastiff
dog, placed in the centre of a number of little terriers. With a view to his
aggrandizement, he sought to connect himself by marriage with some family of
aristocratic blood j and with this “ intention full resolved,” he is represented
in the Print as “ casting an eye” at Miss Crawford-a lady somewhat whimsical,
if not altogether fantastical, in her dress and manners. The scene is lirnned
by Mr. Kay as witnessed on the Calton-Hill, the day on which Mr Tytler’s
“ fire-balloon” ascended from the Abbey grounds. The “ Prince of Grocers,”
however, was not successful in his pursuit, and ultimately became, among the
ladies, an object of ridicule, being known by the feminine sobriquet of “Ruffles,”
from a practice he had of hiding his long fingers in his sleeve appendages.
Had the widower aimed at less lofty game, there would have been no doubt
of success ; his ‘‘ old brass would have bought a new pan.”
Notwithstanding his reputed riches, it is said that Thomson left a mere trifle
at his death, having been nearly ruined by a son, who afterwards went to
Jamaica, where it is believed he died a mendicant.
His house was at the Abbey-Hill.
MISS CRAWFORD, the object of the grocer’s ambition, was the daughter
of Sir Hew Crawford of Jordanhill, and resided at the time at a place called
Redbraes, Bonnington Road. She continued “deaf as Ailsa Craig” to the
wooing of old Ruffles, preferring a life of single blessedness, although it
