Kay's Originals Vol. 1

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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

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 155 him to show towards the father. Be this as it may, the fact is undoubted that the Presbytery of Auchterarder actually postponed consideration of Mr. Lawson’s claim to be admitted to the ministry, without assigning any ground for so doing, for the period of six years ! This occurred in 1771 ; and although, three years afterwards, the Assembly interfered, by an order to the Presbytery to take his case into consideration, it was not until 1777 that Mr. Lawson became actively resolute in forwarding his claim to be licensed. In the General Assembly of that year we find him in the character of “ a petitioner for justice,” when his (‘ appeal against a sentence of the Presbytery of Auchterarder, refusing to take him on licentiate trials, with reasons of dissent, and a complaint by some members of Presbytery, were taken into consideration.” In the petition it is stated, “that, as soon as the appellant had made his requisition to be taken on trials, the ministers withdrew from the Presbytery house without closing the sederunt, to the house in which they were to dine ; and after dinner they sent their officer for the appellant, and witheut calling for a single elder upstairs, or assigning any reason at all for their refusal, they (6th May 1777) did, by a majority, refuse to grant the petitioner’s request.” In the “reasons of dissent” by certain members of the Presbytery, it is stated- “ lst, That Mr. Lawson’s moral character was irreproachable ;-that nothing is alleged against him except some improprieties of behaviour ;-that his recluse and studious life may have kept him a stranger to the fashion of this world, which passeth away ; but the want of these superficial accomplishments is. amply compensated for by a considerable proficiency in human literature and in theologyby a simplicity, sincerity, and humility of deportment-and, above all, by a rational and unfeigned devotion ; and that the Presbytery, on the principles on which they rejected Mr. Lawson, would have rejected John the Baptist, who was bred a hermit, unfashioned to this world.-2d, that three years have elapsed since the Assembly ordered the Presbytery to show all charity to Mr. Lawson, and, though not to be rash in taking him on trials, yet to treat him with all tenderness and candour ; and that an interval of three years will vindicate the Presbytery from any charge of rashness ; but it was also their duty to treat him with tenderness and candour.-And 3d, That the Presbytery refused, simpliciter, to take him on trials, without assigning any reason for their refusal.” Parties being fully heard, after long reasoning, the General Assembly reversed the sentence complained of, and ordered the Presbytery to take Mr. Lawson on trials, with all convenient speed, and according to the rules of the Church. The Presbytery, in accordance with the mandate of a higher court, began the business of the “ trials.” The result may be anticipated when we mention that, in the General Assembly of the following year (17’78), Mr. Lawson again appeared in the character of a petitioner, complaining of a sentence of the Presbytery of Auchterarder, “ rejecting a discourse he had delivered before them as part of his trials, and remitting him to his studies.” The Honourable Henry Erskine appeared as his counsel, and Messrs. Scott, Dunbar, and W-right, for the Presbytery, After both parties were heard, the Assembly agreed to read Mr.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Lawson’s prayer and homily-a proceeding which was prevented by Mr. Erskine withdrawing the appeal.’ Mr. Lawson again appeared in the Assembly in 1779, as appellant from a sentence of the Presbytery of the 4th of May of that year, when the Assembly “ remitted the cause to the Presbytery, and appointed them to take Mr. Lawson on trials before the meeting of next Assembly ; and in case any objections are offered to his discourses, or to his conduct, they shall give him an opportunity of being heard on these objections before passing any judgment upon them.” This remit did not benefit Mr. Lawson ; and in the next Assembly he again appeared as a ‘‘ persevering petitioner” against the Presbytery of Auchterarder. In this new petition he complains that on ad of February 1780 the Presbytery prescribed to him a homily on a passage in Matthew, which the petitioner delivered on the 4th of April, and upon which the Presbytery did not give judgment, but prescribed to him another portion of Scripture for a lecture. The lecture he also delivered on the 25th of April, when the Presbytery again, without giving judgment, prescribed another portion of Scripture for an exercise and addition ; but being thus (‘ exercised” out of all patience, the student once more claimed the protection of the Supreme Court. On hearing the petition the Assembly appointed a committee to meet with the parties, with the view of an amicable adjustment, and afterwards ‘‘ remitted to the hesbytery to proceed to the remainder of Mr. Lawson’s trials, to finish the same, and pronounce their final judgment thereon, between and the first Wednesday of May next.” The Presbytery, thus pushed to extremities, had no resource but to pronounce a final opinion, which was done within the period assigned ; and we need scarcely add, after what had passed, that it was condemnatory of the petitioner. On the meeting of the Assembly in 1781, the committee which had been appointed to consider Mr. Lawson’s discourses gave in a report (to which the Assembly agreed) of the following tenor :-“ Edinburgh, May 31, 1781.-The committee report that having heard three of Mr. Lawson’s discoumes, and a letter of his to the Presbytery of Auchterarder, in answer to a question of the Presbytery put to him respecting his communicating, they found in the discourses such proofs of incapacity, and, in the letter such a spirit, as in their unanimous opinion fully justified the sentence of the Presbytery refusing to grant him a license.” The Rev. Mr. Cowan of Glndsmuir dissented from this judgment of the Assembly. The final result certainly exonerates the Presbytery from all other blame, excepting that of having unnecessarily delayed a decision for so long a period. This proceeding on the part of his counsel certainly creates a strong presuniption that, although the Presbytery might originally have erred in postponing consideration of the claim, the latter remit of Mr. Lawson to his trials was a very proper one. If the prayer and homily were unexceptionable, why not have submitted them to the consideration of the Assenibly ! In that case, after considering these productions, had the members of that venerable court been satisfied of his fitness for the ministry, the sentence complained of would have been reversed.

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