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

J~IQGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 172 No. LXXV. DR. HENRY MOYES, LECTURER ON CHEMISTRY, ETC. DR. MOYES was born in the year 1750 at Kirkcaldy, in the county of Fife. What station in society his father held, and even what profession he followed, we are not told. It seems probable, however, that he was possessed of some property, because his son was sent to college and enjoyed the behefit of a liberal education. He lost his sight, when about three years old, by the small-pox, so that he hardly retained any recollection of having ever seen. Yet he stated that he remembered having once observed a water-mill in motion, and that, even at that early age, his attention was attracted by the circumstance of the water flowing in one direction, while the wheel turned round in the opposite. This he represented as having staggered his infant mind before he could comprehend it. He was sent to school, but what was his progress there is unknown, From thence he was removed to the University, where, judging from his subsequent acquirements, it is to be presumed he made considerable progress. One thing is certain, that in early life he undoubtedly acquired the fundamental principles of mechanics, music, and the languages ; and displayed a knowledge of geometry, algebra, optics, astronomy, chemistry, and in short of most of the branches of the Newtonian philosophy. He seems to have delighted in, and to have had a great taste for mechanics, for we are told that at a very early age he made himself acquainted with the use of edge-tools so perfectly that he was able to make little wind-mills, and even constructed a loom with his own hands. His first attempt at delivering public lectures commenced at Edinburgh, where he lectured on the theory and practice of music, but not meeting with the encouragement he expected, he relinquished the design. What was the more immediate cause of his resolving to deliver a course of lectures on chemistry is unknown ; but it was probably the interesting and miscellaneous nature of the subjects treated of, the reputation of Dr. Black, professor of that science in Edinburgh, who was then in his zenith, and the uncommon avidity with which his class was attended by the students. As he was the first blind man who proposed to lecture on chemistry, the novelty of the proposal naturally excited curiosity and attention.' But so careless have been his biographers, that they Dr, Moyes' lectures were usually well attended. During his stay in Edinburgh a curious mistake occurred betwixt two ladies. The one being from the country, and having heard of the celebrated conjuror, Doctor Boaz, who was at the same t i e giving lectures on the art of legerdemain, her curiosity was on edge to witness his sleight-of-hand. The city dame, who of come was her cicerone on 2 A

  Enlarge  

128 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. have not mentioned in what year he commenced, ho< many courses he delivered, nor whether he made any attempt at this time in any other city or town of his native country. There was nothing very remarkable in his manner. Hia voice was good, and his articulation excellent. There was no appearance of affectation or cbnceit, nor of that impudent forwardness which gives offence and creates disgust. Nevertheless, he never seemed in the least degree embarrassed, but handled his subject in such a way as to convince his audience that he was well prepared The accuracy of his language, considering the disadvantages with which he ' had to contend, was wonderful ; and if there were any defect, it consisted in sometimes making use of very bold metaphors, which could have been as well spared. His epithets were in general well applied, and seldom had a tendency towards bombast. The address which he discovered in performing experiments excited great interest in the company present, and afforded them the highest pleasure. He left Scotland in 1779, and directed his route towards England; but in what part of the country he commenced his career is not known. From the strong partiality to Manchester which he retained during the whole subsequent part of his life, it is conjectured he made his debut in that place. As a proof of the liberal manner in which he was treated in England, it is sufficient to mention that he spent six years in making a tour through it, He delivered lectures not only in the capital, but almost in every city and considerable town. The introductions which he carried from one part of the country to another, were from persons of the first character and influence in society, and he had the art of rendering himself so agreeable to those whom he visited, that he was much courted, and every person was proud to do him a service. In most places which he visited it was reckoned a distinguished honour to be admitted into his company, and have an opportunity of listening to the conversation of so uncommon a genius, who, though blind from his infancy, had acquired so large a stock of curious, useful, and miscellaneous knowledge. His audience consisted of the most respectable people of the towns through which he passed. Dr. Moyes did not rest satisfied with having accomplished many laborious journeys through South Britain. His aspiring temper and enterprising genius contemplated with ardour the idea of crossing the Atlantic, and pushing his fortune in America. He was received with open arms by the Americans. His fame had gone before him, and in his progress through the continent of America he conversed with such persons as were distinguished for their learning and love of science. In some places the crowds that repaired to his lectures were exceedingly great. The churches-that is, the places generally appropriated to the purposes of public all occasions, misunderstood the expression of her friend, and thought she meant the blind lecturer, Dr. Moyes. Chairs being ordered for the two ladies, they were accordingly set down at the lectureroom of the philosopher. The country lady anxiously waited for a display of those wonderful tricks she had anticipated ; but wag at last astonished, although not the less gratified, to find that she had been made an unintentional auditor.of an interesting experimental lecture on chemistry. We have heard him lecture. Accordingly, for this purpose, he set sail in 1785.

  Enlarge