188 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
In the foregoing sketch the character of the late Duke of Gordon has been
drawn chiefly from the events of his public career. His conduct in the social
relations of domestic life will be best estimated by those-and there are manywho
had an opportunity of personal intercourse, Although not present on the
memorable event of the King’s Visit to Scotland in 1822, his name was not
forgotten by the Scottish muse on that occasion, In the “ Highland Chieftains’
Welcome ” the Marquis is thus eulogised :-
“ And Huntly, at once the delight and the glory,
The boast and the pride of the clans of the north ;
Renowned not more in warrior’s story,
Than in home’s happy circle, for true manly worth.”
In the second part of “ Carle now the King’s come,” by the late Sir Walter
Scott, he is also familiarly alluded to :-
“ Cock 0’ the North, my Huntly bra’,
Where are you with my Forty-twa ?
Oh ! waes my heart that ye’re awa’-
Carle now the King’s come !”
The Marquis obtained the distinctive appellation of the “ Cock 0’ the North,”
in allusion to his spirited copduct, as well as to the circumstance of his being
the representative of an ancient and powerful family. Amid the occasional
frolics of youth and the allurements of high life, however, the native goodness
of his heart continued uncorrupted ; he was an especial friend to the poor,
affection and confidence ; and we had fondly hoped that he might have been yet spared to us for
many years, to strengthen our hands in the cause of charity, and to watch over the interests of the
Scottish poor in this Metropolis.
Of those excellencies which so strongly commended to us your late noble lord as the most fitting
person to occupy the chair of this ancient Corporation, we can now only cherish the recollection-a
recollection which, we’feel assured, is shared with us by his Sovereign who honoured him, and by
his countrymen who loved him ; and, if we might allude to any topic of consolation less elevated
than that which religion affords, we would particularise that heartfelt grief experienced at his loss by
every one who was favoured by his friendship, or who came within the sphere of his beneficence.
It is not the office-bearers of this Institution only who have reason to lament the decease of their
late President ; for, in the death of the Duke of Gordon, Scotland has lost one of her most illustrious
Noblemen, Great Britain one of her most consistent Statesmen, the King of these realms one of the
firmest supporters of his throne, the cause of charity, generally, one of its most liberal contributors,
and you, Madam, especially, have lost a companion, friend, and husband, by a stroke which can be
healed by Him only who hath brought life and immortality to light by his Gospel.
We embrace this opportunity of conveying to your Grace our hearty acknowledgments for your
countenance and support so liberally bestowed on this charity, in co-operation with your late
lamented husband.
We
know that your heart must be overflowing with grief, and to bid you check its present outpourings
were to bid you do violence to the course of qature; but we recommend you unto Him who,
having smitten, can also heal-wishing you that peace which proceedeth from believing, and after
a prolonged life of usefulness in this world, in the world to come “that Crown of Glory, which is
eternal in the Heavens.”
Given nnder our common Seal, at our Hall, Crane Court, Fleet Street, on Wednesday the
L. 5. I
In conclusion, we are aware of our inability to estimate the depth of your Grace’s sorrow,
Twenty-ninth of June, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-six.
BIOGRAP,HICAL SKETCHES. 189
and kind and affable to all. In reference to this feature in his character, the
following pleasing anecdote is told: A certain gentleman, “clothed with a
little brief authority,” was allowed by the Duke (the Marquis’ father) a
handsome sum annually for incidental charities. It was, however, strongly
suspected that not one farthing of the money was expended among the poor.
The rumour having reached Huntly’s ears, he resolved upon an expedient to
ascertain whether the general suspicions were well founded. Having attired
himself in the lowly guise of a beggar, he repaired to the house of the little
great personage ; and there assuming the “ trembling steps ” of three-score-andten,
he knocked at the door and solicited alms. One of the menials ordered
him to be gone-as no beggar was allowed access to the house, In well-feigned
accents the mock-mendicant pleaded his absolute necessity, and expressed his
confidence that the master himself would not use him so. The master at length
appeared with a stern countenance; and in spite of the beggar’s tale of deep
distress, threatened, if he did not instantly depart, to “ hound the dogs at him.”
Thus thoroughly convinced that the charges were not without foundation, the
Marquis took care to be present at the next annual settlement, when the usual
debit-“to incidental charities ”-appearing as formerly, he drew his pen through
the entry, at the same time reminding the pretended almoner of his conduct
to the beggar, and declaring that he would in future manage these charities
himself.
It is said the Marquis was such an adept in the art of counterfeiting characters
that even his most intimate associates were occasionally made the dupes
of his deceptions. Some of his exploits happening to become the topic of
conversation on one occasion, a gentleman present took a bet with his lordship
that he for one would be proof against his art, let him assume whatever disguise
he might. The wager was instantly accepted; and in the course of a few days
afterwards the Marquis had himself rigged out in all the ragged paraphernalia
of a veteran gaberlunzie-with budgets and wallets arranged in such a manner
that even Edie Ochiltree might not have been ashamed of the personification.
Thus equipped, he proceeded to the mansion of his friend ; and having on his
journey avoided neither ‘‘ dub nor mire,” he seemed the very picture of one of
those sturdy mendicants of whom the country was prolific during last century.
He met the lord of the manor in the avenue leading to the house, to whom he
gave the obeisance due from a person of his assumed calling ; and after gratifying
his curiosity by answering a few inquiries, he was ordered by the gentleman to
the hall, and there to “see what he could find fitting for a keen appetite.”
Huntly accordingly stalked into the hall, where he was served with an ample
plate of cold meat and abundance of bread and beer; but he partook very sparingly,
and in short enacted this part of his assumed character so inditferently as to
call forth a remark from the housekeeper, that “to be a rachel-looking carle he
had a very gentle stomach.” Having thus far succeeded without discovery,
Huntly resolved to make a still bolder attempt on his friend‘s boasted discrimination.
Quitting the house, he studiously crossed the path of the gentleman,
