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,
