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Kay's Originals Vol. 1

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 193. Mft. MONCRIEF of Moredun, the venerablelooking old gentleman on the right, entered as a member of the Faculty of Advocates a.t an early age, but he never made a distinguished figure as a lawyer. His temper was naturally distant and reserved ; and, far from seeking those intimacies which usually contribute to bring many a person of inferior ability into practice, he rather shunned than courted society. He was very early promoted to the office of King’s Remembrancer in the Exchequer Court, the duties of which he discharged for many years with fidelity and attention. He was then preferred to the more elevated station of a Baron of the Exchequer, and in this situation fully maintained the character which he had previously acquired for regularity and despatch of business. Baron Moncrief continued all his life a bachelor ; and, although by no means parsimonious, amassed a considerable fortune. He took much pleasure in cultivating the garden at Moredun,’ which, with great labour and expense, he brought to the highest state of perfection. He was for many years most attentive in presenting His Grace the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly with such rarities as his garden afforded. Prior to his removal to Moredun, Mr. Moncrief occupied that self-contained house in the Horse Wynd, next door to the shop of Mr. Paton, carver and gilder. Sir Thomas Moncrief, Baronet, of that Ilk, was the Baron’s nephew, and nearest heir. Mr. Kay, in his MS. notes, mentions that the uncle, being anxious to engage his nephew in a matrimonial alliance of his own choosing, succeeded in completing a match between Sir Thomas and Lady Elizabeth Ramsay, sister of the Earl of Dalhousie. On the celebration of the marriage the Baron was very liberal, and presented all the domestics of Sir Thomas with handsome presents, in honour of the auspicious occasion : but as “ The best laid schemes of men and mice Gang aft agee, ” so in this case the marriage did not realise that domestic felicity which the goodhearted bachelor had so fondly anticipated. It is possible that neither party had consulted their own feelings in the matter ; but, be that as it may, the Baron conceived that the lady had been indifferently treated by his nephew, and he did not hesitate to declare so. At his death-as a substantial proof of his esteem for the one, and his disapprobation of the conduct of the other-he left the lady his estate of Moredun, and all the other property of which he could deprive his heir-at-law. Moredun is in the parish of Liberton, and about three miles from Edinburgh. It is now the property of David Anderson, Esq., of the firm of Sir William Forbes and Company, banken in Edinburgh. The garden, so much the favourite of the Baron, is still cultivated with peculiar care, and does great credit to its present proprietor. 2 c
Volume 8 Page 271
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