242 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Mr. Gilchrist died upon the 10th September 1804, at the premature age of
thirtyeight. He was succeeded in the business by his brother William, who
also attained to the magistracy, and died in 1826.
Of the two surviving brothers of the family, John and Edward, the former
had a respectable appointment in the Custom-House ; and the latter, who was
in bad health for several years, also held a situation in connection with the Port
of Leith. John, who attained the age of seventy years, was yet “hale and
hearty,” and an excellent representative of the old school. No one who
ever met him at the social board, or experienced the kindness of his welcome,
and the exhilarating effects of a glass and a song at his “ain fireside,” could
fail to recognise in his robust person, and free and hospitable manners, a characteristic
specimen of the last century inhabitants of Edinburgh.‘ He held
his appointment in the Custom-House nearly twenty-seven years, and faithfully
discharged the duties of the office during that long period. He was so universally
esteemed, that, on retiring from office in 1827, he had the honour of being
presented with a massive box from the “ Merchants and Officers of the Customs
at the Port of Leith.” In the language of Mr. Cassels, who addressed Mr.
Gilchrist on the occasion, it might well be said that, having during the long
period of his official service “uniformly enjoyed, not only the approbation of his
superiors and the friendship of his associates, but the unqualified opinion of the
merchants and traders of the port, it must be allowed that he has conducted
himself in every way becoming an officer and a gentleman.”
Mr. Archibald Gilchrist married a Miss M‘Callum, daughter of a Glasgow
merchant, and by her had seven children, most of whom died when young.
Eliza, the eldest daughter, was married to a Dr. Carrick of London, and died
there.
Mr. Gilchrist is well known in Edinburgh as an amateur vocalist of no common excellence. He
was one of the original members of the “ Harmonists’ Society,” instituted in 1826 by Mr. John Mather
of Sheffield. To the last he attended their meetings, and took part in the perforniances with all the
enthusiasm of his younger yearn. His range of songs embraced many of the most popular productions
known to the musical world-whether of the grave or gay, the lively or severe. Indeed, it was
astonishing to hear such songs as “The Sea”-“Black-Eyed Susan”-or “The Wolf,” sung by a
septuagenarian with all the spirit and pathos of youth, and with a voice neither deficient in harmony
nor power. The musical talents of Mr. Gilchrist have been repeatedly noticed in the public journals
of this city. In reporting the annual dinner of the “ Harmonists’ Society,” in 1834, a writer in the
Caledonian Mercury observes-“ Among other distinguished amateurs, we were happy to notice Mr.
Gilchrist, the celebrated sexagenarian vocalist, flourishing in all the freshness of a green old age, and
with a voice that appears to gather strength with his advancing years. We trust we shall not excite
the jealousy of the professional gentlemen present, if WB state that Mr. Gilchrist’s singing of “ The
Sea” w83 the most striking performance of the evening. To a voice of great natural power and
compass, Mr. Gilchrist adds a highly finished execution, which he can only have attained by the
most assiduous culture.” * * * The other newspapers alluded to Mr. Gilchrist in similar terms
of approbation.
