BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 283
his journey with the greater facility, on application by the Society to the Board
of Customs, the Prince of Walea brig, Captain John Campbell, was ordered
to be in readiness at Oban for his use. In this vessel Dr. Kemp navigated with
safety the dangerous creeks and sounds of the Western Isles-went round the
point of Ardnamurchan, which stretches far into the western ocean, and is
constantly beat by a turbulent sea-and visited all the islands of the Hebrides.
This extensive tour he accomplished in three months ; and, on his return,
presented a very excellent Report to the Society, not only as to the state of the
schools and missions in general, but as to the cause of the destitution experienced
in many of the districts, and the means by which it might be alleviated.
The views entertained on the various topics embraced by the Report, and the
remedial measures which it pressed on the attention of the Society, were at once
liberal and enlightened, and displayed a thorough acquaintance with the capacities
of the people and the resources of the country.
Wherever
he went during his Highland tours he was exceedingly well received, and obtained
the ready co-operation of all whose influence could possibly be of service.
Even in those remote islands, where the Reformation had never penetrated, and
where Roman Catholicism maintained undisputed sway, the Secretary had the
singular address to procure the aid and friendship of the clergy of that persuasion.
While visiting the peasantry, it was no uncommon thing for him to be
accompanied by the priest of the district, whose influence was highly necessary
in breaking down the common prejudice against sending their children to the
schools of a Protestant association.
First to a Miss Simpson, by whom he
had a son and daughter; secondly, to Lady Mary Anne Carnegie (who died
in 1798), daughter of the sixth Earl of Northesk; and, thirdly, to Lady Elizabeth
Hope, daughter of John second Earl of Hopetoun.
His son (who was a manufacturer) married a daughter of Sir James
Colquhoun of Luss, Sheriff-depute of Dumbartonshire-a connection which
unhappily gave rise to proceedings of a rather singular nature.’ Old Sir James,
becoming jealous of his own lady and Dr. Kemp, actually raised an action of
divorce against her, which, of course, equally affected the character of the Doctor ;
and, if successful, would have subjected him in heavy damages. While this
novel case of litigation was pending in Court, death very suddenly stepped in to
give it the quietus, by removing the two principal actors in the drama, within
a few days of each other. The deaths of Sir James and the Doctor are thus
recorded in the newspaper obituaries for 1805 :-“April 18. At Weirbank
House, nearMelrose, of a stroke of palsy, aged sixty, the Rev. John Kemp; D.D.,
Dr. Kemp possessed very conciliatory and engaging manners.
Dr. Kemp was three times married.
In the “ Town Eclogue,” the author (a clergyman) speaking of this marriage and Dr. Kemp’s
alleged familiarity with Lady Colquhoun, says-
“ To a weaver’s arms consigns the high born Miss ;
Then greets the mother with a holy kiss.”
The remainder of the attack is so scurrilous that we refrain from inserting it.
