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Kay's Originals Vol. 1

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284 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. one of the ministers of the Tolbooth Church, Edinburgh, and Secretary to the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge $-and on the 23d, “At Edinburgh, Sir James Colquhoun of Luss, Bart., Sheriffdepute of Dumbartonshire.” He subsequently occupied a house connected with the hall of the Society to which he was secretary (formerly Baron Maule’s residence), at the Netherbow, and afterwards used by the Messrs. Craig as a hat manufactory. Dr. Kemp resided for several years in Ramsay Garden, Castle Hill. No. CXVI. THE MOST NOBLE THE MARQUIS OF GRAHAM, AND THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF BUCHAN. THIS Print refers to the close of the war in 1782, when the fear of invasion from the menacing attitude of the French nation created so much unnecessary alarm. At this period the above-mentioned noblemen zealously came forward to rouse the spirit of their countrymen. They are represented as they appeared in the “ garb of old Gaul,” beating up for a volunteer body called the Caledonian Band.’ Several meetings had been held, and a vast number of citizens’ names enrolled ; the Marquis had also been elected colonel, and the Earl lieutenant- colonel, besides the appointment of a number of inferior officers ; but before the commissions arrived from his Majesty, the preliminaries of peace had been signed. The Caledonian Band, like its prototype, the Edinburgh Defensive Band, was thereafter converted into a body of freemasons-of which the Earl of Buchan was made master, and afterwards the Hon. Archibald Fraser of Lovat, whose father was beheaded in 1746. Perhaps few local matters ever excited greater interest in Edinburgh than the probable issue of this unhappy law-suit. Dr. Kemp was characterised as a second Dr. Cantwell by one party, and as the most injured man breathing by the other. Even the reality of his death became matter of dispute ; for it was affirmed1and believed by not a few of his adversaries, that his demise was a fiction, got up for the purpose of stifling investigation ; and it was positively asserted, that, more than a year afterwards, he had been seen in Holland in the very best health and spirits. That this rumour, however, was unfounded, may be presumed from the fact, which wm well known, of his having been struck with palsy some time prior to his death. Therefore, admitting the fiction of his demise, and that he was seen in Holland in the best heaZth and sphits, it falls to be shown by what means such a miraculous recovery had been effected. But the point is, we think, set at rest by direct testimony ; for we are informed by a friend that the late Mr. Charles Watson, undertaker, father of Dr. Watson of Burntisland, who was one of Dr. Kemp’s elders, and a person whose word may be relied on, declared to him that he assisted in putting Dr. Kemp’s body into the coffin, and in screwing down the top of it. This corps was drilled by Mr. John Lamond, as adjutant, brother of the Dean of Guild of Edinburgh.
Volume 8 Page 398
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