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Kay's Originals Vol. 1

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286 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. “ His celebrated ancestor, the Marquis of Montrose, scarcely exhibited more devotion to the cause of Charles I. in the field, than his descendant displayed for George the Third in the House of Commons. Nor did he want great energy, as well as activity of mind and body. During the progress of the French Revolution, when the fabric of our constitution was threatened by internal and external attacks, Lord Graham, then become Duke of Montrose, enrolled himself as a private soldier in the City Light Horse. During several successive years he did duty in that capacity, night and day, sacrificing to it his ease and his time ; thus holding out an example worthy of imitation to the British nobility.” His Grace died on December 30, 1836, being, strange to say, the third individual who had held the family honours since the accession of his grandfather to them in 1684, in the reign of Charles 11.-a period of a hundred and fifty-three years. He was twice married, and left two sons and three daughters. He was succmded by James (4th Duke), eldest son of the second marriage. THE EARL OF BUCHAN was born in 1742, and succeeded to the title and estates of the family in 1767. His course of education being completed at the University of Glasgow, he soon after entered the army, in which he rose to the rank of lieutenant ; but, disliking the profession of arms, he did not continue long in the service. In 1’766, he was appointed Secretary to the Eritish Embassy in Spain; but, on the death of his father the year following, he returned to his native land, resolved to prosecute pursuits more congenial to his strong literary bias. The first instance of the Earl’s activity was the formation of the Society of Scottish Antiquaries in 1780.’ The want of such a Society had long been felt j yet it is strange his lordship experienced illiberal oppositim from parties, who In 1792, the first volume of their transactions was published ; and the following discourses by the Earl appear in it :--“Memoirs of the Life of Sir James Stiiart Denham”-“ Account of the Parish of Uphall”-“Account of the Island of 1colmkiln”-and “A Life of Mr. James Short, optician.” Besides various fugitive pieces, in prose and verse, he printed, in conjunction with Dr. Walter Minto, “An Account of the Life, Writings, and Inventions of Napier of Merchiston.” In addition to the other objects of this Society, it was resolved to establish a mwem of natural history, for the better cultivation of that science, and of which museum Mr. Smellie wm appointed curator. He was likewise permitted to deliver the projected course of lectures on the philosophy of natural history in the hall of the museum. The Society at the time having applied for a RoyaLCharter of incorporation, an unexpected opposition arose (already alluded to in our notice of Mr. Smellie) from Dr. Walker, Professor of Natural History in the University, and also from the Senatus Academicus a8 a body, who memorialised the Lord Advocate (Mr. Henry Dundas, afterwards Lord Viscount Melville) against the proposed grant of a charter, alleging that the Society would intercept the communication of many specimens and objects of natural history which would otherwise h d their way to the College Museum, as well as documents tending to illustrate the history, antiquities, and laws of Scotland, which ought to be deposited in the Advocates’ Library. They likewise noticed that the possession of a museum of natural history might induce the Society to institute a lectureship on that science, in opposition to the professorship in the University, The Faculty of Advocates and other public bodies also joined in thia opposition ; but, after an elaborate reply on the part of the Antiquaries, the Lord Advocate signified his approval of their request ; and, on the very next day, the royal warrant passed the privy seal, in which his Majesty voluntarily declared himself Patron of the Society. 1787, 4to.
Volume 8 Page 401
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