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Kay's Originals Vol. 1

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26 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. NO. rx. DR. GLEN AND THE DAFT HIGHLAND LAIRD. THE first of these figures represents a gentleman who enjoyed considerable celebrity in his day, at once for the amount of his wealth and the tenacity with which he held it. He had made a fortune abroad in the practice of his profession ; and, in his latter years, returned to his native country-nut to enjoy it. He was twice married. On the second occasion he had attained the discreet age of seventy ; and it is said that, amongst the other soft and captivating things which the venerable lover whispered into the ear of the young lady on whom his choice had fallen, to induce her to receive his addresses, was the promise of a carriage. The carriage was got-but no horses. (‘ That’s more than I bargained for,” said the Doctor ; “I promised a carriage, and there it is ; but I promised no horses, neither shall you have them.” And here again the Doctor was as good as his word. The consequence was a quarrel with his young wife, aggravated by certain attempts on her part to revolutionise his house. The result may be anticipated-three weeks after the marriage a separation took place by mutual consent, the husband settling a sufficient aliment on his affectionate spouse. There is another anecdote of the Doctor’s happy talent for saving, but of so incredible and absurd a character, that, assured as we are of its truth, we have some hesitation in mentioning it. It is said that, on the death of his wife-the &st, we presume-he adopted the ingenious expedient of attempting to procure a second-hand coffin to hold her remains, for lessening the funeral expenses on this melancholy occasion. At a very advanced period of life, the Doctor was prevailed upon by a friend, but by what process of reasoning is not known, nor can be conjectured,’to enter the society of Freemasons-a step which not a little surprised every one who knew him, or was aware of his penurious habits. How much was their surprise increased, when they found the Doctor entering, as he did, into all the spirit of the association, whether in its business or its pleasures, with an ardour and enthusiasm unequalled by the youngest member I The Doctor became, in truth, in so far at least as the circumstance of his connexion with the brethren was concerned, a totally changed man. He headed deputations, presided at lodges, and became, in short, the leading spirit of the fraternity. The members of the Lodge of St. Andrew’s, to which he belonged, and which was at this juncture rather barren of funds, early saw, in the Ooctor’s new-born passion, a very pleasant and rational prospect of effecting an improvement in their exchequer, Without loss of time they flattered the Doctor’s vanity by electing him their Master, and ere long To this promise the Doctor was faithful.
Volume 8 Page 33
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