BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 3 i i
no doubt that the intervention of the Directory of the great Republic will
obtain my liberty. Remember me most affectionately to all my friends, who
are the friends of liberty and of mankind.”
Muir was not disappointed in the sincerity of the French Directory, at whose
request he was delivered up by the Spanish authorities. On entering France
he was warmly hailed by the people ; and in Paris he received every mark of
respect from the government. He did not, however, live long to enjoy the
liberty which it had cost him such peril to obtain. The seeds of a decline had
been sown in his constitution before his departure from Scotland ; and the many
fatigues which he had subsequently undergone, together with the wounds he
had received in the action, proved too complicated and powerful to be resisted.
He died at Chantilly, near Paris, on the 27th September 1798, where he was
interred, with every mark of respect, by the public authorities.
No. CXXVI.
SIR ARCHIBALD HOPE OF PINKIE, BART.
THIS gentleman, who has been dubbed by the artist a “ Knight of the Turf,”
was the ninth baronet of Craighall-the original designation of the family.’
He was grandson to Sir Thomas, a distinguished member of the College of
Justice, and one of the early promoters of agricultural improvements in Scotland.
By his skill in this latter department, the Meadows, now one of the pleasantest
and most frequented walks about Edinburgh, was converted from its original
marshy and waste condition into a state of high cultivation. In commemoration
of this circumstance, it obtained the name of “ Hope Park ;” but it is still
generally known as “ The Meadows.”
SIR ARCHEALDw,h o succeeded to the title on the death of his grandfather
in 1771, does not appear to have been ambitious of obtaining distinction either
at the bar or in the senate j and the only public situation which he ever held
was that of Secretary to the Board of Police, to which he had been appointed
for life ; and, on its abolition, received a compensation in lieu of the office.
On his own estate, and throughout the neighbourhood, he supported the
character of a country gentleman, more intent on improving his lands than
desirous of engaging in those political and party animosities which so much
distract the harmony of society, and retard the progress of substantial national
improvement. On his property he established extensive salt and coal works,
from which he derived very considerable emolument, and which still continue
1 The Hopes of Craighall are the stem from which has sprnng the noble family of Hopetonu,
noticed in a precediug part of this work. The designation of Craighall wra laid aside by Lord
Rankeillor, son of the second baronet, who had been knighted by the title of-Sir Archibald Hope of
that Ilk.
