BIOGRAPHIUAL SKETCHBS. 35 9
for the time being ; and it was the wish of the volunteers that the commissions
should, as far as possible, be held by gentlemen who had served with reputation
in his Majesty's regular forces. An exception, however, which at once testified
their estimation of his character, was made in the case of Provost Elder, for the
volunteers unanimously recommended him to his Ma,jesty to be their First
Lieutenant-Colonel.
In 1P97 the Principal and Professors of the University requested him to
sit for his portrait, to be preserved in the University library. Mr. Elder accordingly
sat to the late Sir Henry Raeliurn, who finished an excellent likeness in
his best style-from which a mezzotinto engraving was afterwards published.
Provost Elder merited this compliment, which had previously only been conferred
on men eminent for learning or science, by being, in addition to his general
usefulness as a magistrate and citizen, prominelitly instrumental in maturing
the design of rebuilding the College, which probably would have been finished
during his lifetime, had it not been for the exigencies of the war.
In 1795 Mr. Elder was appointed Postmaster-General for Scotland--an
honour which testified that his services had been highly appreciated by his
Majesty, and which was considered by his fellow-citizens as ho more than a
proper reward.
Throughout the whole course of his life, both in public and private business,
Mr. Elder displayed " great and persevering activity in all his undertakings,
inflexible integrity in his conduct, and perfect firmness in what he judged to be
right. These talents and virtues were exerted without pomp or aflectation ; on
the contrary, with the utmost openness and simplicity of manners ; and it was
often remarked of him that he could refuse with a better grace than many others
could confer a favour." Under his guidance the political measures of the city
were regulated with much tact and propriety ; and the interest of the rdin,a
party was never more firmly or honourably maintained.
Mr. Elder's acceptance of the provostship the third time, was looked upon
with a degree of uneasiness by his friends. His health had been visibly impaired
by the harassing nature of his duties while formerly in ofice ; and they were
afraid a renewal of the anxiety and fatigue inseparable from the situation of
Chief Magistrate, even in the quietest times, would prove too much for his
weakened constitution. Mr. Elder was himself aware of the danger, but he
could not " decline the task consistently with his strict notions of public duty."
His strength continued
gradually to decline, and before the end of 1798 his health was altogether in
a hopeless state.
Mr. Elder was the eldest son of Mr. William Elder of Loaning, and married
in 1765 Emilia Husband, eldest daughter of Mr. Paul Husband of Logie,
merchant in Edinburgh, by whom he left a son and four daughters.'
He carried on business as a wine merchant in the premises opposite the Tron
The fears of his friends were too well founded.
He died at Forneth on the 29th May 1799, aged sixty-two.
1 The eldesB was married to the Rev. Principal Baird ; the second to the late John M'Ritchie
Esq. of Craigton.
