BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 3 i 3
died at Leith on the 5th of July 1824, in the ninety-tirst year of his age, and
sixty-sixth of his ministry, leaving behind him one daughter, the only survivor
of a large family, who was married to William Penney, Esq., of Glasgow. Some
years prior to his death he had been assisted in his parochial duties by the Rev.
Dr. Ireland.’
The remains of this much respected and patriarchal clergyman were followed
to the grave by upwards of five hundred persons, among whom were many of
the most distinguished citizens of Edinburgh and Leith. The inmates of the
Blind Asylum, who had been so much an object of his care, lined the access to
the churchyard ; and, by their presence, added much to the melancholy interest
of the scene. The Rev. Dr. Dickson of St. Cut,hbert’s preached the funeral
sermon on the Sabbath following.
No. CXLIX
SIR JAMES STIRLING, BART.,
LORD PROVOST OF EDINBURGH, IN HIS ROBES.
THIS gentleman, whose father was a fishmonger at the head of Marlin’s Wynd:
had the merit of being the architect of his own fortune. In early life he went
to the West Indies, as clerk to an extensive and opulent planter, Mr. Stirling of
Keir, where he conducted himself with such propriety, that, in a short time,
through the influence of his employer, he was appointed Secretary to the
Governor of the Island of Jamaica, Sir Charles Dalling.
Having in t,his situation accumulated a considerable sum of money, he at
length returned to Edinburgh, and was assumed a partner in the banking
concern of “Mansfield, Ramsay, & Co.” (lately Ramsay, Bonar, & Co.),
whose place of business was then in Cantore’s Close, Luckenbooths..’ In
Dr. Ireland, on being assured of succeeding to the parish on the death of Dr. Johnston, a,med
to perform the duties of assistant, which he did for more than twenty-four years ; and afterwards
lived to eqjoy the fruit of all this labour only four years and a half. The incumbency was
afterwards held by the Rev. Mr. Buchanan.
Marlin’s Wynd, which stood esst of the Tron Church, WBB demolished to make way for the
South Bridge. Mr. Stirling had for his sign a large, clumsy, wooden B k k Bd,:which is preserved
08 a relic in the Museum of Scottish Antiquaries.
Not long after he had entered into this concern, Mr. Stirling, naturally of an irritable temperament,
became uneasy at the extent and responsibility of a banking establishment, and proposed
selling his estate of Saughie, which he had recently purchased. Old Yr. William h a y , having
been apprised of his intention, addressed him one day after dinner in hie usual familiar manner-“I
hear, Jamie, that ye’re gaun to sell the Saughie property. If that be the case, rather than let you
advertise it in the newspapers, and thereby bring suspicion on the stability of the concern, I’ll tak it
frae you at what it cost ye.” Stirling instantly agreed to the proposition ; and scarcely had the
property been transferred to Mr. Ramsay when that gentleman had the offer of nearly double the
purchase-money. The value is now more than quadrupled.
