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.
374 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
this copartnery he was very prosperous ; and his good fortune was increased
by obtaining the hand of Miss Mansfield, the daughter of the principal
partner..
. Mr. Stirling first became connected with the Town Council in 1771, when
he was elected one of the Merchant Councillors. During the years 1773-4, he
held the. office of Treasurer; and from 1776 till 1790 was frequently in the
magistracy. At the annual election of the latter year, he was chosen Lord
Provost, and held that office during the city riots of 1792.
The Reform of the Royal Burghs of
Scotland had been keenly agitated throughout the country for some time
previous; and a motion on the subject, by Mr. Sheridan, in the House of
Commons, on the 18th of April, which was negatived by a majority of twentysix,
had incensed the public to a great degree. Henry Dundas, Lord Melville,
than Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department, by his opposition
to the motion, rendered himself so obnoxious to the people, that in various parts
of Scotland he was burnt in effigy by the mob. The Pitt administration had
become unpopular by a proclamation issued at the same time against certain
publications-a measure which the people viewed as an attack upon the liberty
of the press. In this state of excitement the authorities of Edinburgh contemplated
the approaching King's birthday, on the 4th of June, with much
uneasiness ; but the measures of precaution adopted by them were imprudent,
and tended rather to irritate than conciliate the populace. The disturbances
which ensued are thus recorded in the journals of the day :-
At this period politics ran high.
" The Magistrates of Edinburgh having got information by anonymous letters and otherwise,
that on ,the King's birth-day, many persons who had taken offence at the parliamentary conduct of
Mr. Duudas, in the opposition of the Scottish Borough Reform, were determined to burn his eEgy,
in imitation of the burghs of Dundee, Aberdeen, etc., in consequence of this information, they took
the opinion of the high officers of the Crown, with regard to the conduct which it was proper
to pursue, when they resolved to prevent, if possible, the designs of the populace, by bringing in
some troops of dragoons to overawe and intimidate them. Accordingly, in the afternoon of the King's
birth-day (Monday, 4th June 1792), the dragoons made their appearance in Edinburgh, riding
furiously through the streets, with their swords drawn.l This behaviour, instead of having the
desired effect, provoked the indignation of the people, who saluted them with bootings and hisses as
they parsed along. Jn the afternoon, when the Xagistrates were assembled in the Parliament House
to drink the usual healths and loyal toasts, the populace also assembled, and were indulging themselves,
according to a custom which has prevailed in Edinburgh for many years, in the throwing of
dead cats, etc., at one another, and at the city-guard, who are always drawn up to fire volleys as the
healths are drunk by the Magistrates. At this time some dragoon officers, incautiously appearing
on the streets, were insulted by the rahble. This induced them to bring out their men, who were accordmgly
directed to clear the streets. Some stones were thrown at them ; but at last the mob
retired without doing any material mischief.
" On the evening of the next day, Tuesday, a number of persons assembled before Mr. Dundas's
house in George Square, with a figure of straw, which they hung upon a pole, and were proceeding
to burn, when two of Mr. Dundas's friends came out from the house, and very imprudently attempted
to disperse the mob by force. Their conduct was immediately resented. The gentlemen were soon
So furiously did they gallop up the High Street, that on passing the Luckenbooths, where the
street was extremely narrow, one of the horsemen came violently in contact with the corner of the
buildings, and was thrown with great force to the ground, where he lay apparently insensible for a
eonsiderable time before any one came to his assistance-the people being greatly incensed by the
appearance of the military.
