BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 401
ance there than you will do with that vile, old-fashioned black wig which you
have worn for these last twenty years ! ”
The good clergyman, tired of private expostulation, resolved to change his
tactics. One Sabbath, when Sibby sat in the meeting-house, as she sometimes
did, her father chose to be very severe on the vanity and sinfulness of female
ornaments ; and went so minutely to work as to describe the very bonnet and
dress of Miss Sibilla ; yet this availed not. Sibby did not abridge the rotundity
of her bonnet a single inch, until compelled by an influence more powerful
than her father’s sermon-the dictates of fashion.
Sibby at length got tired of what appeared to her the everlasting sameness
of Edinburgh, and the dull monotony of a trip to Dalkeith. Besides, she considered
her professional talents worthy of a wider field. She therefore resolved
to establish herself in London, which she actually did about the year 1790, and
was succeeded in the shop and business by a sister, Mrs. Kid, wife of Captain
Kid, master of one of the London traders.
Respecting Miss Sibilla’s success in the great metropolis-how long she
remained, or how she relished the change of scene-we can say nothing; but
that she returned to Edinburgh is certain. She died there in the month of
February 1808. Her death is thus recorded :-“Lately at Edinburgh, Miss
Sibilla Hutton, daughter of the late Rev. William Hutton, minister of the gospel
at Dalkeith.”
No. CLIX.
MR. JOHN BENNET,
SURGEON.
THIS gentleman was born in Edinburgh, where his father, who originally came
from Fifeshire, carried on the business of a brewer. His mother was a daughter
of the Rev. Mr. Taylor, one of the ministers of the city. After completing
his studies at the University, MR BENNET obtained the appointment of Surgeon
to the Sutherland Fencibles, which were embodied in 1779. With his corps
he continued until it was disbanded in 1783, when he returned to Edinburgh,
and entered into partnership with Mr. Law of Elvingston, it medical gentleman
in good practice.‘
The late James Law, Esq., of Elvingston (East L0thian)descended from a family of some
antiquity in Fifedied at his house in York Place on the 3d June 1830. He w8s a member of the
Royal College of Physicians-much distinguished for his professional skill-and not less respected
for his virtues and benevolence in the domestic relations of life. An engraving, from a portrait of
Mr. Law by Sir Henry Raebnrn, was given to the public in 1836, by the Publisher of this Work.
3 F
