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Kay's Originals Vol. 1

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406 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. University, and of the Right Hon. Lord Napier, Grand Master Mason of Scotland. Upon the upper side was a Latin inscription of which the following is a translation :- By the blessing of Almighty God, In the Reign of the Most Munificent Prince GEORGE III., The buildings of the University of Edinburgh, Being originally very mean, And now, after two centuries, almost a ruin, The Right Honourable FRANCLIOSR DN APIER, Grand Master of the Fraternity of Free-Masons in Scotland, Amidst the acclamations Of a prodigious concourse of all ranks of people, Laid the FOUNDATION-STONE Of this new fabric, In which a union of elegance with convenience, Suitable to the dignity of such a celebrated seat of learning, Has been studied : On the 16th day of November, : In the year of our Lord 1789, And of the era of Masonry 5789. THOMAS ELDER being the Lord Provost of the City ; WILLIAMR OBERTSONth,e Principal of the Univeisity ; And ROBERTA DAMt, he Architect. May the undertaking prosper, and be crowned with 8uccess I1 1 Among the subscriptions towards the fund for rebuilding the College, that of “a Farmer” was the most singular. His letter to the Lord Provost, accompanying the donation, we shall quote, as aomewhat curious. __ “ MY LORD-In my humble retreat I have heard, and with pleasure, of the various improvements which have been made in our metropolis, and are still going forward-that which claims a preference to all others has been reserved for your administration ; and I congratulate you on the appear‘ance that your well-directed exertions promise to obtain a support equal to the approbation they merit. “ I cannot pretend to emulate the opulent who so liberally have subscribed to rebuild the University; but I am willing to beatow a little of what I can spare, to testify my approbation of a work so commendable ; and hope that the form in which it is offered may not prove offensive, because it is singular-rather hope that a well-meant example may lead others of my fraternity to an imitation of it. “ I have heard that the nation, generally esteemed the most polished in Europe, has stript itself of all objects of vanity and luxury, and made offer of them for the service of the state. May I, then, in imitation of an example so patriotic, presume, without offence, to present my mite for promoting your undertaking, in the shape of Two STOTS1 “In a neighbouring county, not long ago, the carcase of a bullock was sold at Is. Id. per lib., every person being desirous to have a slice of an animal accounted of an extraordinary size. Those I now take the liberty to offer are not possessed of the same merit, but, I believe, they have that of being uncommonly good. As such, I beg to recommend them to lovers of science, and in a special manner to the adepts in the fashionable science of eating, at the approaching season of festivity. “Wishing all sort of success and encouragement to the undertaking-prosperity to the great city over which you preside-and happiness to yourself, I take the liberty to subscribe myself, my Lord, your lordship’s most obedient and most humble servant, “P.8.-The person who will hand you this letter will inform your lordship where the two animals are to be found, which will be delivered to your order.” The stots were disposed of in the Flesharket by Deacon Andrew Wilson. They were soon sold off-a great part of them at Is. Id. per lb. ; such wa the demand by the lovers of science for the classic beef. A F A R ~ R . The whole produce amounted to f34 : 12 : 6.
Volume 8 Page 565
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