BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 413
for a number of years, and produced a work, entitled “Record of the Public
Ministry of Jesus Christ,” which was published at Edinburgh in 1798.
Mr. Sibbald again returned to Edinburgh, where, in 1797, he brought out a
musical publication, entitled “ The Vocal Magazine.” In a year or two afterwards
the bookselling stock devolved into his own hands, and he continued to carry on
business as a bookseller until his death. His next work, published in 1802, and
by which he is best known, was a selection from the early Scottish poets, entitled
‘‘ A Chronicle of Scottish Poetry, with a Glossary of the Scottish Language ”-
a work of taste and erudition, and a valuable accession to Scottish literature.
Mr. Sibbald died at his lodgings in Leith Walk, at the age of fifty-six, in
April 1803. “He was a man of eccentric but amiable character. He belonged
to a great number of social clubs; and was beloved by so many of his
associates in those fraternities, that for some years after his death they
celebrated his birth-day by a social meeting.”
The third figure, with a print of Martin the auctioneer in his hand, is
GEORGE FAIRHOLME, Esq. of Greenhill, near Edinburgh, and of Greenknow,
in Berwickshire. This gentleman, together with his younger brother
William (of Chapel, in Berwickshire), had long resided in Holland as eminent
bankers, where they realised a very considerable fortune ; and, on their return
to their native country, they became extensive shareholders in the Bank of
Scotland, and in other public securities.
While in Holland, Mr. Fairholme had an opportunity of cultivating a strong
natural taste for the fine arts ;’ and was subsequently well known as a keen and
judicious collector of pictures and rare works of art. His collection of the
inimitable etchings of Rembrandt was nearly complete ; and these, together
with his cabinet of pictures, are now the property of his nephew, Adam Fairholme,
Esq. of Chapel.
Mr. Fairholme died on the 1st February 1800, aged seventy; and was
interred in the family burying-place at Greenhill-which estate now belongs to
Sir John Stuart Forbes, Bart. of Pitsligo.
The fourth figure, behind hlr. Fairholme, represents JAMES KERR, Esq.
of Blackshiels. His father, Alexander Kerr, having left Scotland to reside at
Bordeaux, as a wine-merchant, he was brought up and educated along with his
cousins, the Tytlers of ?Voodhouselee;2 and, at a proper age, was bound
apprentice in the banking establishment of Sir William Forbes and Co. After
the expiry of his indenture, having succeeded to an ample fortune by the death
of his father, Mr. Kern went abroad on his travels, and remained a considerable
1 Mr. Fairholme’s taste for the fine arts has descended to his nephew, George Fairholme, Esq.,
now of Greenknow, who, during repeated visits to Italy, has acquired a small but extremely choice
cabinet of pictures of the highest class, together with a valuable collection of original drawings by
the old masters.
Mr. Alexander Kerr maiTied Miss Craig of Dalmair, sister of MIX. Tytler of Woodhouselee.
The last of the Dalmair family was Sir James Craig, Governor-General of British North America.
