41 4 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
time on the Continent. He then returned to Edinburgh, where he afterwards
continued to reside, and was well known for his taste in the fine arts. He was
a member of the CATCH-CLUB-one of the oldest and most celebrated associations
of musical amateurs in Edinburgh-and was a constant attendant of
the concerts in St. Cecilia's Hall in the Cowgate, which were then extensively
patronised by all the " beauty and fashion" of the Scottish metropolis. Mr.
Kerr was an excellent flute-player; and he frequently performed on that
instrument at the entertainments given by the Club.
Shortly after his return from the Continent, he exerted himself greatly in
forming the Leith Bank, of which, on its institution in 1801, he was appointed
Manager. It was pretty generally surmised that, from his previous habits, the
burden of superintendence would devolve on some person under him. In this,
however, the public were greatly mistaken. fib. Kerr devoted his time and
attention exclusively to the business of the establishment ; and, by his prudence
and sagacity, managed its affairs to the greatest advantage.'
This rather surprising change in Mr. Kerr, who had formerly been as iridifferent
about money matters as he now appeared cautious and even economical,
was explained at the time in the following way :-Among other fashionable
amusements, he had sometimes indulged in cards ; and, on one occasion, found
himself so deeply involved, by a series of ill-luck, that he may be said to have
been reduced to his last shilling. In this plight he resolved to make one desperate
attempt to regain his fortune. He accordingly continued to play as if
nothing had befallen him, and was so fortunate, by a single game, as to avert
the entire ruin which inevitably appeared to await him. Deeply impressed
with the hazard he had run, it is said he rose up, and, throwing the cards on
the table, declared he would never again take one of them in his hand ; and
it is believed, he kept his word.
Mr. Kerr resided at one period in Shoemaker's Close, Canongate, and latterly
in No. 8 Queen Street.
The two remaning fi,mes in the group of Connoisseurs are imaginary.
He died at Bath on the 9th December 1820.
No. CLXIII.
REV, WILLIAM PAUL,
OXE OF THE MINISTERS OF THE WEST CHURCH.
THE REV. WILLIAM PAUL was born in Glasgow in 1754, and received his
education at the University of that city. After the ordinary course of literary
and philosophic study, he took the degree of Master of Arts; and, having
The sensation caused by one of Mr. Kerr's son8 having on the 22d April 1842 advertised that
he had ceased (in 1831) to be a partner in the bank, led to a run on the bank, which suspended
payment on the 25th of the same month.