BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 27
from which they had been absent for many years. On this auspicious occasion
considerable interest was excited in the neighbourhood ; and a party-of the Ayrshire
Cavalry, with the Kilmarnock Volunteers, marched out in military array
to pay their respects to the Earl on his arrival, The following extract from a
letter to the Editor of the Free Press upon occasion of his lordship’s visit, is too
interesting to be omitted :-
“ Never having seen that renowned warrior and statesman, the Marquis of Hastings, and being
in the neighbourhood of Loudon Castle, we were exceedingly auxious to behold with our own eyes
the man who has done so much for his country and his friends, and so little for himself. Being
provided at Kilmamock with a ‘guid-gaun’ vehicle, we set out ; and it was not very long untii the
turreta of the Castle were, with delight, beheld by us, towering above the mighty oak and elm of
many hundred years’ standing, and the ‘bonnie woods and braes,’ so justly celebrated by Tamhii.
We were at the village of Galston by nine o’clock, and learned, with much pleasure, that the
Marquis and family were going to Newmilns to hear a sermon in the parish church. From Galston
to Newmilns it ia two miles ; a road level and enchanting, overshadowed by lofty trees ; on the left,
the Castle, with its beautiful avenues and pleasure-grounds ; on the right, the water of Irvine. On
the same side, at the end of this road, and before entering Newmilns, is the Mill, rendered clasaic
from having given birth to Ranisay’s celebrated song of ‘The Lass of Patie’s Mill, so bode, blyth,
and gay.’ Newmilns in a small, neat, clean town ; the new part of it divided from the old by the
water of Irvine, communicating by two bridges. It lies in a beautiful vale, surmunded by braes
covered with rich planting. At the extremity of the vale, four miles east, is Loudon Hill, ‘round
as my shield’ We drove to the residence of Mr. Loudon, the chief magistrate, at the east end of
the town, where we had an Ayrshire breakfast in all its glory, and a hearty welcoma At eleven
the bell summoned us to church. When we arrived at the church door, the Marquis’s family and
suit were just at hand, in two carriages and a gig. In the h t were the Marquis, Marchioness, and
four daughters. The other contained my young Lord Rawdon ; and the factor, Yr. Hamilton, was
in the gig. Every eye was eager to see them alight ; and it was done with that ease and becoming
dignity inherent in true nobdity. In passing the plate of collection, the poor were not neglected.
It is said that the Castle is beset ezrery day with poor persons from thirty miles round, none of
whom are allowed to depart without a good awmw. Before we entered the church, the noble family
were all seated in the gallery in front of the pulpit, being the family seat, which is formed of a
large enclosed compartment. We were in the gallery right of the pulpit, and had a good view.
His lordship is seventy-one years of age ; and, although he has been in camp and field in all sorts
of climate, is stout and healthy. His bold, dwk countenance, with frame erect, gives a most complete
idea of the warrior ; and he possesses all that suavity and dignity of manner, with a countenance
beaming with intelligence, which are ao characteristic of the statesman, wamior, and
philanthropist. He was very plainly dressed-dark-green coat, coloured vest, and dark wsimere
trowsen. The Marchioness is aged
forty-six, and seems to have suffered little from the scorching climat+looks well, and in excellent
health. The
young ladies may be characterised in the same way. Lady Flora is a young lady of mod amiable
dispositions, mild and attractive manners. They have more the cast of the Marqnk’s countenance,
particularly in the upper part of the face. The young lord, aged twenty, is a most promising
young man-no fudge nor frippery about him, aping outlandish airs with an ostentatious consciousness
of his high station in life. His person is tall, handsome, good-looking ; and his manners most
amiable, with every appearance to possess the virtues of his father, During the sermon, they all
,paid the most profound attention, and seemed deeply impressed with the force of the truths propounded
by the Rev. Dr. Laurie, who discharged his duty much to our satisfaction. He has a
good delivery and address, joined with sound sense, and is a sincere lover of the truths of the gospel,
which he delivers in a plain, neat, and impressive manner. We remarked that the Marchionesa
was. most attentive to the Doctor’s discourse, examining every text which was alluded to in the
course of the lecture. During the prayer she and the Marquia seemed much affected when the
Doctor very delicately alluded to the noble family then present. We were much pleased with the
appearance of all the hearers in the church-a healthy, sober, and good-looking people ; all well
dressed, with a deportment suitable to the house of God.”
On his breast hung a gold insignia of one of his many Orders.
She has all the lady in her appearance-modest, dignified, kind, and affectionate.
28 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
The Earl remained only a short time at Loudon Castle, having been appointed
Governor of Malta in 1824. This situation he filled for nearly two
years, much to the satisfaction of the Maltese, when, in consequence of a fall
from his horse, he was seized with a dangerous illness, and was, attended by his
family, conveyed in a weak state on board the Revenge ship-of-war. The Earl
grew rapidly worse, and died on the 28th November 1826. It was rumoured
at the time that, in a letter found after his death, his lordship had desired his right
hand to be cut off and preserved until the death of the Marchioness, then to be
interred in the same coffin with her ladyship. His remains were interred at
Malta.
As a cavalry officer
he looked uncommonly well. He
was well learned in the history and constitution of his country; and that his
talents were of the highest order is evinced by his successful government of
India. He was of a kindly and affectionate disposition-In munificence unbounded;
so much so that to his extreme liberality may be attributed the
embarrassments under which he is understood to have laboured throughout the
latter part of his life.
The Earl of Moira was tall, and rather of il spare figure.
His manners were digniiled, yet affable.
No. CLXXXI.
MR. JOHN WEMYSS, MR. ROBERT CLERK,
GEORGE PRATT.
JOHN WERIIYSS, the figure on the left, was, as the Print denotes, one of the
Town Criers, and colleague of the eccentric and consequential George Pratt. He
had formerly been a respectable dyer ; but, owing to some reverses in business,
he was reluctantly compelled to abandon the trade ; and, from necessity, had
recourse to the calling in which he is here represented. He was for many years
officer to the Incorporation of Bonnet-makers, for which he received the sum of
fifty shillings a year !
He was twice married;
and by his first wife had a son and daughter. His
son, Mr. Robert Wemyss, was more fortunate in the world. His death, which
occurred on the 25th of August 1812, is thus noticed :-“At Edinburgh, Mr.
Robert Wemyss, late Deacon of the Incorporation of Bonnet-makers, Council
and Dean of Guild Officer of that city. In public and private life he was
greatly respected as a worthy and honest man ; and his death is much regretted
Wemyss lived at the foot of Forrester’s Wynd.
He died in June 1788.