70 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
consulted on the subject. He was an uncompromising supporter of the Constitution,
from a conviction of its utility; yet his Plans of Reform, in 1782
and 1831, clearly show that he was by no means insensible to improvement.
His support of the corn laws arose from 8 belief that certain restrictions were
necessary for the protection of the British grower, and that the prosperity of a
country cannot be solid where the foundation does not rest on adequate cultivation.
The state of Europe during‘the greater parti of his public life tended to
strengthen this maxim ; and the great aim of his ambition seemed to be, by improved
and extended culture, to render Britain independent of foreign supplies.
Whether his politics in this respect be sound or otherwise, no one can deny
the purity of his motives. The political character and writings of Sir John
may be forgotten; but his memory, as a practical benefactor of his country,
must remain imperishable. That he was no heartless theorist is amply attested
by the improvements effected on his own estate, in which the interests of his
numerous tenantry were equally consulted with that of the soil. In no district
of Great Britain has population increased for the last twenty or thirty years on
a ratio equal with the county of Caithness. This is no doubt mainly to be
ascribed to the fisheries, in the establishment of which Sir John took a leading
interest. By liberal encouragement and assistance, he induced the settlement
of companies-prevailed upon the Society for promoting British Fisheries to
form a settlement at Wick-and, besides founding several villages, introduced
various branches of industry. By his exertions, so early as 1785, in procuring
funds from the forfeited estates of Scotland, towards the formation of roads
throughout the northern counties, the influence of his public spirit has long
been felt in the improved means of communication ; industry and prosperity
now prevail where apathy and indolence formerly existed, and Caithness has
long been distinguished as the most extensive fishing district in Scotland.
Whether in improved fields, abundant harvests, the breed of cattle, or the
condition of the rural population, the public spirit and example of Sir John
Sinclair has been felt over all Scotland: In whatever regarded his native
country he took especial interest. He was President of the Highland Society
of London, as well ag an original member of the Highland Society of Scotland,
and he was sensitively alive to the preservation of whatever was characteristic
in national language, dress, or manners. He frequently presided at the annual
competition of pipers in Edinburgh, and was enthusiastic in his admiration of
the music of Scotland.’
1 The following instance is given by his biographer :-One year he insisted upon carrying along
with him two Italian noblemen-a Count from Milan, and a Marchese from Naplea-contrary to the
wishes of his friends, who in vain assailed him with essmces that, to the refined e m of Italy, the
great Highland bagpipe would be intolerably offensive. When
hie Italian pests 8aw the exertions of the competitom, the enthusiasm of the audience, and the
exultation of the conqueror ; and when they heard the rapturous applause with which every sentence
of the oration of the presea wm received, they declared that they had never witneased any epeotacle
so gratifying. “I am pmud to
think,” said the Marchese, (‘that we too have the bagpipe in our country ; it is played by all the
peasantry of Calabria.”
But a great triumph awaited him.
‘
“ I would have come from Italy to be present,” $aid the Count
