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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 89 XO. ccrr. SIR ILAY CAMPBELL, BART., LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COURT OF SESSION. THOSEw ho recollect the late SIR ILAYCA MPBELLw ill at once recognise an excellent likeness in this etching. He is represented as proceeding to the Parliament House, a partial view of which, prior to the late extensive alterations, is afforded in the background. It was then the custom of the senators to walk to Court in the mornings with nicely powdered wigs, and a small cocked hat in their hands. Mr. Campbell was the eldest son of Archibald Campbell, Esq., of Succoth, W.S.;’ his mother, Helen Wallace, was the daughter and representative of Wallace of Ellerslie. He was born at Edinburgh in 1734, and admitted to the bar in 1757. He early acquired extensive practice, and was one of the counsel for the defender in the great Douglas Cause. He entered warmly into the spirit of this important contest, which for a time engossed the whole of public attention. As an instance of his enthusiasm, it may be mentioned, that immediately after the decision in the House of Lords, he posted without delay to Edinburgh, where, arriving before the despatch, he was the first to announce the intelligence to the assembled crowds on the streets. At the Cross the young lawyer took off his hat, and waving it in the air, exclaimed-“ Douglas for ever !”’ He was responded to by a joyous shout from the assembled multitude, who, unyoking the horses from his carriage, drew him in triumph to his house in James’s Court.a During the long period Mr. Campbell remained at the bar, he enjoyed a continued increase of business ; and there was almost no case of any importance in which he was not engaged or consulted. His written pleadings are remarkable for their excellence; “many of them are perfect modeIs of perspicuity, force, and elegance.” In 1783 he was appointed Solicitor-General; in 1784, Lord Advocate; and the same year was returned Member of Parliament for the Glasgow district of The following notice of this gentleman’s demise occum in the Edinburgh Magazine for 1790 :- “Mr. Archibald Campbell of Snccoth, father to the Lord President, and the oldest Clerk to His Majesty’s Signet, being admitted in 1728.” g The popular feeling waa strong in favour of the ultimately successful claimant, about whose case there was a eufficient degree of romance to create extreme interest. At the present date, when the whole facta and circumstances are fairly weighed, it may be doubted whether the original decision ought to have been reversed. His father, who then held the situation of one of the Principal Clerks of Session, resided in James’s Court. VOL. 11. N His father was a writer in Edinburgh.
Volume 9 Page 120
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