Kay's Originals Vol. 2

All Books Kay's Originals Vol. 1 Kay's Originals Vol. 2 Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time Edinburgh Past and Present Old and New Edinburgh Vol. I Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II Old and New Edinburgh Vol. III Old and New Edinburgh Vol. IV Old and New Edinburgh Vol. V Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI

Go to: « Kay's Originals Vol. 1 Kay's Originals Vol. 2 Title Pages Advetisement Notice to the First Edition CLXXI. Mr. John Dowie, Vintner, Libberton's Wynd CLXXII. Colin Campbell, Esq. of Kilberry, Argyleshire CLXXIII. The Lawnmarket Coach; or, A Journey Along the Mound CLXXIV. The Right Hon. Selina Countess Dowager of Huntingdon CLXXV. Jamie Duff, alias Bailie Duff CLXXVI. Major-General Alexander Mackay CLXXVII. Allan Maconochie, Lord Meadowbank CLXXVIII. General James Grant of Ballindalloch CLXXIX. The Right Hon. the Earl of Moira, commander-in-chief of the forces in Scotland CLXXX. The Commander-in-Chief addressing the Edinburgh Spearmen CLXXXI. Mr. John Wemyss, Mr. Robert Clerk, and George Pratt CLXXXII. Two booksellers. Mr. William Coke and Mr. John Guthrie CLXXXIII. William Butter, Esq., and Sir John Morrison CLXXXIV. James Alexander Haldane, Esq., Minister of the Tabernacle, Leith Walk CLXXXV. Sergeant-Major Patrick Gould, and an Edinburgh Volunteer CLXXXVI. Mr. Benjamin Bell, Surgeon CLXXXVII. "The Five Alls." CLXXXVIII. Rev. Dr. Thomas Hardie CLXXXIX. Sir James Campbell, Bart., of Ardkinglass CXC. Dr. Andrew Duncan, Sen. CXCI. Dr. Andrew Duncan in 1797 CXCII. Major Andrew Fraser, the Honourable Andrew Erskine, and Sir John Whitefoord, Bart. CXCIII. Sir John Sinclair, Bart. of Ulbster CXCIV. Lord Stonefield CXCV. John Home, Esq., of Ninewells CXCVI. Mr. William Grinly, Broker and Auctioneer CXCVII. The Hon. Alexander Leslie, Lieut.-General and Colonel of the Ninth Regiment of Foot. CXCVIII. Dr. James Hamilton, Senior CXCIX. Mr. William Mason, Secretary to the Grand Lodge CC. Rev. James Baine, A.M. CCI. Ebenezer Wilson, Brassfounder CCII. Sir Ilay Campbell, Bart. CCIII. Mr. John Campbell, Precentor CCIV. A medley of Musicians CCIV. A medley of Musicians CCV. William Wilson or "Mortar Willie" CCVI. Dr. Thomas Snell Jones, Minister of Lady Glenorchy's Chapel CCVII. William Forbes, Esq. of Callendar CCVIII. Dr. Gregory Grant CCIX. Rev. James Lapslie, Minister of Campsie CCX. O'Brien, the Irish Giant, and William Ranken, Esq. CCXI. Faithful Service Rewarded CCXII. Mr. George Williamson, King's Messenger and Admiral Macer for Scotland CCXIII. Mr. Francis Braidwood, Cabinet-Maker CCXIV. The Right Hon. the Earl of Eglinton CCXV. Rev. James Struthers, Minister of the Relief Chapel, College Street CCXVI. Rev. Mr. Struthers CCXVII. Lord Monboddo, in the Court of Session CCXVIII. Old Geordie Syme, a famous Piper in his time CCXIX. Sir John Leslie, Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh CCXX. Old John Tait, the Broom-Maker CCXXI. James Hume Rigg, Esq. of Morton, Isaac Grant, Esq. of Hilton, Achibald Macarthur Stewart, Esq. of Ascog, The Hon. Captain (afterwards General), John Leslie, and Captain William Wemyss CCXXII. Rev. Dr. Buchanan, one of the Ministers of the Canongate Church CCXXIII. Old Widow Ellis CCXXIV. The City Tron-Men; or Chimney-Sweepers CCXXV. William Cumming, Esq. CCXXVI. Rev. John Wesley, Dr. Hamilton, and the Rev. Mr. Cole CCXXVII. Sir William Honyman, Bart., of Armadale CCXXVIII. Rev. Dr. Alexander Turnbull, of Dalladies CCXXIX. Margaret Suttie, a hawker of salt CCXXX. Archibald Hamilton Rowan, Esq., of Killileagh, in Ireland, and The Hon. Simon Butler CCXXXI. Citizen M. C. Browne CCXXXII. Rev. John Walker, D.D. CCXXXIII. M. De Latour, Painter to the King of France, Member of the Royal Academy of Painting at Paris, etc. CCXXXIV. Mr. Thomas Paine, Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the American Congress CCXXXV. Captain James Burnet, the Last Captain of the City Guard CCXXXVI. Samuel McDonald, in the Uniform of the Sutherland Fencibles CCXXXVII. Mr. Charles Sinclair CCXXXVIII. Rev. David Black, Minister of Lady Yester's Church, Edinburgh CCXXXIX. Thomas Jefferson, Esq., President of the United States of America CCXL. Major-General Aytoun and The Duc D'Angouleme CCXLI. Mr. Clinch and Mrs. Yates, in the characters of the Duke and Duchess of Braganza CCXLII. Alexander McKellar; or "The Cock o' the Green." CCXLIII. Lord Polkemmet CCXLIV. James Gillespie, Esq. of Spylaw, and his brother, Mr. John Gillespie CCXLV. Rev. Dr. John Colquhoun CCXLVI. Major Charles Johnstone CCXLVII. Andrew Donaldson, Teacher of Greek and Hebrew CCXLVIII. "Petticoat Government" CCXLIX. Campbell of Sonachan laughing at the Print of "Petticoat Government" CCL. Mr. Thomas Sommers, his Majesty's Glazier for Scotland CCLI. Mr. Francis Anderson, W.S., Mr. James Hunter, and his son, Mr. George Hunter CCLII. Rev. Robert Culbertson, of the Associate Congregation, Leith CCLIII. The Right Hon. Charles Hope of Granton, when Lord Advocate of Scotland CCLIV. Right Hon. Charles Hope CCLV. The Right Hon. William Pitt CCLVI. The Right Hon. William Pitt, and Henry Dundas, afterwards Lord Melville CCLVII. Mr. and Mrs. Lee Lewes CCLVIII. Dr. Thomas Hay, City Chamberlain, and Sir James Stirling, Bart. CCLIX. Colonel Monro, a well known blue-gown beggar CCLX. Sir Henry Moncreiff Wellwood, Bart. CCLXI. Sergeant William Duff CCLXII. Lord Balmuto CCLXIII. Rev. James Hall, D.D. CCLXIV. Mr. Hamilton Bell, W.S., carrying a Vintner's Boy from Edinburgh to Musselburgh, and Mr. John Rae, Surgeon-Dentist, accompanying him in the character of Bottle-Holder CCLXV. Mr. Edward Innes, and his second, Mr. James Cooper, following after Mr. Bell CCLXVI. The Artist under Examination by Sheriff Pringle, with the pursuers, Bell and Rae, sitting behind CCLXVII. The Hon. Sir Nash Grose, one of the Judges of the Court of King's Bench CCLXVIII. Harvey Christian Combe, Esq., Lord Mayor of London CCLXIX. Sir John Marjoribanks, Bart., Lord Provost of Edinburgh, in his robes CCLXX. Rev. Charles Simeon, M.A. of Trinity Church, Cambridge CCLXXI. Archibald McArthur, piper to the late Sir Reginald Macdonald Stewart Seton, of Touch and Staffa, Bart. CCLXXII. Mirza Aboul Hassan Khan, envoy extraordinary from the King of Persia to the Court of Great Britain CCLXXIII. Mr. John Finlayson, formerly a writer in Cupar-Fife CCLXXIV. Rev. David Dickson, minister of New North Church, Edinburgh CCLXXV. Hugh Macpherson, sometime Clerk to the Perth Carriers CCLXXVI. Mr. Henry Johnston, in the Character of Hamlet CCLXXVII. Rev. John Jamieson, D.D. CCLXXVIII. Robert Craig, Esq. of Riccarton CCLXXIX. David Smythe, Lord Methven CCLXXX. General Francis Dundas, Sir Henry Jardine, Sir Robert Dundas of Beechwood, Bart., Captain Hay, the Late Earl of Eglinton, and the Misses Maxwell, etc. CCLXXXI. Rev. John McDonald of the Gaelic Chapel, Castle Wynd, Edinburgh CCLXXXII. Lord Cullen, one of the senators of the College of Justice CCLXXXIII. The Edinburgh Fish-Women CCLXXXIV. William Macdonald, officer to the Highland Society of Scotland CCLXXXV. Sir William Miller of Glenlee, Bart. CCLXXXVI. Lieut.-General Vyse, in command of the Forces of Scotland CCLXXXVII. Rev. Dr. James Peddie, of the Associate Congregation, Bristo Street CCLXXXVIII. Rev. Dr. Peddie, in 1810 CCLXXXIX. Andrew McKinlay, tried for administering unlawful oaths CCXC. James Mackcoull, alias Captain Moffat CCXCI. Beetty Dick, Town-Crier of Dalkeith CCXCII. Two Chairmen; or, "The Social Pinch." CCXCIII. James McKean, at the Bar of the High Court of Justiciary CCXCIV. Sir William Macleod-Bannatyne (Lord Bannatyne) CCXCV. Training a Councillor CCXCVI. John Steele CCXCVII. Mr. John Austin, author of a "System of Stenographic Music" CCXCVIII. Robert Kay, Esq., Architect CCXCIX. Captain Billair and his Wife, who, though a tall woman, always wore high-heeled shoes CCC. The Last Sitting of The Old Court of Session CCCI. Rev. Alexander King, of the Relief Congregation, Dalkeith CCCII. Francis Jeffrey, Esq., Advocate CCCIII. Captain Dalrymple, and Miss Macdonald of Clanronald CCCIV. The Lovers CCCV. Dr. John Brown, alias "The Devil Killer" CCCVI. Miss Burns, a celebrated beauty of last century CCCVII. A Political Set-To; or, "Freedom of Election" Illustrated CCCVIII. Mr. Pierie and Mr. Maxwell. The Ladies are in the Costume of 1785 CCCIX. Rev. George Husband Baird, D.D. CCCX. Provost Elder and Principal Baird. CCCXI. Dr. John Hope, Professor of Botany in the University of Edinburgh CCCXII. Second Division of the Court of Session CCCXIII. Jerome William Knapp LL.D., Deputy-Clerk of Arraigns CCCXIV. Three Social Friends. Mr. Robert Kay, Mr. Louis Cauvin, and Mr. David Scott CCCXV. Mrs. Smith, in the costume of 1795 CCCXVI. The Hon. William Ramsay Maule, of Panmure, afterwards Lord Panmure of Brechin and Navar CCCXVII. A. Colquhoun, Esq., of Killermont, Lord Advocate of Scotland, and A. Maconochie, Esq. (Lord Meadowbank), then Solicitor-General CCCXVIII. The Hon. Francis William Grant of Grant, Colonel of the Inverness-shire Militia CCCXIX. Rev. David Dickson, D.D. CCCXX. Twelve Advocates who plead with wigs on CCCXXI. Rev. James-Francis Grant, of St. George's Chapel, York Place, Edinburgh CCCXXII. The Craft in Danger CCCXXIII. Robert Sym, Esq., writer to the Signet CCCXXIV. Rev. Henry Grey, A.M. CCCXXV. Mr. Robert Macgachen, Accountant of Excise CCCXXVI. Twelve Advocates, who plead without wigs CCCXXVII. John Rose, Esq. of Holme CCCXXVIII. Major Skey, and the Right Hon. Lord Clive (now Earl of Powis), of the Shropshire Militia CCCXXIX. Archibald Campbell, City Officer CCCXXIX.* Archibald Constable, Esq. Appendix Notes to Vol. 2 Index to the Portraits, etc. in Vol. 2 Index to the Names Incidentally Mentioned in the Second Volume » Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time » Edinburgh Past and Present » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. I » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. III » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. IV » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. V » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI

106 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. contriver, after much waste of time and money, in 1785, obtained an Act of Parliament securing the patent of his invention to him and his heirs for twenty years. In the meantime, the idea of sheathing the bottom of vessels with copper beginning to be entertained, and a hint of the intention of Government having been privately communicated to Mr. Forbest he immediately speculated in the purchase of that article to ail immense extent. A great demand almost immediately followed, the Admiralty having resolved, instead of using the coal-tar of Lord Dundonald, to have the ships of the line sheathed with copper. In consequence of this, Mr. Forbes not only reaped the benefit of greatly increased prices, but was almost the only one able to undertake the orders of Government. Another unforeseen circumstance tended still farther to increase his good fortune. The copper having been fastened with iron nails, a speedy corrosion was the result ; and the whole expensive experiments being hurriedly abandoned, Mr. Forbes is understood to have purchased the copper, which he had previously furnished, for one farthing per Ib.! Soon after this, nails of the sitme material having been suggested, the project was resumed with greater energy than before. The workmen in the dockyards at first refused to go on, alleging that such nails would not drive ; but, by a little finesse and a liberal supply of porter, RSr. Forbes got over all difficulties, and ultimately obtained the exclusive right of coppering the royal navy and the East India Company's ships for twenty years. At this period the domestic establishment of Mr. Forbes was limited to one private room; and he is said to have frankly admitted, before the committee, that his cash did not exceed &1600! His securities, however, one of whom was his good friend Admiral Byron, were unexceptionable. Having realised a handsome fortune, Mr. Forbes began to look about him for an eligible landed investment; and by the sale of the Callendar estates, about 17 86, a favourable opportunity presented itself. This property, forfeited in 1715, was in the hands of the York Buildings Company, and let to the Earl of Errol, for the annual rent, we believe, of $870. Here the Earl of Kilmarnock resided till the fatal crisis of 174La His lady, who was a daughter of the His discovery, however, wailed him 'notEiing.1 Lord Dundonald was a most unfortunate speculator. The coal-tar, instead of enriching, completely ruined him ; and he was compelled to part with his estates, including Culross Abbey, which was bought by the late Sir Robert Preston. At one period he was offered, by an English company, an annuity of between tive and six thousand a year to surrender his patent to them ; but, unluckily for himself, he rejected the offer. communicated the information; and not only tendered him his advice, but enabled him in an effectual manner to complete his extensive purchases, On the testimony of one of the domestics, it is recorded that on the 17th of January 1746 (the day on which the battle of Falkirk waa fought), General Hawley was entertained at dinner by the Earl and Countess of Kilmarnock ; and that the Earl, leaving the dining-room on some slight excuse, put on hiu military dress, and mounting his horse, left the Conntess to do the honours of the table. The female upon whose authority this circumstance is related described the panic which seized her, when she saw the Earl put on his waistcoat of bull's hide, and grasp his sword. He left Callendar wood by the white yett, whence a gallop of a few hundred yards placed him on the field of battle. * Admiral Byron, who happened to be one of his employers, is Aaid to have been the person who ,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 107 attainted Earl of Linlithgow, and who succeeded eventually upon the death of her aunt to the title of Errol, was naturally desirous of recovering her father’s possessions, but she only survived the execution of her husband a short time. Her descendants,’ it was said, entertained a similar anxiety for these estates, which, when brought to the hammer, were set up at a low price, to favour them. Forbes, however, did not fail to appear on the spot; and, with his copper transmuted to gold,” became the purchaser at a remarkably cheap rate :’ so much so, that he has been frequently afterwards heard jokingly to remark that even the wood on the estate would have bought the whole. The inhabitants of the ancient burgh of Fallrirk, always noted fqr their clannish feeling, were in a paroxysm. The house of Callendar had ever been identified with 44 the bairns 0’ Fa’kirk,” and kept up till a late period the old feudal dignity that had long distinguished it. So late as 1759 the following entries appear in the household accounts-“ 4th Nov. Shoes to my Lord’s pyper, 2s. ;” “ 3d Dec. This we presume, must have been the piper of Kilmarnock. Mr. Forbes and his brothers experienced the height of insult and abuse whenever they entered the town. His younger brother, James, in particular, was a favourite source of amusement to the then unchecked mob. He was not of the most shrewd intellect, and his simplicity subjected him to much rudeness. His coat-tails were cut away on one occasion ; and on another, his *queue was docked, from which he was ever afterwards named Rumpock. It is singular that the colliers, who had been the hereditary bondsmen of the old family, were the most devoted to them. One night in autumn, during the militia riots in 1797, a great band of them, aided by a few of the town’s lads, went out with a drum, and parading round the house, so alarmed Mr. Forbes and his brothers that they fled by a back door, and ran up through the wood. Looking round from among the trees, they beheld the flickering blaze of Carron Works, and imagining that Callendar House was in flames, proceeded with all speed by the village of Redding to Lialithgow, from whence they posted to Edinburgh, where, applying to Lord Adam Gordon, the Commander-in-Chief, they caused a troop of the Lancashire Dragoons to be sent out to Falkirk, who inflicted their unwelcome presence on the inhabitants for nearly half-a-year. It is to this affair the caricature of Copperbottom’s Rctrsat alludes.” Not long after he became proprietor, numerous disputes occurred between Mr. Forbes and the tenants of the estate. The Rev. Mr. Bertram of Muiravonside and he disagreed about the rent of a park attached to Haining Castle. The neighbourhood was much excited when this result was known. To my Lord’s pyper, two weeks’ kitchen money, 1s.” The titles of Lithgow and Callendar were in the person of the hair-male, Livingston of Westquarter. s When asked for his security, “I have it in niy pocket,” said he, and instantly tabled the cash in one of the two largeat bank notes ever issued in Scotland. Mr. Forbes had a favourite old black horse, with a long tail, only ridden by hia faithful servant Johnnie Howie (who waa with him for twenty-four years), to which he playfully gave the name, appropriately enough, of Copperbottom.

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