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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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BI 0 GRAPH I C AL SKETCHES. 131 Glasgow did not enter into the scheme with that alacrity which had been anticipated- the city having previously expended vast sums in deepening the Clyde. A company was no doubt formed, and the canal ultimately cut as far as Johnstone; but, for want of funds, it never went farther. Notwithstanding the lack of that encouragement he had expected, Lord Eglinton continued to prosecute, single-handed, the herculean task undertaken, although at a much slower pace than he could have wished. He left no means untried to keep the work advancing, having not only sold several valuable portions of his estate, but incurred debt to a large extent ; indeed, it is understood that, previous to his death, he had expended on the harbour alone upwards of &70,000, without the satisfaction of having completed what had been so much an object of his solicitude. The Earl died at an advanced age in 1819, after having for many years honourably discharged the duties of Lord-Lieutenant of the county of Ayr, which were somewhat arduous, especially during the three latter years of his life,’ His lordship was created a Baron of Great Britain and Ireland in 1806, by the title of Baron Ardrossan of Ardrossan. He was also a Knight of the order of the Thistle. The character of the late Earl, like that of all other persons who take a decided part in public affairs, has been variously represented. Firmly attached to the Government, and resolute in repelling civil innovation, as well as foreign aggression, his opinions were of necessity not in unison with those whose politics were of a less conservative description. In the army he was known to be a strict disciplinarian ; and, even at the head of his own Fencibles, he sometimes occasioned excitement by the severity of his punishments.’ Apart from these considerations, the Earl was deservedly held in estimation. No man possessed a greater degree of public spirit, or could be more magnificent in his undertakings. In the case of the canal and harbour of Ardrossan, the result proved his lordship to have been too sanguine ; and his estates certainly felt the paralysing effects of such a severe encroachment on his resources ; yet the speculation employed many hands, and fed many families. In time it is to be hoped it will produce a portion of the good anticipated from it. As one of the most steady of the very few resident proprietors of Ayrshire, the Earl of Eglinton had an undoubted claim to respect. Except when called away by his parliamentary and other public duties, he remained constantly at home ; and while he stimulated industry in his own neighbourhood, by his presence and example, he was on all occasions the patron and active promoter of whatever might tend to the improvement and prosperity of the country at large. In seasons of com- So very active and efficient indeed were his lordship’s services in that capacity, that he obtained the approbation and applause of all parties. In the Justiciary Hall of the County Buildings, Ayr, there is a painting of the Earl, in the costume of the West Lowland Fencibles, painted by Sir Henry Raeburn, from the original picture in Eglinton Castle. Thii portrait was done by subscription, aud placed in the Hall as a tribute of respect to his lordship’s memory. It ought to be stated, in vindication of the Earl, that he had very bad materials to deal with. As every one that offered %-as enlisted in the Fencible regiments, they were consequently greatly mixed, and almost proverbial for the many bad characters to be found in the ranks.
Volume 9 Page 174
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