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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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10 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. at thc shop door of Mr. George Boyd, as significant of the wares in which he dealt. Bailie Duff is said to have actually attended a meeting of the Club on one occasion. The first of the six individuals in harness, and mounted by a postillion, is MR. JOHN LAUDER, coppersmith, whose shop was nearly in the centre of the West Bow,’ right-hand side in ascending. Mr. Lauder was a fair gpecimen of the ancient shopkeepers of the Bow-one who did business cautiously and leisurely, but to some purpose, having realised a good deal of money. He was a member of the notable “ SPENDTHRICFLTU B,” which, say the Traditions, “took its name from the extravagance of the members in spending no less a sum than fmjpence haypenny each night !” The social indulgence of the party consisted in a supper, at the moderate charge of twopence halfpenny, and a pint of strong ale, which made up the sum total of each member‘s debauch, The news of the day supplied the topic of conversation, which, together with a game or two at whist, constituted the amusement of the evening.’ The Club continued to exist in another part of the town (Clyde Street), although somewhat altered in constitution, and a little more extravagant in expenditure. A respectable septuagenarian whom we have consulted, although young at the period referred to, was a contemporary of several of the original members. They all wore cocked hats; and it was one of the fundamental rules that the members should remain covered throughout the evening, except during the time grace was asked at supper-a fine being imposed on those who neglected to eomply with this rule. Well does our worthy informant recollect the sober contour of old “Johnnie Lauder,” as he reverently doffed his hat to This ancient street, now nearly annihilated by improvements, wm then almost entirely occupied by tradesmen connected with the anvil. Fergusson, in his poem of Leith Races, thus ulludeq to the craft :- “ The tinkler billies 0’ the Bow, Are now lass eident clinkin’ ; As lands their pith or siller dow, They’re d&n’, an’ they’re drinkin’.” Some curious reminiscences are presemed of this community of hammermen, their peculiarities, and the effect produced by the noise of their combined avocations. The father of the late Dr. Andrew Thomson, when he came first to Edinburgh, took lodgings in that famed quarter of the city. The first day or two he felt so annoyed by the continued sound of the anvils, that he resolved on seeking out a-more retired abode, and acquainted his landlady with his intention. The old lady, by no means willing to lose her lodger, insisted that he should make a trial for other eight days. He did so, and was astonished to find how soon he got familiarised with the noise. Day after day he felt the hammering grow less offensive, till at length it not only ceased to disturb him, but, strange to say, absolutely became necassary to his repose ; and, on removing, in after life, to another quarter of the city, he experienced considerable difficulty in accustoming himself to the absence of it.-The inhabitants of the Bow have been frequently heard to declare that they got less sleep on Sunday morning than on my other, which they attributed to the want of the usual noise. The SPENDTH~IwPTas properly a Whist Club. They played at carda from eight o’clock till ten, and then commenced with a Zittlc to eat and something to drink,
Volume 9 Page 12
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