146 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
the present system unavoidably produces.-To the various duties of my office I shall pay unremitting
attention. And trusting in a conscious desire to discharge my duty in an upright
manner ; trusting to the support of those around me ; and trusting, above all, in the direction
and support of that Power which has been so fervently invoked, I now take that seat, to which
I have been so honourably appointed, and so honourably introduced.’
“Mr. Sheriff Clerk’ then addressed the Judge of Police in a very sensible and appropriate
speech, pointing out the arduous duties of his office (which his experience as Chief Magistrate
of the county for twelve years enabled him with propriety to do), and expressing his satisfaction
that it was filled by a gentleman of so much ability and integrity.
“ The Judge of Police then returned thanks to the Commissioners, particularly to Sir
William Forbes, by whose unremitting attention this institution, calculated to promote virtue
and happiness, has been fostered, from the first proposal of the plan, and brought at last to its
present honourable state of maturity.
‘‘ The different officers were then sworn in by the Judge of Police, -rho gave them a very
proper exhortation respecting the duties of their office.
“The Court of Police waa accordingly opened the same day (July 15) at the Office of Police,
in Riddell’s Close, Lawnmarket, where apartments have been commodiously fitted up for the
purpose.”
Whether from a too exalted idea entertained of the trust reposed in him, or
from a dislike on the part of the public to the new system of police-or probably
from a combination of both-certain it is “ Judge Tait ” was not among
the most popular of the civic rulers. Hence the satire of the artist-“An
Eminent Judge of-broom-besoms ! ” Mr. Tait was, notwithst,anding, a man
of talent, as well as of considerable literary attainments ;’ and his speech above
quoted is highly creditable to him. “I am bound,” is his declaration, “ by the
sacred oath which I have taken, to discharge my duty as my conscience dictates;
and that conscience tells me that I am not to look to persons but to crimes.”
That this was not mere idle declamation on the part of Mr. Tait very speedily
appeared by his decisions. On the 13th of August following, two gentlemen
having been brought before him, charged with giving and accepting a challenge
-which they admitted-he caused them to be fined, and bound over in heavy
penalties to keep the peace. At the same time, while he delivered his sentiments,
in a forcible manner, on “ challenging and duelling, as crimes against the
laws of the land,” he expressed his determination strictly to enforce the authority
with which he was invested, for the peace of society :-“ Hereafter, if persons
are brought before me, and convicted of having given or accepted a challenge, I
shall consider it my duty to send such persons to the Tolbooth of Edinburgh,
for a certain period by way of punishment, besides binding them over to keep
the peace ; and if persons are brought before me, and convicted of having fought
a duel, I shall equally consider it my duty to send them to Bridewell. Because
all respect of persons must be attached to their strict observance of the laws of
their country ; and those who bid defiance to the laws, in whatever situation
they may otherwise be placed, are equal in that respect, and ought equally to
feel the force of those laws which they contemn.”
That the situation to which Mr. Tait had been appointed was no sinecure,
Aftenvards one of the Barons of Exchequer.
e In his early years he had cultivated the Muses. He published. two or three thin quarto
volumes of poetry. Amongst his poems is an elegy on Goldsmith.