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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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B I 0 GRAPH I C AL SI< E T C HE S. 165 he continued regularly to visit his friends in Scotland ; and, among others, the Hon. William Maule (afterwards Lord Panmure), of whom he always spoke in terms of high respect and esteem. After the Doctor became unable to travel, Lord Panmure, in his journeys to or from London, was in the practice of calling for him at Alnwick-a mark of attention of which he felt proud. For many years Dr. Turnbull was senior freeholder in the counties of Fife and Kincardine. About the beginning of the century, upon occasion of a general election, a venerable Baronet, at the head of one of the courts of law, stood as candidate to represent the latter county in Parliament ; and an application was made to the Doctor for his vote. He promised to vote for the candidate, provided he would answer certain questions. This having been assented to, the Doctor proceeded to put his interrogatories-one of which was, Why the candidate challenged Mr. Fox to fight a duel? The answer to the question did not give entire satisfaction ; but the Doctor agreed to support the candidate, on the condition that, “ if returned member for the county, he would, in his place in Parliament, vote against war and oppression of every kind, both at home and abroad, and against iniquity and injustice, whenever such might be attempted.” He required a guarantee for these conditions, which was immediately offered by the candidate. On Mr. Kay’s first publication of this Print, in place of taking offence, as others had done, at the freedom used, the Doctor purchased a large number for distribution among his friends. He merely remarked that the artist had in one respect not done him justice, as the picture represented him wearing unblackened shoes, whereas his shoes were daily cleaned and blackened. As a landlord, Dr. Turnbull was liberal and indulgent in no ordinary degree; and although in many things he required strictness and punctuality, his principle was, never to exact from his tenants more than they were easily able to pay for their lands. Besides, he took great pleasure in administering to their comfort and happiness, and nothing afforded him more satisfaction than to hear of their prosperity. From his early introduction into society, about the middle of the last century, Dr. Turnbull, in dress, habits, and manners, naturally belonged to the “ olden time ; ” and having been acquainted with many of the most eminent men of his day, he possessed a fund of amusing anecdote and interesting information rega.rding the past. He was a man of rather eccentric habits ; yet his sterling integrity of principle, and his never-ceasing charity and good will to his fellowcreatures- qualities which might have covered a multitude of sins-nobly redeemed a few innocent and harmless peculiarities. Withal, he possessed in a high degree the air and manner of a well-bred gentleman and man of the world-and had received from society all its polish and refinement, without contracting any of its heartlessness and insincerity. To the last his affections were warm, his benevolence active, and his sympathy with the cause of liberty unchilled even by the frost of age. He died at Alnwick in 1831, in the eightyfourth year of his age.
Volume 9 Page 222
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