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.