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.
166 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
No. CCXXIX.
MARGARET SUTTIE,
A HAWKER OF SALT.
THIS well-known character was an native of Fisherrow. Her mother, Margaret
Suttie-for neither she nor her daughter were ever married-was reputed
a witch; and some of her “cantrips,” particularly her encounter with Jamie
Vernon’s dog, and the manner in which she retaliated on Jamie’s cows, are still
remembered and believed by many among whom the superstitions of a former
age are not yet entirely eradicated.
After the death of the old woman, Margaret the younger took up her residence
at Niddry, half-a-mile south-east of Duddingston, and made her living, as
her mother had done before her, by vending salt in Edinburgh-daily going the
rounds of the city in the manner portrayed in the caricature. On leaving home
in the morning, her route was directed by the Saltpans of Joppa or Pinkie,
where she purchased a supply sufficient for the day. The price ‘of salt at the
Pans was then thirteenpence halfpenny a peck-about seven pounds weight
-which she retailed at sixpence a caup-a wooden measure one-fourth of a
peck’
“ Wha’ll buy my lucky forpit oJ wat-Na, na, deil ane yet ! I J was Maggy’s
usual cry, sometimes varied into a species of rhyme, as she proceeded along the
streets. By lucky she meant good measure; and when questioned as to her
reason for repeating the words-“Na, na, deil ane yet “-her reply was, that
she always experienced mist luck on the days she used them,
Whatever happened to
be passing in her mind found unconscious utterance from her lips ; and she was
frequently followed by the youngsters, who were amused by her singular ejaculations.
One day, while plying her vocation in the Cowgate, an extremely
corpulent gentleman of ‘‘ the ‘cloth ” happened to be wending his way a short
distance ahead. His waddling gait, and excessive breadth, immediately attracted
the notice of Maggy. “Eh, but he’s fat-see how he shugs I-Wha’ll buy my
lucky forpit oJ sa-adsee how he shugs ! ” In this way she continued to sing
her cry, much to the amusement of the bystanders, until the fat man in black
had fairly waddled out of her sight.
In consequence of the repeal of the duty on salt, old Maggy’s occupation
ceased, and with it the cry of Wha’ll buy sa-at ”-which used to be a source
of great annoyance to the inhabitants. It is somewhat remarkable that this
Margaret had an inveterate habit of talking aloud.
The one end of the meamre wm a forpit ; the other, half a forpit.
