232 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
intention, and desiring to know whether she would have him. The girl, in
astonishment, exclaimed that she could never think of such a thing; and
declared, if that was his object, never to show his face again. Little versed in
courtship, Andrew bowed submissive to the first rebuff, remarking, as he dolorously
departed--“ l%e Lord’s will be done !”
It was probably about the same period that Andrew made a second attempt
to form a matrimonial alliance; but in this instance he was resolved not to
trust his suit to the decision of the fair one herself. To her father, who was
reputed to be in easy circumstances, and who had been a sincere friend to
Andrew, he accordingly made known his intention of taking unto himself a
wife, adding, that he thought his daughter would make a suitable companion.
‘( But,” said his friend, how should you think of a wife, Andrew ? you have
not wherewith to maintain her.” ‘( Oh, dear,” replied the simple-minded
suitor ; (‘ that’s nothing-you have plenty !” This explanation, however candid,
failed to give satisfaction ; and Andrew found it necessary, as on many former
occasions, to yield to fate with his usual equanimity.
When Kay published his likeness, it was universally admired for its fidelity.
A friend talking of the picture in the hearing of Andrew, and greatly commending
the exactness of the resemblance, the latter advanced, and smoothing
down his beard, a8 his custom was, replied--“Ay; but I present you with
the living picture.”
The closing years of this singular person’s life were passed at Dunfermline,
where he resided with a nephew. He died at an advanced age ; and his remains
are interred in the parish churchyard. The stone erected to his memory
contains the following inscription :-cr Here lies Andrew Donaldson, a good
scholar and sincere Christian, who died June 21, 1793, aged eighty.”
No. CCXLVIII.
“ PETTICOAT GOVERNMENT.”
THE appearance of this Print in 1795, at the time the Breadalbane Fencibles
were stationed in Edinburgh, created no small sensation among the fair portion
of the higher circles. Though unaccompanied by any other explanation than
what is given on the Engraving, the parties represented were generally supposed
to be Lord and Lady Breadalbane. To “rule a wife and have a wife,” is
a difficulty of old experience with the lords of the creation ; but whether the
Marquis was more or less fortunate in this respect than most other family men
is a query which, were all good husbands brought to the confessional, would
admit, of a very doubtful solution. The Etching, we believe, originated in no