BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 19
While Mackay was a subaltern, he travelled through France and Italy, and
other parts of Europe, for the purpose principally of acquiring a knowledge of
modern languages. While the members of the
Royal Family of France resided at Holyrood House, where the Adjutant-
General’s office was then kept, he often had occasion to meet them, and sometimes
to act as an interpreter, particularly at dinner parties, to which he was
frequently invited.
At the commencement of the second French war, in 1803, he became a
Major-General ; and at different periods subsequently the Chief Command of
the Forces in Scotland devolved upon him.
The Print affords an excellent portraiture of the Adjutant-General.’ He
obtained the soubriquet of ‘‘ Buckram,” from the stiffness of his appearance. In
military phrase, he walked as if he had swallowed a halbert; and his long
queue, powdered hair, and cocked hat, were characteristic of a thorough-bred
soldier of the olden time. He was much esteemed by all with whom he was
connected. He was rather abstemious in diet, and singularly correct and
methodical in all his habits of life. He lived a bachelor, and died after a short
illness, at his house, South St. Andrew Street, on the 26th April 1809, in the
sixty-eighth year of his age. He had thus been on the Staff in Scotland during
a period of not less than thirty years ; and, in discharging the important duties
of his various appointments, his conduct was characterised by the strictest
fidelity and honour.
A handsome tribute was paid to his memory by Lord Cathcart, wllo was
then Commander of the Forces in Scotland.
He spoke French fluently.
No. CLXXVII.
ALLAN DIACONOCHIE, LORD MEADOTVBANK.
THE late LORDM EADOWBANKso, n of Alexander hfaconochie, writer in Edinburgh,
was born on the 26th January 1748. He was in early age placed
under the tuition of Dr. Alexander Adam, afterwards Rector of the High School
of Edinburgh, who acted as his private teacher, and from whom he acquired
that taste for classical studies which he retained throughout life. He subsequently
entered the University of Edinburgh ; and being destinqd for the bar, attended
the usual classes. In 1764 he and other five students: with the view of
1 Wet and dry the old General was daily to be seen with the umbrella under hi8 arm.
These were, William Creech (bookseller) ; John Bonar (afterwards Solicitor of the Excise) ;
John Brace (Professor of Logic) ; Henry Mackenzie (author of “The Man of Feeling ”) ; and Mr.
Belches. Eilr. Charles Stuart was admitted a member at their firat meeting.
