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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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236 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. ment of Mary’s Chapel.’ He was elected Deacon of the Masons in 1770-1, and again in 1776. In the latter year, remarkable in the annals of the council for a keen contest for supremacy: he espoused the side of Sir Laurence Dundas, through whose interest he procured the appointment of ‘‘ His Majesty’s Glazier for Scotland.” A taste for literature had been early imbibed by Mr. Sommers ; and although thirteen years the senior of Fergusson, a reciprocity of sentiment produced a warm and steady intimacy betwixt them. T;liith Woods, the Scottish Roscius, as he was termed, and several other friends of the poet, he was well acquainted, and long after the latter had closed his short and ill-fated career, they continued to cherish his memory with the utmost affection. Possessing considerable facility in composition, with pretty extensive general knowledge, his acquirements were well calculated to elevate him above the level of the great mass of his fellow- citizens. In, the Corporation, of which he was a member, and while one of the Town Council, Mr. Sommers stood pre-eminent-frequently astonishing his brethren, accustomed as they were to conversational debates, by the force of his arguments and the flights of his fancy. Interested in all public matters, he was ever zealous for the public good ; and the humanity and kindness of his disposition invariably led him, as a member of Mary’s Chapel, to advocate warmly the cause of the necessitous, who had claims on the Incorporation. As may be inferred, “His Majesty’s Glazier” possessed a truly social temper. He was a member of the well-known Cape Cub, and for several years Secretary to the Grand Lodge of Freemasons, by whom he was regarded as an oracle. He had long amused himself with literary composition for the periodical “ The United Incorporation of Mary’s Chapel. It consists of the following crafts :-Wrights, masons, bowyers, glaziers, plummers, upholsterers, painters, slaters, sievewrights, and coopers. This community has, in Niddry’s Wynd, a modern hall, for holding their meetings. It is called dfury’s Chapel, having been originally a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin.”-Amot’s Est. of Edin. Two deacons are annually chosen ; one to represent the wrights, and another the masons. Some years ago, the election of Deacon for MUTY’S Chapel was a matter of very great importance. The political strife which marked this period had its origin in the general Parliamentary election of 1774, when exertions were made to oust Sir Laurence from the representation of the city. His opponents on that occasion were David Loch, Esq., of Over-Carnbie, formerly an extensive merchant at Leith, and the author of “ Letters on the Trade and Manufactures of Scotland ;” and Captain James-Francis Erskine of Forrest, who only intimated his intention of standing on the day of election. A charge of bribery and corruption was preferred against Sir Laurence, and a letter to one of his agents, relating to the burgh of Dunfermline, produced in proof. The electors were in consequence much embarrassed ; and a delay having occurred, Provost Stoddart came forward as a candidate. The votes were, for Sir Laurence, twenty-three-for Mr. Stoddart, six-and for Captain Erskine, three. Both Mr. Stoddart and Mr. Loch protested-the latter, on the ground that the election had been brought about by undue influence. The opposition to Sir Laurence still becoming more popular, a keen trial of strength took place at the election of Deacons and Councillors in 1776. Several letters were puhlished, and much recrimination indulged in through the medium of the press. The friends of Sir Laurence were again trinmphant ; and both parties in the Council united in the choice of Alexander Kincaid, Esq., aa the Chief Magistrate. In the evening, some of his lordship’s friends having expressed their joy by a bonfire and illumination, a riot was the consequence, and much damage done by breaking windows, and other mischief. It may be curious to add that, at this compakatively recent period, the house occupied by the Lord Provost waa situated in the Cowgate, in a small court west of the Horse Wynd. One of the Council, Mr. Lamie, Old Provost, was absent. Provost Kincaid died in office, 1777. The house is still known as “ Kincaid’s Land.”
Volume 9 Page 315
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