BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Street Successful beyond expectation, he shortly afterwards added to his
good fortune by an alliance with a daughter of Mr. James Fergusson,’ coppersmith,
one of the “well-to-do” lairds of the West Bow. She lived only to be
the mother of one son.
Grieved as he might be at this event, Mr. Cooper did not long remain a
widower. He was then a handsome man, and found little difficulty in gaining
the affections of Miss Marion Scott,’ one of three sisters who were left, with
considerable fortunes, under guardians so scrupulous in the selection of suitors,
that the ladies were fain to consult their own judgment, by eloping with the
objects of their choice.
Shortly after his second marriage, Mr. Cooper took two brothers of the name
of Bruce into partnership, This arrangement, as frequently happens in similar
cases, gave rise to much annoyance. The young men had formed an intimacy
with Deacon Brodie, who, though then moving in a respectable sphere, was
known to be a person of irregular habits ; and entertaining an aversion towards
him, for which he could not well account, Mr. Cooper was resolved not to
tolerate his frequent visits to the shop. An opportunity was not long sought
for to lecture his young friends on their want of attention and the impropriety
of their intercourse with Brodie. This brought matters to a crisis : the Bruces
were not to be dictated to, and equally resolute, Mr. Cooper avowed his determination
that the copartnery should cease,
According to the terms of contract, the stock, which was extensive and valuable,
was put up to the highest bidder, who was to find “ caution,” or surety
for the price to be paid-the purchaser to retain possession of the shop. On
the morning of sale Mr. Cooper found himself deserted by his proposed cautioner-
the whole fell into the hands of the Messrs. Bruce-and thus he was
compelled reluctantly to abandon an establishment of which he had been the
originator. Fatally for themselves, the Bruces continued their intimacy with
the Deacon, who, it is said, taking impressions of their keys, effected their ruin
by the midnight plunder of their premises.’
When the aon and successor of this gentleman died, he left about eighteen thousand pounds to
distant relatives ; which sum would have fallen to Mrs. Cooper’s son had he survived his uncle.
-a The eldest sister was married to a Mr. Miller, gunsmith, with whom originated, we believe,
the idea of employing mounted artillery-men in the management of field ordnance. His suggestions
were first tendered (through the medium of a friend) to the British Government, but being treated
with contempt, they were next communicated to the French executive, by whom the plan was at
once appreciated, and instantly carried into effect. After witnessing the success of the scheme in
the hands of their enemies, the British army was not allowed to remain long without the advantage
of a well-disciplined corps of “flyipg artillery.” Miller did not live to tiee the triumph of hi8 project.
The friend to whom he had entrusted his various plans and models, failing to interest the
Government in the matter, passed over to France, where he appropriated the credit, and no doubt
the profit, of the design to himself. He never retuimed to this country ; and rumour asserts that
he w8s guillotined.
Although it may have been projected by Brodie, the robbery was committed by his accomplice,
Smith, alone, the former having refused to go at the time appointed, as he was busily engaged at
play. There was no evidence of this robbery except the roluntary declaration of Smith. Sea
Mernoir of Deaeon Brodie in the first volume.
