BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 287
Though hia friend had proved slippery at the critical moment, Mr. Cooper
was not without funds, He built the first property erected on the South
Bridge, the house (No. 1) forming the corner building at the junction with
the High Street. Here he opened with an entire new stock of goods, and
continued to prosecute business with his usual success.
Strictly attentive in the management of his affairs, Mr. Cooper was by no
means insensible to the relaxations and pleasures of social life. With 8 few
friends he was in the habit of unbending occasionally, even beyond the rules
of strict decorum, though quite in keeping with the indulgences of the times.’
There was one crony in particular, Mr. Weddell, confectioner, with whom he
was on terms of more than common intimacy. Both originally from Lanarkshire,
their ‘‘ calf-country ” afforded them many interesting reminiscences.
Weddell in some measure owed his advance in life to the kind offices of his
friend the jeweller ; the latter having recommended him to Mrs. Finch: the
widow of an extensive confectioner in Edinburgh, as a person well qualified to
wind up her husband‘s affairs. In this task he acquitted himself so much to
the satisfaction of his employer, that she speedily doffed the symbols of her
widowhood and became Mrs. Weddell.
Among other methods of enjoying themselves, Cooper and Weddell made
frequent country excursions, rising early and breakfasting at some known resort
in the suburbs.’ Occasionally they devoted a summer afternoon to their walks,
seldom failing to regale themselves plentifully by the way. It at length OCcurred
to the friends that they might lighten the toil, and add to the pleasure
of their rambles, by keeping a riding-horae betwixt them. One to each would
One of his principal companions was the late Mr. Henderson, Russia-merchant, also a native
of the west country. Their favonrite evening walk was to Inglis Green, where, with Mr. M‘Whirter
of the Bleachfield, they formed a social party sometimes rather tedious in their sittings. On one
occasion they tarried so long and so effectually at the bowl, that it was found necessary to convey
the friends to town in the Bleachfield cart. At that time Archie Camphell, afterwards city-officer,
acted as porter to Mr. Cooper, and was luckily in attendance when the load arrived. Archie could
not imagine what “the Bleachfield cart could be wanting at that time 0’ nicht ;” and the driver,
no less puzzled how he would get quit of his charge, stood irresolute. Archie, at last comprehending
the natnre of the dilemma, suggested what “ she’ll do.” Unyoking the hone, he poised the cart 80
as gently to upset the insensible wassailers on the pavement, and shouldering hia master, carried
him upstairs to his bedroom. The other two were picked up by their attendant porters, and disposed
of in a similar manner.
Finch wa8 at one time in partnership with Steele, whose widow, as already mentioned,
married Mr. Innes. The former, a native of London, accompanied the latter to Edinburgh, and
commencing business as confectioners, their house may be said to have been the origii of all the
confectionery establishments now in the city.
A well-known story, usually attributed to an Englishman, originated, we believe, with Mr.
Cooper on one of these occasions. The butter happening to be by no means to their liking, by way
of quizzing the good dame, they said to the girl, “ Go, tell your mistreas that we want to have the
butter on one plate and the hairs on another I ” Not comprehending exactly the bent of their
humour, the girl did eo desired. Immediately the hostess, flushed with the insult, entered the
room, and clutching the two friends in her “wally nieves,” knocked their heads together, exclaiming
89 she repeated the violence, ‘‘ An‘ ye want the butter on ae plate an’ the hairs on anither !-tak’
that for your impudence.” Many a time Mr. Cooper used to laugh at the remembrance of this
ncident.