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.
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.
