Kay's Originals Vol. 2

All Books Kay's Originals Vol. 1 Kay's Originals Vol. 2 Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time Edinburgh Past and Present Old and New Edinburgh Vol. I Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II Old and New Edinburgh Vol. III Old and New Edinburgh Vol. IV Old and New Edinburgh Vol. V Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI

Go to: « Kay's Originals Vol. 1 Kay's Originals Vol. 2 Title Pages Advetisement Notice to the First Edition CLXXI. Mr. John Dowie, Vintner, Libberton's Wynd CLXXII. Colin Campbell, Esq. of Kilberry, Argyleshire CLXXIII. The Lawnmarket Coach; or, A Journey Along the Mound CLXXIV. The Right Hon. Selina Countess Dowager of Huntingdon CLXXV. Jamie Duff, alias Bailie Duff CLXXVI. Major-General Alexander Mackay CLXXVII. Allan Maconochie, Lord Meadowbank CLXXVIII. General James Grant of Ballindalloch CLXXIX. The Right Hon. the Earl of Moira, commander-in-chief of the forces in Scotland CLXXX. The Commander-in-Chief addressing the Edinburgh Spearmen CLXXXI. Mr. John Wemyss, Mr. Robert Clerk, and George Pratt CLXXXII. Two booksellers. Mr. William Coke and Mr. John Guthrie CLXXXIII. William Butter, Esq., and Sir John Morrison CLXXXIV. James Alexander Haldane, Esq., Minister of the Tabernacle, Leith Walk CLXXXV. Sergeant-Major Patrick Gould, and an Edinburgh Volunteer CLXXXVI. Mr. Benjamin Bell, Surgeon CLXXXVII. "The Five Alls." CLXXXVIII. Rev. Dr. Thomas Hardie CLXXXIX. Sir James Campbell, Bart., of Ardkinglass CXC. Dr. Andrew Duncan, Sen. CXCI. Dr. Andrew Duncan in 1797 CXCII. Major Andrew Fraser, the Honourable Andrew Erskine, and Sir John Whitefoord, Bart. CXCIII. Sir John Sinclair, Bart. of Ulbster CXCIV. Lord Stonefield CXCV. John Home, Esq., of Ninewells CXCVI. Mr. William Grinly, Broker and Auctioneer CXCVII. The Hon. Alexander Leslie, Lieut.-General and Colonel of the Ninth Regiment of Foot. CXCVIII. Dr. James Hamilton, Senior CXCIX. Mr. William Mason, Secretary to the Grand Lodge CC. Rev. James Baine, A.M. CCI. Ebenezer Wilson, Brassfounder CCII. Sir Ilay Campbell, Bart. CCIII. Mr. John Campbell, Precentor CCIV. A medley of Musicians CCIV. A medley of Musicians CCV. William Wilson or "Mortar Willie" CCVI. Dr. Thomas Snell Jones, Minister of Lady Glenorchy's Chapel CCVII. William Forbes, Esq. of Callendar CCVIII. Dr. Gregory Grant CCIX. Rev. James Lapslie, Minister of Campsie CCX. O'Brien, the Irish Giant, and William Ranken, Esq. CCXI. Faithful Service Rewarded CCXII. Mr. George Williamson, King's Messenger and Admiral Macer for Scotland CCXIII. Mr. Francis Braidwood, Cabinet-Maker CCXIV. The Right Hon. the Earl of Eglinton CCXV. Rev. James Struthers, Minister of the Relief Chapel, College Street CCXVI. Rev. Mr. Struthers CCXVII. Lord Monboddo, in the Court of Session CCXVIII. Old Geordie Syme, a famous Piper in his time CCXIX. Sir John Leslie, Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh CCXX. Old John Tait, the Broom-Maker CCXXI. James Hume Rigg, Esq. of Morton, Isaac Grant, Esq. of Hilton, Achibald Macarthur Stewart, Esq. of Ascog, The Hon. Captain (afterwards General), John Leslie, and Captain William Wemyss CCXXII. Rev. Dr. Buchanan, one of the Ministers of the Canongate Church CCXXIII. Old Widow Ellis CCXXIV. The City Tron-Men; or Chimney-Sweepers CCXXV. William Cumming, Esq. CCXXVI. Rev. John Wesley, Dr. Hamilton, and the Rev. Mr. Cole CCXXVII. Sir William Honyman, Bart., of Armadale CCXXVIII. Rev. Dr. Alexander Turnbull, of Dalladies CCXXIX. Margaret Suttie, a hawker of salt CCXXX. Archibald Hamilton Rowan, Esq., of Killileagh, in Ireland, and The Hon. Simon Butler CCXXXI. Citizen M. C. Browne CCXXXII. Rev. John Walker, D.D. CCXXXIII. M. De Latour, Painter to the King of France, Member of the Royal Academy of Painting at Paris, etc. CCXXXIV. Mr. Thomas Paine, Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the American Congress CCXXXV. Captain James Burnet, the Last Captain of the City Guard CCXXXVI. Samuel McDonald, in the Uniform of the Sutherland Fencibles CCXXXVII. Mr. Charles Sinclair CCXXXVIII. Rev. David Black, Minister of Lady Yester's Church, Edinburgh CCXXXIX. Thomas Jefferson, Esq., President of the United States of America CCXL. Major-General Aytoun and The Duc D'Angouleme CCXLI. Mr. Clinch and Mrs. Yates, in the characters of the Duke and Duchess of Braganza CCXLII. Alexander McKellar; or "The Cock o' the Green." CCXLIII. Lord Polkemmet CCXLIV. James Gillespie, Esq. of Spylaw, and his brother, Mr. John Gillespie CCXLV. Rev. Dr. John Colquhoun CCXLVI. Major Charles Johnstone CCXLVII. Andrew Donaldson, Teacher of Greek and Hebrew CCXLVIII. "Petticoat Government" CCXLIX. Campbell of Sonachan laughing at the Print of "Petticoat Government" CCL. Mr. Thomas Sommers, his Majesty's Glazier for Scotland CCLI. Mr. Francis Anderson, W.S., Mr. James Hunter, and his son, Mr. George Hunter CCLII. Rev. Robert Culbertson, of the Associate Congregation, Leith CCLIII. The Right Hon. Charles Hope of Granton, when Lord Advocate of Scotland CCLIV. Right Hon. Charles Hope CCLV. The Right Hon. William Pitt CCLVI. The Right Hon. William Pitt, and Henry Dundas, afterwards Lord Melville CCLVII. Mr. and Mrs. Lee Lewes CCLVIII. Dr. Thomas Hay, City Chamberlain, and Sir James Stirling, Bart. CCLIX. Colonel Monro, a well known blue-gown beggar CCLX. Sir Henry Moncreiff Wellwood, Bart. CCLXI. Sergeant William Duff CCLXII. Lord Balmuto CCLXIII. Rev. James Hall, D.D. CCLXIV. Mr. Hamilton Bell, W.S., carrying a Vintner's Boy from Edinburgh to Musselburgh, and Mr. John Rae, Surgeon-Dentist, accompanying him in the character of Bottle-Holder CCLXV. Mr. Edward Innes, and his second, Mr. James Cooper, following after Mr. Bell CCLXVI. The Artist under Examination by Sheriff Pringle, with the pursuers, Bell and Rae, sitting behind CCLXVII. The Hon. Sir Nash Grose, one of the Judges of the Court of King's Bench CCLXVIII. Harvey Christian Combe, Esq., Lord Mayor of London CCLXIX. Sir John Marjoribanks, Bart., Lord Provost of Edinburgh, in his robes CCLXX. Rev. Charles Simeon, M.A. of Trinity Church, Cambridge CCLXXI. Archibald McArthur, piper to the late Sir Reginald Macdonald Stewart Seton, of Touch and Staffa, Bart. CCLXXII. Mirza Aboul Hassan Khan, envoy extraordinary from the King of Persia to the Court of Great Britain CCLXXIII. Mr. John Finlayson, formerly a writer in Cupar-Fife CCLXXIV. Rev. David Dickson, minister of New North Church, Edinburgh CCLXXV. Hugh Macpherson, sometime Clerk to the Perth Carriers CCLXXVI. Mr. Henry Johnston, in the Character of Hamlet CCLXXVII. Rev. John Jamieson, D.D. CCLXXVIII. Robert Craig, Esq. of Riccarton CCLXXIX. David Smythe, Lord Methven CCLXXX. General Francis Dundas, Sir Henry Jardine, Sir Robert Dundas of Beechwood, Bart., Captain Hay, the Late Earl of Eglinton, and the Misses Maxwell, etc. CCLXXXI. Rev. John McDonald of the Gaelic Chapel, Castle Wynd, Edinburgh CCLXXXII. Lord Cullen, one of the senators of the College of Justice CCLXXXIII. The Edinburgh Fish-Women CCLXXXIV. William Macdonald, officer to the Highland Society of Scotland CCLXXXV. Sir William Miller of Glenlee, Bart. CCLXXXVI. Lieut.-General Vyse, in command of the Forces of Scotland CCLXXXVII. Rev. Dr. James Peddie, of the Associate Congregation, Bristo Street CCLXXXVIII. Rev. Dr. Peddie, in 1810 CCLXXXIX. Andrew McKinlay, tried for administering unlawful oaths CCXC. James Mackcoull, alias Captain Moffat CCXCI. Beetty Dick, Town-Crier of Dalkeith CCXCII. Two Chairmen; or, "The Social Pinch." CCXCIII. James McKean, at the Bar of the High Court of Justiciary CCXCIV. Sir William Macleod-Bannatyne (Lord Bannatyne) CCXCV. Training a Councillor CCXCVI. John Steele CCXCVII. Mr. John Austin, author of a "System of Stenographic Music" CCXCVIII. Robert Kay, Esq., Architect CCXCIX. Captain Billair and his Wife, who, though a tall woman, always wore high-heeled shoes CCC. The Last Sitting of The Old Court of Session CCCI. Rev. Alexander King, of the Relief Congregation, Dalkeith CCCII. Francis Jeffrey, Esq., Advocate CCCIII. Captain Dalrymple, and Miss Macdonald of Clanronald CCCIV. The Lovers CCCV. Dr. John Brown, alias "The Devil Killer" CCCVI. Miss Burns, a celebrated beauty of last century CCCVII. A Political Set-To; or, "Freedom of Election" Illustrated CCCVIII. Mr. Pierie and Mr. Maxwell. The Ladies are in the Costume of 1785 CCCIX. Rev. George Husband Baird, D.D. CCCX. Provost Elder and Principal Baird. CCCXI. Dr. John Hope, Professor of Botany in the University of Edinburgh CCCXII. Second Division of the Court of Session CCCXIII. Jerome William Knapp LL.D., Deputy-Clerk of Arraigns CCCXIV. Three Social Friends. Mr. Robert Kay, Mr. Louis Cauvin, and Mr. David Scott CCCXV. Mrs. Smith, in the costume of 1795 CCCXVI. The Hon. William Ramsay Maule, of Panmure, afterwards Lord Panmure of Brechin and Navar CCCXVII. A. Colquhoun, Esq., of Killermont, Lord Advocate of Scotland, and A. Maconochie, Esq. (Lord Meadowbank), then Solicitor-General CCCXVIII. The Hon. Francis William Grant of Grant, Colonel of the Inverness-shire Militia CCCXIX. Rev. David Dickson, D.D. CCCXX. Twelve Advocates who plead with wigs on CCCXXI. Rev. James-Francis Grant, of St. George's Chapel, York Place, Edinburgh CCCXXII. The Craft in Danger CCCXXIII. Robert Sym, Esq., writer to the Signet CCCXXIV. Rev. Henry Grey, A.M. CCCXXV. Mr. Robert Macgachen, Accountant of Excise CCCXXVI. Twelve Advocates, who plead without wigs CCCXXVII. John Rose, Esq. of Holme CCCXXVIII. Major Skey, and the Right Hon. Lord Clive (now Earl of Powis), of the Shropshire Militia CCCXXIX. Archibald Campbell, City Officer CCCXXIX.* Archibald Constable, Esq. Appendix Notes to Vol. 2 Index to the Portraits, etc. in Vol. 2 Index to the Names Incidentally Mentioned in the Second Volume » Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time » Edinburgh Past and Present » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. I » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. III » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. IV » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. V » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 303 During his travels he had been an attentive observer, and kept a journal to which, on his return, he gave the title of the “Wonderful Book ;” wherein were recorded his opinions on whatever he imagined might be curious or instructive to his countrymen. Thus recommended by his talents, and especially for his knowledge of Indian affairs, seconded by the influence of an uncle, who then held the office of Minister of Finance, Aboul Hassan was chosen for the important mission to Britain already mentioned. After a stay of nearly seven months his Excellency quitted England, accompanied by Sir G. Ouseley, as minister at the Court of Persia. On the passage the vessel touched at Rio Janeiro, and his Excellency had thus, for the first time, an opportunity of seeing the New World, On his arrival in <Persia he was honoured with the title of Khan, and every mark of confidence was shown him by the King. In 1813 he was employed to conclude a peace with Russia ; and immediately proceeding to St. Petersburgh, remained there upwards of three years. The embassy bn this occasion appeared to be more for the purpose of cultivating friendly relations generally, than for the attainment of any specific object. Besides innumerable other presents from the King, the Ambassador had with him sixteen of the finest horses in the Persian dominions as a compliment to the Prince Regent. These, under the charge of the King’s head groom, arrived in London some time prior to the Ambassador, who, coming by France, remained in Paris much longer than he intended, being greatly captivated with the gaiety of the French capital.’ On this side the channel public curiosity was excited by the frequent and sometimes extravagant announcements in the Parisian journals. mie beauty of the “ Fair Circassian,” by whom he was accompanied, was so much extolled that, “ like another Ellen,” she had almost “ fired another Troy.” ‘‘ The beautiful Circassian,” says one of the journals, “has been so closely confined that not a single person has been able to obtain a sight of her, though thousands crowd daily round her hotel, in the vain hope of a glimpse.” The Gazette de Fraw was more minute in its details :-“ Exiled to her chamber, inaccessible to all the world, she dares not even appear at her window without being covered with a large veil j and she is not relieved from this restraint except when her master is out with his people. She then walks about in her apartment without meeting any one save the females of the hotel, or the two persons charged to watch her. If she chance to meet the females she becomes quite joyous with spirits-she plays with them-romps with them ; but on the least noise she disappears and shuts herself up in her cabinet. Some ladies, among them Lady Somerset, solicited the Ambassador to permit the interesting stranger to pass an evening at their houses j but their entreaties were all to no purpose.” The fair prisoner thus became an object of intense interest, and her arrival in London was looked for with impatience. At length it was announced that At one of the balls given in honour of him, be was heard to say, in an under tonu, “This world is the prison of the true believer, but the paradise of the infidel ! ” The next visit of Aboul Hassan to Great Britain occurred in 1819.

  Enlarge  

304 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. the Ambassador was about to quit Paris, without having been presented at the Tuilleries. The reason assigned was, that the Mirza expected the King to stand up in his presence, and in that posture receive the letter with which he was intrusted from his master, the Persian Monarch. This the French King could not do, being ill at the time with gout. His Excellency next insisted that he must sit beside his Majesty, or at least in front of him, otherwise he should have his head cut off on his return. As neither of these points of etiquette could be complied with, and the French Court had no desire to be accessory to his decapitation, it was,resolved that the simplest way to avoid difficulties was to dispense with the interview altogether. After much delay and anxious expectation the Ambassador and his fair Circassian arrived at their lodgings in Charles Street, Berkeley Square, London, on the 27th of April 1819. He was waited on by several of the Ministers, and next day gave a dinner to a select party of five, among whom were Lords Castlereagh and Walpole, and Sir Gore Ouseley, who had formerly accompanied him to Persia, None of the visitors, however, were gratified with a glimpse of the Circassian. She occupied the inner drawing-room; and the doh of her apartment, aecording to the newspaper reports of the day (which were probably not entitled to unlimited credence), was constantly guarded by two of the four black eunuchs, with sabres by their sides, who were her only attendants.’ This watchful seclusion of the “Fair Circassian ” tended the more to exaggerate a belief in the reality of her charms. At length the irresistible importunities of his friends induced his Excellency to comply with the wishes of the female portion of the nobility ; and on the first occasion upwards of twenty ladies of distinction were admitted into the presence of the fair incognita. The introduction took place in the front drawing-room, between one and two o’clock. The Circassian was elegantly attired in the costume of her country. Her dress was a rich white satin, fringed with gold, with a bandeau round her head, and a wreath of diamonds. She received her visitors with graceful affability ; and the ladies were highly pleased with her reserved manners. Although not quite such a model of female beauty as “ fancy painted her,” she was nevertheless described, even by her fair critics, as a creature truly admirable, of medium stature, and exquisite symmefry ; her complexion brunette ; her hair jet black, with finely arched black eyebrows ; handsome black penetrating eyes ; and her features regular and pleasing. Lady Augusta Murray, one of the visitors, presented her with a beautiful nosegay, with which she seemed highly pleased. From this period the residence of the Ambassador continued to be daily thronged with ladies of rank, anxious to pay their respects to the interesting stranger ; and all brought with them some elegant and costly present for the decoration of her person. Owing to the indisposition of the Prince Regent, the audience to the Ambasl Aa illustrative of the domestic habits of the ambassador, it waa stated in the journals that he nsually rose at six in the morning-went down stairs to bathe in a common bath hired from a tinsmith- md that his dinner hour was six in the evening. His fair slave, or mistress, was supplied from his own table, the servants in waiting conveying the dishes to her attendant outside the drawing-room.

  Enlarge