Edinburgh Bookshelf

Kay's Originals Vol. 2

Search

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 315 fury of passion, he hurled it with all his force at the head of the offender, who, escaping by the door, narrowly missed the blow. It was a failing of the little man. to be most vulnerable to female influence. His heart (to use a vulgar simile) was like a box of tinder, liable to be ignited by the smallest spark. A look, a glance, or a smile, was sufficient to flatter him that he had made a conquest. His credulity in this way led to many mortifying deceptions. Hugh was altogether a gay, lively fellow, and could join in a night’s debauch with the best of them. Drinking with a party one evening in a tavern on the South Bridge, he had occasion to quit the apartment for a short time, and mistaking his way on returning, walked into an empty hogshead lying beside the door. What with the darkness of the night, and the effects of the liquor, Hugh in vain kept groping for the handle of the door, while his friends within were astonished and alarmed at his absence. Losing all patience, he at last applied his cane, which he always carried with him, so vigorously against the end of the barrel, that not only his friends but a party of police, were brought to his rescue. Nothing afterwards could incense Hugh more than any allusion to his adventure in the sugar hogshead. He had been in Edinburgh a year or two previous, having been first employed by the Perth carriers about the year 1806. Although a capital scribe, and one who understood his duty well, his peculiarities of temper and manner were continually involving him in difficulties. On leaving the service of the Messrs. Cameron, with whom he had been above four years, he was next employed as clerk to the Hawick and Carlisle carriers, Candlemaker Row ; and subsequently, in a similar capacity, at Lord Elgin’s Colliery,’Fifeshire. He afterwards went to Kirkcaldy, where he acted as clerk to a flesher, and died about the year 1835. The Print of “Little Hughie” was executed in 1810, No. CCLXXVI. MR. HENRY JOHNSTON, IN THE CHARACTER OF HAMLET. THIS gentleman was born in Edinburgh in the year 1774. His father, Robert Johnston, was for many years keeper of an oyster tavern in Shakspeare Square, where he died on the 21st of January 1826. The original occupation of this venerable personage was a barber. His shop, in the High Street, was much frequented, from its proximity to the Parliament House, by gentlemen of the long robe. One morning while operating, as was his wont, upon the chin of
Volume 9 Page 420
  Shrink Shrink   Print Print