BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 329
the 26th of December 1835. Throughout life Sir Robert maintained an untainted
character, and was universally respected as a most humane, benevolent,
and excellent man.
The full-length figure, with the military hat and veil, which he wore in ridicule
of the ladies, represents the eccentric CAPTAIN HAY, or “the Daft
Captain,” as he was usually styled.
His father, Mr. John
Hay, who had early settled there as a general merchant, was a Scotsman, and
descended from a highly respectable family. He had two sons and a daughter.
The eldest, Mr. John Hay, came to this country when about the age of twenty,
as Prussian Consul to the port of Leith, where he also transacted business as
a foreign merchant, but was never very successful. Like most Germans of any
respectability, he had acquired a musical education ; and, being of industrious
habits, sought to better his income by obtaining the appointment of performer
on the musical bells of St. Giles’s Church, Edinburgh ; which office he enjoyed
until his demise. At that period there were two musicians employed, and his
coadjutor was Mr. Alexander Robertson, engyaver. We may mention, for the
information of those at a distance, that in St. Giles’s there is a very complete set
of musical bells, which are played upon every day between the hours of one and
two o’clock,’
The second son, Captain Hay, was a bachelor ; and, after being placed upon
half-pay, took up his residence in Edinburgh. At that time the principal promenade
was the Meadows, where he almost daily appeared to ogle the ladies ;
and being somewhat short-sighted, and not wearing glasses, he approached sometimes
closer than was agreeable, staring them hard in the face. When they
saw him advancing, they frequently drew down their veils ; and this giving the
gallant Captain offence, he retaliated by sporting a veil, which he occasionally
wore thrown up over his hat ; and if he noticed any lady who had pulled down
her veil in approaching him, he was sure to return the compliment, muttering
as he did so-
This gentleman was born at Dantzic, in Prussia.
‘‘ I know what you mean ;
I’m too ugly to be seen.”
He did not always wear uniform, but more frequently appeared in plain clothes ;
and we have sometimes seen him veiled with his ro&d hat on. He was seldom
observed on the streets in company, and seemed to have a particular pleasure in
walking alone. It was not uncommon for him to kiss his hand to ladies whom
he admired in passing, and he would even take off his hat to others, but never
attempted to speak to them.
The Captain died in Edinburgh about the year 1804. His brother, who left
behind him two SOUS and a daughter, survived him a few years. The eldest
son, Mr. Frederick Hay, an eminent engraver, long settled in London, succeeded
Both he and his brother spoke broken English.
From one to two was the dinner hour of the citizens in former t i e s .
VOL II. 2 uBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 329
the 26th of December 1835. Throughout life Sir Robert maintained an untainted
character, and was universally respected as a most humane, benevolent,
and excellent man.
The full-length figure, with the military hat and veil, which he wore in ridicule
of the ladies, represents the eccentric CAPTAIN HAY, or “the Daft
Captain,” as he was usually styled.
His father, Mr. John
Hay, who had early settled there as a general merchant, was a Scotsman, and
descended from a highly respectable family. He had two sons and a daughter.
The eldest, Mr. John Hay, came to this country when about the age of twenty,
as Prussian Consul to the port of Leith, where he also transacted business as
a foreign merchant, but was never very successful. Like most Germans of any
respectability, he had acquired a musical education ; and, being of industrious
habits, sought to better his income by obtaining the appointment of performer
on the musical bells of St. Giles’s Church, Edinburgh ; which office he enjoyed
until his demise. At that period there were two musicians employed, and his
coadjutor was Mr. Alexander Robertson, engyaver. We may mention, for the
information of those at a distance, that in St. Giles’s there is a very complete set
of musical bells, which are played upon every day between the hours of one and
two o’clock,’
The second son, Captain Hay, was a bachelor ; and, after being placed upon
half-pay, took up his residence in Edinburgh. At that time the principal promenade
was the Meadows, where he almost daily appeared to ogle the ladies ;
and being somewhat short-sighted, and not wearing glasses, he approached sometimes
closer than was agreeable, staring them hard in the face. When they
saw him advancing, they frequently drew down their veils ; and this giving the
gallant Captain offence, he retaliated by sporting a veil, which he occasionally
wore thrown up over his hat ; and if he noticed any lady who had pulled down
her veil in approaching him, he was sure to return the compliment, muttering
as he did so-
This gentleman was born at Dantzic, in Prussia.
‘‘ I know what you mean ;
I’m too ugly to be seen.”
He did not always wear uniform, but more frequently appeared in plain clothes ;
and we have sometimes seen him veiled with his ro&d hat on. He was seldom
observed on the streets in company, and seemed to have a particular pleasure in
walking alone. It was not uncommon for him to kiss his hand to ladies whom
he admired in passing, and he would even take off his hat to others, but never
attempted to speak to them.
The Captain died in Edinburgh about the year 1804. His brother, who left
behind him two SOUS and a daughter, survived him a few years. The eldest
son, Mr. Frederick Hay, an eminent engraver, long settled in London, succeeded
Both he and his brother spoke broken English.
From one to two was the dinner hour of the citizens in former t i e s .
VOL II. 2 u