Edinburgh Bookshelf

Kay's Originals Vol. 2

Search

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 337 who were spoken favourably of by the Rev. George William Auriol Hay Drummond, in his “Town Eclogue.” (Edinburgh, 1804. 8vo.) “ Let justice veil her venerable head, When dulness sits aloft in robes of red ! Though with delight we upright Cockburn see, With courteous Cullen, deep-read Woodhouselee : In the Chief Baron’s bland, ingenuous face, Read all the worth and talent of hia race.” In his boyish days, Lord Cullen was an excellent mimic, and often, in later years, took pleasure in mentioning the exploits which his talent in this way enabled him to perform. His father, Professor Cullen, used to keep his loose money in a desk-drawer in his study, from which he was in the habit of supplying Mrs. Cullen with whatever sums she might be in want of, usually handing over the notes without being at the trouble of looking round. Observing this, and when pressed by any juvenile contingency, the youthful mimic, imitating the somewhat querulous voice of his mother, found the means of drawing upon the old man more frequently than the latter would have been inclined to submit to. As the demands in this way multiplied the Doctor began to grumble. “ What ! were you not here already P” said he with some warmth to his good lady, as she one day requested a few pounds. “No, indeed, I was not, my dear,” was her reply. “Don’t tell me that,” rejoined the Professor, evidently chafed at what he considered a false assertion ; while the lady, unable to account for the late unkindness of her husband, indignantly resented the imputation of her veracity. The misunderstanding might have been carried far enough, but for the discovery which the awakened vigilance of the Doctor enabled him to make on the next occasion. Casting his eyes round, he was astonished to find the mystery cleared up in the culpability of his son. Long after he had assumed the toga, he continued his imitations, and was very successful in catching the peculiarities of many of the leading members of the College of Justice. His attainments in this way having reached the ears of the then Lord President, he was invited by the legal dignitary to a dinner party, where, after the cloth was removed, he exhibited a succession of imitations of the most eminent practising barristers. His lordship was highly delighted, and hinted that he need not limit himself to the bar ; but that he might, without offence, make free with the bench. Cullen, in the excitement of the moment, took the hint thus given, and quickly the whole race of “ paper lords ” passed rapidly before the eyes of the astonished President, who applauded the actor warmly for his astonishing powers of mimicry. “But,” said his lordship, “ why am I excepted 1 I cannot really allow this.” Cullen would not for worlds take off his h o s t the latter insisted, and in an evil moment the guest yielded-and the Lord President of the Court of Session was given to the life. “hose present roared Another anecdote of his imitative talent may be given. 1 Fbbert Dundaa of Arniston, of whom a biographical sketch has already appeared. VOL. 11. 2x
Volume 9 Page 448
  Shrink Shrink   Print Print