BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 345
attended with the best results. The fishermen and their families consider this
place of worship more peculiarly their own, and take a pride as well as a pleasure
in assembling under its roof.
“he political agitations of the last half-dozen years, too, have not been without
their influence on the character of the fishermen. Many of them now
discuss state questions with all the nonchalance of thorough politicians. By the
Reform Bill, a measure in which they greatly rejoiced, not a few of them obtained
the parliamentary franchise, and it was altogether a new and flattering thing to
be solicited by a candidate for their suffrage. The chief spokesman of the community,
Thomas Wilson, was presented with a handsome silver snuff-box by the
Reformers of Edinburgh, in approbation of his conduct. He was also gratified
by a visit from O’Connell, during his visit to Edinburgh. Mr. Wilson was a
shrewd, sensible, hard-working man ; was landlord of a small public house, and
when not out at the fishing, presented his box for a pinch with much sociality,
not unfrequently accompanied by some remark about his friend the “ member for
Ireland.”’
No. CCLXXXIV.
WILLIAM MACDONALD,
OFFICER TO THE HIGHLAND SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND.
THE individual who thus figures in the national uniform is still a denizen of
Modern Athens ; and though a lapse of thirty-five years has not failed to effect
a proportionate change in the outer man, he still retains much of the original
freshness and vigour of his more early days. WILLIAMM ACDONALaD n, ative
of Fothertie, near Dingwall, Ross-shire, came to Edinburgh in 1790. He was
then about fifteen years of age, and for some time afterwards was engaged
in the service of one or two respectable families in the city. He was next
employed as keeper of the Subscription Room, in Fortune’s Hotel, Princes Street,
then much frequented by members of the Caledonian Hunt, to many of whom
he was well known.
The Print of Macdonald was executed in 1803, the first year of his officiating
as officer to the Society, which then held its meetings in the premises now
occupied as the Subscription Library, South Bridge. The likeness, though it
In ddition to the suggestions, in pages 342-3, respecting the “ tabular stone in the wall” of
a house in Newhaven, it is worthy of remark that the date, “1588,” is the era of the memorable
Spanish Armada. In the wreck which befel this formidable armament, many of the ships were
lost on the coasts of Scotland ; and it is probable that the “ signal deliverance” then experienced
was meant to be commemorated by the tablet in question.
VOL. 11. 2 Y