E I 0 GR A P €I I CA L S K E T C HE S. 347
Brown Square, No. 17, where his house presented a rather striking contrast to
the plebeian aspect of the dwellings that surrounded it.’
Formerly it was the custom of the Judges to walk to the Court in the
morning with their wigs nicely powdered, and a small cocked hat in their hands:
Lozd Glenlee, we believe, was the last to give up this practice. So late as
1830, or even later, his lordship might be met every morning during the
Session, except Monday (when the Court does not meet), walking from his own
house down Crombie’s Close, across the Cowgate, and up the ‘‘ back stairs,”
that led to the Parliament House. He was always dressed, with most fastidious
neatness, in a plain suit of black. He had afterwards recourse to the use of a
sedan-chair, and was carried by George the Fourth’s Bridge-as the new approach
from the South is called-an improvement with which his lordship was greatly
pleased.
Sir William long enjoyed the reputation of an excellent and accomplished
scholar, adding to the learning of the schools the polish and attainments early
acquired by foreign travel ; while, in his own peculiar profession of the law, he
had for nearly half-a-century been considered one of the brightest ornaments of
the Scottish bench. Few men in his rank of life maintained a character so
generally esteemed, as well by the exalted as the low ; and no man ever united
more real dignity of manner with the same humility and benevolence of disposition.
A philosopher, in the true sense of the word, he faithfully performed
the duties of his station throughout a term of years not usually allotted to
man-conducting himself, amid the varied trials and afflictions from which
human nature is rarely exempted, with a fortitude at once exemplary and
becoming. We allude more particularly to the lamented death of his son,
Lieut.-Colonel William Miller of the Guards, who fell at Waterloo. He was
an officer of the utmost promise ; and the gallant manner in which he met his
fate-
--“His failing eye
Still bent where Albion’s banners Ay”-
dwelt long in the memory of many of his countrymen. The following extract
from a letter, dated “Brussels, June 23, 1815,’7-which went the round of
It is said his lordship was greatly annoyed by au itinerant minstrel, who, frequenting the
square, endeavoured to “ discourse eloquent music,:’ by blowing upon a cracked clarionet, deficient
of one key, and marvellously stiff in the others. For an hour at least every Monday were the visits
of this “blind Apollo” repeated, awakening the slumbering echoes with “ Black-Eyed Susan,” till
the very name of that popular air became as hateful to the inhabitants of Brown Square, as that of
Monsieur Tomma was to the ear of Moiuiew~ Nor6Zieu. The annoyance was the more insufferable
to Lord Glenlee, as, the Court not sitting on Monday, that day is usually set apart by the judges
of the Inner House for studying the cases they are to advise during the week. He at length
despatched his servant with half-a-crown, with a request to the musician that he would discontinue
his favours for the future, particularly on the Monday. Highly incensed, the latter replied, “ Give
my compliments to Lord Glenlee, and tell him-pocketing the half-crown-I cannot change my
rounds for a’ the Lords 0’ Edinburgh.” So saying, his wounded dignity wm appeased, like
“ Roasting-Jacks,” by blowing niore fiercely, furiously, and inharmoniously than ever.
