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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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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.
Volume 9 Page 461
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