Kay's Originals Vol. 2

All Books Kay's Originals Vol. 1 Kay's Originals Vol. 2 Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time Edinburgh Past and Present Old and New Edinburgh Vol. I Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II Old and New Edinburgh Vol. III Old and New Edinburgh Vol. IV Old and New Edinburgh Vol. V Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI

Go to: « Kay's Originals Vol. 1 Kay's Originals Vol. 2 Title Pages Advetisement Notice to the First Edition CLXXI. Mr. John Dowie, Vintner, Libberton's Wynd CLXXII. Colin Campbell, Esq. of Kilberry, Argyleshire CLXXIII. The Lawnmarket Coach; or, A Journey Along the Mound CLXXIV. The Right Hon. Selina Countess Dowager of Huntingdon CLXXV. Jamie Duff, alias Bailie Duff CLXXVI. Major-General Alexander Mackay CLXXVII. Allan Maconochie, Lord Meadowbank CLXXVIII. General James Grant of Ballindalloch CLXXIX. The Right Hon. the Earl of Moira, commander-in-chief of the forces in Scotland CLXXX. The Commander-in-Chief addressing the Edinburgh Spearmen CLXXXI. Mr. John Wemyss, Mr. Robert Clerk, and George Pratt CLXXXII. Two booksellers. Mr. William Coke and Mr. John Guthrie CLXXXIII. William Butter, Esq., and Sir John Morrison CLXXXIV. James Alexander Haldane, Esq., Minister of the Tabernacle, Leith Walk CLXXXV. Sergeant-Major Patrick Gould, and an Edinburgh Volunteer CLXXXVI. Mr. Benjamin Bell, Surgeon CLXXXVII. "The Five Alls." CLXXXVIII. Rev. Dr. Thomas Hardie CLXXXIX. Sir James Campbell, Bart., of Ardkinglass CXC. Dr. Andrew Duncan, Sen. CXCI. Dr. Andrew Duncan in 1797 CXCII. Major Andrew Fraser, the Honourable Andrew Erskine, and Sir John Whitefoord, Bart. CXCIII. Sir John Sinclair, Bart. of Ulbster CXCIV. Lord Stonefield CXCV. John Home, Esq., of Ninewells CXCVI. Mr. William Grinly, Broker and Auctioneer CXCVII. The Hon. Alexander Leslie, Lieut.-General and Colonel of the Ninth Regiment of Foot. CXCVIII. Dr. James Hamilton, Senior CXCIX. Mr. William Mason, Secretary to the Grand Lodge CC. Rev. James Baine, A.M. CCI. Ebenezer Wilson, Brassfounder CCII. Sir Ilay Campbell, Bart. CCIII. Mr. John Campbell, Precentor CCIV. A medley of Musicians CCIV. A medley of Musicians CCV. William Wilson or "Mortar Willie" CCVI. Dr. Thomas Snell Jones, Minister of Lady Glenorchy's Chapel CCVII. William Forbes, Esq. of Callendar CCVIII. Dr. Gregory Grant CCIX. Rev. James Lapslie, Minister of Campsie CCX. O'Brien, the Irish Giant, and William Ranken, Esq. CCXI. Faithful Service Rewarded CCXII. Mr. George Williamson, King's Messenger and Admiral Macer for Scotland CCXIII. Mr. Francis Braidwood, Cabinet-Maker CCXIV. The Right Hon. the Earl of Eglinton CCXV. Rev. James Struthers, Minister of the Relief Chapel, College Street CCXVI. Rev. Mr. Struthers CCXVII. Lord Monboddo, in the Court of Session CCXVIII. Old Geordie Syme, a famous Piper in his time CCXIX. Sir John Leslie, Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh CCXX. Old John Tait, the Broom-Maker CCXXI. James Hume Rigg, Esq. of Morton, Isaac Grant, Esq. of Hilton, Achibald Macarthur Stewart, Esq. of Ascog, The Hon. Captain (afterwards General), John Leslie, and Captain William Wemyss CCXXII. Rev. Dr. Buchanan, one of the Ministers of the Canongate Church CCXXIII. Old Widow Ellis CCXXIV. The City Tron-Men; or Chimney-Sweepers CCXXV. William Cumming, Esq. CCXXVI. Rev. John Wesley, Dr. Hamilton, and the Rev. Mr. Cole CCXXVII. Sir William Honyman, Bart., of Armadale CCXXVIII. Rev. Dr. Alexander Turnbull, of Dalladies CCXXIX. Margaret Suttie, a hawker of salt CCXXX. Archibald Hamilton Rowan, Esq., of Killileagh, in Ireland, and The Hon. Simon Butler CCXXXI. Citizen M. C. Browne CCXXXII. Rev. John Walker, D.D. CCXXXIII. M. De Latour, Painter to the King of France, Member of the Royal Academy of Painting at Paris, etc. CCXXXIV. Mr. Thomas Paine, Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the American Congress CCXXXV. Captain James Burnet, the Last Captain of the City Guard CCXXXVI. Samuel McDonald, in the Uniform of the Sutherland Fencibles CCXXXVII. Mr. Charles Sinclair CCXXXVIII. Rev. David Black, Minister of Lady Yester's Church, Edinburgh CCXXXIX. Thomas Jefferson, Esq., President of the United States of America CCXL. Major-General Aytoun and The Duc D'Angouleme CCXLI. Mr. Clinch and Mrs. Yates, in the characters of the Duke and Duchess of Braganza CCXLII. Alexander McKellar; or "The Cock o' the Green." CCXLIII. Lord Polkemmet CCXLIV. James Gillespie, Esq. of Spylaw, and his brother, Mr. John Gillespie CCXLV. Rev. Dr. John Colquhoun CCXLVI. Major Charles Johnstone CCXLVII. Andrew Donaldson, Teacher of Greek and Hebrew CCXLVIII. "Petticoat Government" CCXLIX. Campbell of Sonachan laughing at the Print of "Petticoat Government" CCL. Mr. Thomas Sommers, his Majesty's Glazier for Scotland CCLI. Mr. Francis Anderson, W.S., Mr. James Hunter, and his son, Mr. George Hunter CCLII. Rev. Robert Culbertson, of the Associate Congregation, Leith CCLIII. The Right Hon. Charles Hope of Granton, when Lord Advocate of Scotland CCLIV. Right Hon. Charles Hope CCLV. The Right Hon. William Pitt CCLVI. The Right Hon. William Pitt, and Henry Dundas, afterwards Lord Melville CCLVII. Mr. and Mrs. Lee Lewes CCLVIII. Dr. Thomas Hay, City Chamberlain, and Sir James Stirling, Bart. CCLIX. Colonel Monro, a well known blue-gown beggar CCLX. Sir Henry Moncreiff Wellwood, Bart. CCLXI. Sergeant William Duff CCLXII. Lord Balmuto CCLXIII. Rev. James Hall, D.D. CCLXIV. Mr. Hamilton Bell, W.S., carrying a Vintner's Boy from Edinburgh to Musselburgh, and Mr. John Rae, Surgeon-Dentist, accompanying him in the character of Bottle-Holder CCLXV. Mr. Edward Innes, and his second, Mr. James Cooper, following after Mr. Bell CCLXVI. The Artist under Examination by Sheriff Pringle, with the pursuers, Bell and Rae, sitting behind CCLXVII. The Hon. Sir Nash Grose, one of the Judges of the Court of King's Bench CCLXVIII. Harvey Christian Combe, Esq., Lord Mayor of London CCLXIX. Sir John Marjoribanks, Bart., Lord Provost of Edinburgh, in his robes CCLXX. Rev. Charles Simeon, M.A. of Trinity Church, Cambridge CCLXXI. Archibald McArthur, piper to the late Sir Reginald Macdonald Stewart Seton, of Touch and Staffa, Bart. CCLXXII. Mirza Aboul Hassan Khan, envoy extraordinary from the King of Persia to the Court of Great Britain CCLXXIII. Mr. John Finlayson, formerly a writer in Cupar-Fife CCLXXIV. Rev. David Dickson, minister of New North Church, Edinburgh CCLXXV. Hugh Macpherson, sometime Clerk to the Perth Carriers CCLXXVI. Mr. Henry Johnston, in the Character of Hamlet CCLXXVII. Rev. John Jamieson, D.D. CCLXXVIII. Robert Craig, Esq. of Riccarton CCLXXIX. David Smythe, Lord Methven CCLXXX. General Francis Dundas, Sir Henry Jardine, Sir Robert Dundas of Beechwood, Bart., Captain Hay, the Late Earl of Eglinton, and the Misses Maxwell, etc. CCLXXXI. Rev. John McDonald of the Gaelic Chapel, Castle Wynd, Edinburgh CCLXXXII. Lord Cullen, one of the senators of the College of Justice CCLXXXIII. The Edinburgh Fish-Women CCLXXXIV. William Macdonald, officer to the Highland Society of Scotland CCLXXXV. Sir William Miller of Glenlee, Bart. CCLXXXVI. Lieut.-General Vyse, in command of the Forces of Scotland CCLXXXVII. Rev. Dr. James Peddie, of the Associate Congregation, Bristo Street CCLXXXVIII. Rev. Dr. Peddie, in 1810 CCLXXXIX. Andrew McKinlay, tried for administering unlawful oaths CCXC. James Mackcoull, alias Captain Moffat CCXCI. Beetty Dick, Town-Crier of Dalkeith CCXCII. Two Chairmen; or, "The Social Pinch." CCXCIII. James McKean, at the Bar of the High Court of Justiciary CCXCIV. Sir William Macleod-Bannatyne (Lord Bannatyne) CCXCV. Training a Councillor CCXCVI. John Steele CCXCVII. Mr. John Austin, author of a "System of Stenographic Music" CCXCVIII. Robert Kay, Esq., Architect CCXCIX. Captain Billair and his Wife, who, though a tall woman, always wore high-heeled shoes CCC. The Last Sitting of The Old Court of Session CCCI. Rev. Alexander King, of the Relief Congregation, Dalkeith CCCII. Francis Jeffrey, Esq., Advocate CCCIII. Captain Dalrymple, and Miss Macdonald of Clanronald CCCIV. The Lovers CCCV. Dr. John Brown, alias "The Devil Killer" CCCVI. Miss Burns, a celebrated beauty of last century CCCVII. A Political Set-To; or, "Freedom of Election" Illustrated CCCVIII. Mr. Pierie and Mr. Maxwell. The Ladies are in the Costume of 1785 CCCIX. Rev. George Husband Baird, D.D. CCCX. Provost Elder and Principal Baird. CCCXI. Dr. John Hope, Professor of Botany in the University of Edinburgh CCCXII. Second Division of the Court of Session CCCXIII. Jerome William Knapp LL.D., Deputy-Clerk of Arraigns CCCXIV. Three Social Friends. Mr. Robert Kay, Mr. Louis Cauvin, and Mr. David Scott CCCXV. Mrs. Smith, in the costume of 1795 CCCXVI. The Hon. William Ramsay Maule, of Panmure, afterwards Lord Panmure of Brechin and Navar CCCXVII. A. Colquhoun, Esq., of Killermont, Lord Advocate of Scotland, and A. Maconochie, Esq. (Lord Meadowbank), then Solicitor-General CCCXVIII. The Hon. Francis William Grant of Grant, Colonel of the Inverness-shire Militia CCCXIX. Rev. David Dickson, D.D. CCCXX. Twelve Advocates who plead with wigs on CCCXXI. Rev. James-Francis Grant, of St. George's Chapel, York Place, Edinburgh CCCXXII. The Craft in Danger CCCXXIII. Robert Sym, Esq., writer to the Signet CCCXXIV. Rev. Henry Grey, A.M. CCCXXV. Mr. Robert Macgachen, Accountant of Excise CCCXXVI. Twelve Advocates, who plead without wigs CCCXXVII. John Rose, Esq. of Holme CCCXXVIII. Major Skey, and the Right Hon. Lord Clive (now Earl of Powis), of the Shropshire Militia CCCXXIX. Archibald Campbell, City Officer CCCXXIX.* Archibald Constable, Esq. Appendix Notes to Vol. 2 Index to the Portraits, etc. in Vol. 2 Index to the Names Incidentally Mentioned in the Second Volume » Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time » Edinburgh Past and Present » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. I » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. III » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. IV » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. V » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 361 hoisted Blue Peter; while all agreed that he set the darbies and .u$les charmingly, and that nothing was wanting to complete his full dress but a nosegay, which he would easily procure among the Flowers of Edinburgh.” The prisoner arrived in Glasgow on the 8th of April 1812-was committed for trial-and while in jail offered to put the bank in possession of $1000 of their money, which their agent in London actually procured from Mr. Harmer, who was then Mackcoull’s solicitor.’ He also gave a bill for $400, granted by himself on Ann Wheeler, his sister, with her endorsation. Notwithstanding this implied admission of his guilt, he ran his letters against the King’s Advocate ; and it being supposed that sufficient proof could not be procured to convict him capitally, he was liberated on the 2d July 1812. Mackcoull now returned to London, and with great activity set about cashing his Scotch notes. Besides employing a confidential individual in the business, he made several journeys to Scotland, buying bills on London in various names. On the last of these expeditions, in 181 3, having been seen by Mr. I)enovan, who then superintended the Leith Police, his motions were carefully observed, After purchasing bills, amounting to nearly $1 000, at various banking establishments in Edinburgh and Leith, he was again apprehended on the 5th of March, when just on the eve of sailing by one of the smacks. He was next day examined before the Magistrates of Edinburgh ; but, from a belief that he could not be legally prosecuted after having “run his letters” on the former occasion, Mackcoull was again set at liberty. His bills and money, however-with the exception of 336 (in English notes)-were retained in the hands of Mr. Callander, the City Clerk. That he did not insist on having the whole of the money restored to him at that time was probably owing to his anxiety to escape. In October 1813, while Mackcoull was confined in Newgate for a breach of the peace, committed in the house of his wife (for at that time he was not living with her), the Paisley Union Bank obtained possession of the bills from the Magistrates of Edinburgh, on lodging a bond of indemnity and relief; but it was not till 1815 that he mustered assurance enough to demand restitution. He first wrote several letters to Mr. Callander-next came himself to Edinburgh -called at the British Linen Company’s Office, and imperiously demanded the bills he had purchased from them in 1813. He wrote a statement of his case to the then Lord Advocate (Colquhoun of Killermont) ; and, failing to procure his interference, made personal application to the Council Chambers, where his conduct was such as to cause the city officers to turn him out. Mackcoull first brought his case before the Sheriff Court, but not meeting with success, he commenced a series of proceedings in the Supreme Court, which lasted several years, and in which he had well-nigh been victorious. The 1 This snm had been deposited for the purpose by Mackcoull’s mother. As an instance of his villany, after the death of Old Uunpowder (as he called her), he instituted a process against Mr. Harmer, on the ground that he had no authorityfvom him for paying away the money, and was actually successful. VOL. IL S A

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362 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. bank, unable to prove that the money with which he purchased the bills was part of the amount stolen from them in 1811, insisted, as a last resource, that Mackcoull should be subjected to a judiciub examinutim. This not very usual course was opposed ; but at length, finding it impossible to resist the Court, he made a virtue of necessity, and latterly submitted to the proposed examination. On the day appointed-the 4th of March 1819-the Outer House was crowded to excess, the cause having excited great interest. Attended by his counse1,l the pursuer appeared in due time; and throughout the whole of his long examination, which lasted for several days, he conducted himself with the greatest sang fioid-objecting to this and the other question ; and when his replies were occasionally so absurd and improbable as to elicit a laugh, he never failed to join in it. The examination havinz closed on the 11th of the month, without producing anything tending seriously to criminate him, Mackcoull instantly repaired to London, to consult his brother John, who had throughout been a useful adviser, and who was now in more request than ever, to furnish him with one or two fictitious letters, necessary to strengthen his averments in the Court, and which he had been ordered to produce. At the end of every session, Mackcoull repaired regularly to London, and used to be seen almost every night at Elakeman’s, where he sat the whole evening, drinking half and half, smoking his pipe, and entertaining the vulgar company around him with metuphom (as he called his jokes), and caricature descriptions of Scottish judges and lawyers-against all of whom he was violent in his denunciations.’ On his last visit, feeling assured of success, he was in great good-humour, and treated his friends with the utmost liberality. Having arranged matters to his liking, he again returned to Edinburgh : and, perfectly confident of victory, pressed his agent to bring the matter to an issue before the Jury Court. On the other hand, the defenders were as much disconcerted as he was elated. The only way in which they could possibly save themselves, was by recurring to the circnmstances connected with the robbery in 18 11, and producing evidence sufficient to identify Mackcoull as one of the party. This appeared a hopeless task ; yet they were resolved to attempt it. A professional gentleman was desptched to England, to make inquiry on the subject ; but he returned without success. In the meantime, the pursuer, aware of the intentions of his opponents, and knowing the precarious ground on which he stood, became the more importunate in forcing on the trial. This the bank was anxious to delay as long as possible, but at last it was finally fixed for the 20th February 1820. In this dilemma, the bank directors engaged Mr. Denovan (formerly of Leith, One of whom was Sir J. P. Grant, of Rothiemurchus, Knight, who afterwards received this honour on being appointed a Judge in India. In Edinburgh his time was spent much in the same way. He frequented a tavern in East Register Street, where he generally sat from morning till night drinking and smoking. He associated with all who came in his way ; and the subjects of his “metaphors” and denunciations were invariably Scotch bankers, bsilies, or lawyers. In this way he became well known to many ; and by some he wa.. looked upon a3 a person who had been ill used. Defeat appeared almost inevitable.

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