384 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Lord Robertson retired from the bench in 1826, in consequence of the infirmity
of deafness, which prevented him from discharging his important duties in
such an efficient manner as he had hitherto done ; and he spent the remainder of
his days in a dignified retirement, enjoying the pleasures afforded by that taste
for literature for which he was distinguished amongst those who were best
qualified to form an opinion of his merits. Professor Dugald Stewart, in his
Life of Principal Robertson, says-" His [the Principal's] eldest son, an eminent
lawyer at the Scottish bar, has been only prevented by the engagement of an
active profession from sustaining his father's literary name."
Lord Robertson died on the 20th of November 1835. He was twice
married, but left no children by either of his wives.
In the jeu d'esprit called the " Diamond Beetle Case," attributed to George
Cranstoun, Esq. (Lord Corehouse), the manner and professional peculiarities of
several of the Senators composing the " last sitting " are happily imitated.
The involved phraseology of Lord Bannatyne-the predilection for Latin
quotation of Lord Meadowbank - the brisk manner of Lord Hermand - the
anti-Gallic feeling of Lord Craig -the broad dialect of Lords Polkemmet
and Balmuto-and the hesitating manner of Lord Methven-are admirably
caricatured. This effusion, humorous without rancour, was much appreciated
at the time, and is so characteristic, that we need not apologise for giving it a
place here :-
'' N 0 TE S
TAKEN AT ADVISING THE ACTION OF DEFAMATION AND DAMAGES,
ALEXANDECRU NNINGHAMJ,'e weller in Edinburgh,
AGAINST
JAMERSU SSELLS,*u rgeon there.
'' LORDP RESIDENT(S, IRI LAYC A&rPBELL).-Yoiir Lordships have the petition of Alexander
Cunningham against Lord Bannatyne's interlocutor. It is a case of defamat,ion and damages
for calling the petitioner's Diamond Bdle an Epjptian Louse. You have the Lord Ordinary's
distinct interlocutor on pages 29 and 30 of this petition :--'Having considered the Condescendence
Mr. Cunningham was a gentleman, who, notwithstanding the aristocratic dislike of the Modern
Athenians to persons in trade, was received into the best society. He was understood to be of the
Glencairn family, and to have a claim to that dormant earldom. Re was a great friend of Burns,
and became possessor, by donation from the Poet's brother, of his punch bowl, of black or Inverary
marble, elegantly mounted with silver. Upon his death, in 1814, this interesting relic was offered for
sale by private bargain ; but not finding a purchaser, it was sold by auction, on the 20th of January
1816, bythe late John Ballantyne,for eighty guineas, The Ayrshire Club,it is said, were the purchasers.
a Afterwards Professor of Clinical Surgery in the University of Edinburgh.