34 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
and agreeable manners, Mr. Butter was greatly esteemed by his workmen, among
whom, in his father’s time, was the well-known “ Tam Neil ” (formerly noticed) ;
and in company, although occasionally inclined to the marvellous, his conversation
was lively and amusing. He was chosen Deacon of the Wrights in 1767;
and, whilst a member of the Council, uniformly voted in all the city contests
with the friends of Sir Lawrence Dundas.
Towards the close of last century, when the houses of the Old Town began
to give precedence to those of the New, and the higher order of inhabitants
were flying from their ancient domiciles, as if from a city infected with the
plague, it occurred to Mr. Butter that he had been long enough in Carrubber’s
Close. With the view of enjoying the quietness of a secluded villa, he removed
to Kirkbrne House, nearly opposite the front of the West Church, at the
junction of Princes Street and Lothian Road.’ This house, built by his father
many years previous, stood entirely apart from any other building; but, so
rapid has been the extension of Edinburgh during the last thirty years, that the
villa of Mr. Butter is now surrounded on all sides by extensive and elegant
buildings.
For some years previous to his death he was almost
closely confined from indisposition. Among the last times be mixed in public
Mr. Butter died in 1817.
1 This road, which leaves the western termination of Princes Street at a right angle, and stretches
away to the south, had been long projected ; but, owing to the objections‘ niade (as is usual in such
cases) by the proprietors of certain inestimable barns, aheds, and cow-houses, which required to be
removed, a long time elapsed before the plan could be brought to maturity. After several years of
speculation, and when the project was nearly conceded to by all the parties, the road was, to the
surprise of the public, and the mortification of many, completely formed, without leave being asked,
all in one day ! It so happened that a gentleman, who had recently succeeded to his estate, laid
a bet with a friend, to the effect that he would, between sunrise and sunset, execute the line of
road, extending nearly a mile in length, and about twenty paces in breadth. This scheme he
concerted with address, and executed with promptitude. It was winter, when many labouring men
are often out of employ ; so that he found no difficulty in collecting several hundreds at the spot
upon the appointed morning before sunrise ; and he took care to provide them with a plentiful
supply of porter, usquebaugh, bread and cheese, and other inspiriting matters. No sooner had the
sun peeped over the hills, than this immense posse fell to work with might and main. Some to
tear down enclosures, others to unroof and demolish cottages, and a considerable proportion to
bring earth, wherewith to fill up the natural hollow to the required height. The inhabitants,
dismayed at so vast a force, and so summary a mode of procedure, made no resistance; and so
active were the workmen, that, before sunset, the road was suficiently formed to allow the bettor
to drive his carriage triumphantly over it, which he did amidstthe acclamations of a great
multitude of persons, who flocked from the town to witness the issue of this extraordinary undertaking.
Among the instances of temporary distress known to have been occasioned to the
inhabitants, the most laughable was that of a poor simple woman, who had a cottage and a small
cow-feeding establishment upon the spot. It appears that this good creature had risen very early,
as usual, milked her cows-smoked her pipe-taken her ordinary matinal meal of tea-and, lastly,
recollecting that she had sonie friends invited to dine with her upon sheephead hail about noon,
placed the pot upon the fire, in order that it might simmer peaceably till ahe should return from
the town where bhe had to supply a numerous set of customen with the produce of her dairy.
Our readers may imagine the consternation of this poor woman, when, upon her return from the
duties of the morning, she found neither house, nor byre, nor cows, nor fire, nor pipe, nor pot, nor
anything that was hers, upon the spot where she had left them a few hours before-all had
vanished, like the palace of Aladdin, leaving “no wreck behind.” [The gentleman, we believe,
who performed this undertaking was Sir John Clerk, Bart. of Penicuik. He succeeded hia father
in 1784, and was then an officer in the navy. He died in 1798.1
