BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 475
degree owing to the liberal views, the professional talents, activity, and address of Mr.
Constable-coqvinced, moreover, that the opinion of the public of this place is, in this respect,
in unison with our own, we feel assured, that in offering to his memory this mournful tribute
of our private regard and respect, we at the same time give utterance to feelings strongly felt
by the community at large. . . . The author of Waverley has himself borne honourable testimony,
in the introduction to one of his novels, to Mr. Constable’s merits ; and we are satisfied,
that what he thus proclaimed in the prolegomena of a work of fiction, he would repeat, if the
opportunity shall occur, with perfect sincerity, and perhaps greater force, in a work of truth.
How it happened, that with all the splendid success, so beneficial and honourable to our literature,
which attended Mr. Constable’s undertakings, his publishing career should have closed so
disastrorisly, we ape not very able, nor much disposed at present, to inquire. We firmly
believe that he proceeded onwards to that close, void of any apprehension of such an issue,
and wholly unconscious of its near approach. He had just completed the plan of the Miscellany
which bears his name, and waa busied seemingly, with well-founded hopes, in sanguine calculations
of the returns which it would bring to his house. Its publication did not take place till
after the failure of that establishment ; and we are happy to think that its subsequent succesa
furnished some solace for his misfortunes, as well as some alleviation of his bodily sufferings ;
his final undertaking thus proving to be his last and only means of support. We are not writing
a full or elaborate character, and do not therefore feel ourselves called upon to point out all the
features of Mr. Constable’s mind and conduct. We have only detailed a few particulars, calculated
to justify the sentiments of grateful respect which we entertain for his memory, aij by far
the most eminent publisher that Scotland ever produced. In that line we certainly do not
expect soon again to see a man joining such professional abilities to such liberal and extensive
views; so capable of appreciating literary merit, and so anxious to find for it employment
and reward ; so largely endowed with the discernment, tact, and manners necessary to maintain
a useful, honourable, and harmonious intercourse with literary men.”-CaZedonian. Ne~cury,
July 23, 1827.
In 1804 Mr. Constable assumed Mr. Hunter of Blackness as a partner,
and from that time the business was carried on under the title of Archibald
Constable and Co. In 1808 he established a London branch, which, however, was
soon discontinued. In 181 1 Mr. Hunter retired from the partnership, and Mr.
Cathcart of Drum, W.S., and Mr. Robert Cadell were assumed. The former of
these dying, the year after Mr. Cadell was left sole partner.
Mr. Constable was twice married, first, in 1795, to Mary, daughter of Mr.
David Willison, a highly respected printer, whose office was situated in Craig’s
Close, and where the Edinburgh Review was first printed (she died in lS14), and
secondly, in 1818, to Charlotte, daughter of John Neale, Esq., who survived him.
His family consisted of three sons and three daughters. Of the former, Thomas,
the second son, still survives, and is not only the representative but the
biographer of his illustrious father.’ The eldest daughter, Elizabeth, was married
in 1817 to his partner, Mr. Robert Cadell. On leaving his ancient domicile in
the High Street, Mr. Constable resided for several years at Craigcrook
(afterwards the residence of Lord Jeffrey), and latterly in Park Place, where
he died.
“Archibald Constable and his Literary Correspondents : a Memorial by his Son, Thomas
Constable,” 3 vols., 1873.
A P P E N D I X .
AS the greater part of the following Prints, though enumerated in the
Catalogue of Kay’s E t c h g s , could not With propriety be introduced into a
work of ORIGINALP ORTRAITitS ,h as been deemed proper to attach them to
the Collection in the form of an Appendix. They are all, of course, the
production of Kay; and some of the Etchings are rather favourable as
specimens of his proficiency in the art :-
330, HIS MAJESTYG EORGET HE THIRD.
331. A profile of HISM AJESTYG EORGET HE THIRD.
by the artist during a short stay in London in the year 1800.
These were executed
332. PAULE MPERORO F RUSSIA. Kay states that this likeness of Paul I. is
from an original drawing by a Russian gentleman, who was banished to Siberia
for thus having ventured to portray the ugly features of the Imperial Autocrat.
333. MARY QUEENO F SCOTLANwDas done for an edition of Robertson’s
History of Scotland. The introduction of this Print of the Scottish Queen
affords us the opportunity of mentioning a singular instance of regard to her
memory, as displayed by one of her most enthusiastic admirers-the late Mr.
James Cumming, of the Lyon Office, the origina,l Secretary of the Society of
Scottish Antiquaries. In company with Mr. Alexander Brown, librarian of the
Faculty of Advocates, Mr. Andrew Bell, Mr. William Smellie, and his son,
after the glass had gone pretty freely round, Curnming burst into an immoderate
and hysterical fit of crying. “What the devil is the matter with you now 3”
said the elder Mr. Smellie. “ Good - ! ” cried the antiquary, “ it is just this
day two hundred years since Mary was beheaded ! ” To the no small amusement
of the party (so sincere was his sorrow), it was found impossible to stop his
crying, or to divert him from the subject, for a considerable time.
334. JOHKNN OXt, he Scottish Reformer, taken “ from an original painting
in the possession of Joseph Williamson, Esq., advocate,” and intended for a
frontispiece to Knox’s Works, which was to have been published by subscrip
tion by Hugh Inglis.
