EIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 4;9
his entering the arena of the King’s Bench. The esteem entertained for him
by his Scottish friends was manifested by a public banquet, at which eight
hundred were present, given to his lordship (then Henry Brougham, Esq., M.P.)
at Edinburgh, on the 5th April 1825. Lord Brougham’s father died in Edinburgh
on the 18th February 1810.
339. This is a second Portrait of the late REV. DR. PEDDIE. It was
executed in the same year with the one formerly given, and is therefore in
some measure superfluous.
340. THE MAN OF CONSEQUENCET. his is said to be the likeness of an old
gentleman (now dead) who was by profession a Writer to the Signet. There
can be little doubt that it is the resemblance of some self-important personage
who once figured as a denizen of “ Auld Reekie ;” but as Kay has given no
designation, it is impossible to state with anything like certainty who the Print
is meant to represent.
341. THE WOMAN WHO MINDED HER OWN AFFAIRS, is another of the
characters regarding whom the artist has left no record. The Portrait is said
to bear a striking resemblance to a Mrs. Gibb, who at one time was landlady
of a tavern of some note, near the head of the Canongate, and which had for
its sign the figure of a goat. She was a contemporary of Peter Ramsay, the
famed stabler in St. Mary’s Wynd, and exerted herself greatly in favour of the
coaches which that individual commenced running betwixt Edinburgh and
Leith.l Her husband was the first in Edinburgh who kept a hearse and
mourning-coach for hire. It was at the sign of the goat that Peter Williamson
exhibited himself in the costume of a Cherokee Indian, shortly after his return
from America.
342. MODERNN URSING. This was meant as a satire on the short-waisted
gowns in fashion towards the close of last century.
343. GEORGEP RATTA ND A FOOL. Honest George, who was for many years
city bell-man, has already had the honour of a place in the body of the work.
The name of the “ fool ” is unknown.
344. QUARTER-MASTEGRU EST,o f the Pembrokeshire Cavalry, stationed at
Edinburgh in 1798. This and the two following were executed at the request
of the parties themselves.
345. MR. NUGENoTf the above regiment.
346. XIR, WOODROWof ,t he Pembrokeshire Cavalry.
At that period the notion of expditious travelling must-have been very different from what it
is at present. Peter’s coaches, proceeding by the Eaater Road, took full three hours to complete
the journey-one being spent in going, another in resting at Leith, and 8 third in returning.