62 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
panied by his brother, then in bad health, and who died on the journey. On
his return he married Sarah, daughter of Alexander Maitland, Esq. of Stoke
Newington, near London, a gentleman of Scottish extraction. The lady was
heiress of a considerable fortune, and had many suitors; but her choice was
influenced inadvertently by a rival, who, having just returned fyom an excursion
in the Highlands, unfortunately for himself related the feat which had been
performed at the hill of Ben Chei1t.I
After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair took up their residence at Thurso,
where his attention was chiefly occupied for a short time with a work on the
Sabbath, but which, by the advice of Dr. Adam Smith, was never published.
The friendship of this eminent philosopher he had early obtained, and to this
circumstance he probably owed his taste for the study of political economy.
Among the first of Mr. Sinclair‘s literary productions was an essay entitled
‘‘ Observations on the Scottish Dialect,” the object of which, while it afforded
one of the fullest collections of what are called “ Scotticisms,” was to facilitate
the acquisition of a purer style of English among his countrymen. A deficiency
in this respect was then considered a formidable barrier to the success of a
Rorth Briton in the capital. The essay was well received, not only as an
ingenious, but useful and amusing production. During its progress he had the
honour of forming the acquaintance of the great English lexicographer, to whom
he was introduced by Boswell.
The Parliamentary career of Mr, Sinclair began in 1780, having been chosen,
at the general election, M.P. for Caithness. The prospects of the country were
then extremely gloomy. The American war had proved ruinous-the ministry
were unpopular, and a pdwerful opposition existed in the Commons. Not
coinciding with the alarmists, whose views he conceived to be anti-national and
violent, he at first gave his support to the cabinet of Lord North, with whom
he was for some time on the most friendly terms.
The first of Mr. Sinclair’s political pamphlets appeared in 1782, entitled,
“Thoughts on the Naval Strength of Great Britain,” and was intended to
dispel the gloom into which the nation had been thrown by the desertion of
her ancient allies the Dutch, and the formidable aspect of the marine of France.
This publication was peculiarly well-timed, and the victory of Admiral Rodney
over De Grasse, on the 12th April, happening a few days afterwards, the author
was highly complimented from all quarters for his sagacity, and the solidity of
the opinions he had advanced. This pamphlet he followed up by another
Previous to Sir John’s tour to the Continent he had entered into a matrimonial negotiation
with Miss Maitland. His proposal was accepted; the marriage contract drawn up; and
nothing more required than to name the day : but Mrs. Maitland felt insuperable repugnance to the
removal of her daughter from her own neighbourhood, and insisted on a promise from her future
son-in-law, that he would reside permanently in England. To this condition public spirit withheld
him from consenting ; and tu he now considered the engagement brokeu off, he made his excursion
to the Continent On his return, however, he learnt, with equal surprive and satisfaction, that Miss
Maitland did not approve, BS he had supposed, of the arbitrary stipulation made by her mother.
He intimated his readiness to renew his addresses-a favourable answer waa returned, and the
maniage was celebrated on the 26th March 1776.