68 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
tenance given to the “ Bullion Committee.” On the subject which it involved,
Sir John both spoke and published to considerable effect ; and when the motion
of Mr. Horner came to be decided, he had the satisfaction of seeing it negatived
by a large majority. Sir John’s speech on the bullion question was among
the last delivered by him in Parliament. Having become much embarrassed in
his private affairs in consequence of his numerous speculations and improvements,
in which self-interest had formed no part of his calculations, and by
the unsuccessful prosecution of certain claims on the East India Company, he
was induced, in 1811, to accept the office of Cashier of the Excise in Scotland,
with a salary of 52000 a year.
Perhaps the most unpopular measure in which the Baronet engaged was his
advocacy of the “ General Enclosure Bill,” The extensive cornmow of England
he conceived to be one of the greatest drawbacks to extended cultivation. In a
national sense, his views were highly patriotic ; but the people were not easily
to be persuaded, where an alienation of their rights was to be the only immediate
and obvious consequence. After several attempts, seconded by all the
influence of the Agricultural Board, the measure was finally abandoned in 181 2 ;
although, by the more expensive process of private bills, the object contemplated
by the general bill has been partially carried into effect.
For some years after retiring from Parliament, Sir John resided almost constantly
in Edinburgh, devoting himself chiefly to literary labours, and superintending
the education of his family, in the amusements even of the youngest of
whom he took great delight. The number of his pamphlets’ published during
these years show how laboriously he laboured in disseminating his opinions
on subjects of public interest. In 1814 he removed with his family to Ormly
Lodge, near London. Embracing the opportunity afforded by the peace, he
next year visited the Continent, to prosecute certain inquiries respecting the
prices of grain, and other matters connected with agriculture; and although
his stay was abridged by the escape of Napoleon from Elba, he was enabled
on his return to communicate, in his “ Hints regarding the Agricultural State
of the Netherlands, compared with Great Britain,” a variety of interesting intelligence.
When the victory of Waterloo restored peace, he again visited the Continent,
and repaired to the field where the great contest had been decided.
The result of this tour, in addition to his favourite agricultural inquiries, was
a “History of the Campaign,” by Baron Muffling, a Prussian General, with
whom he had been acquainted-to which was added an appendix of interesting
particulars collected by himself. At Calais, on his return home, Sir John
met with Sergeant Ewart,l of the Scots Greys, whose gallantry in capturing
A Print of Sergeant Ewart, in which the hero is represented on horseback, at full speed,
bearing away the captured colours, was published by Waugh and Innes of this city, and an immense
number of copies sold. Ewnrt, who belonged to Ayrshire, on revisiting his native county, not long
after the battle of Waterloo, was publicly entertained at the two principal towns-Ayr and Kilmarnock.
Notwithstanding the arduous struggle in which he was engaged, and the fact of his
