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346 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
In Mr. Ronaldson’s callections are to be found many very amusing and
humorous articles, strongly indicative of his relish for the ludicrous. The
following may serve as a specimen :-
‘‘ [Taken from a Church-door in Ireland.]
“ RUN AWAY FROM PATRICK M‘DALLAGH.
--
“ Whereas my wife, Mrs. Bridget M‘Dallagh, is again walked away with herself, and left me
with four small children and her poor old blind mother, and no body to look after house or home, and I
hear has taken up with Tim Guigan, the lame fiddler, the same that was put in the stocks last Easter
for stealing Barney Doody’s game-cock, This is to give Notice, that I will not pay for hit or sup on
her or his account to mau or mortal, and that she had better never show the marks of her ten toes
near my house again. PATRICK M‘DALLAGB.
“ N.B.--Tim had better keep out of my sight.”
Mr. Ronaldson belonged to the right centre company of the Volunteers, but
was occasionally drafted to other companies ; in consequence of which he was
sometimes brought to cover Mr. Osborne. In this position little Francis, from
his convenient height, was of important service to his gigantic friend, by helping
him to his side-arms when ordered to fix bayonets-Osborne, owing to his
immense bulk, finding great difficulty in reaching the weapon.
The regimental firelocks being rather too heavy, Mr. Ronaldson had one
manufactured specially for himself. One day at a review, General Vyse, then
Commander-in-Chief, happening to observe the difference, remarked the circumstance-‘‘
Why,” said Ronaldson with great animation, “if my firelock is light,
I have weight enough here/” (pointing to his cartridge-box). The General
complimented little Francis on his spirit, observing-“ It would be well if every
one were animated with similar zeal.”
Although in the Print allusion is made to the “game-laws,” Mr. Ronaldson
was no sportsman ; that is to say, he was not partial to roaming through fields
with a dog and a gun ; but he affected to be a follower of Walton in the art of
angling. On one of his fishing excursions on the Tweed he was accompanied
by a gentleman, who was no angler, but who went to witness the scientific
skill of a friend. Francis commenced with great enthusiasm, and with high
hopes of success. Not a leap was observed for some time ; but by and by the
water seemed to live as it were with “the springing trout ;” yet, strange to say,
all the deherity of the angler could not beguile even a single par from its
element. After hours of fruitless labour, Francis was perfectly confounded at
his want of success. In vain he altered his flies-all colours and sizes were
equally ineffectual ; and at length the closing day compelled him to cease from
his labours. On his way home he was accosted by an acquaintance-“ Well,
what luck to-day, Mr. Ronaldson P” ‘‘ Very bad,” he replied ; “plenty raised,
but not a single take.” This apparent plenty, however, did not arise from the
abundance of fish, as Mr. Ronaldson supposed-his friend, who always kept a
little to the rear, having amused himself by throwing small pebbles into the
water, in such a way as led to the deception. The gentleman kept the secret,

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. In Mr. Ronaldson’s callections are to be found many very amusing and humorous ...

Book 8 p. 483
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172 BIOGRAPHICAL SRETC HES.
his talents, and were therefore entirely hostile to his views. Their opposition,
however, could not shake his resolution-he persevered in his theological studies,
and was, in 1742, licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Dunblane.
The future progress of the young divine, till his settlement in the metropolis,
is easily told :-“ In May 1744 he was ordained minister of Kirkintilloch, in
the Presbytery of Glasgow, where he remained till 1754, when he was presented
to the parish of Culross, in the Presbytery of Dunfermline. In June 1758 he
was translated to the New Greyfriars, one of the churches of Edinburgh, In
November 1766, the University of Glasgow conferred on him the honorary
degree of doctor of divinity; and, in July 1767, he was promoted to the collegiate
charge of the Old Greyfriars, where he had for his colleague his early
friend Dr. Robertson.”
In these various movements towards that field of honour and usefulness in
which his talents ultimately placed him, Dr. Erskine carried along with him
the universal respect of his parishioners. They had been delighted and improved
by his public instructions-and were proud of having had a clergyman
amongst.them, at once combining the rare qualifications of rank, piety, and
learning. He was most exemplary in his official character ; ever ready to assist
and counsel his parishioners, he “grudged no time, and declined no labour, spent
in their service.“
Dr. Erskine was not only zealous for the interests of religion at home, but
equally so for its diffusion abroad ; and in order to obtain the earliest and most
authentic intelligence of the state of the Gospel in the colonies of North America,
where a remarkable concern for religion had manifested itself about the time he
obtained his license, he commenced a correspondence with those chiefly interested
in bringing about that interesting event. He also, some time after, opened
a communication with many distinguished divines on the Continent of Europe
-a correspondence which he unweariedly cultivated during the remainder of
his life. This practice added much to his labour, not only by an increased and
voluminous epistolary intercourse, but in “ being called upon by the friends of
deceased divines to correct and superintend the publication of posthumous
wor ks.”l
In his Continental correspondence, the Doctor had seriously felt the want of
a knowledge of the Dutch and German languages ; and, at an adv‘mced period
of life, actually set about overcoming this difficulty, which he successfully accomplished
in a remarkably short space of time. A rich field, in the literature
of Germany, being thus thrown open to him, the result of his industry was
soon manifested by the publication of “Sketches and Hints of Church History
and Theological Controversy, chiefly translated and abridged from modern
foreign writers,’’ the first volume of which appeared in 1790, and the second
.in 1798.’
t1 The greater part of the works of President Edwards, of Dickenson, of Stoddart, and Fraaer of
9 On the appearance of this volume, Dr. Erskine waa violently assailed by an anonymous writer
Allness, were brought out in this way.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SRETC HES. his talents, and were therefore entirely hostile to his views. Their ...

Book 8 p. 244
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 121
the pastorship of Lady Yester’s Chum4 by the Town Council of Edinburgh ;
and again by the same body, in 1758, he was translated to one of the charges in
the High Church. About the same period, the degree of D.D. was conferred
upon him by the University of St. Andrews. In 1759, Dr. Blair commenced
the delivery of those lectures on “ Rhetoric and the Belles Lettres,” afterwards
given to the public in a printed form, and which have since continued to hold
precedence as a standard work on literary composition. The lectures were undertaken
with the concurrence of the University ; and so popular did they at once
become, that in 1761 the Town Council procured from Government an endowment
of 370 a-year towards instituting a historical class in connection with the
College, of which Dr. Blair was appointed Professor. Hitherto, except in the
case of one or two sermons on particular occasions, which were printed, the
Doctor had not appeared as an author before the world. The deep interest
w-hich he took, however, in the exertions of Macpherson to recover the traditional
poetry of the Highlands, led him to publish, in 1763, “ a critical Dissertation
on the Poems of Ossian,” which was held by the advocates for their
authenticity to be one of the finest specimens of “critical composition in the
English language.’’
Although his style of pulpit oratory had become an object of very general
imitation among the young clergy, and although he had been repeatedly urged
to favour the world with some of those productions which had captivated so
many hearers, it was not till 1777 that he was induced to think of publishing.
In that year he -transmitted the MS. of his first volume of sermons, through
the medium of Mr. Creech, to an eminent publisher in London (Mr. Strachan),
with a view to the disposing of the copyright. Strachan, presuming probably
on a very general feeling of aversion then existing .in the public mind towards
clerical productions, sent a discouraging answer to Dr. Blair. In the mean time
the MS. had been handed to Dr. Johnson for perusal, who, after Strachan’s
unfavourable letter had been despatched to the north, sent a note to the
publisher, in which he says, “I have read over Dr. Blair’s first sermon with more
than approbation; to say it is good, is to say too little.” This judgment,
strengthened by a conversation afterwards held with Dr. Johnson, soon convinced
Mr. Strachan of the error he had committed. He therefore wrote a second
time to Dr. Rlair, inclosing Johnson’s note, and agreeing, in conjunction with
Mr. Cadell and Mr. Creech of Edinburgh, to purchase the volume for one
hundred pounds.’ The popularity of these sermons exceeded all anticipation ;
Dr. Blair was thefirst person who introduced the Poems of Osaian to the notice of the world ;
first, by the “Fragments of Ancient Poetry “ which he published ; and next, by setting on foot an
undertaking for collecting and publishing the entire poems. He used to boast of this, but he little
dreamed that the lapse of a few years would produce so general a change in public opinion as to the
authenticity of these remarkable productions.
a The MS. was first submitted to the perusal of Mr. Creech, who was so highly taken with it,
that he made an offer off-hand to the author of one hundred guineas. Dr. Blair was so much struck
with the amount, as to be almost incredulous of the verity of Mr. Creech’s offer. “Will you
indeed ! ” was his exclamation.
R

... SKETCHES. 121 the pastorship of Lady Yester’s Chum4 by the Town Council of Edinburgh ; and again ...

Book 8 p. 177
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 455
his jurisdiction. It was at that time customary to present the Dean of Guild,
on the expiry of his term of office, with the sum of fifty guineas as a gratuity ;
but, on the motion of Sir John Marjoribanks, the sum was doubled to Mr.
Johnston ; sq much had he acquitted himself to the satisfaction of the Council.
In all public affairs Bailie Johnston took a lively interest. To his good taste
and enterprise the inhabitants are indebted for the improvements on the Calton
Hill--now comparatively easy of ascent-and one of the most delightful resorts
in this picturesque city. The promenade of the Meadows, too, owes much to
his exertions ; and amongst other public services of the Bailie, it deserves to
be mentioned that he had the merit of originating the Society for the Suppression
of Mendicity. He was for many years treasurer of the Trinity Hospital, and
displayed great zeal in the management of that charity, as well as of others
connected with the city. He was treasurer to the great Waterloo Fund for
Scotland; succeeded his uncle as honorary Secretary to the Asylum for the
Blind; and was one of the Parliamentary Commissioners for finishing the
buildings of the University ; and also for the erection of the Regent Eridge.
Bailie Johnston continued in business until the year 1831, when he retired
in favour of Mr. Russell, his son-in-law. Latterly, in consequence of declining
health, he was almost closely confined to his own house. On occasion of a
dinner given to Sir James Spittal, Knight, by the Society of High Constables,
the following card of apology was transmitted to the Secretary :-
“Dear Sir-From the condition of my health at present, I cannot dine from home. I
regret this on account of the dinner which is to be given to Sir James Spittal, whose conduct
has my admiration, and I hope you will tell him so. We began public life together in the
Society of High Constables, and afterwards scrvcd in the Magistracy of olden times. All was
pleasant and smooth-no jarring words-no angry feelings arose during a long life, which still
continues-both adhering to their own views in public matters. I wish the Society and the
company all happiness.--I remain, etc.
Dr. Gordon, on
the Sunday after the funeral, concluded his discourse with a very appropriate
character of the deceased. He died at his house, 27 St. James’ Square, on the
4th April 1838. He married Miss Christie, from Stirlingshire, by whom he
had six children, three of whom died in early life.’
“ Ro. JOHNSTON.”
Mr. Johnston was one of the elders in the High Church.
NO. CCCXXIII.
ROBERT SYM, ESQ.,
WRITER TO THE SIGNEI’.
THIS worthy octogenarian, in his eighty-seventh year (at the time of this publication),
was in his day considered one of the handsomest men of Modern Athens.
Hia eldest daughter was married to Wfiam Henry Brown, Esq., of Ashly, china and glass
manufacturer ; the second to Mr. Rwell, his successor in business ; and the third to Jam- Dallas,
Esq., wine merchant in Canada.

... SKETCHES. 455 his jurisdiction. It was at that time customary to present the Dean of Guild, on the ...

Book 9 p. 607
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176 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
great excellence of his conversational powers, frequently led to social sittings
not altogether in accordance with his clerical character. Like most other
gzcdewives, Mrs. Webster did not silently succumb to his repeated infringements
of domestic regularity; and, in answer to her close-questioning on these occasions,
the minister used frequently to excuse himself by saying that he had “just been
down calling for Dr. Erskine, and the Doctor had insisted on him staying to
supper.” Dr. Erskine, at length coming to understand in what manner his
good name was made the excuse of his friend’s derelictions, resolved in a goodhumoured
way to put a stop to the deception. “ One night, therefore, when Dr.,
Webster was actually in his house, in an accidental way he made an excuse to
retire, and, leaving Webster to sup with Mrs. Erskine, went up to the Castlehill
to call for Mrs. Webster. Dropping in as if nothing unusual was in the wind,
he consented to remain with Mrs. Webster to supper; and thus the two
clergymen supped with each other’s wives, and in each other’s houses, neither of
the said wives being aware of the fact, and Webster equally ignorant of the
plot laid against his character for verity. Long before Webster’s usual hour for
retiring, Dr. Erskine took leave of Mrs. Webster, and returned to his own house,
where he found his friend as yet only, as it were, pushing off from the shore of
sobriety. When his time was come, Webster went home, and being interrogated
as usual, ‘Why,’ answered he, now at least speaking the truth, ‘I’ve just been
down at Dr. Erskine’s.’ The reader may conceive the torrent of indignant reproof
which, after having been restrained on a thousand occasions when it was
deserved, burst forth upon the head of the unfortunate and for once innocent
Doctor. When it had at length subsided, the Doctor discovered the hoax which
had been played off’ upon him ; and the whole affair was explained satisfactorily
to both parties next day, by Dr. Erskine’s confession. But Mrs. Webster
declared that, from that time forth, for the security of both parties from such
deceptions, she conceived it, would be as well, when Dr. Webster happened to
be supping with Dr. Erskine, that he should bring home with him a written
affidavit, under the hand of his host, testifying the fact.”
Another anecdote, highly characteristic of his unbounded charity and extreme
simplicity of manner, is told of the worthy and unostentatious old clergyman.
For several Sabbaths Dr. Erskine had returned from Church minus his pockethandkerchief,
and could not account for the loss. The circumstance attracted
the particular notice of Mrs. Erskine, who had for some time past observed an
elderly looking poor woman constantly occupy a seat on the stair leading to the
pulpit. Suspicion could scarcely attach itself to so demure a looking Christian;
but Mrs. Erskine resolved to unriddle the mysterious affair by sewing a
handkerchief to the pocket of Mr. Erskine’s Sunday coat. Next Sabbath the
old gentleman, thus “ armed against the spell,” was proceeding in his usual
manner towards the pulpit, when, on passing the suspected demure-looking
carline, he felt a gentle “ nibble ” from behind. The Doctor’s displeasure could
not be roused, however ; he turned gently round, and clapping “ detected guilt ”
on the head, merely remarked, “ No the day, honest woman ; no the day ! ”
.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. great excellence of his conversational powers, frequently led to social sittings not ...

Book 8 p. 249
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MUSSELBURGH. I21
spreading away into fertile downs, green wavy links, and sandy shingly beach,
while the southern portion, on the contrary, gently rises, swelling up into a
somewhat elongated mount -of rich arable land, on which the church,
surrounded by its beautiful and well-kept graveyard, stands forth a conspicuous
object, and seen from far and near. From this elevation, though little more
than fifty feet above the-level of the sea, one of the most extensive and
interesting views of the district is to be had: the fine bay of Musselburgh
opening out into the Forth, dotted with many a sail, with the shores of Fife
and the Lomonds in the distance: Edinburgh on the west with its noble
castle, censor-like, looking down with calm, grave countenance upon all the
bustle and roar, joy and sorrow, beauty and deformity, virtue and vice,
learning and ignorance, congregated around it : Arthur’s Seat, in its lion-like
repose, raising its huge back to the heavens, clothed with the freshness of
May’s green month, and basking with evident pleasure its rocky flanks in the
genial radiance of an unclouded sun, overlooking Leith with its numerous
shipping and busy active population, and Portobello with its half-aristocratic
and half-working-man’s dress, dreamily resting at its feet : while away to the
south and east, extends the verdant vale of the Esk, with its green fields,
thickly wooded plantations, and silvery thread of shining waters-here and
there flashing back through the dense foliage the briglit fierce rays of the
burning splendour overhead-gradually expanding, and rising up into, and
forming the pretty, but sadly historic hills of Carberry and Falside.
This mount, however, is celebrated for other and it may be more important
things than the interesting ‘and extensive view to be had from it. History
relates that the Romans, while in the province of Yuleniia, had a station here,
and repeated discoveries point to this place as the spot where the preforium
was reared : for example, a cave with an altar on which was the inscription,
APPOLINIG RANNOQ, UINTULSU CIUSL ABINIANUPSR OCONSAUULG USTvIo, fum
suscpptum soZvit, Zubens mento, was found in April of the year 1565 ; in January
1783, again, a Roman bath of two rooms, a most interesting relic, was uncovered,
which is very fully described by the Rev. Dr. Carlyle, then minister
of the parish, in the Staflj.tzid Account: two medals were also discovered
about the same time and in the same place-the one of gold, very much
defaced, is supposed to be of Trajan,-the other of copper, very fresh and
entire, bears the inscription, Diva Fausfirm : besides these there are traditions,
of a very authoritative character, to the effect that in digging the foundations
of certain houses in Fisherrow similar ruins of Hypocuusta have been struck,
the material and construction of which affording no feeble proof that this
Q

... I21 spreading away into fertile downs, green wavy links, and sandy shingly beach, while the southern ...

Book 11 p. 176
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320 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Ckmtess of Loudoun, etc., amongst whose paternal honours it is not least that
she is the representative of the ancient family of Crawfurd of Loudoun, one
of whom gave birth to the renowned and immortal Wallace.” In the introductory
sketches of the lives of Earbour and Henry, if the author has failed
in adding any previously unknown facts, he has been happy enough to expose
several gross inaccuracies of former biographers ; and while the text is revised
with the utmost care, many doubtful passages are explained and illustrated
in copious notes by the Editor. Two notable events in the life of Wallacethe
‘(burning of the barns, or barracks of Ayr,” and his betrayal by ‘‘ the
false Menteith,” as related by Henry -he effectually vindicates from the
scepticism of the learned author of the “Annals of Scotland.” Were it
not for the length to which they extend, we could willingly quote Dr. Jamieson’s
remarks on these popular incidents, not only because the work itself is
scarce, but as a specimen of the writer’s felicity of argument in matters of
controversy.
In 1851 Dr. Jamieson published his “Historical Account of the Ancient
Culdees of Iona” ‘-a work characterised by the author’s usual depth of research.
Though somewhat heavy, and probably defective in style, the antiquarian reader
is amply repaid for his perusal, by the erudition and ingenuity with which the
author contends for the apostolic mode of church government which prevailed
while Christianity flourished in this country under the propagation of the
nionastics of Icolmkill.
In 1827 Dr. Jamieson was admitted a member of the Bannatyne Club,
which was founded by Sir Walter Scott. This literary Society is strictly limited
in number ; and it is almost as difficult to procure adinission as it is to obtain
a seat in Parliament. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh;
of the American Antiquarian Society ; of the Society of Northern Literature
of Copenhagen ; and an Associate of the First Class of Royal Associates of the
Royal Society of Literature of London.
The ‘(Views of the Royal Palaces of Scotland,” which appeared in 1828,
we believe,. was the last acknowledged publication by the venerable author. In
1830, in consequence of old age and increasing infirmities, Dr. Jamieson
resigned the charge of the congregation over which he had so long presided, and
in whose affections his learning, piety, and benevolence secured for him a lasting
hold. It is gratifying to think that his literary labours, directed as they were
chiefly to subjects of antiquity, and less likely to prove remunerative than the
works of more popular authors, were not entirely overlooked by Government.
The small pension he enjoyed was no more than a just appreciation of his
arduous historical researches and laborious philological investigations.
Dr. Jamieson married, in 1781, Charlotte, daughter of Robert Watson, Esq.
of Easter Rhind, Perthshire. Out of a family of seventeen children only two
In Lockhart’a Life of Scott it is mentioned that the publishers lost considerably by the limited
sale of this work.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Ckmtess of Loudoun, etc., amongst whose paternal honours it is not least that she is ...

Book 9 p. 426
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. c13
of his lordship is somewhat similar to that of the drunk man, who, having fallen,
was observed most anxiously attempting to grasp the floor; and when asked what
he meant by so doing, angrily answered, ‘‘ Why, you fool I to prevent tumbling
upwards, to be sure 1 ”
The centre figure represents ADAM SMITH, LLD., who was born at Kirkcaldy,
on the 5th of June 1723, a few months after the death of his father,
who was Comptroller of the Customs of that town. His mother was Margaret
Douglas, daughter of Mr. Douglas of Strathenry. His constitution was very
delicate, and required all the care and attention which a kind parent could
bestow. She is reported to have treated him with unlimited indulgence;
but this produced no injurious effects upon his disposition, and during the
long period of sixty years he was enabled to repay her kindness by every
token which filial gratitude could inspire. A singular incident happened to
him when about three years old. Whilst with his mother at Strathenry,
where she was on a visit, he was one day amusing himself at the door of the
house, when he was stolen by a party of vagrants, known in Scotland by the
name of tinkers-AngZicd, Egyptians or Muggers Fortunately he was immediately
missed, and his uncle pursuing them, found them located in Leslie Wood,
where he was rescued from their hands.
At a proper age young Smith was sent to the parish school of Kirkcaldy,
then taught by Mr. David Miller, a teacher, in his day, of considerable repute.
In 1737, he repaired to the University of Glasgow, where he remained
hill 1740. Being elected as an exhibitioner on Snell’s foundation, he went to
Baliol College, Oxford, and resided there for seven years. Mr. Snell’s foundation
is perhaps one of the largest and most liberal in Britain. In the year
1688, he bequeathed an estate in Warwickshire for the support of Scottish
students at Baliol College, Oxford, who had studied for some years at the University
of Glasgow, in which the patronage is vested. They now amount to
ten, and may remain at .Oxford for ten years.
Dr.’Smith had been originally destined for the Church of England, but not
finding the ecclesiastical profession suitable to his taste, he abandoned the path
that had been chalked out for him, returned to Kirkcaldy, and lived two years
with his mother. He fixed his residence in Edinburgh in 1748, and during
that and following years, under the patronage of Lord Kames, he read Lectures
on Rhetoric and the Belles Lettres. In 1751 he was elected Professor of
Logic in the University of Glasgow, and in the subsequent year was removed
to the Professorship of Moral Philosophy in the same seminary. He remained
in this position thirteen years, and frequently was wont to look back to this
period as the most useful and happy of his life.
In 1755, “The Edinburgh Review” was projected, and to this workwhich
only reached two numbers, and is now remarkable for its scarcity-he
contributed a review of Dr. Johnson’s Dictionary, and a letter addressed to
the editors, containing observations on the state of literature in the different
L

... SKETCHES. c13 of his lordship is somewhat similar to that of the drunk man, who, having fallen, was ...

Book 8 p. 105
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 95
might have ranked with the first names in the British Senate. He retired from
the business of the Church Courts in 1780, but still continued his pastoral duties,
preaching when his health permitted, till within a few months of his death,
which took place at Grange House, near Edinburgh, on the 11th June 1793.
His colleague Dr, John Erskine, in a sermon preached after his death, said,
“ Few minds were naturally so large and capacious as Dr, Robertson’s, or stored
by study, experience, and observation, with so rich furniture. His imagination
was correct, his judgment sound, his memory tenacious, his temper agreeable,
his knowledge extensive, and his acquaintance with the world and the heart of
man very remarkable.”
Dr. Robertson is said to have excited the enmity of Dr. Gilbert Stuart, in
consequence of his assumed opposition to the appointment of that clever, but
vindictive personage, to one of the Law chairs in the University. Whether the
Principal really interfered is not certain, but Stuart believed he had done so,
and that was quite sufficient to induce him to take every means in his power to
annoy his imagined enemy. The “View of Society in Europe,” is in direct
opposition to the luminous introduction to Dr. Robertson’s ‘‘ History of Charles
V.,” and the ‘‘ History of Scotland, from the Reformation to the Death of Queen
Mary,” is an undisguised and virulent hypercritical attack on the “History
of Scotland ” by the same eminent writer, and does no great credit to the talents
of Dr. Stuart. The Empress Catherine of Russia was so delighted with Dr.
Robertson’s works, that she presented him with a handsome gold enamelled snuffbox,
richly set with diamonds, through Dr. Rogerson, which is still in possession
of the family.
The eldest son, a Lord
of Session, retired some years ago from the Bench ; he lived in Charlotte Square,
and died only last year (1836). The next son, Lieutenant-General James, who
distinguished himself under Lord Conmallis, still lives at Canaan Bank, near
Edinburgh. The third son was also in the army, but, having ’married the
heiress of Kinloch-Moidart, now (1837) resides almost entirely on his eshte.
The eldest daughter married Patrick Brydone, Esq. of Lennel House, author of’
a “ Tour through Sicily and Malta,” one of whose daughters became Countess
of Minto; and another, the wife of Admiral Sir Charles Adam, K.B. The
youngest daughter married John Russell, Esq., Writer to the Signet.
Dr. Robertson left three sons and two daughters.
No. XIlIII.
QUARTERMASTER TAYLOR.
THIS gentleman was an officer in the 7th Regiment of Foot, and served under
General Elliot, afterwards Lord Heathfield, during the memorable siege of Gibraltar
by the Spaniards. While in Edinburgh, during the year 1788, his
extreme corpulency rendered him very conspicuous, and induced Mr. Kay to
make him the subject of the present etching. It is said that the night before
his death he was offered €400 for his commission, which he refused

... SKETCHES. 95 might have ranked with the first names in the British Senate. He retired from the ...

Book 8 p. 137
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 245
Edinburgh, the duties of which office he performed with the utmost fidelity.
While holding this situation, the Associate Union was accomplished-a measure
in which he greatly rejoiced, and was one of the committee appointed to
negotiate the conjunction.
Mr. Culbertson is known to the religious world as a writer of considerable
merit. He was one of the original editors of the Christian Magazine, of which
the following account is given by his biographer, Mr. Duncan of Mid-Calder :-
'' Among some brethren who were assisting in the dispensation of the Lord's
Supper at Craignailing, in the year 1796, the Evangelical Magazine, then the
only religious periodical publication, having become the subject of conversation,
the project of setting on foot a work of the same description in Scotland was
conceived, discussed, and resolved upon, provided proper and steady coadjutors
could be found. With Mr. Culbertson, the Rev. Messrs. Black of Dunfermline,
(one of the projectors), Peddie, M'Crie, and Moore, of Edinburgh, Whytock of
Dalkeith, and others, were associated as editors ; and under their management,
with a respectable body of contributors, that valuable repository of theological
and biblical knowledge commenced. After being carried on for seven or eight
years, it was left in the hands of Mr. Whytock of Dalkeith and (the late) Dr.
RI'Crie. At the close of 1806, one year after the demise of the former, the
work was given up by the latter. It was then claimed by Mr. Culbertson, as
one of the original editors; and, in 1807, a new series was commenced by
him, in conjunction with Mr. Black of Dunfermline, and the writer of this
memoir. The Rev. Afr. Simpson, once ministe? at Thurso, who had been
brought up under the pastoral care of Mr. Culbertson, having been admitted
to the charge of the Associate Congregation, Potterrow, Edinburgh, was assumed
next year into the editorship, and constituted chief conductor of the work. To
this Magazine Mr. Culbertson contributed largely, both in the old and in the
new series. At length, when occupied with his Lectures on the Revelation,
he retired, together with Dr, Black, and left the work to the two remaining
editors, by whom, with the help of respected brethren, it was carried on till the
union of the two great bodies of Seceders, when it was conjoined with the
Christian Repository, under the title of the Christian Monitor."
The various publications by Mr. Culbertson appeared in the following order:-
In 1800, "Hints on the Ordinance of the Gospel Ministry"-an exposure of
lay-preaching, and the inconsistency of latitudinarian fellowship. The same
year, "A Vindication of the Principles of Seceders on the Head of Communion
j " and, in 1808, " The Covenanter's Manual, or a short Illustration of
the Scripture Doctrine of Public Vows." Besides two sermons entitled " Consolation
to the Church," Mr. Culbertson published, in 1817, "The Pillar of
Rachel's Grave, or a Tribute of respect to departed Worth "-a sermon on the
death of the Princess Charlotte, and her infant son ; and, in 1820, on the demise
of George III., '' The Death and Character of Asa, King of Judah."
His chief work-" Lectures, Expository and Practical, on the Book of
Revelation ''-was fist published in two volumes, a few years prior to his death.

... SKETCHES. 245 Edinburgh, the duties of which office he performed with the utmost fidelity. While ...

Book 9 p. 326
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288 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
have greatly exceeded their ideas of economy. A thorough blood-a “good
once-had-been”-was accordingly procured : and as they could not think of
enjoying themselves separately, they had recourse to the contrivance of ‘‘ rideand-
tie.” In this way, alternately riding and walking, they frequently went
ten or twelve miles into the country of a morning.
Neither of the two friends were good horsemen ; and the sorry appearance
of the old hack, with the awkwardness of the riders, exposed them sometides to
the ridicule of the neighbouring villagers. One day, Sunday too, it happened
to be, they were proceeding down hill to Lasswade, where they calculated on
arriving for dinner before sermon should be finished. Contrary to their usual
custom, both were mounted at once, and Rosinante was jogging on very stiffly
under the unusual burden, a,mid the jeers of a few idlers, who were attracted
by the oddness of the spectacle. Perceiving that the parish church was about
to pour forth its assembled worshippers, and anxious, if they could not get
out of sight, at least to cut as smart a figure as possible, they had just spurred
their veteran charger into something like a canter ; when 10 ! an unlucky stone
came in contact with his foot, and away he rolled head foremost down the hill !
Overwhelmed with confusion, and stunned by the fall, the worthy equestrians
were glad to effect a speedy retreat, and to drown all remembrance of the
accident in an extra libation.
’ Though fond of good fellowship, and possessing a keen relish for the ludicrous,
Mr. Cooper displayed, both in appearance and in manner, a high
degree of dignity, and well knew how to exact the respect he was invariably
prepared to yield to others. He was naturally of a proud and impetuous
temper, but generous and warm-hearted. The unknown fate of his brother,
with whom he had parted at Newcastle, often recurred painfully to his recollection.
He could scarcely hope, still there was a probability that sooner or
later some intelligence of him might transpire. One day, when absent in
the county, a person called at the shop, apparently very anxious to see Mr.
Cooper, but he would neither explain his business nor leave his address. At a
late hour he repeated his visit for the third time, and was informed that, though
still absent, he would be certain to find him by ten o’clock next morning. All
this appeared mysterious enough to Mr. Cooper when apprised of the circumstance.
He inquired minutely as to the personal appearance of the strangerhe
became thoughtful-and was heard to utter involuntarily, “If he be the
person I suspect, to-morrow will be the happiest day of my existence.” In this
frame of mind he retired to a sleepless pillow, having first given directions that
the stranger should be instantly admitted the moment he arrived. To-morrow
came-the person called at the hour appointed-was shown into the parlourand
Mr. Cooper, in a state not easily to be described, hastened down stairs to
meet-whom ?-an impertinent tax-collector I demanding arrears that had
been long ago settled, and for which the receipts were in his possession. The
pleasing dream thus rudely dissipated-rage gave way to every other feeling ;
and, on rushing down at the terrible noise that ensued, Mr. Cooper’s family

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. have greatly exceeded their ideas of economy. A thorough blood-a ...

Book 9 p. 382
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66 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
disposal, as President of the Board, he set about accompiishing the great objects
he had in view. Among his first proposals was a statistical account of England
similar to the one then in progress for Scotland ; but this he was compelled to
abandon, from a fear on the part of the Church, that such an exposure of the
tithe system as it would necessarily involve, might prove injurious to her
interests. All remonstrance was vain-the heads of the Establishment were
inexorable, Thus discouraged, he had recourse to county reports-and in this
way accomplished partially the object in view.
Shortly after the institution of the Board, the following lines-too curious
to be omitted-went the round of the newspapers :-
“THE FARMER’S CREED.
BY SIRJ OHNS INCLAIRB,A RT.,
President of the Board of Ap‘dture.
Let this be held the farmer’s creed :
For stock seek out the choicest breed ;
In peace and plenty let them feed ;
Your land sow with the best of seed ;
Let it not dung nor dressing need ;
Enclose and drain it with all speed,
And you will soon be rich indeed.”
Sir John continued President of the Board for a period in all of thirteen
years, during which the most active and useful measures were pursued, and
much benefit conferred on the country. On the earnest recommendation of the
Board, Sir Humphrey Davy was induced to undertake his well-known lectures
on Agriculture, in relation to chemistry, by which the light of science was for
the first time thrown upon the art of cultivating the soil, Among the numerous
individuals patronised and brought forward by the president, were the
celebrated road improver, Macadam-and Meikle, the inventor of threshingmachines.’
Deprived of Sir John’s superintendence, the Board gradually declined,
and was finally abolished.
Although he had not entirely coincided with the foreign policy of the Administration,
the call to arms in 1794 was responded to with alacrity by the
patriotic Baronet. In an incredibly short space of time he appeared in the
field at the head of the “ Rothesay and Caithness Fencibles,” so called in compliment
to the Scottish title of the Prince of Wales. The uniform of this
body consisted of bonnet, plaid, and trews, from a belief that the latter was
The threshing-machine was considerably improved by the late Mr. John Paton, an unassuming
but ingenious millwright at Stewarton, in the county of Ayr; and we believe it is to him the
country owes the invention of sheet-iron sieves for sifting meal in corn-mills, in place of the handsieve,
whereby 80 much manual labour is saved. These, after three years’ experiment, he brought
to great perfection, and they are now in general use. Mr. Paton was cut off suddenly in the prime
of life, in January 1829, much regretted in the district where his abilities and private worth were
well known. His character a8 a pious, exemplary member of society was fully and feelingly
adverted to in a sermon preached on the occasion, from these words-“For me to live is Christ, but
to die is great gain,” by the clergyman of the parish, the Rev. Charles B, Steven, A.N.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, disposal, as President of the Board, he set about accompiishing the great objects he ...

Book 9 p. 88
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212 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
On the south side of the Parliament Close, near to John’s Coffeehouse, was the banking-
house established by Sir William Forbes, the well-known author of the “ Life of Dr
Beattie,” as well as of other works, and one of the most benevolent and public-spirited
citizens of whom Edinburgh ever had to boast. Though descended from the ancient
Lords Pitsligo, attainted for their fidelity to the Stuarts, he commenced life as an
apprentice with the noted bankers, Messrs Coutts, and on their final establishment in
London, he founded the banking company so long known by his name.’ So successful
was he in life, that he accomplished his long-cherished purpose of recovering the
attainted estates of the Barony of Pitsligo, which are now possessed by his descendants.
Adjoining the banking-house of this eminent citizen, Kay, the ingenious delineator of
the (‘ Edinburgh Characters,” kept the small print-shop
where he vended his portraits and caricatures during nearly
the whole of his career as an artist. His windows were
alwaya filled with his newest etching, and formed a centre
of attraction to the numerous loungers of the close,
some of the most noted among whom-both lawyers and
clients-were the frequent subjects of his pencil. An
ancient thoroughfare led from the centre of this range
of buildings to the Cowgate by a broad flight of steps,
latterly called the Back Stairs, of which we furnish a
view, showing the original state of the great south window
of the Parliament Hall. It is occasionally called by
writers of last century the New Stairs, but a passage of
some kind undoubtedly led through the nether kirkyard
to the Cowgate at an early period, affording ready access
from that fashionable suburb, to the collegiate church
of St Giles’s, and the centre of the High Town. For
this the Parliament Stairs were probably substituted
about 1636, and continued from that time to form a convenient
communication between the High Street and
the Cowgate, until their recent demolition to make way for the new Court
Houses.
The booths which disfigured the old cathedral front, forming the north side of the close,
have already been mentioned ; these were almost exclusively occupied by the goldsmiths,
whose hall was attached to the Parliament House, where the lobby of the Signet .Library
now stands. Chambers furnishes in his ‘‘ Traditions’’ an amusing picture of the expectant
rustic bridegroom’s visit to the Parliament Close, on the eve of his marriage, in order to
provide those indispensable household gear, the silver-spunes. On such occasions it was
usual for the goldsmith to adjourn with his customer to John’s Coffeehouse, to receive
the order over a caup of ale or a dram, when the goldsmith was perhaps let into the
whole secret counsels of the rustic, including a history of his courtship,-in return
for which he sought to astonish hii customer with the most recent marvels of city
news. The spunes, however, we rather think, form, according to old-established
,
Now incorporated with other banking companiea under the name of the Union Bank of Scotland.

... MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH. On the south side of the Parliament Close, near to John’s Coffeehouse, was the ...

Book 10 p. 231
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MUSSELBURGH. 125
plishment conducts to Carberry Hill, ever memorable as the place where the
beauteous Mary, after her unhappy marriage with Bothwell, surrendered herself
into the hands of the confederate lords, wlience she was conveyed to
Edinburgh, amid the taunts and reproaches of the populace, giving vent to
her deep grief and despair in blinding tears and bitter lamentations ; while
to the north again, and down near the shore to the distance of a mile or twa,
is the scene of the battle between the half-armed Highlanders of Prince
Charles and the thoroughly equipped forces of Sir John Cope, and where the
latter suffered such a complete and disgraceful overthrow, numbering among
the slain on the occasion one daring and distinguished officer, 'the good and
the gallant Gardiner,' who, 'disdaining to save his life at the expense of his
honour,' fell, fighting bravely on foot, pierced by shot and covered with
wounds, in sight of his own threshold.
Musselburgh of late years does not seem to have .undergone much change.
It presents very nearly the same appearance that it did when Charles Stuart,
passing through it on his march southward, bowed to the ladies who surveyed
him from their windows, bending to the young and beautiful among them
till his hair even mingled with the mane of his charger. Here and there
indeed a dwelling of a more spacious and imposing kind has been erected in
the principal thoroughfare; and in the outskirts or suburbs, villas and mansions
of a very ornate and handsome style, beautified with tree and shrubbery and
flow-er-plot, the abodes of wealth and luxury, with a fine row of neat, comfortable,
picturesque cottages, running parallel with the west bank of the
river, the happy homes of fortunate merchants or retired seacaptains, have
recently sprung up. With all this, however, Musselburgh for centuries has
altered but little. We feel, as we saunter through it, from the unevenness or
irregularity of its architecture, as well as from the many blind closes, and
narrow and divergent lanes and alleys, that it is a place of great antiquity.
Still, Musselburgh is a clean, tidy, .interesting town ; finely situated, surrounded
with scenery for richness, variety, and extent rarely surpassed ; and connected
with historic incident of a national character and importance, which stirs the
blood and fires the heart of every leal-souled Scotsman. Randolph, thenoble
brother of the royal Bruce, lived and died here ; here Dugald Stewart,
the genial gentleman and learned sage, thought out his ' Philosophical Essays'
and prepared 'them for the press ; Dr. Carlyl?, the Jupite~ Tomm of the
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland-a brave old soul in many ways,
of a half-Christian half-pagan type-here preached a sort of moral essays,
made bad puns, and entertained at his hospitable table all the wit, the learning,

... 125 plishment conducts to Carberry Hill, ever memorable as the place where the beauteous Mary, after ...

Book 11 p. 180
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80 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
gave the signal at ten minutes to three, when the balloon ascended in a S.S.E.
direction, “ in the most grand and magnificent manner,” amid the acclamations of
the people. He passed over the city at a great height, waving his flag as he proceeded.
According to Lunardi’s own account, “ the balloon, after rising, took
a northeast direction, and, near to the Island of Inchkeith, came down almost
to the sea ; he then threw out some ballast, and the balloon rose higher than
before. A current of mind carried him east to North Berwick; a different
current then changed his course, and brought him over between Leven and Largo.
After this, a S.S.W. breeze brought him to the place where he descended,”
which was on the estate of the Hon. John Hope, a mile east from Ceres.
“When the balloon was at its highest elevation (about three miles) the barometer
stood at eighteen inches five-tenths. Mr. Lunardi at this time felt no
difficulty in respiration. He passed through several clouds of snow, and lost
sight at times both of sea and land. His excursion took about an hour and
a half; and it would appear he passed over upwards of forty miles of sea, and
about ten of land.” On his descending, Mr, Lunardi was first welcomed by Mr.
Robert Christie, and next by the Rev. Robert Arnot, who came running, with
a crowd of people after him. He wag accompanied to Ceres by a body of
gentlemen who soon collected, where he was “ received by the acclamations of a
prodigious multitude, his flag being carried in procession before him, and the
church-bell ringing in honour of such a visitant.” At the manse of Ceres he
drank a few glasses of wine, and both there and at the house of Mr. Melville he
received the compliments of a great many ladies and gentlemen. The same
evening he started for Cupar, having been invited by the authorities, where the
most enthusiastic reception awaited him. After having been next day entertained
at dinner, and presented with the freedom of the burgh, he proceeded
to St. Andrews, to which place he had been invited by the Club of Gentlemen
Golfers, where he was made a citizen, and had, by diploma, the honour of
“ Knight of the Beggar’s Benison ” conferred upon him.
Such is a brief account of Lunardi’s first aerial trip in Scotland. Brilliant it
certainly was, and it is as unquestionable, that although half a century has since
elapsed, it has not been surpassed.’ Many anecdotes are told of the surprise
and terror of the peasantry on first beholding the balloon. Some reapers in a
field near to Ceres were dreadfully alarmed-judging from so uncommon an
appearance, and the sound of Lunardi’s trumpet, that the end of all things was
at hand. Certain it is, however, that the Rev, Mr. Arnot, who was previously
aware of Lunardi’s ascent, required considerable persuasion to convince the
people that they might approach the object of their terror without fear of
supernatural injury.
Mr. Lunardi’s next adventure took place at Kelso on the 22d of October.
In t,his flight he did not ascend above a mile, keeping constantly in view of the
*
An eye-witness informs us “that there has been no exhibition nearly so grand as Lunardi’s first
ascent. All the other ascents since his time have been dosing, sluggish-looking exhibitions, whereas
Lunardi went off in the grandest style, precisely resembling a sky-rocket.”

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. gave the signal at ten minutes to three, when the balloon ascended in a ...

Book 8 p. 115
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344 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
attention, This urbanity and condescension produced on their part a feeling of
the deepest veneration and respect for their beloved minister.” “The esteem
in which Dr. Johnston was held,” continues the writer, “ is characteristically
illustrated by the exclamation with which the women, when selling fish to a
higgling customer, attempted to destroy all hopes of a further abatement in
price. ( Na, na,’ they were wont to say, ( I wadna gie them to the DoctoT himsel’
fw that siller I ’ ’’
The memory of Dr. Johnston is still cherished with the utmost veneration.
He officiated amongst them for upwards of half a century, and in many families
had “performed the ceremonies of marriage and baptism through four successive
generations.” Some curious anecdotes are told, illustrative of his homely
manner and the primitive character of his parishioners. A fisherman, named
Adam L-, having been reproved pretty severely for his want of Scripture
knowledge, was resolved to baulk the minister on his next catechetical visitation.
The day appointed he kept out of sight for some time ; but at length getting
top-heavy with some of his companions, he was compelled, after several falls, in
one of which he met with an accident that somewhat disfigured his countenance,
to take shelter in his own cottage. The minister arrived ; and was informed
by Jenny, the wife, that her husband was absent at the fishing. The Doctor
then inquired if she had carefully perused the catechism he had left on his last
visit, and being answered in the affirmative, proceeded to follow up his conversation
with a question or two. “Weel, Jenny,’’ said the minister, “can ye tell
me what was the cause 0’ Adam’s fall ‘1 ” By no means versed in the history
of the great progenitor of the human race, and her mind being exclusively
occupied by her own Adam, Janet replied, with some warmth, “’Deed, sir,
it was naething else but drink! ’’ at the same time calling to her husband,
“ Adam, ye may as wee1 rise, for the Doctor kens brawly what’s the matter ;
some clashin’ deevils o1 neibours hae telt him a’ about it !”
On another occasion of pastoral visitation, the “ gudewife 0’ the house,”
Maggy, had just returned from market, and in her hurry to meet the minister,
whom she found in possession of her cottage, deposited her basket, which
contained certain purchases from a butcher’s stall, at the door. After a few
preliminary observations, Dr. Johnston began by putting the question-“ What
doth every sin deserve, Margaret 1 I’ “ God’s curse-the dowg’s awa’ wi’ the
head-and-harigals I” she exclaimed as she bolted after the canine delinquent
who had made free with the contents of her basket. (‘Very well answered,”
said the Doctor on her return, “ but rather hurriedly spoken.”
Another of the fish dames, named Maggy-for Margaret and Janet are the
prevailing names among the females of Newhaven-happening to take a glass
extra, was met on her way home by the minister. “ What, what, Margaret ! ’’
said the Doctor jocularly, “1 think the road is rather narrow for you,” ‘‘ Hout,
sir,” replied Maggy, alluding to her empty creel, “how can I gang steady without
ballast I ’’
The late erection of a church at Newhaven, we understand, has been

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. attention, This urbanity and condescension produced on their part a feeling of the ...

Book 9 p. 456
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J0ppa.l BRUNSTANE HOUSE. I49
side of the streets when the cavalcade was to pass,
and through this flesh and blood corpus (sic), as it
were, all the mind of the city followed, in longdrawn
procession half a mile in length, The
Stone Mason of Cromarfy.? The whole thing was
national, as distinct from popular. To make the
day complete, Nature herself spread over it the
robe of innocency, but, as it were, of dabbled
innocency, snow and thaw together, You saw, of
course, the result of the post-mortem examination,
which showed a brain past responsibility-a temble
example of what mental work caused, even to such
a physical giant as Hugh Miller. The last time I
incredible number of volumes that threw light on
Scottish archzeology, but kindly rendered invaluable
assistance to other workers in the same useful field.
Joppa, a modern village, the name of which does
not appear in Kincaid?s ?Gazetteer of Midlothian ?
in 1787? or his map of 1794, is now incorporated
with Portobello on the east, and a mineral well once
gave it importance to invalids. Near it are salt
works, well known as Joppa Pans. Robert Jamieson,
Professor of Natural History in the University
of Edinburgh, to the chair of which he was a p
pointed in 1804, was long resident in this place, and
he is referred to in the famous ?Chaldee MS.?as dia
PORTOBELLO, 1838. iAflcr W. 8. &oft.)
saw him I felt suspicious that his mind was shaken,
for tottering nervousness in so vast a form (for he
really looked quite colossal) seemed more than
ordinary mauziaise honte, and he complained much
of his broken health? (ciLife and Letters of
Sydney Dobell.?) As has been mentioned in a
previous chapter, he was buried in the Grange
cemetery.
In No. 12, James Street, Portobello, the eminent
antiquary, David Laing, LL.D., who for forty years
acted as librarian to the Signet Library, closed his
long, laborious, and blameless life on the 18th of
October, 1878, in his eighty-sixth year. He formed
oneof the last surviving links between our own
time and literary coteries of sixty years ago. We
have elsewhere referred to him, and to that career
in which he not only edited personally an almost
He was born in Cromarty in 1802.
wise man which had come out of Joppa, where the
ships are ; one that had sojourned in far countries,?
Brunstane Bum, which flows into the Firth at
Magdalene Bridge, forms a kind of boundary in this
quarter, and the bridge takes its name from an
ancient chapel, dedicated to W. Mary Magdalene,
which once stood in the ground of New Hailes,
and which was a subordinate chaplaincy of the
church of St. Michael, at Inveresk, and, with others,
was granted by James VI. to his Chancellor, Lord
Thirlstane, progenitor of the Earls of Lauderdale.
Before quitting this quarter it is impossible to
omit a reference to the great quadrangular oldfashioned
manor-house of Brunstane, which was
sometimes of old called Gilbertoun, and which is
approached by a massive little picturesque bridge,
of such vast antiquity that it is supposed to be

... BRUNSTANE HOUSE. I49 side of the streets when the cavalcade was to pass, and through this flesh and blood ...

Book 5 p. 149
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 79
In 1794, while second in command of the forces in Scotland, in consequence
of a mutiny in the Breadalbane Regiment of Fencibles, then stationed at Glasgow,'
General Leslie, Colonel Montgomerie (afterwards Earl of Eglinton), and
Sir James Stewart, left Edinburgh to take charge of the troops collected for
the purpose of compelling the mutineers to surrender. By the judicious
management, however, of Lord Adam Gordon, then Commander-in-Chief, an
appeal to force was avoided by the voluntary surrender of four of the ringleaders,
who were marched to Edinburgh Castle as prisoners, under a strong
guard of their own regiment. General Leslie and Adjutant M'Lean of the
Fencibles, having accompanied the party a short way out of town, they were
assailed on their return by a number of riotous people, who accused them of
being active in sending away the prisoners. The mob rapidly increased, stones
and other missiles were thrown, by one of which General Leslie was knocked
down, and he and the Adjutant were compelled to take shelter in a house, from
which they were at last rescued by the Lord Provost, with a posse of peaceofficers
and a company of the Fencibles. On his way back to Edinburgh, the
General was seized with a dangerous illness, and died at Beechwood House,
about three miles west of the city, on the 27th December 1794.
General Leslie married in 1760 a daughter of Walter Tullidelph of Tullidelph,
in Forfarshire, who died the year following, leaving a daughter, Mary
Anne, who was married in 1787 to John Rutherford, Esq. of Edgerstown, in
Roxburghshire. The General resided in St. Andriw Square.
No, CXCVIII.
DR. JAMES HAMILTON, SENIOR.
DK HAMILTOwNa s for many years one of the ornaments of Edinburgh.
His grandfather, the Rev. William Hamilton, was a branch of the family of
Preston, and held the honourable station of Principal of the University in the
earlier part of last century j and his father, Dr. Robert Hamilton, afterwards
made a distinguished figure as Professor of Divinity.'
1 The mutiny, which occurred on the 1st December 1794, originated in the rescue of a soldier
who had been confined in the guard-house for some military offence. The party afterwarda would
neither give up the prisoner nor those who had been conspicuoas in effecting his release. The
prisoneis, seven in number, were tried by a court-martial, held in the Castle, at which Colonel
Moutgomerie presided. Sentence of death was recorded against all of them save two, but one only,
Alexander Sutherland, sutfered.
* It may be mentioned, to the honour of the last-named gentleman, and as indicative of that
uprightness and independence, which were afterwards conspicuous in his son, that he led the way to
the abolition of pluralities in the Church, by spontaneously relinquishing his parochial charge of
Lady Yeater's, on being appointed Professor of Divinity-a distinction which was conferred on him
without solicitation. The clergyman
of a neighbouring pariah had withheld the privilege of baptism from a child, the conduct of the
The others were ordered to the West Indies and to America.
Another instance of the same qualities of mind is thus related.

... SKETCHES. 79 In 1794, while second in command of the forces in Scotland, in consequence of a mutiny ...

Book 9 p. 106
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 239
“ Our fathers’ bluid the kettle bought,
And wha wad dare to spoil it 4
By heaven ! the sacrilegious dog
Shall fuel be to boil it.”
In consequence of the alliance of Spain with’ France, a meeting of the
Lieutenants of the city, and the officers of the Edinburgh Volunteers, was held
on the 14th September 1796, when they resolved,--“ that as this apparent
increase of strength on the part of our enemies must give them additional
confidence, it is highly necessary to show them that this country ‘is capable of
increasing its exertions in proportion to the force brought against it.” Accordingly,
an augmentation of their corps being deemed necessary, another battaliod
was speedily organised, called the Second Regiment of Edinburgh Volunteers.
In 1797, when the French were every day expected to attempt a landing in
Ireland, the First Regiment tendered their services to perform the duty of the
Castle, in order to allow the withdrawal of the regular troops ; and, in 1801,
when the danger seemed more immediately to menace our own shores, the former
offer of service was followed up with characteristic spirit.
The Lieutenant-Colonel commanding, the Right Honourable Charles Hope
(Lord President and Privy Councillor), in his letter to General Vyse, at
this alarming crisis, says-“ In the event of an enemy appearing on our coast,
we trust that you will be able to provide for the temporary security of Edinburgh
Castle by means of its own invalids, and the recruits and convalescents of the
numerous corps and detachments in and about Edinburgh ; and that, as we have
more to lose than the brave fellows of the other volunteer regiments who have
$xtended their services, we trust you will allow us to be the first to share
in the danger, as well as in the glory, which we are confident his Majesty’s troops
will acquire under your command, if opposed to an invading army.”
On the cessation of hostilities in 1802 the Volunteers were disbanded, after
eight years of military parade, during which period “they had many a time
and oft ” marched to and from the camp at Musselburgh, and, on the sands of
Leith, maintained the well-contested bloodless fight. They closed their first
period of service on the 6th of May 1802. Early in the forenoon of that day
they assembled in Heriot’s Green, where they first obtained their colours ; and,
having formed a hollow square, the Lieutenant-Colonel read Lord Hobart’s
circular letter, conveying his Majesty’s thanks, and also the thanks of the two
Houses of Parliament. He likewise read a resolution of the Town Council of
Edinburgh, conveying, in the strongest and most handsome terms, the thanks of
the Community to the whole Volunteers of the city ; and a very flattering letter
from his excellency Lieut.-General Vyse. The regiment was afterwards marched
to the Parliament Square, where, being formed, the colours were delivered to
the Magistrates, who lodged them in the Council Chamber, and the corps was
dismissed’
Not the least important practical ’benefit reaultiog from the patriotic feeling of the Volunteers,
consisted in the frequent collections made among them in aid of the poor of the city. “ On the 3d of
January 1797 they assembled in their uniforms at St. Andrew’a Church, where an excellent diecourse

... SKETCHES. 239 “ Our fathers’ bluid the kettle bought, And wha wad dare to spoil it 4 By heaven ...

Book 8 p. 336
(Score 0.27)

YAMES VI. TO RESTORATION OF CHARLES Ir. 87
the Nether Bow to be repaired-bonfires--“a propyne of ane jowell to the Quenis
grace,” &c. &c.
The King and Queen at length arrived at Leith on the 1st of May 1590, and remained
in “the King’s work there” till the 6th of the month, while the Palace of Holyrood was
getting ready. On the 17th of May the Queen was crowned in Holyrood Abbey, Mr
Robert Bruce pouring upon her breast bonye quantitie of oyll,” and “Mr Andro
Meluene, principal1 of the Colledge of the Theolloges, making ane oratione in tua hunder
Lateine verse !”
The second day they at length entered the capital, the manner of approaching which
from the Palace is worthy of notice, as a key to the usual route pursued on similar
occasions. <(At her comming to the south side of the yardes of the Canogit, along the
parke wall, being in sight of the Castle, they gave her thence a great voley of shot, with
their banners and ancient displays upon the walls.
where she was received with a Latin oration, EO that the royal procession must have skirted
along the whole line of the more modern city wall, where Lauriston now is. At the West
Port they were welcomed with even more than the usual costly display. The same variety
of allegories and ingenious devices had been prepared. An angel presented the keys to her
Majesty ; she rode in a chariot drawn by eight horses, decorated with velvet trappings,
richly embroidered with gold and silver, and was attended by sixty youths, as Moors, with
chains about their necks, and gorgeously apparelled with jewels and ornaments of gold.
The nine muses received them at the Butter Trone, with very excellent singing of psalms.
At the Cross she had another ‘( verie good psalme,” and then entered St Giles’s Church,
where a sermon was preached before their Majesties. Numerous allegories, goddesses, Christian
virtues, and the like, followed. Indeed, from the inventory furnished by a poet of the
period, the wide range of classic fancy would seem to have been ransacked for the
occasion :-
Thence she came to the West Port,”
To recreat hir hie renoun,
Of curious things thair wes all sort,
The stairs and houses of the toun
With Tapestries were spred athort,
Quhair Histories men micht behauld,
With Images and Anticks add.
It written wes with stories mae,
How VENTS, with a thuodring thud,
Inclos’d ACEATEaSn d ENAE,
Within a mekill mistie dud :
And how fair ANNA, wondrous wraith,
Deplors hir sister Dmoa daith.
Ixron that the quheill dois tarne
In Hell, that ugly hole, 80 mirk ;
And EBOSTRAqTuVha~ did b m e
The costly fair EPHESIAKNir k :
And BLIADESq, uho falls in aouo
With drawing buckets up and down.
* .. t
* *
1 Xarriage of James VI., Bann. Club, p. 39.

... VI. TO RESTORATION OF CHARLES Ir. 87 the Nether Bow to be repaired-bonfires--“a propyne of ane jowell to ...

Book 10 p. 95
(Score 0.27)

16 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
‘of the Chancellor, in the Castle of Edinburgh. His increasing years, however, seem to
have led to his enjoying greater liberty of person, as well as deference to his opinion.
Under the guidance of the Bishops of Aberdeen and Moray, then residing in Edinburgh,
a conference was held in the church of St Giles, between him and his rival guardians,
which, from their mutual hatred to the Earl of Douglas, again led to an amicable arrangement,
the King making choice of Edinburgh Castle as the place where he should continue
to reside.
No sooner were the rival statesmen reconciled, than they consulted together to aecure
the overthrow of the Douglas, whose exorbitant power was employed for the most oppressive
and tyrannical objects. To have openly proceeded against him as a criminal, while at
the head of his numerous forces, would only have proved the sequel for a civil war. He
was accordingly invited to Edinburgh, with the most flattering assurances of friendship.
On the way, the Chancellor met him at Crichton Castle, about twelve miles &E. of
Edinburgh, where he was entertained with every mark of hospitality, insomuch so as to
have excited the jealous fears of his friends. He rode thereafter to the Castle of Edinburgh,
accompanied by his brother and Sir Malcolm Fleming of Cumbernauld : they were received
with every show of welcome, and admitted to the same table with the King ; but, towards
t.he close of the entertainment, a bull’s head, the well-known symbol of destruction, was
set before them. They recognised the fatal signal, and sprang from the board, but being
immediately surrounded by armed men, they were led forth, in defiance of the tears and
entreaties of the young King, and immediately beheaded 66 in the back court of the Castle
that lyeth to the west ; ” or, according to Balfour, in the great hall of the Castle.’ In the
year 1753, some workmen digging for a foundation to a new storehouse within the Castle,
found the golden handles and plates of a coffin, which are supposed to have belonged to
that in which the Earl of Douglas was interred8
From a protest afterwards taken by the son of Sir Malcolm Fleming, against the
sentence of his father, as being unwarrantable and illegal, as well as from the fact of no
attempt being made to bring the Chancellor to trial for the deed when the Douglas faction
prevailed, there would seem to have been some form of trial, and a sentence of condemnation
pronounced, with the assumed authority of the King.+ The popular estimation of the
deed may be inferred from the rude rhymes quoted by Hume of Godscroft :-
“ Edinburgh Castle, towne and tower,
God grant thou sinke for sinne ;
An’ that even for the black dinner
Earle Douglm gat therein.”
The Chancellor continued to maintain possession of the Castle, even when the Douglas
party succeeded in obtaining the guardianship of the young King, and used the royal
authority for demanding its surrender. Here he held out during a siege of nine months,
till he succeeded in securing satisfactory terms for himself; while of his less fortunate
coadjutors some only redeemed their lives with their estates, and the others, including
three members of the Livingstone family, were all tried and beheaded within its walls.
History of the Douglasses, 1643, p. 165.
Arnot, p. 11.
* Balfour’s Aunals, vol. i. p. 169. ‘ Nartial Achievements, vol. ii. p. 330.

... MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH. ‘of the Chancellor, in the Castle of Edinburgh. His increasing years, however, seem ...

Book 10 p. 17
(Score 0.27)

104 BI 0 GRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
No. XLIX.
BAILIE JAMES DICKSON
AND
BAILIE JAMES TORRY.
THE first of these city dignitaries, MR. JAMES DICKSON, was for a long
time a bookseller and stationer in Edinburgh. His shop was on the west side
of the front of the Royal Exchange entry, and was much frequented by clerical
gentlemen, Mr. Dickson himself having been a licentiate of the Presbytery of
Edinburgh. In early life, like many others of our “ Scottish probationers,” he
was glad to shelter himself under the wing of a patron, by undertaking to
perform the duties of preceptor to the family of James Kerr, Esq. of Boughtrigg,’
jeweller, who represented the city of Edinburgh in Parliament from
1747 to 1754, with a very small salary; but having a counterbalancing
equivalent in the promise of the first church vacancy that Mr. Kerr could
procure for him, The death of this gentleman, however (in 1765), entirely
destroyed the young probationer’s hopes. He therefore bethought himself of a
lay profession, and commenced business as a bookseller, which he carried on
with very considerable success. Mr. Dickson was elected a member of Town
Council, as kirk treasurer, in 1774 j and from that period till 1786, we find his
name repeatedly mentioned in the list of “ Magistrates and Town Council of
Edinburgh,” as well as in the annals of the “ Chamber of Commerce.” Bailie
Dickson was married to a sister of the famous Admiral Greig.* None of his
1 Mr. Kerr was married to a daughter of Lord Charles Kerr, consequently connected with the
Lothian family.
a Sir Samuel Greig was born at Inverkeithing, county of Fife, in 1735. He was a lieutenant in
the British Navy at the time he was sent, among others, at the request of tbe Court of Russia, to
improve the marine of that country, which was then in a despicable condition. He was soon made a
Captain, and from his great services in the war which ensued against the Turks, under Count Orlow,
owing principally to which their whole fleet was destroyed at the Island of Scio, he was appointed
Commodore, then Admiral ; and not long afterwards the Empress rewarded his services by promoting
him to be Admiral of all the Russias, and Governor of Cronstadt. Be had also conferred on him the
different honours of the empire, viz. :-St. Andrew, St. Alexander Newsky, St. George, etc. He died
at Revel of a fever, on the 26th October 1788, shortly after his engagement with the Swedish fleet in
the Black Sea, and waa interred on the 5th December following, with all the pomp and splendour
which the Empress or the empire could bestow. Sir Samuel visited his native country in 1777, on
which occasion the Empress ordered a man-of-war to be fitted out for his conveyance. He arrived
in Edinburgh on the 20th of August, where he waa received with every demon8tration of respect.
“ On Thursday, October 2, the Empress of Russia’s birthday, the Russian frigate in Leith Roads fired
a round of twenty-one guns, which was answered by the same number from the Castle of Edinburgh,
and on that occasion the Admiral gave a grand entertainment in Fortune’s tavern, to the Prince

... BI 0 GRAPHICAL SKETCHES. No. XLIX. BAILIE JAMES DICKSON AND BAILIE JAMES TORRY. THE first of these city ...

Book 8 p. 151
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 179
entered into some years before, respecting the religious and moral improvement
of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, appointed Dr. Walker to undertake a
mission to these remote, parts of the country. This he readily undertook, and
performed his arduous task to the entire satisfaction of the Assembly. He was
also authorised by the Commissioners for the Annexed Estates to inquire into
the natural history and productions-the population-agriculture-and the fisheries
of the Highlands and Hebrides. In prosecution of .these important
inquiries, he performed in all six journeys ; and, from the mass of useful information
collected, a posthumous work, entitled “An Economical History of the
Hebrides,” was published in 1808.
Not long after his first mission to the Highlands, which tended materially
to confirm .the high opinion entertained of his character, Dr. Walker was presented
by the Earl of Hopetoun to the church of Moffat, in the Presbytery of
Lochmaben, and county of Dumfries. In this extensive parish a new and inviting
field presented itself for exploring the vegetable kingdom of nature ; and it
is probable that the frequency of his botanising excursions-the utility or
propriety of which were not appreciated by his parishioners-procured for him
the title of “the mad minister of Mofat.” There was another prominent trait in
the demeanour of the Doctor, which no doubt had its due weight in countenancing
such an extraordinary soubriquet. This was an extreme degree of nicety in the,
arrangement of his dress, especially in the adjustment of his hair, which it is
said occupied the village tonsor nearly a couple of hours every day.
It is told of the Doctor, that travelling on one occasion from Moffat to the
residence of his friend, Sir James Clerk of Pennicuik, he stopped at a country
barber’s on the way to have his hair dressed. He was personally unknown to
Strap, although the latter had often heard of him. The barber did all in his
power to give satisfaction to his customer ; but in vain he curled and uncurled,
according to the Doctor’s directions, for nearly three hours. At length, fairly
worn out of patience, he exclaimed-(6 In all my life, I have never heard of a
man so difficult to please, except ‘ the mad minister of Mofat.’” This scrupulous
attention to his hair he continued to observe until advancing years compelled
him to adopt a wig.
The Doctor himself used to mention that he was one day walking in a gentleman’s
park, where he had been collecting insects, with the handles of an insect
net projecting from his pocket. Two ladies were walking near, and he heard
one of them say-“ No wonder the Doctor has his hair so finely frizzled, for he
carries his curling tongs with him.”
On the death of Dr. Ramsay, Professor of Natural History in the University
of Edinbursh, in 1778, Dr. Walker made application to the Crown for the
vacant chair. In this he was successful, and obtained his commission in 1779.
At that period no direct judgment of the General Assembly stood recorded
with respect to pluralities, but the parishioners of Moffat were alarmed at the
circumstance of their minister’s appointment to the professorship, justly conceiving
that, distant as they were from Edinburgh upwards of sfty mileu, & waa

... SKETCHES. 179 entered into some years before, respecting the religious and moral improvement of the ...

Book 9 p. 240
(Score 0.27)

I82 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Parliament Close.
for a considerable amount, binding themselves to
support the Beacon, against which such strong proceedings
were instituted that the print was withdrawn
from the public entirely by the zznd of
September. ?But the discovery of the bond,?
continues the magazine just quoted, ?was nearly
leading to more serious consequences, for, if report
be true, Mr. James Gibson, W.S., one of those who
had been grossly calumniated in the Beacon, had
thought proper to make such a demand upon Sir
Walter Scott as he could only be prevented from,
ordinary scene for the indulgence of mirth and of
festivity than this subterranean crypt or denfacetiously
named the Greping O#ce-certainly
could not well be conceived, nor could wit, poetry,
and phgsic well have chosen a darker scene; yet
it was the favourite of one whose writings were
distinguished for their brilliancy and elegant
htinity. He died in 1713, and was buried in
the Greyfriars? Churchyard.
In the fourth floor of the Zand overlooking the
aforesaid cellar, there dwelt, about 1775, Lord
to the justice of Heaven; but it seems scarcely
credible, though such was the fact, that the still
more calamitous fire of 1824, in the same place, was
?attributed by the lower orders in and near Edinburgh
also to be the judgment of Heaven, specially
commissioned to punish the city for tolerating such
a dreadful enormity as-the Musical Festival ! ?
. Early on the morning of the 24th of June, rF24,
a fire broke out in a spirit-vault, or low drinkingshop,
at the head of the Royal Bank Close, and it
made great progress before the engines arrived,
and nearly all the old edifices being panelled or
wainscoted, the supply of water proved ineffectual
to check the flames, and early in the afternoon the
eastern half of the Parliament Square was a heap of
blackened ruins. To the surprise of all who witnessed
this calamity, and observed the hardihood
and temerity displayed by several persons to save
property, or to arrest the progress of the flames, the
only individual who fell a sacrifice was a city oflicer
named Chalmers, who was so dreadfully scorched
that he died in the infirmary a few days after.
liament Close, was attributed by the magistrates?is
portrait of George 111. :-
? Well done, my lord ! With noble taste,
You?ve made Charles gay as five-and-twenty,
We may be xarce of gold and cam,
?But sure there?s lead and oil in plenty ;
Yet, for a public work like this,
You might have had some famous artist ;
Though I had made each merk a pound,
I would have had the very smartest.
? Why not bring Allan Ramsay down,
From sketching coronet and cushion? ?
And knows-the English Constitution.
But why thus daub the man all over,
The cream complexion of HANOVER? ?
For he can paint a living khg,
The mgk-white s#ed is well enough ;
And to the swarthy STUART give
In 1832, when a drain was being dug in the
Parliament Square, close by St. Giles?s Church,
there was found the bronze seal of a Knight of St.
John of Jerusalem. It is now preserved in the
Museum of Antiquities, and bears the legend,
? S. AERNAULD LAMMIUS.?
the son of the poet, who had just painted the

... OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Parliament Close. for a considerable amount, binding themselves to support the ...

Book 1 p. 182
(Score 0.27)

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