Kay's Originals Vol. 1

All Books Kay's Originals Vol. 1 Kay's Originals Vol. 2 Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time Edinburgh Past and Present Old and New Edinburgh Vol. I Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II Old and New Edinburgh Vol. III Old and New Edinburgh Vol. IV Old and New Edinburgh Vol. V Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI

Go to: Kay's Originals Vol. 1 Title Pages Advertisement Introductory Notice to Original Portraits, Biographical Sketches I. Mr. John Kay II. A Triumvirate. The Daft Highland Laird, John Dhu, or Dow, alias Macdonald, and Jamie Duff, an idiot. III. Francis McNab, Esq. of McNab IV. Three Giants, with a Group of Spectators V. Lord Kames. Hugo Arnot, Esq. of Balcormo, Advocate. Lord Monboddo. VI. Contemplation VII. Lord Gardenstone VIII. Hugo Arnot, Esq., Advocate, and Gingerbread Jock IX. Dr. Glen and the Daft Highland Laird X. A Sleepy Congregation XI. Dr. James Graham going along the North Bridge in a High Wind XII. Dr. James Graham lecturing in Edinburgh XIII. James Macrae, Esq. XIV. Captain Page and Captain Vicars XV. The Three Captains of the City Guard. George Pitcairn, George Robertson, Robert Pillans. XVI. Provost David Steuart and Bailie John Lothian XVII. Alexander Hunter, Esq. of Polmood, and Roger Hog, Esq. of Newliston XVIII. Francis Grose, Esq., F.A.S. of London and Perth XIX. Captain Mingay, with a porter carrying George Cranstoun in his creel XX. Samuel McDonald and George Cranstoun XXI. Major Fisher XXII. Dr. Joseph Black XXIII. Dr. Joseph Black, Lecturing XXIV. Dr. James Hutton XXV. Philosophers XXVI. Dr. John Brown XXVII. Dr. Brown in his study XXVIII. Sir James Hunter Blair, Bart., Late Lord Provost of Edinburgh XXIX. Alexander Carlyle, D.D., Inveresk XXX. The Modern Hercules XXXI. Adam Ritchie XXXII. Angelo Tremamondo, Esq., Riding Master XXXIII. Lord Rockville Dr. Adam Smith, and Commissioner Brown XXXIV. Adam Smith, LL.D. And F.R.S. of London and Edinburgh XXXV. The Sapient Septemviri. King's College, Aberdeen. XXXVI. Vincent Lunardi, in his basket, ready to ascend. XXXVII. Marriage XXXVIII. A group of Aeronauts. XXXIX. The Right Honourable Colonel Lennox. XL. Colonel Hunter. XLI. The Rev. William Robertson, D.D., author of the History of Scotland and Charles V XLII. Dr. William Robertson, D.D., in his full clerical dress XLIII. Quartermaster Taylor XLIV. Cock-fighting Match between the counties of Lanark and Haddington XLV. James Donaldson XLVI. Mr. Alexander Thomson and Miss Crawford XLVII. Retaliation; or the Cudgeller caught XLVIII. Henry Viscount Melville and The Hob. Robert Dundas of Arniston XLIX. Bailie James Dickson and Bailie James Torry L. William Doyle, Samuel Sone, and William Foster LI. Sir Ralph Abercromby, K.B., giving the word of command LII. General Sir Ralph Abercromby, K.B., viewing the army, encamped on the plains of Egypt LIII. Lauchlan McBain LIV. Second print of Lauchlan McBain LV. Mrs. Siddons, Mr. Sutherland, Mrs. Woods, of the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh LVI. Captain George Gordon, Captain George Robertson, and John Grieve, Esq., Lord Provost of Edinburgh LVII. Rev. Hugh Blair, D.D. of the High Church, Edinburgh LVIII. The Honourable Henry Erskine, Dean of the faculty of Advocates LIX. James Bruce, Esq. of Kinnaird, and Peter Williamson LX. Courtship LXI. Mr. William Martin, Bookseller and Auctioneer in Edinburgh LXII. Mr. Thomas White LXIII. Mr. Henderson and Mr. Charteris, of the Theatre-Royal, Edinburgh LXIV. The Rev. Joseph Robertson Macgregor, First Minister of the Edinburgh Gaelic Chapel LXV. The Rev. James Lawson of Belvidere, The Job of Present Times LXVI. An Exchange of Heads. Hugo Arnot, Esq. - Mr. William Macpherson, and Roger Hog, Esq. LXVII. The Rev. John McLure, Chaplain to the Grand Lodge LXVIII. Mr. Alexander Wood, surgeon LXIX. Mr. Wood LXX. Captain Hind LXXI. Robert McQueen of Braxfield, Lord Justice-Clerk LXXII. George Pratt (The Town-Crier) LXXIII. The Rev. Dr. John Erskine, late of the Old Greyfriars' Church, Edinburgh LXXIV. Dr. Erskine LXXV. Dr. Henry Moyes, lectureer on Chemistry, etc. LXXVI. Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo, banker in Edinburgh LXXVII. Thomas Fraser (A Natural) LXXVIII. The Marquis of Huntly, afterwards Duke of Gordon LXXIX. Sir James Montgomery of Stanhope and David Stuart Moncrief, esq. of Moredun LXXX. Rev. Greville Ewing LXXXI. The Earl of Hopetoun LXXXII. Charles Hay, Esq., Advocate LXXXIII. Lord Newton on the Bench LXXXIV. The Earl of Errol and the Right Honourable Lord Haddo. LXXXV. Voltaire, the French Philosopher, and Mr. Watson, an Edinburgh Messenger LXXXVI. Mr. William Smellie, Printer and Mr. Andrew Bell, Engraver LXXXVII. The Right Honourable David Earl of Leven and Melville LXXXVIII. The Right Honourable Lord Adam Gordon LXXXIX. Right Honourable Lord Adam Gordon and His Royal Highness the Count D'Artois, afterwards Charles X XC. John Dhu XCI. Sir William Nairne, Baronet, Lord Dunsinnan XCII. Mr. Ralph Rylance XCIII. Levelling of the High Street of Edinburgh XCIV. Mr. Moss in the character of 'Caleb' XCV. Mr. Robert Meikle XCVI. Mr. Thomas Neil, Wright and Precentor XCVII. Major Campbell of the 35th Regiment XCVIII. The Royal Edinburgh Volunteers. Mr. Archibald Gilchrist XCIX. John Davidson, Esq., and Lord Henderland. George Paton, Esq. Lord Monboddo and Dr. Hutton. C. David Ross, Lord Ankerville CI. Francis Home, M.D. CII. The Right Hon. the Earl of Haddington, Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo, Bart., and Sir James Hunter Blair, Bart. CIII. Dr. William Cullen CIV. Dr. Cullen in his study CV. William Brodie, Deacon of the Incorporation of Wrights and Masons, Edinburgh CVI. George Smith and Deacon William Brodie CVII. General Buttons, An American Officer CVIII. Mr. John Wright, Lecturer on Law CIX. John Wright, Edq., Advocate CX. The Rev. William Beat, Minister of Kilrenny CXI. James Marshall, Esq., writer to the Signet CXII. Rev. John Wesley CXIII. Sir James Grant of Grant, Bart. CXIV. Dr. Alexander Monro, Secundus, Professor of Anatomy CXV. Rev. John Kemp, D.D. CXVI. The Most Noble the Marquis of Graham, and The Right Hon. the Earl of Buchan CXVII. Henry Dundas, Viscount Melville CXVIII. Andrew Nicol CXIX. Three Legal Devotees. Andrew Nicol, Mary Walker, and John Skene CXX. Four Bucks. Dr. Eiston, Signior Stabilini, Captain McKenzie, and Macnab of Macnab CXXI. Dr. Andrew Hunter CXXII. Lord Craig CXXIII. Mungo Watson, Beadle of Lady Yester's Church, etc. CXXIV. James Robertson of Kincraigie CXXV. Thomas Muir, Esq. Younger of Huntershill CXXVI. Sir Archibald Hope of Pinkie, Bart. CXXVII. Robert Blair, Esq. CXXVIII. Robert Blair, Esq., Solicitor-General CXXIX. The Hon. Robert Dundas of Arniston CXXX. Captain James Justice of Justice Hall, and a Lady in the costume of 1790 CXXXI. Andrew Dalziel, A.M., F.R.S. CXXXII. Two Shadows. Lord Kames, and Hugo Arnot, Esq. CXXXIII. Neil Ferguson, Esq., Advocate, and the Little Polish Count CXXXIV. Dr. Alexander Hamilton, Professor of Midwifery CXXXV. Rev. Rowland Hill, A.M. CXXXVI. James Gregory, M.D. CXXXVII. Dr. James Gregory, in the uniform of the Royal Edinburgh Volunteers CXXXVIII. Alexander Osborne, Esq., and Francis Ronaldson, Esq. CXXXIX. Rev. Robert Walker CXL. Sir David Rae of Eskgrove, Bart., Lord Justice-Clerk CXLI. Mr. David Downie, Goldsmith in Edinburgh - tried for High Treason along with Robert Watt in 1794 CXLII. Mr. Thomas Blair, late of the Stamp-Office, Edinburgh CXLIII. Rev. William Moodie, D.D. CXLIV. Thomas Elder, Esq. of Forneth, Late Lord Provost of Edinburgh CXLV. The Right Hon. Lord Viscount Duncan CXLVI. Admiral Duncan on the Quarter-Deck CXLVII. Lord Hailes CXLVIII. Rev. Dr. David Johnston, Minister of North Leith CXLIX. Sir James Stirling, Bart. CL. Henry Dundas, and Sir James Stirling, Bart. CLI. Lord High Chancellor Loughborough, afterwards Earl of Rosslyn CLII. John Campbell, Esq., of Blythswood CLIII. The Hon. Basil Cochrane, and James Edgar, Esq., Commissioners of the Customs CLIV. Rev. Dr. Thomas Davidson, late of the Tolbooth Church, Edinburgh CLV. Colonel Patrick Crichton CLVI. George Fergusson, Lord Hermand CLVII. Mr. John Shiells, Surgeon CLVIII. Mr. Robert Johnston, and Miss Sibilla Hutton CLIX. Mr. John Bennet, Surgeon CLX. Three Officers of the Hopetoun Fencibles. Lord Napier, Major Pilmer, and Major Clarkson. CLXI. Mr. John Adams, Master of the Royal Riding Menage CLXII. Mr. William Scott, Mr. James Sibbald, George Fairholme, Esq., and James Kerr, Esq. CLXIII. Rev. William Paul CLXIV. Byrne, the Irish Giant, Mr. Watson, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Fairholme, and Geordie Cranstoun CLXV. Allan Macdougall, Esq. of Glenlochan, Alexander Watson, Esq. of Glenturkie, and Colquhoun Grant, Esq. CLXVI. Ensign Macdougal, of the Hopetoun Fencibles CLXVII. Mr. James Rae, Dr. William Laing, and Dr. James Hay CLXVIII. George Mealmaker, author of the 'Moral and Political Catechism of Man' CLXIX. Two Turks CLXX. The City Guard House. Corporal John Dhu Notes to Vol. 1 Index to the Portraits, etc. in Vol. 1 Index to the Names Incidentally Mentioned in the First Volume » Kay's Originals Vol. 2 » Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time » Edinburgh Past and Present » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. I » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. III » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. IV » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. V » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI

162 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Notwithstanding a certain bluntness and decision of manner, which was liable to be occasionally misunderstood, and which gave rise to some curious scenes and incidents in the course of his professional practice, Mr. Wood‘s philanthropy and kindness were proverbial; and his unremitting attention to the distresses of the indigent sick, whom he continued to visit in their wretched dwellings, after he had given up general practice, was a noble trait in his character. What has been said of the illustrious Boerhaave may be equally applied to him-that “he considered the poor as his best patients, and that he never neglected them.” To his other qualities he added an enthusiastic warmth and steadiness in his friendships, with a total freedom from selfishness-and in his social relations, that kind and playful manner, which softened asperities, and rendered available all the best sympathies and affections of which human nature is susceptible ; and being of a most convivial disposition, his company was courted by all ranks. In fact, few men have ever been 60 universally beloved as Mr. Wood, and proportionally numerous are the testimonies to his worth. During the long course of his useful career he enjoyed the unanimous good will and approbation of his brethren, who, without any jealous feelings, allowed him the palm of superiority he deservedly merited-a tribute due not only to the soundness of his practical knowledge, and the dexterity of his skill iu operating (which tended much to raise the reputation of the surgical department of the Royal Infirmary), but to his personal character, In a fragment of a fifth Canto of “Childe Harold,” which appeared in “ Blackwood‘s Magazine” for May 18 18, he is thus alluded to :- “ Oh ! for an hour of him who knew no feud- The octogenarian chief, the kind old Sandy Wood ; ’’ and, ina note on this stanza, he is spoken of as “Sandy Wood-one of the delightful reminiscences of Old Edinburgh-who was at least eighty years of age, when, in high repute as a medical man, he could yet divert himself in his walks with the ‘ Hie Schuil laddies,’ or bestow the relics of his universal benevolence in feeding a goat or a raven.” He is also alluded to in a spirit of tenderness and affection by Sir Walter Scott, in a prophecy put into the mouth of Meg Merrilees ; and the late celebrated John Bell, who had been a pupil of Mr. Wood, dedicates to him his first volume of Anatomy in a concise but elegant tribute to his skill, his disinterested conduct, and public and private virtues.a Mr. Wood’s character is further commemorated by the late Sir Alexander “ A gathering together of the powerful shall be made amidst the caves of the inhabitants of Dunedin. They shall beset his goat ; they shall profane his raven ; they shall blacken tha buildings of the Intirniary ; her secrets shall be examined ; a new goat shall bleat, until they have measured out and run over fifty-four feet nine inches and a half.” 8 “ To Alexander Wood, surgeon, whose abilities and skill, and disinterested conduct, have raised him by common consent to the first rank in a most useful profession, conducting him in honour to that period of life in which he niust feel, with pleasure, how completely he enjoys the confidence of the public and the esteem of all good men-this book of anatomy is presented by his pupil John Bell.” Sandy is at his rest.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 163 Boswell of Auchinleck in these lines-part of an epitaph composed by him on Mr. Wood:- “ But cold the heart that feels M genial glow, Pondering on him whose ashes sleep below : Whose vivid mind, with grasping power, could reach Truths that the plodding schools can never teach. Who scorned, in honesty, the spacious wiles Of dull importance, or of fawning smiles : Who scouted feelings frittered and refined, But had an ample heart for all mankind.” The following anecdote is a proof of Mr. Wood‘s popularity with the lower classes. During a riot in Edinburgh, some of the mob, mistaking him at night (owing to a great resemblance in figure) for Sir James Stirling, then the Lord Provost of the City, and at that time far from being a favourite, seized Mr. Wood on the North Bridge, and were going to throw him over the parapet, when he cried out, “I’m lang Sandy ?Vood-tak‘ me to a lamp and ye’ll see.” Instead of executing their vengeance, he was cordially cheered and protected from farther outrage. Sir James and Mr. Wood, although thus in such different esteem with the lower class of the inhabitants of Edinburgh, were intimate friends. It is told of them, that on one occasion the Provost-with his cocked hat, and long spare figure-meeting the Doctor in the High Street, he jocularly put L guinea into his hand, and giving a piteous account of his sufferings from indigestion, and the state of his stomach, asked his advice. The Doctor-with a figure almost equally spare, and the same head-dress-retreated from the Provost, who continued to follow him, reproaching him for pocketing the money without giving him any opinion on his case, At last, after this scene had lasted for some considerable space, Mr. Wood replied to Sir James’s remonstra,nces :- “You’re quite wrong, Sir James; I have been giving you the best possible advice all this while. If you’ll take hold of my coat-tail, and only follow me for a week as you’ve been doing for the last ten minutes, you’ll have no more trouble with your stomach.” Although very confident in his own practice, and very decided, Mr. ?Vood never failed to call in the aid of his professional brethren when there appeared to be real danger. The celebrated Dr. Cullen and he were frequently in attendance together, and on the most friendly and intimate footing. Upon one occasion they were in the sick-room of a young nobleman of high promise who was afflicted with a severe fever-the Doctor on one side of the bed, in his usual formal and important manner, counting the patient’s pulse, with his large stop-watch in his hand--Mr. Wood on the other, and the parents anxiously waiting the result. The Doctor abruptly broke the silence-“ We are at the crisis ; in order to save him, these pills must be taken instantly,” producing some from his waistcoat pocket. Mr. Wood, who had a real affection for the young Lord, shook his head significantly, and said with a smile, “ 0 Doctor, Doctor, nature has already done her work, and he is saved. As to your pills-you .

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