Boswelliana: The Commonplace Book of James Boswell, with a Memoir and AnnotationsBoswell, James
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Boswelliana: The Commonplace Book of James Boswell, with a Memoir and Annotations
Boswell, James
Boswell, James, 1740-1795
[175] Of John, fourth Earl of Loudoun, Boswell in his “Scottish Tour”
thus writes:—“He did more service to the county of Ayr in general, as
well as to individuals in it, than any man we have ever had.... The
tenderness of his heart was proved in 1745-6, when he had an important
command in the Highlands, and behaved with a generous humanity to the
unfortunate. I cannot figure a more honest politician; for though his
interest in our country was great and generally successful, he not only
did not deceive by fallacious promises, but was anxious that people
should not deceive themselves by too sanguine expectations. His kind
and dutiful attention to his mother was unremittent. At his house was
true hospitality, a plain but a plentiful table; and every guest being
left at perfect freedom, felt himself quite easy and happy. While I
live I shall honour the memory of this amiable man.” Boswell relates
that, having sent a message that he and Dr. Johnson purposed to dine
with him, the messenger reported that the earl “jumped for joy.” John,
fourth earl of Loudoun, was born in 1705, and died in 1782.
[176] John, fifth earl of Stair, born 1720, died 1789. Joining the
army, he attained the rank of captain. He composed several pamphlets on
political topics.
[177] General Philip Honywood was a cadet of the House of Honywood,
Evington, baronet; he died in 1785.
[178] John Clerk, a cadet of the house of Clerk, of Pennycuik, was
born in 1689, and having studied medicine, became the first physician
in Scotland. In 1740 he was elected President of the Royal College of
Physicians. He died in 1757.
[179] Sir John Clerk, second baronet of Pennycuik, was appointed a
Baron of Exchequer in 1707. He was a patron of Allan Ramsay, and an
ingenious antiquary. From his pen proceeded the song commencing, “O
merry may the maid be that marries the miller.” He died 4th October,
1755.
[180] The Campbells of Succoth are descended from a branch of the ducal
house of Argyll, their ancestors possessing Lochow, in Argyleshire
(Nisbet’s Heraldry). John Campbell of Succoth, mentioned in the text,
was progenitor of Archibald Campbell of Succoth, Principal Clerk of
Session, and of Sir Islay Campbell, Lord President of the Court of
Session.
[181] Anne, third wife of James fifth Duke of Hamilton, was daughter
and co-heiress of Edmund Spencer, Esq., of Rendlesham, in the county of
Suffolk.
[182] Sir William Gordon of Park, Bart., was grandson on the mother’s
side of the celebrated Archbishop Sharp. He joined Prince Charles
Edward in 1745, and was attainted, but the attainder was afterwards
reversed. He died at Douay, 5th June, 1751.
[183] Charles Cochrane, of Ochiltree, grandson of the first Earl of
Dundonald, succeeded his mother in the estate of Culross. He died in
1752.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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