Boswelliana: The Commonplace Book of James Boswell, with a Memoir and AnnotationsBoswell, James
History
Boswelliana: The Commonplace Book of James Boswell, with a Memoir and Annotations
Boswell, James
Boswell, James, 1740-1795
[233] Mr. Bennet Langton, of Langton, in Lincolnshire, was an attached
friend of Dr. Johnson. Many sayings of Dr. Johnson, which he preserved,
Boswell has included in his great work. Mr. Langton at first sought
employment as an engineer; he was an eminent Greek scholar. Possessed
of an agreeable demeanour, he excelled in conversation. He died on the
10th December, 1801, aged sixty-four.
[234] ‘History of the Life of James, Duke of Ormonde,’ by Thomas Carte.
3 vols., fol. 1735-6.
[235] Thomas, Marquess of Wharton, a vigorous supporter of William of
Orange, was on account of his peculiar manners familiarly known as Tom
Wharton. He remained in favour with William III., and held high offices
of state under Queen Anne and George I. He composed the celebrated
“Lillibullero,” and used to boast that he had sung a King out of three
kingdoms. He died 12th April, 1713.
[236] Son of Archibald Campbell, of Succoth, and Helen Wallace, of
Ellerslie, Ilay Campbell was admitted advocate in 1757. Obtaining
distinction as a lawyer, he was appointed Lord Advocate in 1784, and
was in 1799 promoted as Lord President of the Court of Session. This
office he resigned in 1808, when he was created a baronet. He died
on the 28th March, 1823, in his eighty-ninth year. The Most Reverend
Archibald Campbell Tait, D.C.L., Archbishop of Canterbury, is his
grandson.
[237] See _supra_, p. 255.
[238] Alexander Murray was admitted to the Scottish bar in 1758, and
three years afterwards succeeded his father as sheriff of Peeblesshire.
In 1775 he was appointed Solicitor-General, and was in 1780 chosen M.P.
for Peeblesshire. He was promoted to the bench in 1783, with the title
of Lord Henderland. He died 16th March, 1795.
[239] Charles Hay passed advocate in 1768, and with the title of
Lord Newton was raised to the bench in 1806. By Lord Cockburn in his
“Memorials” he is thus described:—“A man famous for law, paunch,
whist, claret, and worth. His judicial title was Newton, but in private
life he was chiefly known as ‘the Mighty.’ He was a bulky man with
short legs, twitching eyes, and a large purple visage; no speaker, but
an excellent writer and adviser; deep and accurate in his law, in which
he had extensive employment. Honest, warm-hearted and considerate, he
was always true to his principles and his friends. But these and other
good qualities were all apt to be lost sight of in people’s admiration
of his drinking. His daily and flowing cups raised him far above the
evil days of sobriety on which he had fallen, and made him worthy of
honours quaffed with the Scandinavian heroes. His delight was to sit
smiling, quiet, and listening; saying little, but that little always
sensible, for he used to hold that conversation—at least, when it was
of the sort that merits admiration—spoiled good company.” Lord Newton
died on the 19th October, 1811.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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