[172:1] The Marquis is said to have afforded the first example of his state of mind, in the manner in which he gave a ball at Dumfries. He had the floor covered with confections, as a garden walk is laid with gravel. A lady who was alive a few years ago, remembered having seen him walking about at Highgate, near London; when he was probably in a more confirmed state of insanity than even his intercourse with Hume exhibits: a keeper walked before him, and a footman behind. The latter would occasionally tap his Lordship on the shoulder, and hand him a snuff-box, whence he would take a pinch. He was a very handsome man. He had a sister, who exercised so much influence over him, that in her presence a keeper could be dispensed with. [174:1] The following, discovered by a friend in an old newspaper, is so amusing, and so descriptive of the man who was Hume's predecessor in office, that I cannot resist inserting it:-- _On_ CAPTAIN (BEAU) FORRESTER'S _travelling to the Highlands of Scotland in winter, anno 1727, incog._ O'er Caledonia's ruder Alps While Forrester pursu'd his way, The mountains veil'd their rugged scalps, And wrapt in snow and wonder lay! Each sylvan god, each rural power, Peep'd out to see the raree-show; And all confess'd, that, till that hour, They ne'er had seen so bright a beau. Nay yet, and more I dare advance, The story true as aught in print, All nature round, in complaisance, And imitation, took the hint. The fields that whilome only bore Wild heath, or clad at best with oats, Despis'd these humble weeds, and wore Rich spangled doublets, and lac'd coats. The hills were periwigg'd with snow; Pig-tails of ice hung on each tree; The winds turn'd powder-puffs; and, lo, On every shrub a sharp toupee! With silver clocks the river gods Appear'd; and some will take their oath, Or lay at least a thousand odds, The clouds saliving spit white froth. The youth abash'd thus to survey So rude a scene himself outdo, His sprightly genius to display, Resolv'd on something odd and new: All things he found were grown genteel, Which made him deem it a-propos, To be alone in dishabile, A Forrester, and not a beau. _Edinburgh Courant_, Oct. 3, 1781. [176:1] The baronet's daughter, Margaret, had married the Earl of Airley's eldest son, Lord Ogilvy, who, having engaged in the rebellion, had fled to the continent after the battle of Culloden. His wife, however, was among the prisoners; and in June 1746, she was committed to Edinburgh Castle. In the ensuing November she escaped; and having joined her husband in France, she died there, in 1757, at the age of thirty-three. _Douglas's Peerage of Scotland_, vol. i. p. 35. [178:1] He had obtained this rank in 1729. Beatson's Political Index.