Historical memoir of the family of Eglinton and Winton

170 NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.
Edinburgh rabble discovered the grave, took out
the body, and tossed it about till they were tired.
To prevent further indecency and outrage, Camp-
bell's friends caused the body to be sunk in the
sea." — Caldwell Papers, apud Eglinton Memorials,
I. p. 127.
Hugh, Twelfth Earl oe Eglinton, p. 81. —
The zeal and energy with which the patriotic founder
of Ardrossan prosecuted his gigantic undertaking, has
seldom been equalled, perhaps never surpassed, either
in ancient or modern times. The magnificent outer
sea-wall, or pier, of the harbour appears to have been
nearly completed within two years from the time of
laying the foundation stone, in 1806. At first his
lordship was joined by a certain number of subscri-
bers to the enterprise ; but the prospect of success,
in the public eye, seemed so dark and discouraging,
that this source of aid made but little progress,
and soon afterwards he became sole proprietor. Un-
der these circumstances the heroic projector, seems
to have turned his thoughts, if possibly he
might induce the Government to join him on national
grounds ; but, as usual with that quarter, only to
reap disappointment and chagrin. The following
letter of his lordship's to his solicitor in London, Mr
Alexander Mundell, on this point, becomes an inter-
esting record of his ardent and indomitable struggles
towards the creation and establishment of the now
beautiful and flourishing harbour of Ardrossan : —
Eglinton Castle, 22d May, 1808.
H Dear Sir, — The copy of Mr. Rickman's letter,