Ayrshire > Volume 2

412 HISTORY OF AYRSHIRE
In the General Assembly he wielded great influence, not
only because of his excellent gifts in public business,
and his eloquence, which is said to have reached its
highest heights on the floor of the Assembly, but because
he was known to be a man who did the duties of the
eldership with exemplary faithfulness. In Dailly parish
the sick and suffering, the poor and afflicted, were his
special care. Piety was, as was said when he died, the
regulating principle of his life ; and " Scotland did not
contain a better man." " He dwelt among his own
people," wrote the late Roderick Lawson, " and served
his generation faithfully by the will of God. He built
the West Church (Maybole) and Crosshill Church, and
supported many local schools besides, while he was eyes
to the blind, feet to the lame, and a father to the poor."
After his death his tenantry and friends erected a
handsome monument to his memory on Kildoon Hill,
which is still a conspicuous object over a wide expanse
of Carrick.
Of Sir Charles's family, with the exception of Sir
James, who succeeded him in the Baronetcy, the best
known is Sir Charles Dalrymple, Bart., of New Hailes.
Sir Charles has given his country much good and faithful
service in Parliament. He was M.P. for Bute from
1868 to 1885, and for Ipswich from 1886 till 1906. At
the General Election of 1885, he contested Midlothian
against Mr. Gladstone, and was defeated by a majority
of 4631. A consistent party man throughout, Sir
Charles has entered into the Kilkerran f elicit}' of enjoying
the friendship and respect of his opponents ; a gratifying
tribute alike to his public worth and his own high
personal character. He was created a Junior Lord of
the Treasury, 1885-6. On succeeding to the estates of
Hailes in East Lothian, and New Hailes in Midlothian,
Sir Charles assumed the name and arms of Dalrymple.
His wife, who died September 2, 1884, was a daughter
of Sir Edward Hunter Blair, fourth Baronet of Blair-
quhan, and by her he had issue, one son and two
daughters. Sir Charles Fergusson's third son is Major John