Grampian Club > Monuments and monumental inscriptions in Scotland > Volume 1

28 EDINBURGHSHIRE.
Eare man he was, who could unite in one
Highest and lowest occupation ;
To sit with statesmen, councillor to kings,
To work with tradesmen, in mechanick things;
Majestick man, for person, witt, and grace.
This generation cannot fill his place."
His descendant, namesake, and successor is thus celebrated : —
" Eeader, John Milne, who maketh the fourth John,
And, by descent, from father unto son,
Sixth master mason to a royal race
Of seven successive kings, sleeps in this place."
These epitaphs celebrate Alexander Bethune of Loughirdmon-
ston, Writer to the Signet : —
" Hie jacent exuviae Alexandri Bethune de Longhirdmouston,
Signeto Piegio Scribte ; ex prisca & prieclara familia de Balfour
ortum habentis. Yir erat prudentia, pietate, & industria, hand
leviter imbutus. Ex uxore sua Marjorana Kennedie, cum qua
triginta annos conjunctissime vixit, numerosam sobolem suscepit :
ex quibus, septem mares, cum una filia, & dobus nepotibus, hie
una tumulantur. Obiit 9 Novembris 1672, setatis suae 57.
" Amidst two nephews and sev'n sones heir lyes
One of good birth, was prudent in Ids wayes ;
And tho' God blist him in his law profession,
To conquest riches, and a large possession,
Himselfe he never valu'd by these things.
But by the grace that Christ's salvation brings.
So he, by Christian prudence, did acquire
More than the world's gaine or the heart's desire :
Of godly, sober, just, the blessed name.
And left unto posteritie his fame.
Just doing, speaking, writing, was his glorie.
Above all elogies of worldlie storie."
A massive tomb commemorates Sir George Mackenzie of
Eosehaugh, the celebrated lawyer. This distinguished individual
was nephew of the Earl of Seaforth. He w^as admitted advocate
in 1659, and soon earned a high reputation as a pleader. In
1661 he was one of the council at the trial of the Marquis of
Argyle for high treason. After the Eestoration he was appointed
a judge in the criminal court, and was soon afterwards knighted.