Grampian Club > Boswelliana

BOSWELLIANA. , 279
" Mr. Andrew Balfour * said of Lord Kames, ' He has the
obstinacy of a mule and the levity of a harlequin.' "
Me. Charles Hay.
" Mr. Alexander Lockhart, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates,
very readily shed tears when he pleased, whether from feeling
or from a weakness in his eyes was disputed. He was also very
lond of getting his fees. I applied to him a 'part of a fine passage
in Shakspere, —
' He hath a tear for pity, and a hand
Open as the day. ' "
" When Andrew Stuart declared himself a candidate as
member of Parliament for Lanarkshire after being stigmatised
so severely by Thurlow and Lord Camden for his conduct in the
Douglas cause. Sir John Douglas, who was very keen in the
great cause, and had admirable extravagant sallies, said, ' What
think you of this fellow ? He has brass indeed ! why, you may
make ten dozen of tea-kettles out of his forehead.' "
I was present.
" I always wished to go to the English bar. When I found
I could labour, I said it was pity to dig in a lead mine when I
could get to a gold one."
" In 1774 there came on before the Court of Session a cause
at the instance of a Uack-f for having it declared that he was
free. I was one of the counsel. We took no fees ; and I said I
knew one thing, that he was not a Guinea hlacJc."
" General Scott t was a man of wonderful good luck. He
* Andrew Balfour was admitted advocate in 1763 ; he practised at
the bar for nearly half a century.
f The negro's name was Joseph Knight. (See s?t/jra, p. 115.)
J Major- General John Scott, of Balcomie, descended from Scot of
Scotstarvet, author of " The Staggering State," was one of the most
noted Scotsmen of his period. About 1768 he was elected M.P. for
Fifeshire. Lady Mary Hay.his first wife, was the eldest daughter of