Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

THE

Scots Magazine,

AND

EDINBURGH LITERARY MISCELLANY,

FOR JULY 1809.

Description of CATHCART CASTLE.

CATHCART Castle is situated on the

the south of Glasgow. It stands on a very commanding situation, two of its sides being covered by the river, from which the hill on which the castle stands rises almost perpendicularly. On the other side, it is more accessible, but still the approach is steep and difficult, except by one narrow entry, which would doubtless, in ancient times, be secured by a ditch and draw bridge. The building consisted originally of a square tower, to which a more modern house was afterwards added; but of this last, all vestiges have since been effaced.

+

This castle derives an historical and romantic interest, from its overlooking the celebrated field of Langside, in which were finally decided the fortunes of Queen Mary. The particulars are well known. By the loss of this battle, rashly engaged in, and ill conducted, she lost her crown and army, and was driven to the desperate resolution of flying into England.An eminence near the castle is still pointed out as the place from which the unfortunate queen viewed this termination of her hopes; a hawthorn bush long marked the precise spot, and on its having decayed with age, ano. ther was planted in its stead.

[ocr errors]

The castle, with the lands adjoining, was long the property of the Lords of Cathcart. On their removal, these were eagerly sought after by the opulent merchants and manufacturers of Glasgow, who wished to become masters of a little land. In this manner the property passed through various hands, and was subdivided into various lots. The new proprietors made great improvements upon Cathcart; but, as might be expected, were often more affected by a desire to increase its value, than with reverence for its antiquity. One of them, about fifty years ago, proceeding upon the prin ciple of making the most of his bargain, sold the building to a tradesman in Glasgow, who proposed to take down the materials, and employ them elsewhere. The castle, however, which had often resisted the attack of powerful chieftains, bid defiance also to the efforts of this modern improver. The walls were found so thick and well compacted, that the expense of taking them down would be greater than the profit. After the removal of the roof, therefore, further proceedings were stopped; and the castle has ever since remained in this dismantled state, but without suffering any fur ther injury.

A

484

A Character of Sir JOHN MOORE.

SIR

IR JOHN MOORE was indeed an eminent man. His official dis patches alone, in the absence of other proofs, would convince discerning readers that he possessed powers of no ordinary cast. Whether he narrates, argues, or details, there reigns throughout his letters an ease, a clearness, a matchless facility of expression, which could only result from a corresponding distinctness and a facility of conception. They are evidently the production of one, who, while a variety of complicated affairs press upon his attention, without an effort, comprehends, disentangles, arranges, and retains the whole; who perceives instantaneously the exact tendency and bearing of every nascent circumstance; and to whose penetrating glance what is intricate seems strait. More remarkable still than the masterly freedom of his style, is the careless security with which he exposes the facts within his knowledge, and his opinions founded on these facts; regardless of any possible effect of his communications as to his own private interests or reputation; forgetful of the ascertained sentiments of the individuals whom he addresses; forgetful that he is himself a party to the transactions which he describes; one object, and one alone, occupies his attention--that of unfolding fully what he sees distinctly and feels strongly. Such absolute rectitude of design could belong only to a great and upright mind.

But it was not in his correspondence alone, public or private, that he discovered this superiority to personal and selfish considerations; his manners, his discourse, the whole tenor of his life, were of the same manly and unaffected strain Neither in the society of his friends, at the council, on the parade, nor in the field, did he ever either aim at exhibition, or stoop

"

to disguise he allowed himself to be seen as he was.

It is not easy to appreciate the positive benefits which the British army derived from the talents and exertions of Sir John Moore. Repeatedly, in the face of danger, he animated his countrymen by his example, and led them on to victory: yet conspicuous as were his services in the act of combat, they were surpassed in utility by the effect of his instructions and superintendance in the hour of preparation for active warfare. His life, as it has been stated from authority, was spent among the troops. The whole force of his abilities was unremittingly employed in devising and executing measures for promoting the comforts and advancing the efficiency of the soldiery. The camp at Sandgate, where he had the opportunity of carrying through, and exemplifying fully the effect of his plans, will long be recollected as exhibiting the perfection of military economy and discipline. It was a school of unrivalled repute for officers as well as men. To have ser

;

ved there, is a recommendation to a candidate for employment. Instructions of such a nature are not confined to the individuals who receive them one imparts to another what he has been taught; the precept and example are diffused through an encreasing circle; and it is impossible to tell where the benefit stops. Sir Arthur Wellesley is now pursuing the French with troops essentially improved, at least, if not formed, by Sir John Moore.

Some may doubt whether merits of the above description are alone sufficient to characterize the great Gene ral. Perhaps they are not-and yet it would be difficult to point out in history an instance wherein striking advances in discipline have been effected by others than military men of the highest order. The opportunity for proving and displaying the full extent of his talents by one of those bril

liant atchievements, called victories on a large scale, was not afforded to Sir John Moore :-those, however, who knew the strength of his natural abilities; who were aware of his familiar acquaintance with every branch of the art of war, acquired by extensive reading, profound reflection, and constant practice :-those who witnessed the finished perfection wherewith the important military operations at various times entrusted to his execution were performed; who marked his presence of mind and commanding glance in the field; who saw that he uniformly rose with the occasion; that danger only excited and gave scope to his powers; that every enterprize which he undertook was beneath his force; that every difficulty which he did encounter shrunk from before him; they distinguished him from the officer of mere industry: fondly anticipated a period that should rank him with the Turennes and Marlboroughs of history, or the equally illustrious mitary names of the present day; and still think that life alone was wanting to his fame.

I forbear to dwell upon the many virtues that adorned the private character of Sir John Moore; on his filial and paternal piety; his habits of temperance and activity; his sincerity; his humanity; his kindness to friends and dependants; his liberality. One excellence, from its near connection with his public merits, ought to be more particularly adverted to-the unsullied purity of his views and conduct in whatever regarded his own interest. He abhorred the most distant semblance of what was mean or selfish. At any moment he would have sacrificed, without hesitation, his fairest prospects, rather than seek command or emolument by solicitation and intrigue. The decent correctness of behaviour which some content them. selves with aiming at, is not otherwise than laudable; but the principles and motives of such persons can no

more stand in comparison with the nice and delicate feelings of honour which ruled the practice of Sir John Moore, than the sickly white of the painter with the lustre of falling

snow.

Nature, which bestowed such care in the formation of his intellect and heart, had not withheld from him the more trifling advantage of a graceful form. His person was, in a high degree, manly, elegant, and commanding his features were fine, and strongly indicative of that calm intrepidity which marked his character. I never looked in a face which told so intelligibly that the mind was inaccessible to fear or weakness. A stranger, contemplating his countenance, would have said, that man it is impossible to alarm.

I hardly know whether I am writing with the view of conveying a notion of his worth to those who are personally unacquainted with it; or, of awakening pleasing recollections of his talents and virtues in the minds of his friends. For either purpose, in fact, this sketch is too imperfect. I am rather indulging my own feelings, by recalling to my thoughts the varied excellencies of this accomplished soldier; whom I shall ever class with the distinguished few, the magnanimi » heroes, whose exertions and endowments redeem the failings of their species, and successfully assert the digni ty of human nature. 9th July.

C.

On the Improvement of the EDINBURGH BOTANIC GARDEN.

WITH much satisfaction I peru

sed, in your last number, Suggestions for the Improvement of the Botanic Garden. It is a subject on which I have occasionally ventured to of fer hints in the article intituled, "Monthly Memoranda in Natural History," for two years past. But it

is fortunately now in abler hands: and some gentlemen, I am happy to understand, have of late interested themselves, who possess the requisite influence to ensure a hearing in that quarter which alone can give effectual aid.

I entirely agree with your correspondent as to the excellent style in which the garden is at present kept as far as depends on the superintendant. Considering the small number of operative hands allowed, (not equal to a man for each acre! laying the hot-houses entirely out of view, each of which would require an appropriate attendant,) it is doubtless astonishing to find the garden so trim, and the stoveplants so healthy and vigorous; and much praise is due to the superintendant for his unwearied diligence and attention in this respect. I may be permitted to remark, however, that the projector of the principal new walks, which are certainly laid out with great judgment and taste, was the late Mr John Mackay, one of the keenest botanists and most tasteful gardeners which Scotland ever produced, and who died, in the prime of life, in 1802 *.

--

Your correspondent, proceeding on imperfect data, states the annual income of the garden at no more than 119. Sterling,-a sum scarcely adequate to meet the yearly expences of a single hot-house, in coals, glass, tan, &c. exclusive altogether of wages.I believe the endowment of the garden to amount to nearly double the sum stated; and still I add with confidence, that 2401. is a pittance nowise suitable for the maintenance of this public institution, and indeed totally inadequate to the purpose. It is obvious, that after deducting the unavoidable expences of the management on the most economical plan, a

*For Memoirs of Mr Mackay, see Scots Magazine for 1903.

ny sum which can possibly remain must be utterly insufficient for a salary to the superintendant. The former one indeed, the most eminent practical botanist in this country, left his situation in disgust, it is said, on account of the insuficiency of the sti pend: and it would be unreasonable to expect that any person, possessed of the enterprize, steadiness, talents, and taste, of the present superintendant, should long remain in a station where his services must necessarily be so ill requited; while salaries of L.100. are given to many gentlemen's gardeners in different parts of the country. I mention this particularly, because the insufficiency of the superintendant's salary is not hinted at by your correspondent.

The formation of a new and more extensive garden is a thing, however desirable, scarcely to be hoped for at this period; and therefore it is not of much importance, at present, to discuss the merits of the western half of Hope Park as a site. The soil, however, is not perhaps so eligible, either for variety or quality, as your correspondent imagines; and he does not seem to have been aware, that every westerly breeze envelopes the whole in clouds of smoke from Lochrin Distillery.

The improvement of the present garden, by procuring more ample funds; by increasing the number of hands, and suitably rewarding the superintendant; by erecting a new greenhouse and stove; and by forming an arranged collection of shrubs, is not only practicable, but is what the University and the Public of Edinburgh have a right to expect. I may be permitted here to remark, that it would not be reasonable that the weight of directing and contracting for such improvements should be laid entirely on the Professor of Botany in the University, who is ex officio manager of the garden, but who has other

important duties to perform as a physics, that there is an immorality in

sician of eminence and extensive practice. Three or four commissioners might be found qualified for the undertaking, and willing to act, who in conjunction with the Professor, would undertake the trouble of superintending the improvements, and reporting their progress.

I cannot conclude without observing, that it is painful to see large tickets erected close by the walls of the Botanic garden, intimating that the grass parks immediately surrounding it are now to be feued for building. This purpose when accomplished, will of course ruin the garden. It has been thought that the interference of public commissioners might have the happy effect of preventing or at least delaying so deleterious a project.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

SIR, THE above motto has been selected ΤΗ

for this paper, from a persuasion that some instruction may be deduced from it; and which, if properly made use of, may prove highly beneficial to this flourishing city;-and the motto may be thus translated :

“By wrangling and jangling, a country prospers,

Or, it may be paraphrased in the language of the Poet,

"Partial evil, universal good." HOBBES, in a very long treatise, la bours to prove, that the natural state of man is a state of warfare; and it beng agreed upon by the most eminent philosophers, both in ethics and phy

departing from nature, therefore (Hobbes's proposition being admitted ex concesso, which I believe it is in practice by all party men,) according to their principles, it would be the greatest dereliction to be in peace or quiet.

An eminent author, Addison, I believe, says somewhere, that opposition, or, if you will, party, is not only essen.. tially necessary to the vigor, but to the very preservation of the British Constitution.

Were I permitted to examine the truth of the principles so well expressed in the motto, by the uniform law of animate and inanimate nature, and apply it to them, I could shew by way of illustration, that this law has a strong analogy to Civil government.

To exalt my subject, I shall in the first place select instances from the sublimest parts of creation. The planets that roll over us, and our own globe, are kept in their orbits by contending parties, which are perpetually struggling one against another; and these are known to astronomers by the names of attraction, centripetal and centrifugal powers, which keep the various bodies in their order; and whoever pleases may designate them by the three branches of our Legislature.

time to descend from so giddy a height, To pursue our subject, but at same fluids in animal and vegetable bodies, it is certain that the circulation of and which tends to the preservation of life, is nothing else than a state of warfare; one atom pushing another out of its way as fast as it can, and instantly occupying its place;-this also gives us an idea of the British Constitution.

To continue the proof of our hypothesis: The salutary operations of digestion are assisted by a violent contention in the stomach, known to physicians by the name of the peristaltic motion; and some things, that shall be nameless, which are known to every one as apt to excite considerable

« ZurückWeiter »