with rapture on a rusty helmet, or pour out their soul over a Roman altar. On the contrary, he held antiquaries somewhat cheap, and thought it no sin to impose upon their credulity. On one occasion, he mistified them, by fabricating a charter of a very strange description, which gave the learned men, both of Modern Athens and Aberdeen, an opportunity of displaying their research in its elucidation. This was a document purporting to be a Crown grant by Robert the Bruce, "Hebræo Judæico" of the lands of Happerstaines." The reddendo was very peculiar, being tria preputia aurata." The deed was slipped into a parcel of genuine writings, and found by a gentleman who was engaged in a topographical work relative to Aberdeen. The delight with which this credulous person received this unique grant of land to a jew, so far back as the days of the Bruce, may be well conceived. He talked of it as one of the most extraordinary discoveries of modern times,—it was to be printed,—and a facsimile given at last he was undeceived, and his vexation may be better imagined than described. The fabricated charter is still preserved amongst the muniments in the house of Skene. His death was deeply regretted by men of all parties, -his political antagonists knew his worth, and respected his integrity; for Mr. Skene never sacrificed his notions of right and wrong to party feelings; to him a job was a job, whether perpetrated by Whig or Tory. He was above all the little tricks and subtleties by which many persons strive to get on in the world, he rose solely by industry and talent, and he maintained his high position by manliness, honesty, and good feeling. 2 Captain Barclay of Ury, whose science in re so-fist-ica, is well known. 3 Then Colonel, now Major-General Sir George Teesdale. This gallant officer, who was much respected and esteemed by the inhabitants of Edinburgh, was remarkably corpulent, his appearance on horseback was consequently very remarkable. XXVII. ROBERTSONIANA. The two first pasquinades which follow, owe their origin to a report, that the worthy and talented gentleman who forms the subject of them, had been guilty of the sin of ratting. This report, which was quickly spread by the liberals, (so called, as it is presumed, upon the principle of " Lucus, a non lucendo,") who, no doubt, rejoiced, that they had acquired so respectable an ally, arose, it is believed, in consequence of the attentions paid by Lord Chancellor Brougham to Mr. Robertson, while attending the House of Peers as counsel in various appeals, and the pleasure his Lordship took in his company. Of course, his own friends knew, that a more staunch or zealous conservative did not breathe, and they were much amused at the exultations of the opposite party upon the great accession of strength they imagined they had obtained. No person enjoyed the thing more than the subject of it, and he was amongst the loudest laughers at the verses made in frolic upon him by his friends. It is perhaps unnecessary to say, that Lord Advocate Jeffrey was as much the author of the epitaph, as the poet Wordsworth was the author of the sonnet. 1 PARLIAMENT-HOUSE JEU-D'ESPRIT. When Brougham by Robertson was told, The Chancellor said, with wond'ring eyes, That you would hold a place is true, But where's the place that would hold you? 2 EPITAPH ON PATRICK ROBERTSON, BY THE LORD ADVOCATE. Patrick Here lies flat,--a Pat Who long'd for that Good thing prefarmint, And for that same A Rat became, And died a varmint. 3 SONNET TO PATRICK ROBERTSON, ESQ. Thou whom no man or mother's son, From Rydal northward to thine own Strathspey, The grave can better temper with the gay; One barrell charg'd with law, and one with fun; Accept the customary votive lay, On this the festive, though the thoughtful day, Spite of the working of "the people's bill," One constant merry Christmas-seasoning still RI Mnt, Jan. 1836. XXVIII. THE BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES OF THE CITY. This clever production emanated from the Parliament House,―a very few copies were privately printed. It relates to the contest for the representation of the city of Edinburgh, when John Learmonth, Esquire, was a candidate. As all parties are satirised, a place has been given to it in this collection. CHAPTER J. 1. And it came to pass, after many days, that the man Francis being well stricken in years, was made one of the Judges of the land. 2. And the chief men of the city, and the Pharisees, and many of the Scribes, took counsel together, saying, which of us shall go up to the great Assembly,1 to sit there in his place? 3. And one said, I have spoken unto a certain young man, which is the chief of the money-changers, but he will not go.2 4. Another said, I have written unto one which is a Scribe, and who is fled into a far city, but he has been maimed and halt for many days.3 5. And they wist not what to do. 6. But lo! while they yet doubted, there arose unto them one John, whose father was a Tanner, a maker of chariots, and a man skilful in much cunning workmanship, and who had ruled over the city, when the children of darkness were yet stronger than the children of light: 7. And he cried with a weak voice, and said, I will go up to the Great Assembly, to sit in the place of Francis, which is now a judge: 8. Yea, I will leave my chariots, and my cunning workmen, and my ornaments of silver and brass, and much leather; all this will I do for you, because there is none else. Therefore let my name be written upon the wall, and be heard throughout the city as a pleasant song. 9. But some murmured, saying, who is he that he should sit in the place of Francis, and that his name should be written on the wall? 10. Is he not the son of a tanner which dwelt by the stinking pool? 11. And others questioned him, saying, art thou not he who defiled the temple, and reviled a certain of the Priests? 12. But he denied it with an oath, saying, I am not the man; verily, I am he that will guard the Temple, and the towers thereof; with my chariots will I guard it, and with my whole strength. 13. The Priests also will I defend, that none may touch a hair of their heads; am I not myself a servant with them in the temple, even one of those which receive tribute at the gates? 14. And those who heard him said one to another, even let us send him to the Great Council, lest perchance the Sadducees should prevail against us. 15. Now, when the Sadducees heard of these things, and saw the writing which was upon the wall, they marvelled as at a great marvel, and were sore troubled. 16. And many said, this man was one of ourselves. Who hath turned back the wheels of his chariot ? 17. But others answered and said, he was indeed one of ourselves, and there is none amongst us who now may prevail against him, for he is a dweller in the tents of the city, and his fathers before him, and his corn, and his wine and his oil, do much abound. 18. He is a man skilful in much merchandize, and one that hath power over the workers in brass and in iron, over him that smiteth on the anvil, and him that smootheth the harness. |