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From this time George Heriot continued to apply closely to business, with success; and eleven years afterwards, being appointed jeweller and goldsmith to Anne of Denmark, the Queen of James VI. by writ of privy-seal, dated at Dunfermline on the 17th of July 1597, and soon after to the same offices to the king, he rose to considerable eminence in his profession.

On the accession of the king of Scots to the crown of England he removed to London, but paid occasional visits to Scotland, where, in the 1608, being a widower, he married to his second wife Alison, eldest daughter of James Primrose, clerk to the privy council, with whom he had a fortune of 5000 merks Scots, and beneficial alliances, the Primrose family then beginning to be considerable in Scotland.

From George Heriot's assiduity in business, his frugality, and address in obtaining precious stones from Spain and Portugal at low prices, by his command of ready money, he amassed so large a fortune, that, notwithstanding his generosity to his poor relations during his life, he left at his death, which happened on the 12th of February, O. S. 1624, the sum of forty-three thousand six hundred and eight pounds eleven shillings and three-pence Sterling, for endowing an hospital at Edinburgh, to be called George Heriot's Hospital, and to be regulated by statutes and ordinances to be

drawn out according to his will by Dr Balcanqual, dean of Rochester.

Besides this, he left considerable legacies to his relations, friends, and servants, and remitted several debts to his benefactors, both in England and Scotland.

He had no lawful children. To two, natural daughters he left legacies. To the children of his father by his second wife Christian Blaw, James, Thomas, Christian, Sibilla, Janet, and Marion Heriot, he left likewise bequeaths, and to James, the eldest of his half-brothers, his East India stock.

To his step-mother an annuity of 500 merks, with 500 merks more, to be disposed of by her will; and upon the whole, though he may be accused of unnatural conduct, in preferring a charitable institution to his relations, yet, except we were made acquainted with circumstances, we cannot affix any turpitude or immorality to his character. On the 22d of June, 1627, the executors of George Heriot's will purchased from the city of Edinburgh eight acres and an half of land, near the Grass - market, and on the first of July 1628, laid the foundation of the present noble pile of building, according to a plan furnished by Dr Balcanqual, with the advice of Inigo Jones, and other eminent architects; in which scarce any deviation appears from the chaste model of the ancients except the turrets, which give a dignity to the building,

not justly to be reprehended. On the 11th of April 1659, thirty boys were received into this hospital, the use of which had been hitherto prevented by the civil wars, and on the 8th of August of the same year ten more were admitted on the foundation. On the 23d of December 1661, the number amounted to fifty-two, and when Maitland published his history of Edinburgh it contained 130; since which time the funds and numbers have considerably increased.

This is an excellent institution, and has produced many valuable and useful citizens, who might otherwise have been lost to society from the want of proper education.

Without entering into controversial arguments concerning the use and abuse of public charities in Britain, it may be safely affirmed, that, considering the loose morality of a wealthy country and nation, it is of high importance to the good of society, that as few individuals as possible should be without proper culture, and as many as possible kept out of the reach of baneful contagion. This seems to be scope and consequence of George Heriot's foundation; and whatever may have been his motive, his destination of his fortune is entitled to the gratitude of his country.

Hereafter it may be proper to consider the numbers that have been educated in this hospital, and compare them with the list of citizens that have in consequence been beneficial to the commonwealth. But in all ages and

countries, few are the individuals who rise
above mediocrity, or make themselves known
to a distant posterity. In the overflow of
wealth acquired by plunder and commerce,
we ought not to check that useful vanity
which leads to charitable institutions. The .
late Dr Blacklock projected an hospital for
the blind, which is yet wanting; and a foun-
dation for old ladies of small fortune, who
have had a genteel education and pine in iso-
lated poverty, is another not less to be desired.
The old and feeble, as well as the young and
active, ought to be remembered.

Sweet sets the sun of stormy life, and sweet
The morning light in Mercy's dews array'd..
THOMSON.

Sketch of the Life of John, Earl of Marr, Son of the Regent.

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JOHN ERSKINE, Earl of Marr, governor of Henry prince of Wales, Lord high treasurer of Scotland, and knight of the garter, was the son of John, Earl of Marr, regent of the Scots, and Arabella Murray, daughter of William Murray of Tullibardine *. He was

* Ancestor of the Murrays, Dukes of Athol.

born at Alloa house in the year 1558*, The premature and unfortunate death of his father, left him the inheritance of his family in nenage but his mother, who was a sensible woman, and George Buchanan, who was his preceptor, prevented him from suffering the utmost extent of so great a misfortune. But the tuition of Buchanan came rather too late for the proper instruction of Marr, who was previously under the care of Mr John Colvill†, a strict presbyterian, but of no great scope of genius. On the death of the regent, which happened on the 29th of October 1572, the care of his children, as well as of King James VI., was committed to the regent's brother, Sir Alexander Erskine of Gogar, to George Buchanan, Adam ‡ and David Erskines §, and Peter Young, under the government

*Crawford's lives of the Scotch officers of State, fol.

1726.

See Randolph's memorial to Queen Elizabeth, hereafter to be inserted in this memoir, who calls him Marr's Pedagogue.

Adam Erskine, commendator of Cambuskenneth, was the natural son of Thomas, master of Erskine, the immediate elder brother of the regent, who was ambassador in England in the year 1551, and marrying Margaret, daughter of Malcolm Lord Fleming, died without lawful issue. " bo

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tof David Erskine, natural son of Robert, master t Easkine, the immediate elder brother of Thomas, by Jean Home, he was first abbot, and then commendator of Dry

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