A Journey to London in 1840. 129 



painter, was born at Murrloston,^ in the parish of which his father 

 was proprietor. Few of Hamilton's pictures exist in this rountry, 

 for though he often visited his native land his usual residence was 

 in Rome. His Homeric pictures, or pictures representing the 

 different scenes in the Iliad, are perhaps his masterpieces. He 

 devoted much of the latter part of his life to searching for and 

 bringing to light many of the buried treasures of Italy. Statues, 

 busts, bas relievos, and other similar relics. The consequence is 

 that his name and merits are, if possible, better known on the 

 Continent than in his native country. A few of his works are to 

 be seen in Hamilton Palace, the Duke and Duchess being num- 

 bered among his greatest patrons. It is said that when the artist 

 was engaged in painting a picture of her Grace, the Duke got it 

 from his hands and would not return it to be finished ; the likeness 

 being so striking that his Grace thought if retouched the resem- 

 blance might be diminished. Hamilton died at Rome in 1776. ^ 

 The late John Millar (1735-1801), Professor of Civil Law in the 

 College of Glasgow, was born in the manse of Shotts, his father 

 having been minister of the parish. He was a great ornament to 

 the University and attracted a larger number of students to it than 

 perhaps any other Professor ever did. A great many young men 

 who afterwards rose to eininence came thither to enjoy the benefit 

 of his enlightened prelections, and retained through life the im- 

 pression made on their mind by his views. These included 

 Jeffrey, Lord Chief Commissioner Adam, etc., etc. His lectures 

 on the subject of government were sufficiently liberal and expan- 

 sive, and his published work. An Historical View of the English 

 Government, is one of the best books on the subject ever 

 written. He was a Whig and "something more;" altogether a 

 man of the largest and most philosophic views. He died, I think, 

 in 1801. The Rev. Dr James Baillie, father of Dr Matthew 

 Baillie (1761-1823), phy.sician to George III., and of Joanna 

 Baillie (1762-1851), the author of Plays on the Passions, was 

 minister here for some years previous to 1762. He was after- 



2. According to the Diet. Nat. Biog., Hamilton was born in 

 the town of Lanark, but was descended from the Hamiltons of 

 Murdiston. 



3. Should be 1797. On returning to Rome from Scotland in 

 I March, 1786, be escorted Emma Hart, the future Lady Hamilton, 

 I and her mother, who were then on their way to Naples. — J. A. F. 



