l6 MARSMAI. GENERAL KEITJt. MayU, 



Gleanings of Biography. 



Marjhal General Keith, 



The RufTians and Turks, in th^ir war before tlie laft, 

 Jiaving diverted themfelves lon^ enough in murdering 

 one another, for the fake of variety, thought proper to 

 treat of a peace. The comminioners for this purpofe 

 were, Marflial General Keith and the Turkifli Grand 

 Vifier. Thefe two perfonages met, and the interpre- 

 ters of the Rufs and Turkifh betwixt them. When 

 all was concluded, they arofe to feparate ; the Marlhal 

 made his bow with hat in hand, and the Vifier his fa- 

 lam, with turban on his head : But when thefe cere- 

 monies of taking; leave were over, the Vifier turned 

 fuddenly, and coming up to Keith, took him freely by 

 the hand, and in the broadefl Scotch dialeft, fpoken by 

 the loweft and moft illiterate of our countrymen, de- 

 clared warmly, that It made him unco happy, now he 

 w^as fae far frae hame, to meet a countryman in his ex- 

 alted ftation. Keith flared with all his eyes; but at lall 

 the exclamation came, and the Vifier told him. My fa- 

 ther, faid he, was bell-man of Kirkaldy in Fife, and I 

 remember to have feen you, fir, and your brother 

 often occafionally pafllng. 



This ftrange anecdote, T received fome years ago 

 from a refpeclable and learned Baronet of Scotland, who 

 told me that he had it affirmed to him for truth, but did 

 not remember his authority ; — perhaps fome of your 

 reac'ers may be able to folve this difficulty, or contra- 

 didl the ftoiy upon good authority. I am, 



Sir, 



Your humble fervant, 

 A.B. 



