428 Biographical Account of [Dec. 



upon Grecian History, and to be rewarded by that peculiar 

 delight (which has been so often observed in the later years of 

 literary men), the delight of returning again to the studies of 

 their youth, and of feeling, under the snows of age, the cheerful 

 memories of their spring. 



In the vear 1812, the death of his friend and relation General 

 Sir James Craig (the late Governor of Canada), and the property 

 to which he succeeded by his will, rendered it necessary for 

 Lord Woodhouselee to undertake a journey to London. As Sir 

 James Craig had been distinguished by the Order of the Bath, 

 it became the duty of Lord Woodhouselee, as his nearest rela- 

 tion, to return to the Prince Regent the ensigns of the Order ; 

 and for this purpose his Royal Highness was pleased to grant 

 him an audience. Of this interview Lord Woodhouselee always 

 spoke with gratitude, not only as it afforded him the opportunity 

 of observing that dignified courtesy by which the manners of 

 the Prince Regent are distinguished, but as it showed him the 

 intimate acquaintance which his Royal Highness possessed with 

 regard to the affairs of Scotland, and the interest which he took 

 in her progress in science and in literature. Some time after the 

 interview with the Prince Regent, it was intimated to Lord 

 Woodhouselee, that, if agreeable to him, the dignity of Baronet 

 would be conferred on him, which he requested permission to 

 decline, — an instance of modesty which surprised no one to 

 whom Lord Woodhouselee was known ; and which (I am proud 

 to say) was to none so acceptable as to his own family, to whom 

 no illustration could be so dear as that of their father's name. 



I am led, besides, to mention this journey of Lord Wood- 

 houselee to London, as it gives me the opportunity of intro- 

 ducing a little composition to which it gave occasion, and which 

 ought not to be omitted in any account of his life. He had for 

 some time believed that the disease under which he laboured 

 was soon to be fatal ; and a little before this he had given orders 

 that his family burial place should be repaired, and had inscribed 

 upon it an epitaph, full of tenderness and of affection, to the 

 memory of his father and his mother. In leaving London for 

 the last time, and returning to his own country, it was natural for 

 him to look forward to the event which he had long thought ap- 

 proaching, and to that final home where he was to rest with his 

 fathers. Under these impressions the following lines were com- 

 posed, as he was returning homewards ; and as they afford a 

 picture of his mind which no biographer could reach, I trust I 

 need no apology for introducing them in this place. 



The Verses are entitled, " in Sepvdchrum meum avitum, in 

 Cemeterio Francisconorum Edinburgh nuper re-a;dificatum." 



Jam dundccimum condere lustrum 

 Contigil, — et jam cernere eanos 

 Vertice suinmo, dum fatiget 

 Impigra quondam membra gressus, 



