376 Memoir of Archibald Campbell Swinton. 



defeated, and Lord Palmerston's Cabinet of 1860 lasted for 

 many years. 



Notwithstanding his early inroads into periodical literature, I 

 have not been able to trace Mr Swinton's pen, in later life, in 

 the current publications of the day, excepting in one instance. 

 By the courtesy of Messrs Blackwood, I have been furnished 

 with a copy of the number of their Magazine in which the only 

 article contributed by Swinton appears. It is dated February 

 1837, and is entitled "A Word in Season to Scottish 

 Conservatives." It is a good, hearty all-round challenge of all 

 Whig doings and of all their ways. It is not sparing of large 

 words and strong opinions. It says, "The Whigs were not 

 four years in office without affording proof enough that, if 

 grasping nepotism, open violation of the most solemn pledges, 

 and selfish clinging to place at whatever sacrifice, are the 

 characteristics of any political party, they are not exclusively, at 

 least, the qualities of the Conservatives." But the perfervid 

 strain of this performance, which is sustained and vigorous 

 throughout, had, like most things, a possible history. Sir 

 Robert Peel had been elected Lord Rector of Glasgow University 

 in January 1837. He was entertained to dinner by the citizens 

 of Glasgow, and delivered a great oration on the r2th of 

 January. He was the guest of Blythswood during his stay at 

 Glasgow, and rumour had it that Swinton was, during that 

 period, at the service of the great statesman, as temporary 

 private secretary. From his family connection with Blythswood, 

 I think the legend is probable, and the intense ardour of the 

 Blackwood article, to a certain extent, corroborates this view. 

 But certainly I never heard him speak on the subject, although 

 we were much together at that time, and probably, if the 

 rumour was true, the relations which he held to the great 

 statesman were too confidential to be made the subject of 

 gossip. 



In nearing the end of his academic career, I may mention one 

 duty for which Swinton was almost uniformly selected by the 

 Senatus Academicus, that of presenting the candidate for 

 graduation. This was a task difficult and, indeed, irksome to 

 most, for to speak of a number of men in succession, without 

 tautology and without confusion, is not given to all. But 

 Swinton's ready inspiration was always equal to the task. 

 During his time Mr Gladstone was elected Lord Rector, and 



