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sions when he spoke in the House of Commons, he was listened 
to with attention and respect. 
In 1859, when the Prince of Wales, on the 15th August, visited 
for the first time his ancient barony of Eenfrew — the cradle of his 
Stuart ancestors in Scotland — he was hospitably received at Pollock 
House. 
Sir John Maxwell was liberal in his politics, and published 
several pamphlets on Parliamentary reform, and the other great 
questions which then agitated the country. 
In 1839, he married Lady Matilda Bruce, second daughter of 
Thomas Earl of Elgin and Kincardine. She died on the 31st August 
1857, without issue. Sir John died on the 6th of June 1865, in the 
seventy-fifth year of his age, and was succeeded in his estates by 
his nephew, William Stirling, Esq. of Keir. 
Sir William Alexander Maxwell of Calderwood, descended 
from the oldest branch of the Maxwells of Pollock, and the 
seventh baronet, was born on the 30th April 1793. He entered 
the army at an early age, and held a commission in the 1st or 
Eoyal Dragoon Gruards. Upon succeeding to his father in 1837, 
he retired from the service with the rank of colonel. In 1847 he 
married the fifth daughter of Walter Logan, Esq. of Eingalton. 
He died on the 4th of April 1865, in the seventy-fifth year of his 
age, and was succeeded by his brother, Mr Hugh Bates Maxwell, 
who had been called to the Scotch bar in 1818. 
James Skene of Eubislaw, was horn on the 7th March 1775. 
His father died in the following year, leaving a widow and a family 
of seven children. In 1783, Mrs Skene removed to Edinburgh for 
their education, and James, who was then the second son and 
youngest child, was placed at the High School ; and was the last 
survivor of a host of distinguished men who were his class-fellows. 
, In 1791, after he had left the High School, he succeeded to the 
family-estate of Eubislaw, by the death of his elder brother ; and 
at the age of twenty- one, he was sent to Derm any to complete his 
studies. After acquiring a knowledge of the French and German 
languages he returned to Edinburgh, and was admitted to the Scotch 
bar in 1797. Here he formed an acquaintance with Sir Walter 
