SIR ROBERT SIBBALD. 
31 
obtained, they were married on Thursday, April 
25, 1677> he being at that time thirty-six years 
of age, and the lady twenty-two. 
This marriage, contracted under such favourable 
auspices, was productive of but short-lived happi- 
ness. His wife, coming from the bed-room in 
slippers the following October, fell down stairs, 
and miscarried of twins : on the 12th October, 
1678, she again gave birth to a daughter, but two 
months afterwards Mrs Sibbald caught a malig- 
nant fever, which, in spite of the best advice, 
terminated fatally on the 11th day, being Decem- 
ber 27, 1678. She was buried in the Greyfriars 
churchyard ; her husband records, that “ she was 
a virtuous, and pious, and loving wife, and had 
just kindness for all my relations, and was much 
esteemed by them.” 
About this time he formed an intimacy with 
the Earl of Perth, who, on the death of his family 
physician, appointed Dr Sibbald to succeed to 
that office. The Earl, being a man of literary taste, 
frequently consulted Sibbald on topics of litera- 
ture and science, and was earnestly persuaded 
by him to adopt a life of philosophic retirement ; 
but he had otherwise determined. Being poor he 
threw himself into the court, with an intention of 
improving his fortune, and soon obtained the 
appointment of Lord Justice General, which was 
followed by the Chancellorship. This change of 
