The Edinburgh Magazine, Or, Literary Miscellany

Rain at Glasgow for the last four Years.

excellent companion, and hofpitable agreeable landlord. In this character he pleased every body, without feeming ftudious to pleafe. He grew rich merely by dint of habitual method and expert management, without meannefs or fordid care. To his tenants he was wifely liberal, and they are eminently thriving. By his counfels and example he introduced among them a mot folid practice of husbandry, which he enabled them to improve by judicious aids and encouragements. The fact is perhaps fingular, that during his own life, an eftate of more than 700 l. Sterling per annum has been raifed, or rather created, and put in permanent cultivation, out of land, which, at the time of his fucceffion, was in a state of mere heath and barren moor. His found judgment and integrity raised him to such estimation, that he became a common arbitrator of differences and law-pleas in the country, fome times in queftions of great value. By long habit he was captivated with the pleasures of a focial, active, and profperous life in retirement, fo that he was averfe to go into Parliament: but he was prevailed upon by concurring folicitations of the independent gentlemen of Aberdeenshire, to reprefent that county in the Parliament which began in the year 1768. He continued in Parliament till his death. In this ftation he uniformly maintained the character of a fenfible, an honeft, and independent gentleman. -Though offended with the abufive publications of Mr Wilkes, he firmly disapproved of every rigorous proceeding against him as unjuft or impotent.-He fteadily oppofed the American war. He early forefaw, and frequently foretold, its miferable confequences-the lofs of great territory,

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and the load of intolerable debt. He spoke of Lord North as an amiable private inan, and a minifter who had good intentions to ferve his country, but wanted refolution to perfift in the best measures.--From motives of opinion and predilection, he heartily joined in fupporting the prefent minifter's adminiftration.He died in the 72d year of his age.

Table of the rain which fell at Glasgow during the laft four years; as meatured by a Rain-Gage, that gives the 100oth part of an inch, and is placed 53 feet above the ground.

1782

Inch Dec. Inch Dec.

Inch. Dec. Inch. Dec.

Jan.

7.I

3.65