Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 8.djvu/320

268 Haldane was ordered to the fore-top-gallant mast, to remain on the look-out until he was recalled. In the meantime, in consequence of an order from Lord Howe, the chase was abandoned, but Haldane was forgotten in the movement; the overstrained mast had sprung with the press of canvas, and he expected every moment to be swept into the sea; but still, faithful to the letter of his orders, he would not abandon his post : his only chance of safety, which an old seaman who was stationed beside him suggested, was to keep hold of the lower part of the ropes, so that when carried into the sea they might still retain their hold of the mast, with their heads above water. While their moments were thus numbered, a sudden cry of "A man overboard!" occasioned a rapid shortening of sail; the critical situation of Haldane and the sailor was then discovered, and an instant order to descend relieved them from their peril. It was an act of obedience such as Rome would have gladly enrolled in her history. On the Foudroyant being paid off at Spithead, Haldane was removed into the Salisbury, of 50 gnns, on which the broad pennant of his commander, Sir John Jervis, was hoisted, as commodore of a squadron intended for the double purpose of a voyage of discovery round the world, and an attack on the Spanish settlements of South America. But the peace between Great Britain, France, and Spain, in 1783, altered the destination of the Salisbury, so that she only made a short voyage to Newfoundland. On her return to England, Robert Haldane, finding no prospect either of active service or immediate promotion, resolved to spend the rest of his days on shore. He accordingly resigned his commission; and being as yet only twenty years old, he determined to complete the education which had been interrupted three years before, when he went to sea. For this purpose he once more became a student at the University of Edinburgh, of which he had formerly been an alumnus; and, after attending two seasons, he made the grand tour, comprising the principal countries of Europe. After his return he married, in 1786, Katherine Cochrane Oswald, daughter of George Oswald, of Scotston, and settled down upon his patrimonial estate of Airthrey, resolving to devote himself to the life and occupations of a country gentleman. Into this he now threw all his energies, and his taste in agricultural improvements soon made him conspicuous among his compeers. Airthrey was possessed of great natural capabilities, and these he so highly improved that his example was speedily followed, and the surrounding country began to assume a new aspect.

Thus passed the course of Robert Haldane's life for eight years, an even tenor such as poets delight to picture and moralists to recommend. But higher and holier duties awaited him than the transplanting of trees and improvement of lawns and gardens; and he was suddenly awoke from his innocent dream by an event that shook the very pillars of the world, and roused the dullest to alarm and inquiry. Who could sleep, or even muse, amidst the sudden and universal reel of the French revolution? The laird of Airthrey saw in this event the annihilation of feudal rights, and the destruction of heritable charters; but his generous heart did not the less sympathize in the sufferings of a great nation, and its Titan-like throes for deliverance, while he hoped that all this was but the beginning of a happy political millennium, of which France was destined to be the first-fruits. He did not at the time take into account the infidel principles upon which that revolution was based, and the utter insufficiency of such principles to produce the results he anticipated. But teachers were at hand to correct his views, and give a proper direction to his enthusiasm. In his own