Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 9.djvu/212

476 the champion of Toryism in a locality where Toryism was at a mercantile discount, and at a period when the tide of public events throughout Europe was rushing in an opposite direction. In a newspaper that was issued three times a-week, and at a season when every throne was overturned or rudely shaken, he found it equally impossible to command his attention to every scene of action, and his temper upon every variety of subject; and although he bore up and fought gallantly, so as to command the approval of both friends and enemies, the termination, in an overworn intellect and premature death, was nothing more than a natural penalty. Such was the result, on the 1st of November, 1835, when he was suddenly struck with apoplexy in bed, at four o'clock in the morning, and expired four hours after, at the early age of thirty-eight, although his robust frame, active habits, and happy temperament promised a healthy longevity. He was buried in the Glasgow Necropolis, while the persons of every class of political opinion who attended the funeral, betokened the general esteem in which he was held, and the regret that was felt on account of his departure.

During his short life of toil in Glasgow, Motherwell was not wholly occupied with his editorial duties; his devotedness to poetry continued unabated, and although he found little time for new productions, he was a considerable contributor to "The Day," a periodical conducted in Glasgow by Mr. John Strang. He also joined with the Ettrick Shepherd in preparing an edition of Burns's works, but which he did not live to see completed. In addition to these he left unfinished at his death a prose collection of Norse legends, said to be of great power and beauty, and materials for a life of Tannahill. It is as a poet, however, that Motherwell will continue to be best known and distinguished; and of his larger productions, his ballads of "The Battle-Flag of Sigurd," and "The Sword Chant of Thorstein Raudi," fully attest his ability in the wild and stirring runes of the north; while his songs of "My heid is like to rend, Willie," "The Midnight Wind," and above all, "Jeanie Morrison," will make those who read them regret that he did not throw journalism to the dogs, and become wholly and devotedly a song-writer. Indeed, it has been well said:' of him, by no less a critic than Professor Wilson:—"All his perceptions are clear, for all his senses are sound; he has fine and strong sensibilities, and a powerful intellect . . . . . His style is simple, but in his tenderest movements masculine; he strikes a few bold knocks at the door of the heart, which is instantly opened by the master or mistress of the house, or by son or daughter, and the welcome visitor at once becomes one of the family."

MURRAY, .—This gallant soldier and able statesman was the second son of Sir William Murray, Bart., and Lady Augusta Mackenzie, seventh and youngest daughter of George, Earl of Cromarty. He was born at the family seat in Perthshire, on the 6th of February, 1772, and received his education, first at the high school, and afterwards at the university of Edinburgh. Having chosen the military profession, he obtained an ensigncy in the 71st regiment of foot at the age of seventeen, from which he rapidly transferred himself, first to the 34th, and afterwards to the 3d regiment of Guards. He first saw service in the campaigns of Flanders in 1794 and 1795, and shared in the disastrous retreat of the allied army through Holland and Germany, and subsequently, during the last of these years, he served in the West Indies under Sir Ralph Abercromby, until ill health obliged him to return home, where he served upon the staff, both in England and Ireland, during 1797 and 1798. Such is but a