Page:Life memoirs & pedigree of Thomas Hamilton Dickson.pdf/5

 velocity, and struck the door like thunder, while the inmates were in a reclined position, and were quite unconscious of the danger. He married, while young, a lady of ancient family, whose name was Agnes Scott, by whom he had three sons and three daughters. My father was the youngest son. The other two, Thomas and Adam, were the oldest. Thomas died in the flower of youth. Adam was bred to the medical profession, in the University of Edinburgh, under Sir John Munro. He afterwards went to Jamaica, and was appointed Doctor to his Majesty's forces in that part of the world. He raised himself to great celebrity and wealth, but never returned home to his native country. My grandmother had two brothers in the Scots Greys—one was Colonel, and the other a Captain, who both fell at the ever-memorable battle of Fontenoy, heading that unconquered regiment to the charge. My grandfather was allowed to be one of the greatest wits of the part of the country to which he belonged. He was factor to the Earl of Tranquair and the Lord Justice Clerk. Besides which he had an estate of his own. Being one day at a sale of horses in the neighbourhood, the gentleman brought forward a mare, and recommended it to the public as an animal of the first-rate action. The gentleman asked my grandfather what he would give for the animal. "Give," said he, "I will give you a greyhound dog." After the battle of Prestonpans, when the dragoons fled from the scene of action, and were taking their flight in a south-west direction