Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-10-14
THE EARL OF BUCHAN.

Among the many human oddities encountered and
became familiar with during my adventures abroad,
nearly half century ago, there singular
than the Earlof Buchau. This may appear extraor
binary distinction, applied to nobcman of ancient
lineage and elevated rank Of large possessions and lofty
ttle-known, moreover, to Americans admirer of
Washington and in theory at least advocate of our
country's independence its institutions, and its des-
Mics. But it is nevertheless appropriate, will,
think, be apparent from the following brief but faithful
narrative of my intercourse with him.
An acquan tance-one of many in Edinburgh who
omitted opportunity of rendering my sour in that
elegant metropolis agreeable-caled bright morning
and remarked that, although had most of the
riosties of Aud Reeke, there still remaining
worthy the notice of traveller who, like myself appear
ed DESTROYS to let nothing Of such character escape him.
So, taking my arm without further ado he I'D into
retired but respectable quarter of the city, and stopping
before the door of large old fashioned mansion which
we entered, found myself ere was well aware of it,
taken cordially by the hand by the Anticipated Earl of
Buchan, seated sofa by his side, and very
gagged in ftedtetc conversation with him for my
panion, pleading urgent business withdrew and left
together after exchanging few words Of salutaton,
courtesy, and introduction
Dminutive In stature, emaciated in body, negligent
almost in apparel deficient in dignity Of
presence restless to speak graphically dgetty
in department. there nothing in the exterior Of this
aged peer to engage attention command respect It
was evident time had dealt unceremoniously with
the boast of hersdry and pomp Of power in his person
his victim had been Of yesterday and restrict
ed in the means of preservation display. melan-
choy wreck, rather than venerable ruin there was
wanting him that moral aspect which survives decay and
pleads haughtily for gories gone
and which look for in individuals elevated in crcum-
stance and condition. whether of rank fortune intellect
achievement, above the general Of species
that immaterial charm which outves the beauty and
attracveness form and substance and gives its pos
sessor though standing the brink OF dissolution
mon to allof that grave which levels worldly distnc
tions-a deeper and more impressive interest.
We would have had this time-worn embodiment of ia
fortune and lofty connection with porcelain clayto be-
like his oftsung abbey majestic in decline mellow
ed by age but not dapdated, the sharp outlines worn
away, the smooth and polished surface indened and in
crusted but the salient angles still prominent and i'm
posing, the purpose still evident the spirit snbdued but
not extinct still speaking to the imagination and finding
its way to the sonsibilties winnngly when borne
the peang anthem that once sounded in its aisles
But alas for the frail architecture Of humanity the
perishable constituents of manly nobeness and grace,
the fading memorials Of personal distinction Alas for
the tenement, which is too often the eepulcbre rather
than the shrine Of intellect that occupied
and adorned il I
VERY happy to make your acquaintance, Mr. B., }"
was the address Of the Earl but with me to my
sanctum, my little republic call it, to which an
American you will be especially Welcome"
He led the way with almost boyish aacrity up fight
of stairs unlocked and threw open door, and introduced
me to an apartment Of moderate dimensions, scanty
furnished without carpet curtains and which in its
general appearance dngy and sombre in the extreme
On plain table IN the centre Of the placed
large Of painted wood, two feet high open
at top, and Of considerable capacity. "In this" he
marked, 81 preserve every document writing in any
way connected with republican sentiment incident that
reaches me- and If you have nothing contribute beyond
your name and place Of nativity and abode require
these at least your addition to my collection COM
piled with his request and wrote the desired inscription
card and approaching the to make my deposit,
perceived lying the top pamphlet containing re-
cent address from my father delivered on laying the
corner stone of the Washington Monument in Baltimore
81 .fn~l L.. - IL. -.
public consideration for the head Of my family to exc out
my own deficiencies. The effect was instantaneous and