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196

Anecdotes of the late Thomas Coutts, Esq.

[March,

lane, in the house occupied by the late Dr. Garthshore. There my brothers and myself have frequently called to

vol. xxv. 186.] Mr. Peagrim was a partner in the house of Middleton and Campbell, afterwards Campbell and Peagrim: the shop the same as at pre-visit Mr. and Mrs. Coutts. Her good

sent occupied by Coutts and Company. Mr. James Coutts became a partner in that house [under the firm of Campbell and Coutts] and, on the death of Campbell, succeeded to the whole concern. Mr. James Coutts had only one child, a daughter, who afterwards married her cousin-german, Sir John Stuart, of Allan-Bank, [she died Nov. 26, 1809, see vol. lxxix. 1180.] Mr. James Coutts was for a short time Member of Parliament for the City of Edinburgh [elected in 1762]; but in consequence of some strange and incoherent language in the House of Commons, he was induced (at the suggestion of and by the persuasion of his friends) to refrain from attending that House. On his mental faculties, as well as his bodily health, becoming much impaired, he was advised to visit a more favourable climate; and, under the care of his uncle's wife, Lady Stuart, and her son, repaired to Italy, where a marriage was soon formed between Mr. James Coutts's only daughter, and her cousin, Mr. Stuart. Miss Coutts's fortune was from seventy to eighty thousand pounds. [Mr. James Coutts died at Edinburgh in 1778, see vol. xlviii. 141.]

"Mr. Thomas Coutts, the youngest of the four sons, was a partner in the house at St. Mary-Axc, and afterwards admitted as a partner into his brother's banking-house, in the Strand. Here he (Mr. Thomas) became acquainted with his first wife, a most respectable, modest, handsome, young woman [Miss Susan Starkie], who had the care of Mr. James Coutts's only daughter.

"When in my youthful days I have occasionally seen her in the nursery, washing some of her young Lady's clothes, my boyish tricks may have aggravated her to throw some of the soap-suds at me, but I deny the fact of ever having stated, that she laboured on general washing-days at the bucktub, up to her shoulders; or of my ever having denominated her a Dry Washer.

"When Mr. Thomas Coutts married, it was said that he had thereby much offended his brother James; but still the brothers continued their partnership [till the death of James in 1778, when Mr. Thomas became the sole proprietor.] Mr. and Mrs. Thoinas Coutts resided in St. Martin's

sense, amiable disposition, and exemplary conduct, endeared her to all her husband's family, and commanded the respect of every one who knew her. Since the year 1785 or 1786, I have never seen Mrs. Coutts. She was then in Scotland, with her husband and her three daughters-at that period all unmarried. They were on a visit at my cousin's, Sir Charles Preston, of Vallefield, by whose invitation I went to meet them at dinner. Since then, to my recollection, Mrs. Coutts and I have never niet: nor did I ever in my life apply to that Lady for pecuniary relief, either for myself or any branch of my family.

"With respect to Mr. Thos. Coutts's age, I rather think his biographer has also stated that incorrectly. In former days he was always reckoned to be seventeen years older than myself, which would bring him to ninety-one at the period of his decease, instead of eightyDUNDONALD.'

seven.

By this first wife Mr. Coutts had three daughters; Susan, married in 1796, to George Augustus, third Earl of Guildford (who died in 1802); and has issue.-2. Frances, married in 1800 to John, first Marquis of Bute (who died in 1814); and has issue a daughter, Lady Frances Stuart, born in 1801; and a son, Lord Dudley Stuart, born in 1803.-3. Sophia, married in 1793 to Sir Francis Burdett, bart. and has a numerous family. The death of Mr. Coutts's first wife is recorded in our volume for 1815 (lxxxv. 1.89.) In about three months after, Mr. Coutts was inarried to Miss Harriet Mellon, of Holly Lodge, Highgate :

Mr. Colnaghi has a collection of theatrical portraits, mostly drawings, in nine volumes folio, which had been lent to the late Mr. Coutts. Opposite to each portrait is written a short biographical sketch. Appended to that of Miss Mellon, mentioning her retirement from the stage in 1815, is added the following note in the handwriting of Mr. Coutts:

"When she married Thomas Coutts, esq. banker, of the Strand, to whom she happiest of men. proved the greatest blessing, and made the T. C."

This splendid Collection ought to pass, we think, into the possession of Mrs. Coutts; to whom such a pleasing and honourable memorial must be invaluable.

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ZIVALOUD FIBKVKA

1822.]

Anecdotes of the tate Thomas Coutts, Esq.

a beautiful seat Mr. Coutts had before presented to her, and where they have since chiefly resided.

Mr. Coutts possessed the accomplished manners of a gentleman; plain but fashionable in his dress; sedate in his deportment; punctual and indefatigable in business, even to the last. Indeed his great ambition through life was the establishing his character as a man of business. With such qualities, when his lengthened life is considered, it is not astonishing that Mr. Coutts raised himself to the very first rank among the monied and banking interests in this great Metropolis, and in point of personal property, to an unparalleled opulence. The architect, in a great measure, of his own fortunes, he numbered amongst his relatives some of the first and most antient families of the kingdom, and Royalty itself condescended to shed a ray of gay delight over his more intimate and private friendships. He numbered also among his acquaintance many men of genius and taste in Poetry and the Drama. At his convivial board (and no one more liberally imparted to his friends), such ornaments of literature as Dr. Armstrong, John Home, and Caleb Whitefoord, with numerous others, were perpetual guests. There the conversation, as may be well imagined, was most animated, inexhaustible in anecdote, and rich in information : to this the liberal host contributed his full share. To the meritorious Actors of the day he was a most munificent patron, frequently sending large sums for tickets at their benefits. Indeed, we have heard it reported, that his intimacy with Miss Mellon origi. nated from this circumstance. In matters which related to the Drama, his judgment and taste were generally acknowledged; and his Letter relative to the projected Memoir of David Garrick (alluded to by Murphy), in support of Barry, is a proof of his solicitade to render justice, and preserve the professional memory of an Actor, whose excellences he had so often witnessed.

The remains of Mr. Coutts were removed on Wednesday the 6th of March, from Stratton-street, Piccadilly, accompanied by above 40 noblemen and gentlemen's carriages; among which were those of the Dukes of York, Clarence, and Sussex; Lords

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Coventry, Cawdor, James Stuart, Guildford; Sir Francis Burdett, &c. The principal mourners were Lord Dudley Stuart, Sir Coutts Trotter, the Family Physician of the deceased, and the upper members of the household. About five o'clock, the cavalcade arrived at the George Inn, Windsor, where a room hung with black, and decorated with escutcheons, was prepared to receive the coffin. Mrs. Coutts attended as chief mourner. The hearse was drawn by six horses.

The procession started the following morning, in the same order, for Wroxton Abbey, near Banbury, Oxfordshire, the place of interment.

The will of Mr. Coutts was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, on March 20, by five of the executors, viz. Mrs. Harriet Coutts, widow, the relict, Sir Edmund Antrobus, Sir Coutts Trotter, Edward Majoribanks, and Edward Antrobus the younger, esqrs.; a power being reserved of granting probate to Andrew Dickie, William Adam the younger, Thomas Atkinson, and John Parkinson, esqrs. the other executors. The testator, by his will, which is dated the 9th of May, 1820, appoints Mrs. Coutts universal legatee, and bequeaths to her his share in the banking-house and business in the Strand, and all benefit and interest to arise therefrom. There is a codicil to the will which relates to trust property only. The personal property within the province of Canterbury is sworn under 600,000l.

Many persons are surprised at the singular disposition of Mr. Coutts's property, which apparently disappoints the just expectations of his children. But the fact is said to be, that by this exclusive bequest to his wife, no legacy duty is payable upon this vast sum. Mr. Coutts had the fullest reliance in the honour of his wife, that she would comply with his wishes in the disposal of his immense wealth. It is rumoured that his wishes were, that his property should be divided into four equal parts, three of which should be made over to his three daughters, and the fourth retained by Mrs. Coutts. This arrangement will probably be complied with.

There is a good portrait of Mr. Coutts, drawn by A. Chisholm, and engraved by Sievier, after a painting by Sir W. Beechey, R. A.

Mr.

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Mr. URBAN,

Abundance of Agricultural Produce no Loss.

March 5.

a heavy loss to the farmer;" and "Season is a father, whose children thrive best when he does the least for them." These positions are, to me, strange and incredible; and, I conceive, whether I can satisfactorily prove them so or not, palpably false.

I am one of those who hold, that there is (as has been well observed) "no sophistication in the Divine promises." What holy and inspired men of old prayed for as a blessing, and God himself promised as a blessing, that I believe to be a blessing now, as it was in the days of old, however incompetent I may be fully to appreciate, or accurately to explain it. What was the prayer of the prophetic Isaac_for his son, when he blessed him? "God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine." Gen. xxvii. 28. What says God himself by the wisest of men whom he inspired? "Be not wise in thine own eyes. Honour the Lord so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." Prov. iii. 7-10.

[March,

suppose the price to be 5s. per bushel;

EQUUS, p. 7, says, "Plenty is the total amount will of course be 101. per acre. On inferior land, or in a less favourable year, suppose the crop to be only half, and the price double; that is, 20 bushels per acre, and 10s. per bushel. Here the return to the occupier is the same as before, 107. per acre; but the double crop is far more beneficial, for several reasons sufficiently obvious, and for many others equally certain, but less apparent. When the grain is double in quantity, the straw (not noticed by " Equus") will also, I presume, be nearly double, which is a material advantage, whe ther it be at once converted into money, or used as fodder, to create manure, or for other purposes. Again, when bread is cheap, the price of labour and of other necessaries will be lower, and consequently the expence of cultivation will be less. Where the crop also is abundant, it is a proof that the land is clean, and in good heart; and affords a prospect of another good crop, with, comparatively, little trouble in clearing and preparing the soil. If at one period of time, and under certain circumstances, 10s. will purchase as much bread, or other necessary food, as 20s. used to do, I have 10s. remaining in my pocket, some of which may go, and infallibly will go, to procure luxuries or comforts, from some of those numberless artists and mechanics, who sustain the state of the world, and without whom a city cannot be inhabited.

The operations of Him who is wonderful in counsel, far exceeds man's understanding; and that machine which God himself has made, which is daily before our eyes, and therefore, like other daily blessings, too little regarded that machine, Civil Society, one of the most beneficent, is not one of the least wonderful works of God.

I am not going, Mr. Urban, to enter upon a boundless field of speculation. I shall only beg leave to offer one remark, and put a single case, as my friend" EQUUS" has set me the example. We all feel the truth of what one well-informed (in full accordance with the heathen sages) has Isaid of the human body, in order to illustrate the beauty and symmetry of the body politic: "God hath so tempered the body together, that if one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; if one member be honoured" and prosperous, "all the members rejoice with it," and partake in the common benefit.

Now I will suppose, what I know to be fact, that where the land is good, and the season favourable, an acre produces 40 bushels of wheat. Let us

In this letter, p. 7. b. l. 11. (by an error of the press,) for two, read ten bushels.

That very curious and authentic book of Fleetwood, which your Correspondent quotes, shews that there was a much greater fluctuation formerly in the price of commodities than there has been in later times. It proves also, that, whatever may be the effect of paper, or of metal currency, of cornlaws made or abrogated, quantity ever was and ever will be the great regulator of the market. In particular instances during the transition from one extreme to another, one inconvenience will be felt, and where many suffer, some will complain. But the balance will not for ever vibrate; it will find its level. I accede therefore to the maxim of your Correspondent, that "Season has the reins of Corn Prices in his hands"-save only, that some allowance must be made for laudable industry, or culpable sloth. Yours, &c.

R. C.

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