water from the Cochno glen, at or near his possessions at Duntocher. He threw both these individuals into great expense, some alleged, about the merest trifles; and he had this peculiar feature about him, that whilst he was strict and parsimonious in regard to many other things, he was exceedingly liberal to every one of his many law agents, and paid them every plack and penny of their accounts, whenever rendered, without the least grudge. He made the rather sensible remark on this score, that if a man wanted to be successful in his law plea, even though it should run down his opponent, it was best to keep the wheels of the agent well greased for the work.

Late in life he was laid up in his Glasgow house in St. Vincent Street for the first time by severe indisposition, and his life was despaired of. More than one or two ministers of the city paid the most marked attention to him in their oft-repeated visits-we shall not upbraid them by the other text, viz., that where the carcase is there the eagles fly. But one fine morning, when in bed, Mr. Dunn received an agreeable letter from his law agents, informing him that he had gained one of his cases with Lord Blantyre: so, when one of the clergymen in a few minutes afterwards entered the bedroom of the sick man, the latter stretched forth his hands to him, and said "Come away, reverend sir; I am glad to see you, for I have at last conquered my greatest enemy." The clergyman concluded that he had conquered "the prince of the power of the air," as the arch-enemy of the human race has frequently been designated; and he put up a suitable prayer in consequence. In going out and accosting some other friends of Mr. Dunn on the streets, he told them he had just left him in a most composed and agreeable state of mind for his great approaching change, in that he had affectionately assured him he had conquered his

greatest enemy.

"His greatest enemy," quoth the civilian; "he has conquered Lord Blantyre and the Duntocher dam." This was a settler to our friend the reverend divine for his next visit.

Mr. Dunn, as we have said, had many good qualities; and in subscriptions for charitable purposes he was rarely behind any of his neighbours. If the genial fit was upon him, he would give more liberally perhaps than any other man within call; but if any stubborn or ill-natured fit was upon him, it was quite needless to say a word to him. One day he was waited on by a douce deputation, who, after making their profound bow, handed him the subscription paper. He signed his name for two guineas. guineas, Mr. Dunn, only two guineas for such a noble philanthropic purpose." They beseeched him to double or treble it. One of the deputation said that he ought to sign for at least fifty guineas. "Not another penny, gentlemen, not another penny." One of them, more rude probably than he should have been, quoted the text that it was

"Two

"easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven ;" and he expounded it pretty strongly by saying that he, Mr. Dunn, ought to give some of his means liberally while he was yet spared upon the earth, as he would take none of his money with him to the other world. "I know that perfectly well," replied Mr. Dunn; "it is the only thing I am vexed about." He bowed them out of his apartment."

Macvey Rapier

His

WAS the son of John Macvey, Kirkintilloch, by a natural daughter of Napier of Craigbarnet, and was born in 1777. He received a liberal education for the profession of the law, and passed as W.S. in Edinburgh in 1799. disposition, however, was too sensitive and retiring for that profession, and he gradually became more occupied in literature, in which his talents ere long became conspicuous. When Lord Jeffrey retired from the editorship of the wellknown Edinburgh Review" magazine, Napier was appointed his successor, and it is allowed that the high character of the journal was in his hands fully maintained.

When the seventh edition of the "Encyclopædia Britannica" was projected, Mr. Napier was asked to become its editor, and accepted the office. He wrote numerous articles for it himself, and also secured the co-operation of the best writers and scientific men of the day; and the publication is admitted to have been highly creditable to its editor. Mr. Napier died in Edinburgh, 11th February, 1847, aged seventy.

Sir James M'Culloch, K.C.M.G.,

ALTHOUGH not a native, had the good fortune to be married to a Kirkintilloch lady.

Sir James was born in Glasgow, and was the son of Mr. George M'Culloch, contractor; became a partner in the firm of J. & A. Dennistoun, and went to Melbourne in 1853, to establish a branch there.

After conducting it for ten years he founded a new firm in Melbourne, under the style of M'Culloch, Sellars & Co.

He was twice president of the chamber of commerce, and chairman of several banks and leading public companies of Melbourne.

Being strongly interested in the politics of the colony he soon was called on to fill some minor ministerial positions, and afterwards rose to be premier from 1862 till 1868, and, with slight intervals, till 1871. At the visit of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh to the colony, Mr. M'Culloch was knighted, and shortly afterwards paid a visit to Europe, and acted as agent-general for Victoria In 1874 he received the title of K.C.M.G. For a second time he became premier in 1875, and retained office till May, 1877, but his popularity, at one time very great, had waned, and he soon afterwards retired from public life, and went to England to live.

Sir James died at Garbrand Hall, Ewell, Surrey, on 30th January, 1893, in the seventy-fourth year of his age, and was buried in the Necropolis, Glasgow; the scene of his early days, but far from the colony where the best part of his life and energies were spent.

Lady M'Culloch, his second wife-formerly Miss Inglis-who survives him, was long known and respected in Kirkintilloch for her amiability of character aud the active interest she took in the industrial schools and every benevolent scheme.

Banks.

THE Western Bank of Scotland was established in Kirkintilloch for many years under the late Mr. Charles Stewart. At Mr. Stewart's death he was succeeded by the late Mr. Thomas Whitelaw; and when the Western Bank

collapsed in 1857 the branch was taken up by the National Bank of Scotland-Mr. Whitelaw being agent till his death, Mr. Thorburn succeeding him. Mr. James Russell, now of Airdrie, was the next agent, from 1867 till 1872. When leaving Mr. Russell was entertained to dinner by about 100 friends in Kirkintilloch and from other towns. After opening the branches in Coatbridge and Motherwell, Mr. Russell is now located in Airdrie, where he is an honorary sheriff-substitute and J.P. for Lanarkshire. Mr. Richard Reid succeeded Mr. Russell.

The City of Glasgow Bank commenced under the agency of the late Mr. John Shearer, auctioneer; and at his death it was continued by Mr. Robert Murdoch, now of Dundee. Mr. Murdoch, being promoted, was succeeded by Mr. James Stables, till the City Bank, in its turn, succumbed, when Mr. Stables was appointed joint-agent of the National Bank along with Mr. Reid; and when the latter went abroad Mr. Stables remained - then and since - sole agent.

The Commercial Bank of Scotland was established 2nd April, 1877, under Mr. James Main. The bank was commenced in the property belonging to Dr. Stewart, but on the collapse of the City Bank the Commercial Bank bought the premises, and removed their branch there, where it has since been carried on by Mr. Main.

The Savings Bank has been established for many years. James Dalrymple, Esq., of Woodhead, has been chairman for forty years, and during that long period was present at every annual meeting till the present year, when he was disabled by illness, to the great regret of the whole community. Mr. James Stables is the treasurer. The amount at credit of depositors is £14,748 7s. Id.