Chamberss Edinburgh Journal, No. 442 | Page 3

Kinloch, Esq., a native of Kincardineshire,
who had realised a fortune in India, allows of a further distribution
through the same channel of about L.1800, most of it in pensions of L.4
to disabled soldiers and sailors. Thus many hundreds of the Scotch poor
of the metropolis may be said to be kept by their fellow-countrymen
from falling upon the parochial funds, on which they would have a
claim--a fact, we humbly think, on which the nation at large may
justifiably feel some little pride. As part of the means of collecting this
money, there is a festival twice a year, usually presided over by some
Scottish nobleman, and attended by a great number of gentlemen
connected with Scotland by birth or otherwise. A committee of
governors meets on the second Wednesday of every month, to

distribute the benefactions to the regular pensioners and casual
applicants; and, in accordance with the national habits of feeling, this
ceremony is always prefaced by divine service in the chapel, according
to the simple practice of the Presbyterian Church. Since 1782, these
transactions, as well as the general concerns of the institution, have
taken place in the old building in Crane Court, where also the secretary
has a permanent residence.
Such, then, is the institution which has succeeded to the possession of
the dusky hall in which the Royal Society at one time assembled. It was
with a mingled interest that we looked round it, reflecting on the
presence of such men as Newton and Bradley of old, and on the many
worthy deeds which had since been done in it by men of a different
stamp, but surely not unworthy to be mentioned in the same sentence.
A portrait of Queen Mary by Zucchero, and one of the Duke of
Lauderdale by Lely--though felt as reminiscences of Scotland--were
scarcely fitted of themselves to ornament the walls; but this, of course,
is as the accidents of gifts and bequests might determine. We felt it to
be more right and fitting, that the secretary should be our old friend
Major Adair, the son of that Dr Adair who accompanied Robert Burns
on his visit to Glendevon in 1787. He is one of those men of activity,
method, and detail, joined to unfailing good-humour, who are
invaluable to such an institution. He is also, as might be expected,
entirely a Scotsman, and evidently regards the hospital with feelings
akin to veneration. Nor could we refrain from sympathising in his
views, when we thought of the honourable national principle from
which the institution took its rise, and by which it continues to be
supported, as well as the practical good which it must be continually
achieving. To quote his own words: 'From a view of the numbers
relieved, it is evident, that while this institution is a real blessing to the
aged, the helpless, the diseased, and the unemployed poor of Scotland,
resident in London, Westminster, and the neighbourhood, extending to
a circle of ten miles radius from the hall of the corporation, it is of
incalculable benefit to the community at large, who, by means of this
charity, are spared the pain of beholding so great an addition, as
otherwise there would be, of our destitute fellow-creatures seeking their
wretched pittance in the streets, liable to be taken up as vagrants and

sent to the house of correction, and probably subjected to greater evils
and disgrace.' The major has a pet scheme for extending the usefulness
of the institution. It implies that individuals should make foundations of
from L.300 to L.400 each, in order to produce pensions of L.10 a year;
these to be in the care and dispensation of the hospital, and each to bear
for ever the name of its founder; thus permanently connecting his
memory with the institution, and insuring that once a year, at least,
some humble fellow-countryman shall have occasion to rejoice that
such a person as he once existed. The idea involves the gratification of
a fine natural feeling, and we sincerely hope that it will be realised.
And why, since we have said so much, should we hesitate to add the
more general wish, that the Scottish Hospital may continue to enjoy an
undiminished measure of the patronage of our countrymen? May it
flourish for ever!
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Note by an Englishman.--It is not one of the least curious particulars
in the history of the Scottish Hospital, that it substantiates by
documentary evidence the fact, that Scotsmen, who have gone to
England, occasionally find their way back to their own country. It
appears from the books of the corporation, that in the year ending 30th
November 1850, the sum of L.30, 16s. 6d. was spent in 'passages' from
London to Leith; and there is actually a corresponding society in
Edinburgh to