The title of Kay's print, "The Scottish Patriot," was never more appropriately applied than in reference to the character of the late Sir John Sinclair. Whether in a public or private capacity, no man laboured with greater zeal, or more disinterestedly, to promote the interests of his country.

Mr. Sinclair was born at Thurso in 1754. His father, George Sinclair, Esq. of Ulbster, married Lady Janet Sutherland, daughter of William Lord Strathnaver, and by her had twelve children, five of whom survived him. These were the late Sir John, his younger brother James, who entered the army, and three daughters. Helen was married to Colonel Alexander Campbell of Barcaldine; Mary, to James Hume Bigg, Esq. of Morton; and Janet, to the Hon. Lord Polkemmet, one of the Senators of the College of Justice. The early education of the subject of our sketch was for sometime conducted by Logan, the poet and divine. At the age of thirteen he entered the University of Edinburgh, where he studied with much success for four years. He then removed to Glasgow, attended the lectures of Professor Miller, and afterwards returned to Edinburgh to complete his studies for the Scottish bar.

By the death of his father, in 1770, Mr. Sinclair succeeded to the family property at an early age. On the close of the winter classes, he invariably returned to Caithness during summer, and even at that juvenile period gave evidence of the extraordinary spirit of improvement for which he was so remarkably distinguished in after life. The whole of Caithness, and in fact all the northern counties, were then in a waste and unproductive condition. His estate, although amounting to upwards of 60,000 acres, only yielded the comparatively small rental of £2,800, and was burdened to nearly a half of the amount. A remarkable instance of enterprise was exhibited in the young laird by the formation of a road over the hill of Ben Cheilt, which it was believed the whole "statute labour" of the country would be incapable of effecting. He was then only in his eighteenth year. Having previously surveyed the ground, and marked out the intended line, he appointed a day of meeting, when upwards of twelve hundred farmers and labourers assembled—and, being plentifully supplied with tools and provisions, "a road, which had been hardly passable for horses in the morning, became practicable for carriages before night."

With the view of facilitating his progress in public life, Mr. Sinclair entered at Lincoln's Inn in 1774, and matriculated at Trinity College, Oxford, the following year. About this time he made a short tour to the Continent, accompanied by his brother, then in bad health, and who died on the journey. On his return he married Sarah, daughter of Alexander Maitland, Esq. of Stoke Newington, near London, a gentleman of Scottish extraction. The lady was heiress of a considerable fortune, and had many suitors; but her choice was influenced inadvertently by a rival, who, having just returned from an excursion in the Highlands, unfortunately for himself, related the feat which had been performed at the hill of Ben Cheilt. Previous to Sir John's tour to the Continent he had entered into a matrimonial negotiation with Miss Maitland. His proposal was accepted; the marriage contract drawn up; and nothing more required than to name the day: but Mrs. Maitland felt insuperable repugnance to the removal of her daughter from her own neighbourhood, and insisted on a promise from her future son-in-law, that he would reside permanently in England. To this condition public spirit withheld him from consenting; and as he now considered the engagement broken off, he made his excursion to the Continent. On his return, however, he learnt, with equal surprise and satisfaction, that Miss Maitland did not approve, as he had supposed, of the arbitrary stipulation made by her mother. He intimated his readiness to renew his addresses—a favourable answer was returned, and the marriage was celebrated on the 26th March, 1776.

After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair took up their residence at Thurso, where his attention was chiefly occupied for a short time with a work on the Sabbath, but which, by the advice of Dr. Adam Smith, was never published. The friendship of this eminent philosopher he had early obtained, and to this circumstance he probably owed his taste for the study of political economy.

Among the first of Mr. Sinclair's literary productions was an essay entitled "Observations on the Scottish Dialect," the object of which, while it afforded one of the fullest collections of what are called "Scotticisms," was to facilitate the acquisition of a purer style of English among his countrymen. A deficiency in this respect was then considered a formidable barrier to the success of a North Briton in the capital. The essay was well received, not only as an ingenious, but useful and amusing production. During its progress he had the honour of forming the acquaintance of the great English lexiographer, to whom he was introduced by Boswell.

The Parliamentary career of Mr. Sinclair began iu 1780, having been chosen, at the general election, M.P. for Caithness. The prospects of the country were then extremely gloomy. The American war had proved ruinous—the ministry were unpopular, and a powerful opposition existed iu the Commons. Not coinciding with the alarmists, whose views he conceived to be anti-national and violent, he at first gave his support to the cabinet of Lord North, with whom he was for sometime on the most friendly terms.

The first of Mr. Sinclair's political pamphlets appeared in 1782, entitled, "Thoughts on the Naval Strength of Great Britain," and was intended to dispel the gloom into which the nation had been thrown by the desertion of her ancient allies the Dutch, and the formidable aspect of the marine of France. This publication was peculiarly well-timed, and the victory of Admiral Rodney over De Grasse, on the 12th April, happening a few days afterwards, the author was highly complimented from all quarters for his sagacity, and the solidity of the opinions he had advanced. This pamphlet he followed up by another regarding the management and improvement of the Navy. Previous to the resignation of Lord North, owing to various causes, among which was the insincerity of the Cabinet on the subject of peace, Mr. Sinclair had become so sensible of the necessity of a change, that he was a principal promoter of the St. Alban's Club, whose deliberations led to the formation of the Coalition Ministry.

In the parliamentary history of this year, an instance of watchful attention to his country falls to be recorded. Owing to a very unpropitious season, a general failure of the crops throughout the northern counties had occurred, and the people were reduced to severe distress. By the exertion of Mr. Sinclair, a grant of £15,000 was obtained from Government, by which the inhabitants of fifteen counties were preserved from starvation. Another measure gratifying to Scotland, obtained in 1782, and in which Mr. Sinclair deeply interested himself, was the repeal of the Act prohibiting the use of the national garb. On his next visit to Caithness, attired in the full Highland costume, he had left his carriage, and was enjoying a ramble on foot, followed by a crowd of natives, one of whom in his simplicity assured him, that if he was "come in the good old cause, there were a hundred gude men ready to join him within the sound o' the Bell o' Logierait! "

After the accession of the Shelburne Ministry, and when overtures for peace came to be entertained, much discussion ensued on the state of the national finances. In the opinion of Mr. Sinclair, very mistaken notions were entertained and promulgated on the subject, both in and out of Parliament, tending to injure Britain in the estimation of her opponents. At this juncture, he came forward with a pamphlet "On the State of Our Finances," which took a comprehensive, accurate, and well-founded view of the resources of the country. This was succeeded by another, containing a plan for the re-establishment of public credit. These speculations gave rise to a more extended and laborious production, published in 1784, his "History of the Public Revenue of the British Empire"—2 vols. 4to. This work at once established the reputation of its author as a financier and economist. It was received with the highest encomiums abroad as well as in England, and passed through several editions.

On the dissolution of Parliament in 1784, in consequence of the system of alternate representation, and the unexpected opposition of Mr. Fox as a candidate, occasioned by the Westminster scrutiny, Mr. Sinclair lost his seat for the Northern Burghs. He had, however, secured his return for Lestwithiel, in Cornwall, and took his seat accordingly. Some members of the Corporation visiting London, embraced the opportunity of waiting on their member. After expressing their satisfaction in complimentary terms, one of them, contemplating the tall figure of Mr. Sinclair, observed that they were glad to be able to look up to their representative. "I assure you," answered Mr. Sinclair, "I never shall look down on my constituency."

]iy the death of Mrs. Sinclair, in 1785, he was so deeply affected as to propose abandoning public life altogether. In order to divert his attention, he set out on a short tour to France during the Christmas recess. He travelled for some distance with Mongolfier, the inventor of balloons, and on his arrival in Paris, was kindly received by Necker, then Prime Minister. "The ladies of the family," says his biographer, "seemed to have resolved on giving their Scottish guest an agreeable reception, lie found Madame Necker reading Blair's Sermons; and Madlle. Necker, afterwards the celebrated De Stael, played 'Lochabcr no more' on the piano." On his return to Britain, Mr. Sinclair communicated hints to his Government respecting several improvements with which he had become acquainted in France; and the title of Baronet was conferred on him (4th February, 1786) as a reward for his public services.

In 1786, Sir John proceeded on a more extended tour, in the course of which he visited Denmark, Sweden, Russia, and Poland; from Warsaw he proceeded to Vienna—from thence to Berlin, Hanover, Holland, Flanders, and returned to England by France, having in the short space of seven months performed a journey of more than 7500 English miles. During his progress he was introduced to nearly all the courts of the various countries—was everywhere received with the utmost kindness and attention, and established a correspondence with many of the most eminent and remarkable men on the Continent. In Sweden, Denmark, and Russia, he met with several countrymen, particularly at Stockholm, where he found many of the nobles descendants of Scotsmen who had fought under Gustavus during the Thirty Years' War.

Not long after his return, Sir John again entered into the married relation, by espousing, on the 6th March, 1788, the Honourable Diana, only daughter of Alexander, first Lord Macdonald. The ceremony was performed in London, where the parties resided for a short time; but they eventually settled in Edinburgh, taking up house in the Canongate. He afterwards removed to Charlotte Square, and latterly to George Street. During his residence there each day, with the exception of an hour or two, was laboriously devoted to study or business. His exercise usually consisted in a walk to Leith, between the hours of two and four; and it was one of his favourite sayings, that "whoever touched the post at the extremity of the pier, took an eufeoffment of life for seven years." To Caithness he performed regular journeys, generally diverging from the direct route to extend his agricultural acquaintance.

On resuming an interest in Parliamentary affairs, he became gradually estranged from the support of the Administration of Pitt, conscientiously differing with the Premier on many important points. The abandonment of Warren Hastings by the minister, he considered an unworthy sacrifice to popular feeling; and on the "Regency Question" he was decidedly opposed to the ministerial propositions. Thus disaffected, he naturally fell in with the "Armed Neutrality"—a party so called from their profession of independence, of whom the Earl of Moira was considered the head.

Sir John now entered on a series of projects of great importance to the country. The first was the establishment of a Society for the Improvement of British Wool. The breed of sheep never had been a subject of proper inquiry, and so deteriorated had the wool become, that manufacturers were under the necessity of importing great quantities of the finer descriptions. The Society was ultimately formed at Edinburgh in 1791. In order to excite public attention on the subject, a grand sheep-shearing festival was held, under the patronage of the Society, at Newhalls Inn, near Queensferry. At this

Sir John's great national work, "The Statistical Account of Scotland," was undertaken about this period, and completed seven years afterwards, in twenty-one volumes octavo. The expense, labour, and difficulties in the way of such an immense undertaking, had been considered insurmountable by all who had previously contemplated it, and nothing short of Parliamentary authority was deemed equal to the task. The indomitable perseverance of Sir John ultimately prevailed, and his magnificent work stands unparalleled in any age or nation. "While it gave an impetus to the study of statistics generally, the only true foundation of all political economy, the "Statistical Account" has tended both directly and indirectly to promote the national character as well as prosperity of Scotland.

Soon after the commencement of hostilities in 1798, such a stagnation prevailed in commerce, in consequence of a deficiency in the circulating medium, that universal bankruptcy seemed almost inevitable. In this emergency, Sir John came forward with a plan, which, although emanating from one who had stood opposed to them on some questions, met with the ready approval of Pitt and Dundas. This was the issue of Exchequer Bills to a certain amount, by way of loans in small sums to the merchants and manufacturers. The plan speedily passed, and proved the means of preventing general ruin. Several papers were afterwards drawn up by the Baronet, recommending measures for the better regulation of the circulating medium.

Sir John had early contemplated the formation of a Board of Agriculture, to promote improvements, and act as a centre for the general diffusion of agricultural knowledge; but it was not till 1793, after experiencing great opposition, that he succeeded in its establishment. With the small funds placed at his disposal, as President of the Board, he set about accomplishing the great objects he had in view. Among his first proposals was a statistical account of England, similar to the one then in progress for Scotland; but this he was compelled to abandon, from a fear on the part of the Church, that such an exposure of the tithe system as it would necessarily involve, might prove injurious to her interests. All remonstrance was vain—the heads of the Establishment were inexorable. Thus discouraged, he had recourse to county reports—and in this way accomplished partially the object in view.

Shortly after the institution of the Board, the following lines—too curious to be omitted—went the round of the newspapers :—

"THE FARMER'S CREED.

"By Sir John Sinclair, Bart., President of the Board of Agriculture.

"Let this be held the farmer's creed:
For stock seek out the choicest breed;
In peace and plenty let them feed;
Your land sow with the best of seed;
Let it not dung nor dressing need;
Enclose and drain it with all speed,
And you will soon be rich indeed."

Sir John continued President of the Board for a period in all of thirteen years, during which the most active and useful measures were pursued, and much benefit conferred on the country. On the earnest recommendation of the Board, Sir Humphrey Davy was induced to undertake his well-known lectures on Agriculture, in relation to chemistry, by which the light of science was for the first time thrown upon the art of cultivating the soil. Among the numerous individuals patronised and brought forward by the President, were the celebrated road improver, Macadam—and Meikle, the inventor of thrashing-machines. Deprived of Sir John's superintendence, the Board gradually declined, and was finally abolished.

Although he had not entirely coincided with the foreign policy of the Administration, the call to arms in 1794 was responded to with alacrity by the patriotic Baronet. In an incredibly short space of time he appeared in the field at the head of the "Rothesay and Caithness Fencibles," so called in compliment to the Scottish title of the Prince of Wales. The uniform of this body consisted of bonnet, plaid, and trews, from a belief that the latter was more ancient than the belted plaid (or kilt) worn by other Highland regiments. His opinions on this subject he embodied in a pamphlet; and in a song, written by him for the Caithness Fencibles, the idea was not forgotten—

"Let others brag of philibeg,
Of kilt, and belted plaid,
Whilst we the ancient trews will wear
In which our fathers bled."

A few years after the Fencibles were embodied, Sir John raised another corps for more extended service. This regiment—at first six hundred, and afterwards one thousand strong—was called the "Caithness Highlanders," and served in Ireland in suppressing the Rebellion. During the Volunteer period, he commanded the Camp at Aberdeen, and, as usual, on every subject that engrossed his attention, he published several pamphlets on military matters. One of his essays was entitled "Cursory Observations on the Military System of Great Britain," in which the tactics of Napoleon were investigated, and improvements in the British system suggested.

Sir John had no seat in Parliament from 1794 till 1797, when he was returned, through the interest of the Prince of Wales, for Petersfield in Hampshire. The Treasury was then exhausted, while its demands were increasing, and barriers almost insurmountable appeared in the way of negotiating a new loan. In this dilemma Pitt had recourse to his advice, and the result was the scheme known by the name of the "Loyalty Loan"—the germ of several subsequent financial measures. So long as war seemed unavoidable, the Baronet gave his support unhesitatingly to the Ministry; but at length, conceiving that peace was practicable from the disposition of the French Directory, he readily entered into the scheme of a new Administration, attempted in 1798, under the Earl of Moira. This, however, came to nothing; and throughout the remaining years of Pitt's retention of power, he took a lively interest in all the financial measures of Government, and stood forward almost alone as the champion of economy and retrenchment. When the union with Ireland was in progress, he made a bold but unsuccessful effort to have the number of Scottish representatives augmented to the amount since accomplished by the Reform Bill.

When party changes had settled down after the reign of "All the Talents," convinced from the conduct of the First Consul—who had abolished all semblance of deliberative government in France—that safety only consisted in the vigorous prosecution of the war, Sir John entered warmly into the measures of Government; and, during the Premiership of Perceval, had the honour of being sworn a member of his Majesty's Privy Council. Much, however, as he admired the general capacity of that Minister, he sincerely regretted the countenance given to the "Bullion Committee." On the subject which it involved, Sir John both spoke and published to considerable effect; and when the motion of Mr. Homer came to be decided, he had the satisfaction of seeing it negatived by a large majority. Sir John's speech on the Bullion question was among the last delivered by him in Parliament. Having become much embarrassed in his private affairs, in consequence of his numerous speculations and improvements, in which self-interest had formed no part of his calculations, and by the unsuccessful prosecution of certain claims on the East India Company, he was induced in 1811 to accept the office of Cashier of the Excise in Scotland, with a salary of £2000 a-year.

Perhaps the most unpopular measure in which the Baronet engaged was his advocacy of the "General Enclosure Bill." The extensive commons of England he conceived to be one of the greatest drawbacks to extended cultivation. In a national sense, his views were highly patriotic; but the people were not easily to be persuaded where an alienation of their rights was to be the only immediate and obvious consequence. After several attempts, seconded by all the influence of the Agricultural Board, the measure was finally abandoned in 1812; although, by the more expensive process of private bills, the object contemplated by the general bill has been partially carried into effect.

For some years after retiring from Parliament, Sir John resided almost constantly in Edinburgh, devoting himself chiefly to literary labours, and superintending the education of his family, in the amusements even of the youngest of whom he took great delight. The number of his pamphlets published during these years show how laboriously he laboured in disseminating his opinions on subjects of public interest. In 1814, he removed with his family to Ormly Lodge, near London. Embracing the opportunity afforded by the Peace, he next year visited the Continent to prosecute certain inquiries respecting the prices of grain, and other matters connected with agriculture; and although his stay was abridged by the escape of Napoleon from Elba, he was enabled on his return to communicate, in his "Hints regarding the Agricultural State of the Netherlands compared with Great Britain," a variety of interesting intelligence.

"When the victory of Waterloo restored peace, he again visited the Continent, and repaired to the field where the great contest had been decided. The result of this tour, in addition to his favourite agricultural inquiries, was a "History of the Campaign," by Baron Muffling, a Prussian General, with whom he had been acquainted—to which was added an appendix of interesting particulars collected by himself. At Calais, on his return home, Sir John met Sergeant Ewart of the Scots Greys, whose gallantry in capturing one of the French eagles was much spoken about. Through his interest the gallant soldier was promoted to an ensigncy in a veteran corps.

In 1817, Sir John disposed of his villa near London, and returned to Edinburgh, where he afterwards continued permanently to reside. The only other political topic of paramount importance in which he took part, was the renewal of the "bullion question." He opposed Sir Robert Peel's bill to the utmost; and in 1826, aided by the pen of Sir Walter Scott, under the signature of Malachi Malagrowther, succeeded in rousing an effectual resistance, in so far as his own country was concerned, to the threatened extinction of the small note circulation.

In 1830, the "Scottish Patriot," then far advanced in years, paid a last visit to his native county. He was received with the most affectionate attention; and, on his return, his parting with old friends, many of whom accompanied him considerable distances, was in the highest degree affecting. He died at his house in George Street, in December, 1835, and was interred on the 30th, in the Royal Chapel of Holyrood.

From this rapid sketch of the life of Sir John Sinclair, a very imperfect idea can be formed of the multifarious labours in which he was incessantly engaged. Besides the works already mentioned, he was the author of several other extensive productions, among which may be mentioned the "Code of Health and Longevity," the "Code of Agriculture," etc., while his miscellaneous pamphlets and papers, on political and other subjects, amount to nearly four hundred. These embrace subjects the most varied. For example, "Address on the Corn Laws"—"Plan for Rewarding Discoveries for the Benefit of Society"—"On the Means of enabling a Cottager to keep a Cow"— "Culture of Potatoes"—"Sketch of a System of Education"—"On the Political State of Europe"—"On preserving the Dress, the Language, the Music, etc., of the Ancient Inhabitants of Scotland"— "Address to the Mercantile Interest"—"On the Distresses of the Times" (1816)—"Plan for promoting Domestic Colonisation, by Agricultural Improvements" (1819)—"Address to the Reformers of Great Britain" (1819)—"On the Causes of our National Distresses"—"Letter on Mountain Dew"—"Hints as to a Metallic Currency and a Free Trade"—"On the Cure and Prevention of Cholera, Fever," etc. (1826) —"Gretna Green Marriages"—"Thoughts on Catholic Emancipation", —"On Infant Schools"—"Plan for enabling Government to reduce Four Millions of Taxes" (1830)—"Fingal, a Tragedy, in Five Acts"— "Hints on the Tithe Question," etc., etc. Almost no question of any importance escaped his notice. In politics he was decidedly independent. His opinions were invariably the result of accurate information and of deep reflection. As a financier, his knowledge was comprehensive and sound; and his "History of the Revenue of the British Empire," may be still looked upon as the best authority that can be consulted on the subject. He was an uncompromising supporter of the Constitution, from a conviction of its utility; yet his Plans of Reform, in 1782 and 1831, clearly show that he was by no means insensible to improvement. His support of the corn laws arose from a belief that certain restrictions were necessary for the protection of the British grower, and that the prosperity of a country cannot be solid where the foundation does not rest on adequate cultivation. The state of Europe, during the greater part of his public life, tended to strengthen this maxim; and the great aim of his ambition seemed to be, by improved and extended culture, to render Britain independent of foreign supplies.

Whether his politics in this respect be sound or otherwise, no one can deny the purity of his motives. The political character and writings of Sir John may be forgotten; but his memory, as a practical benefactor of his country, must remain imperishable. That he was no heartless theorist is amply attested by the improvements effected on his own estate, in which the interests of his numerous tenantry were equally consulted with that of the soil. In no district of Great Britain has population increased for the last twenty or thirty years on a ratio equal with the county of Caithness. This is no doubt mainly to be ascribed to the fisheries, in the establishment of which Sir John took a leading interest. By liberal encouragement and assistance, he induced the settlement of companies—prevailed upon the Society for promoting British Fisheries to form a settlement at Wick—and, besides founding several villages, introduced various branches of industry. By his exertions, so early as 1785, in procuring funds from the forfeited estates of Scotland, towards the formation of roads throughout the northern counties, the influence of his public spirit has long been felt in the improved means of communication; industry and prosperity now prevail where apathy and indolence formerly existed, and Caithness has long been distinguished as the most extensive fishing district in Scotland.

Whether in improved fields, abundant harvests, the breed of cattle, or the condition of the rural population, the public spirit and example of Sir John Sinclair has been felt over all Scotland. In whatever regarded his native country he took especial interest. He was President of the Highland Society of London, as well as an original member of the Highland Society of Scotland, and he was sensitively alive to the preservation of whatever was characteristic in national language, dress, or manners. He frequently presided at the annual competition of pipers in Edinburgh, and was enthusiastic in his admiration of the music of Scotland. The following instance is given by his biographer: —One year he insisted upon carrying along with him two Italian noblemen—a Count from Milan, and a Marchese from Naples—contrary to the wishes of his friends, who in vain assailed him with assurances that, to the refined ears of Italy, the great Highland bagpipe would be intolerably offensive. But a great triumph awaited him. When his Italian guests saw the exertions of the competitors, the enthusiasm of the audience, and the exultation of the conqueror: and when they heard the rapturous applause with which every sentence of the oration of the preses was received, they declared that they had never witnessed any spectacle so gratifying. "I would have come from Italy to be present," said the Count. "I am proud to think," said the Marchese, "that we too have the bagpipe in our country; it is played by all the peasantry of Calabria."

The foreign correspondence of Sir John was extensive. The fame of his works, and the intimacies he had formed during his tours, created great demands on his time. He held no less than twenty-five diplomas from institutions in France, Flanders, Prussia, Austria, Saxony, Wirtemberg, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Italy, the United States, and the West Indies. With Presidents Washington, Jefferson, and Adams he had frequent and interesting communications, as well as with almost every person of note in the old world; while few foreigners of any distinction visited Scotland without letters of introduction to him.

"In person, Sir John Sinclair was tall and spare; and even in his advanced years he was remarkable for the elasticity of his gait and erect carriage. From his characteristic orderly habits, he was exceedingly neat in his dress; and he is said to have been, in youth. distinguished for his manly beauty. In the private walks of life, and in the exercise of the domestic virtues, he was a perfect model of the Christian gentleman, and with perhaps as few of the faults and frailties inherent in poor human nature, as almost ever falls to the share of an individual. He set a noble example to the world of intellectual activity uniformly directed from almost boyhood to extreme old age."