That potentate was himself deserving of notice from the following peculiarities:--He was born in the parish of Kirkmichael about the year 1671; and, as he died at Kirkcudbright 23d November 1792, he must then have been in the one hundred and twentieth year of his age.

It cannot be said that this unusually long lease of existence was noted by any peculiar excellence of conduct or habits of life.

Willie had been pressed or enlisted in the army seven times, and had deserted as often; besides three times running away from the naval service.

He had been seventeen times lawfully married; and, besides, such a reasonably large share of matrimonial comforts, was, after his hundredth year, the avowed father of four children by less legitimate affections.

He subsisted in his extreme old age by a pension from the present Earl of Selkirk's grandfather.