Sir James Montgomery and David Stuart Moncrief

The accompanying text in the volume states as follows: "LORD CHIEF-BARON MONTGOMERY, who is represented by the figure on the left, was the second and youngest son of William Montgomery, Esg. of Macbiehill, Tweeddale, and was born in 1721. Sir James, being educated for the law, became a member of the faculty of advocates soon after he had attained his majority. His talents were by no means of the highest order; yet, by judicious mental cultivation —by throwing aside all ingenious subtleties, and boldly grasping at the solid practical view of every question, he in time acquired the character of a sound lawyer. In 1748, when the Scottish heritable jurisdictions were finally abolished, Sir James was one of the first sheriffs appointed by the crown. He obtained the the last survivor of all those appointed at sheriffdom of Tweeddale, his native county; and it may be noticed that he was judge in this situation- the more irksome from its being the first of a new order the same period. His conduct as a of things proved so highly satisfactory, that in 1764 he was promoted to the office of Solicitor-General for Scotland, and elected to represent his native county in the British Parliament. A few years after he was still farther honoured by the appointment of Lord Advocate; and in 1777, on the death of Lord Chief-Baron Ord, he was appointed Lord Chief-Baron of his Majesty's Court of Exchequer. This situation he held until 1801, when he found it necessary to retire from public business. The title of Baronet was then conferred upon him (July 16, 1801), as a mark of royal esteem for his long and faithful services. MR. MONRIEF of Moredun, the venerable-looking old gentleman on the right, entered as a member of the Faculty of Advocates at an early age, but he never made a distinguished figure as a lawyer. His temper was naturally distant and reserved; and, far from seeking those intimacies which usually contribute to bring many a person of inferior ability into practice, he rather shunned than courted society. He was very early promoted to the office of King's Remembrancer in the Exchequer Court, the duties of which he discharged for many years with fidelity and attention. He was then preferred to the more elevated station of a Baron of the Exchequer, and in this situation fully maintained the character which he had previously acquired for regularity and despatch of business. Baron Moncrief continued all his life a bachelor; and, although by no means parsimonious, amassed a considerable fortune. He took much pleasure in cultivating the garden at Moredun, which, with great labour and expense, he brought to the highest state of perfection. He was for many years most attentive in presenting His Grace the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly with such rarities as his garden afforded. Prior to his removal to Moredun, Mr. Moncrief occupied that self-contained house in the Horse Wynd, next door to the shop of Mr. Paton, carver and gilder."