John Maclaurin

We may mention, in particular, two gentlemen of the law, Meſſ. Croſbie and Maclaurin, Advocates. Both are maſters of the ſubject; and both ſpeak in a manner that would do them honour in any aſſembly. Mr Croſbie harangues with a firmneſs, a boldneſs, and a warmth, that have gained him the title of Serjeant Croſbie in the civil courts, and Saint Croſbie in the eccleſiaſtical. Mr Maclaurin, who is ſon to the celebrated Profeſſor Colin Maclaurin, and who gave ſo great a proof of his abilities in his defence of Mungo Campbell, argues warmly too, but with more preciſion, and at the ſame time more fancy. He has written ſeveral eſſays in verſe; and his ſpeeches are always ſeaſoned with wit and humour. When he was younger, he dealt them put more liberally. He is now more ſparing of them. It was obſerved, by a lively friend of his, diſtinguiſhed for the originality of his compariſons, " Maclaurin has as much wit and humour as ever he had; but, fearing to over ſeaſon the dish, he has clapped the lid upon the caſtor, and inſtead of throwing out thoſe qualities copiouſly as formerly, he ſprinkles them with more addreſs."

Boswell, “A sketch of the constitution of the Church of Scotland”>, in The Scots Magazine, 1772.… (más)