Mr Tytler was also the author of a paper in the Lounger, No. 1 6, entitled the
"Defects of Modern Female education in teaching the Duties of a Wife;" and with this terminates the catalogue of his published literary achievements, so far as these are known or acknowledged.
To Mr Tytler's talents and acquirements his works will always bear evidence, but there are other merits which he possessed in an eminent degree, which it requires the pen of the biographer to perpetuate. His works sufficiently inform us of his profound and intimate acquaintance with Scottish history and antiquarian lore ; of his zealous patriotism, and eminent knowledge of the science of music ; but they do not inform us of his generous and benevolent disposition, nor of that delightful and enviable buoyancy of spirit, which enabled him, at the latest period of a life protracted beyond the usual limit of human existence, to join, with the utmost glee, in all the pranks and follies of the young persons, his friends and relatives, who came to visit him, and whom he was always rejoiced to see. Mr Tytler not only attained and enjoyed himself a healthy and happy old age, but had a prescription ready for his friends which would confer the same blessing. This prescription was " short, but cheerful meals, music, and a good conscience."
Mr Tytler was one of the original members of the Musical Society of Edinburgh, and continued his connexion with that body for nearly sixty years. He usually spent a portion of the summer at his beautiful country seat of Woodhouselee. Here in a private and shady walk he had erected an urn with the following inscription:
Hunc lucum
Caris mortuis amicis,
Sacrum dicat
W. T.
Some time before his death, Mr Tytler was seized with a slight paralytic affection, but it did not much debilitate his frame, nor did it in the least degree affect his faculties, all of which remained unimpaired till the hour of his death, an event which happened on the 12th of September, 1792, in the eighty-first year of his age.
Mr Tytler was married in 1745, to Miss Anne Craig, daughter of James Craig, Esq. of Costerton, in the county of Mid Lothian, one of the writers to his majesty's Signet, by whom he left two sons, Alexander Fraser Tytler, afterwards lord Woodhouselee, and major Patrick Tytler, fort-major of the castle of Stirling. He left also one daughter, Miss Christina Tytler. It only remains to be added to this sketch, and the addition though short, comprises one of the strongest eulogiums which was ever bestowed on human virtue: it is recorded of Mr Tytler, that no one ever spoke ill of him.
TYTLER, Alexander Fraser, usually styled Lord Woodhouselee, was born in Edinburgh, on the 15th of October, 1747. He was the eldest son of William Tytler, esquire of Woodhouselee, by his wife, Anne Craig. The earlier rudiments of education he received from his father at home; but in the eighth year of his age, he was sent to the High School, then under the direction of Mr Mathison. At this seminary, young Tytler remained for five years, distinguishing himself at once by the lively frankness of his manners, and by the industry and ability with which he applied himself to, and pursued his studies. The latter procured him the highest honours of the academy; and, finally, in the last year of his course, obtained for him the dignity of dux of the rector's class.
On the completion of his curriculum at the High School his father sent him
