RIDDELLS OF CAMIESTON, SCOTLAND.
99
of the Tenth Regiment; descended from the ancient Highland family of
MacLauchlan of Fassifern, an estate long since sold. After a long illness,
borne with great faith and patience, his admirable wife passed away in
1860, and he married secondly, in 1871, Mary, youngest daughter of Wil-
liam Currie, Esq., of Linthill, formerly of the East India Company's ser-
vice, Madras. Mr. Riddell was educated by private tuition, and at the
High School at Edinburgh. At about the age of seventeen he went to
London to fill a situation in an East India house, and was for many years
confidentially employed by that firm; and on retiring from business, lived
some years near London, eventually returning to Scotland in 1869, where
he afterward resided, -for a time near Melrose, and latterly at Cavers
Carre, to which property he succeeded in 1860, on the death of his uncle,
the Vice-Admiral Robert Riddell (who had assumed the additional name
of Carre), and at the request of his uncle took the additional name and
arms of Carre. He was a Justice of the Peace and Commissioner of Sup-
ply for the County of Roxburgh. In politics he was moderately Conserv-
ative, but he disliked the turmoil of political strife, and preferred the
quiet paths of literature.
His acquaintance with the history of the border families was extensive
and accurate, and he found great pleasure in imparting his knowledge
through the press, lectures, correspondence, and conversation. He was
an excellent lecturer, entering into his subject with much enthusiasm; and
his elocution was characterized by grace and animation. He delivered
several lectures on the history of the ancient families, and brought to light
many valuable facts that would otherwise have been irrecoverably lost.
His speeches were well prepared, and were so full of erudite and accurate
information, that they were listened to with deep interest, and the reports
were always read with pleasure. The mention of some old family by the
local newspapers, often called forth a note from his pen, giving out of his
abundant treasures valuable information.
He was a man of large heart, and the most genial sympathies; and
nothing afforded him greater pleasure than to be doing good, in whatever
form the opportunity presented itself. His habit of mind was serious and
thoughtful, and he was strongly imbued with religious principles. He
also took a deep interest in benevolent and religious societies, acting as
secretary to local associations, advocating their cause on the platform, and
lending his methodical and business-like capacities to their financial man-
agement. He was a great favorite with those of humble rank; he was
fond of chatting with them on the road, and dropping into their cottages,
would inquire kindly after their welfare.
He died at his post. He passed away at his residence at Cavers Carre*
in December, 1874, his death being caused by a cold, which was followed
by a severe rheumatic attack, from which the remedies applied gave him
but little relief, and the poisoned blood found way to his head. He con-
tinued to grow worse, and became very incoherent in his speech, and
The ancient house at Cavers Carre was built in 1532, as recorded on a stone, but
has nearly disappeared. There are no less than eight stones extant that were in
the old house, and when the new additions were made, were put into a court; six
of these are nearly perfect, and two of them have inscribed the arms of Riddell
quartered with those of Carre, -two of the ancient Carres having intermarried
with the Riddells, the oldest bearing date 1634. The early Carres were exten-
sive land proprietors; but the acreage of Cavers Carre estate is now small, but has
not passed out of the family possession.
