About the year 1801, Col. Graham was appointed to the Lieut. Governorship of Dunbarton Castle, a command reported vacant in consequence of the supposed death of Gen. Ferrier. The report proved incorrect and Gen. Ferrier expressed his indignation in the laconic message: "I, Islay Ferrier am not dead." The lieutenant Governorship of Stirling Castle being vacant at the time, it was given to Lieut. Col. Graham. In 1804 he was promoted to the rank of Brig. General, and placed on the staff. This was followed by his marriage to Jane, eldest daughter of James Ferrier and niece of Gen. Ferrier. Miss Ferrier was most popular as well as beautiful and clever: Her father was one of the principal clerks of the Court of Sessions, under Sir Walter Scott. Mrs. Graham was thus brought into the society of the most celebrated literary men of Scotland.
Her sister, Miss Susan Ferrier, was well known as the authoress of the novels: "Marriage," "Destiny" and "Inheritance," of which Sir Walter Scott wrote most flatteringly.
One of the friends of Jane Ferrier's early life was the beautiful and accomplished Lady Charlotte Campbell. Thomas Sheridan, poet and author; and Henry Erskine, Lord Advocate of Scotland, were amongst her warm admirers.
Robert Burns, who admired her greatly, wrote the following eulogy in her praise.
"Madam:
The "Mournfu' Sang' to which he referred and a copy of which he enclosed referred to his Elegy on Sir J. H. Blain.No heathen name shall I prefix
Frae Pindus or Parnassus,
Auld Reikie dings them all to sticks
For rhyme inspiring lassies;
Jove's tuneful dochtors, three times three
Made Homer deep their debtor,
But gien the body half an e'e
Nine Ferriers had done better.Last day my mind was in a bog
Down George's street I started,
A creeping, cauld prosaic fog
My vera senses doited.
Do what I'd ought to set her free
My muse lay in the mire;
Ye turned a neuk, I saw your e'e
She took the wing like fire.
The mournfu' sang I here enclose,
In gratitude I send you,
And pray in rhyme sincere as prose
A' Gude Things may attend you.
(Signed) ROBERT BURNS.
Miss Ferrier, a pronounced brunette, was nicknamed by her friends "Mrs. Crowe." The following is a copy of a note with which Lady Charlotte Campbell greeted her on her wedding day:
"For Mrs. Brigadier General Graham: This comes to felicitate J. C. Miss Ferrier,
Is it not strange that I should write for the last time to Jane Ferrier without sorrow? A thousand joys to Jane Graham. You have not time or power to read a long epistle. I merely trace these lines expressive of my best and kindest wishes that since I cannot in person be present at the ceremony my heart may wing its way to you. My husband, after his fashion manifests his sincere joy, and would have been very witty, if I had allowed him. God bless you, my dear friend, not less as a married than you ever were as a single woman; and in this pleasing belief, I remain, with pleasure, as with affection, Jane Graham, heartily affectionate;per ultima volta.
The following original letter from the celebrated Thomas Sheridan, poet and author; preserved in Mrs. Graham's portfolio, is very characteristic, and may interest you as it has done me.C. M. CAMPBELL.
"Dear Sir:--
This Mrs. Crowe (Mrs. Graham), who like the merry Knights, is not only witty herself, but the cause of wit and genius in others; who has been admired and sought after by all the men of wit and genius of the age, must not leave Edinbro' without the homage of your talents being paid to her, and as there is no time for verse writing or composition (for she goes on Monday) you must come in person, and cut the best figure you can. (Extempore.)
She is here
to see the lions and I am appointed showman.
Now, the word lion implies all that is agreeable, entertaining,
or interesting. Is it strange, therefore, that in seeking
for them, you should start into my mind, and that I shall consider my task
unaccomplished if I have not the pleasure of showing you.
Mrs. Crowe commissioned me (venturing on her intimacy with your brother as well as a slight acquaintance with yourself) to request your company to dinner to-morrow, Sunday, at Dumbucky, five o'clock; if you can't come to dinner, come in the evening, if not in the evening, come in the middle of the night, but do pray come.
To The Honourable H. Erskine"
Henry Erskine was Lord Advocate of Scotland, second son of the Tenth Earl Buchan. Gen. Graham died 26th Jan., 1831.