[The family of Cassie was one of considerable standing in the town
of Banff; and Bailie Cassie was of no mean importance in the manage-
ment of its municipal affairs, and had the credit of being a wealthy mer-
chant, canying on extensive business. Being a man of letters, it was
his bent to give his sons the advantage of good education, and had them
placed at the Grammar School and Aberdeen College. It is well known
that his three sons — James, Patrick, and Alexander — turned out men
of genius and scholastic acquirement.
[James, the eldest, had superior talent as a linguist, and, being a
favourite in the family of the Chief Magistrate of the town — ^Provost
George Robinson — ^was induced to accompany his two eldest sons as
tutor in making the tour of Europe. I very well remember Mr James
Cassie while residing here on the competency which his father left him,
and giving instruction as a favour to some young friends in French,
German, Greek, and Latin, and particularly in Astronomy, exhibiting in
connection with the latter a most ingenious and admirable '^ Orrery "
of his own construction. In after years, Mr Cassie, not finding suffident
scope for his tastes or talents in the confined sphere of Banff life, removed
to Edinburgh, where he resided in comfortable circumstances till his
death, at an advanced age.
[Patrick Cassie settled down as a lawyer in his native town, and
rose to considerable eminence in his profession.
