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- Below from "Old Kirkcudbright" web site
http://www.old-kirkcudbright.net/index.html
"AN INTERNET BROWSE THROUGH THE HISTORY TOPOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY OF THEANCIENT PARISH AND BURGH OF KIRKCUDBRIGHT"
http://www.old-kirkcudbright.net/books/obituary/lorddaer.htm
Obituary of Lord Daer
Gentleman’s Magazine, May, 1795.
Lord Daer, died of a consumption; at Ivy-Bridge, Devon; and was buried atExeter. To those unacquainted with his Lordship, it is not easy to conveyan adequate idea of his character. Though heir-apparent of a princelyfortune, he had never listened to the siren voice, nor tasted theintoxicating cup, of Pleasure. His active mind, eagerly engaged in thepursuits of business, submitted with impatience to that repose which wasnecessary to preserve its vigour. Nothing could equal the felicity withwhich he conceived the ardour with which he pursued, and the judgment hedisplayed in accomplishing, the multifarious objects which occupied hisattention, Of every subject which had fallen under his notice he had acomplete and thorough acquaintance; and, as the sphere of his observationwas enlarged, his knowledge was not only accurate but extensive. In thatpublic business, which more immediately concerned the two counties inwhich his father’s estate was situated, his Lordship had a large andimportant share. His zeal and fidelity in the discharge of every publicduty secured the esteem and approbation of all. In tracing out the lineof’ a. new road, or improving the direction of an old one, the ability ofhis Lordship was unrivaled. Of his superiority in this respect, thecounties of Wigtown and Kirkcudbright afford many derisive monuments.
Disinterested and patriotic, his sacrifices to public convenience wereworthy of public gratitude. He spared not his choicest fields when a roadcould be improved by traversing them. Of almost every institution formedto extend the limits of human knowledge, or to promote the interests ofmankind, his Lordship was a member; and to every public undertaking hissubscriptions were liberal and exemplary. Over his political character,while the minds of men are heated by party spirit, it may be proper tothrow a veil. Though his prudence was justly called in question, yet thepurity of his intentions was superior to suspicion. In every enterprizehe embarked with invincible zeal; and when the object was inexpedient, itwas some time before he could discover his mistake. As a public speaker,his matter was judicious, his meth6d conspicuous, and his mannerinsinuating and persuasive. Though you were not dazzled by the splendourof his eloquence, you were convinced by the masculine strength of hisarguments, and the clearness with which he treated his subject. In hisintercourse with the world he was modest, courteous, and easy. He coulddescend from the dignity of his rank, without impairing the dignity ofhis character. In every social and domestic relation, his private virtuesshone with a mild and attractive lustre. Nothing could discompose thetranquillity of his temper, or sour the natural sweetness of his manners.A correspondent says he has reason to believe that the late Lord Daerbroke off all connexion with the men he had formerly acted with, as soonas he discovered their motives to be less pure and patriotic that hisown; and that, for some time before his death, he had renounced allcommunication with Democrats. How glorious it would be for men, who actfrom principles thus to abjure their errors as soon as discovered, andnot continue a mischievous connexion through false pride and shame.
The Gentleman’s Magazine for Nov. 1794 had contained the following shortnotice of Lord Daer’s death:
Lately on his way to the island of Madeira for the recovery of hishealth, in the 29th year of his age, Basil William Lord Daer, eldest sonof the Earl of Selkirk, and late a member of the Edinburgh Convention.
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Abt 1766 - 1795 (29 years)