THE LIBRARY

THE UNIVERSITY

OF CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES

THE

LITERARY

HISTORY OF GALLOWAY.

THOMAS MURRAY, A. M.

Paulluui sepultas distat inertia:
Celata virtus. — Hor,

SECOND EDITION.

EDINBURGH :
PRINTED|FOR WAUGH AND INNES ;

W. CURRY, JUN. & CO. DUBLIN ; AND WHITTAKER & CO.

LONDON. ,

M.DCCC.XXXII.

EDINBUROII :
PRINTKD liy A. IMI.I'OUR AND CO. MDDUV STREET.

riK.
US/

w c^c HA yfi/hf>vK iJrti^n^yt^w /i

It)
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LADY ANNE MURRAY

of Brougljton,

THIS WORK

RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED
BY

THE AUTHOR.

if^ orTio c r^

It*'

^ v%

PREFACE.

Of Tlie Literary History of GaUoivay, which first
appeared in 1822, a new impression is now present-
ed to the public. The extraneous matter, which the
orig-inal work embraced, has been omitted ; much
extravagance, in regard both to sentiment and dic-
tion, has been corrected ; and the whole has under-
gone a thorough revisal. Nor is this all : Nine-
teen new articles, of which sixteen are altogether
original, have been added ; and the present volume
may be considered rather as a new work than as the
republication of one already before the world. Its
execution is not, I am aware, worthy of the import-
ant materials of which it is composed ; yet I flatter
myself, that, with all its imperfections, it will be re-
garded as constituting some addition, however slight,
to the biographical literature of Scotland.

Of the numerous Lines which the volume in-
cludes, the subjects of several were but slightly con-
nected with Galloway. I allude, in particular, to

M rUKlAtK.

Lord .Stair, l^ut as no account of this distinfifuished
law \ iM- lias hitherto been g-iven to the workl, — a cir-
tiiiustantc which I regard as not honourable to our
Scots bar, — T avaih^d myself of his casual connexion
\\ith the j)r()vince in question to obey an impulse
wliich it woukl have been difficult for me to re-
strain. Had my limits admitted, I should have had
iiuich pleasure in extending the notices I have given
of this illustrious person.

County Literary History I consider as of great
imj)()rtance. Without such a classification of bio-
graphical articles, the personal history of many in-
dividuals, who have been benefactors to their coun-
tr\ , or deserved well of the republic of letters, would
soon be forgotten, or but partially known. A work,
such us the present, prevents, so far as its locality
extends, this result, much to be regretted, from
taking place. And if Scotland, divided into coun-
ties, or larger districts, were possessed of a series of
similar productions, she would be distinguished by
a fulness and minuteness of Literary History, of
which no other country can boast.

I cannot close this preface without mentioning,
in terms of becoming gratitude, the facilities which,
• 111 all occasions, have been so liberally afforded me
by (N ery person to M'hom I found it necessary to
apjily for information : a circumstance that rendered
my researches a work, not of toil, but of pleasure.

PREFACE. VH

To the Rev. Dr. Andrew Brown of this city, whose
acquaintance with American history is well known,
I have been indebted for a perusal of the numerous
pamphlets, (all of them rare,) relative to the settle-
ment' formed by Lord Selkirk on the Red River,
North America.

Since |^that part of my History, which contains
Tlie Life of Robert Maxivell of ArJdand, was
printed, I have learned, from a most respectable
source, that that eminent person had been bred a
writer in Edinburgh ; and that he lived some time
in that city in the profession of the law. He
must, it is probable, have relinquished that profes-
sion, either when he entered on his extensive
farming- operations at Clifton-Hall, or soon after
that time, as he seems subsequently to have devot-
ed his life to the enthusiastic cultivation, both
practically and theoretically, of agricultural science.

Albany^Street, EdINBURC4H,
2Qth December 1831.

THE

LITERARY HISTORY

GALLOWAY.

CHAPTER I.

DRUIDISM— LIFE OF ST. NINIAN.

The progress of nations in literature and refinement is gener-
ally slow. From various causes, Galloway,* as well as the
other districts of Scotland, remained long sunk in ignorance
and barbarism. At the time of the invasion #f the Romans,
the south of Britain could boast of the Druids, a religious
class of men, comparatively enlightened. ■{• That the Druidical
system had ever extended to Scotland, it would be difficult to
show. That it was of Celtic origin, and professed by all
Celtic tribes, is a position which, though often repeated, none
has succeeded in establishing. If this point could be indis-
putably ascertained, it is obvious, that no other argument
would be requisite to prove the existence of Druidism in Scot-
land, the original inhabitants of that country being undoubt-
edly of Celtic derivation. :J: Caesar, however, decidedly affirms,

• Appendix, Note A.

■f Neque fas esse existimant ea Uteris mandare, quum in reliquis fere rebus,
publicis privatisque rationibus, Greeds Uteris utantur, Caesar de Bello GaHico,
vi. xiv.

J Appendix, Note B.

- THE MTERARY HISTORY

that it h;ul its oriiMU in Britain, and M'as thence translated to
Ciaul. And, in corroboration of this statement, he mentions,
that tliose who wished to become acquainted with its forms
and mysteries, were under the necessity of going to Britain
to be instructed. This opinion, it is evident, is not a conjec-
ture of Ca\sar ; it is the opinion of the Gallic Druids, from
wliom he obtained his information. And as of all the early
writers on this subject, he undoubtedly possessed the most ac-
curate and miinite intelligence ; and as his account of the
origin of Druidism has never been disputed by any ancient
author, it is absurd to conclude, in the face of such satisfactory
eviilencc, that this system was radically Celtic, and co-exten-
sive with the wanderings of that celebrated people. " Since
it must have begun to exist after the Celts left their original
settlements, it must be considered as British, not Celtic ; and
it would be as absurd to extend it to all the Celts, because it
originated among them, as it would be to expect to find the
institutions of secret tribunals, in the thirteenth century, among
the Swedes, as well as among the Germans, merely because
they were both Gothic nations."*

As it cannot, therefore, be proved that Druidism was the
religion of all the Celtic nations, we have no authority for ex-
tentling it to any district of Scotland. We may, indeed, con-
clude, from the statement of Caesar, that it was known only
in the south of Britain and in France. Besides, no early
writer mentions that this cruel superstition was even professed
by our ancestors ; and on the authority of early writers alone
can this question be determined. Tacitus relates, that Sueto-
nius Paulinus, after having vanquished the Britons on Mona,*f-
cut down and destroyed the consecrated groves of the Druids.^
The same author, however, in writing the history of the cam-
paign of Agricola in Scotland, never once alludes to this order
of men. And as the JJruidical ceremonies were so singular,
and wj deserving of attention, both in a religious and political

" Eilinburtjh Review for July 1801. -|- Anglesea.

\ TacUi AnnaleK, xiv. xxx.

OF GALLOWAY. Cj

point of view, it would be impossible to account for the silence
of Tacitus respecting them, if they had been really established
in the country which he describes. Negative evidence is
nearly all we can obtain on this subject, and we hold the pre-
ceding as an irrefragable argument in our favour.

The well known circles of stones have been uniformly ap-
pealed to by the promoters of the opposite theory as an indu-
bitable proof that Druidism had existed in the countries where
such remains are to be found ; and Mr. Chalmers, the celebrat-
ed author of Caledonia, rests nearly the whole merits of the
question on this argument. Those who have studied the sub-
ject impartially, know that this position is assumed ; and we
may confidently challenge our opponents to produce one single
authority in support of it. Caesar, whose account of the
Druids is so full and explicit, makes no mention of these
buildings ; and Tacitus, while he relates that the sacred groves
of the Druids were destroyed, is silent with regard to these
stone monuments.* And as it evidently appears to have been
the intention of Suetonius to exterminate, if possible, the re-
ligion of the Druids, certainly, if temples had formed any part
of their institution, he would have destroyed them, as well as
cut down the groves. These circles of stone might have been
erected for purposes different from those of religious worship ;
and Mr. Chalmers confesses that similar edifices of stone de-
signate the places of ancient political and judicial assemblies-
It is evident, indeed, that such temples were used by Gothic
nations for the purposes either of religion or judicature, and
are to be found in districts in which, it is allowed, Druidism
was never known. " Stone monuments, nearly similar in
form, and equal in magnitude to those which are said to be
most unequivocally Druidical, exist in countries into which,
according to the opinion of all antiquarians, the Celts never
penetrated. In many parts of the north of Germany, in the
island of Zealand, and in Iceland, the stone monuments are
similar in form, and seem to have been erected for the same

* Chalmers' Caledonia, i. 1.

1 THE LITERARY HISTORY

})uq)oso with those in Britain and France.""* " For Druidic
antiquities," says Dr. Irving, " it would he in vain to search ;
instead ot" temples and other edifices, they consecrated the mis-
letoi', and the oak on which it grew.""!" I'his opinion is not
a uiodtrn conjecture, for it has been handed down to us since
the days of Pliny. :|; The worship in groves, indeed, and the
veneration paid to the misletoc of the oak, are the distinguish-
ing features of the Druidical mythology. These are uniformly
mentioned by early writers, without any reference to stone edi-
fices ; and as groves were used by the Druids instead of tem-
ples, and as their victims were immolated on the oak, it is
necessary to conclude that they erected no buildings or altars of
stone.

To Druidism, then, Galloway owes no obligations. Nor do
I think she is much indebted to her Roman invaders; for
though, as Dr. Irving remarks, " the conquests of that war-
like but civilized and ingenious people, were not more fatal
to pride and independence than conducive to the dissemination
of useful knowledge ;"i^ yet we have no evidence that the Ro-
mans ever established colonics in this province, or formed any
very intimate connexion with its inhabitants. The Galwegians,
it is probable, were indebted for nearly the first rudiments of
liberal knowledge to the diffusion of the Christian religion ;
an event which took place as early at least as the beginning
of the fifth century. According to some writers, Scotland was
converted to Christianity a considerable time before this period ;
and it is expressly stated by Ailred, that the sovereign of that
province, nf)w known by the name of (ndloway, (father to the
illustrious Ninian of whom we are about to speak), embraced
the tl(K'trines of the gospel about the middle of the fourth
centur)'.|| These assertions, however, are not entitled to un-
qualified credit ; and, indeed, it is not improbable, from the

" EtI. Bev. ut mipra- f Irving's Lives of Scottish Poets, i. 4.

J NUiil hnhfiit JJruida, it a (mini appellant siios Mayos, visco et arbore in qua
gignntur, xi modo nl rohur, sacratiiui. Plinii Nat, Ilisloria, xvi. 1)5.
§ IniiiK'x Lives, i. 2.
y A'lmflBt Vita ab Ailredo, edit. I'inkcrtoii, Loud. 1789.

OF GALLOWAY. O

deciiloil testimony of Bcde, the earliest writer on this subject,
that the region of which we arc treating was not freed from
idolatry and heathenism until the time of St. Ninian, bishop
of Candida Casa.*

Of this celebrated ecclesiastic little can now be known. His
life, indeed, has been written by Ailred ; but Ailred lived in
the middle of the twelfth century, above six hundred years
after the death of him whose histoiy he professed to trace.
His work, then, though its merits in other respects were much
higher than they are, cannot be regarded as very accurate or
authentic ; but the ignorance or credulity of Ailred, no sub-
sequent learning and research have been able to detect or
remove."!*

Ninian, as above hinted, was descended of royal parentage,
and bom, it is supposed, near Leucophibia, the site of the
present Whithorn, in the year three hundred and sixty. J Of
his early history, and the nature of his education, we must be
content to remain ignorant ; but we are informed, that, after
having been ordained, at Rome, bishop of the Britons, and
instructed in monastic discipline by his relation St. Martin of
Tours, he returned to his native country about the end of the
fourth, or beginning of the fifth century, and devoted the
remainder of a lonjr life to the zealous dissemination of the
doctrines of the gospel. He erected a church at Leucophibia,
which is emphatically mentioned by Bede as the first built
of stone, and as obtaining from this circumstance the appro-
priate name of Candida Casa.§ This church he dedicated to

• Bedce Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum, iii. iv.

+ The work of Ailred, wlio was Abbot of Rievall in Yorksliire, has been
published by the late Mr. Pinkerton, and forms the first article of a curious
collection of ancient biography, entitled, Vitce Ardiqua Sanctorum qui hahi-
taverunt in ea parte BritannicE nunc vocata Scotia, vcl in ejus Insulis. Quas-
daiH edidit ex MSS. quasdaiii colkgit Johannes Pinkerton, qui el Variantes
Lectiones et notas pauculas adjecit. London, 17S9, 8vo.

I Niniani Vita. Caledonia, i. 315.

§ BedcB Historia, ut supra. It has been conjectured that Leucophibia
and Candida Casa are equivalent terms, the former being merely a corrup-
tion of the Greek \iuk otKiha,; Camden's Britannia, 740.

6 THK LITERARY Hlt^TORY

t>t. Martin, not as the saint of the place, but as a mark of
resjuvt to his memory, (for he was now dead,) and to preserve
the remembrance of his virtues. The bishoprick of Candida
Casa is regarded by ]Mr. Pinkerton as the oldest in Scotland.*

The assertion of Mr. Chalmers, that Kinian founded a
monastery at Candida Casa, is not devoid of probability. Mo-
nasteries, as shall be afterwards shown, had been instituted
for more than a century before the period at which we are
arrived ; and Ninian, as mentioned above, had undoubtedly
been instructed in the nature and discipline of these establish-
ments, by St. INIartin of Tours. But though the opinion of
Mr. Ciialmers be allowed to be correct, the monastery of Can-
dida Casa, amid the distractions of war, and from a paucity of
ecclesiastics, must soon have fallen into decay. Nor was it
revival till the days of Fergus, lord of Galloway, in the mid-
dle of the twelfth century.

Ninian did not confine his labours to Galloway. We are
informed that he went to convert the Picts who lived south of
the (irampian Hills ;-}* but of the result of this pious expedi-
tion we have no certain intelligence. To this portion of his
history, Ailretl devotes but a single page ; though, as Mr.
Pinkert<m remarks, it forms the m.ost important part of his
lifc.;J: This omission, however, we have no great reason to
regret ; for his success, we may readily suppose, could not
have been very extraordinary. Men, in every age, have shown
a deep-rooted attachment to the religious opinions which their
forefathers entertained, and in which they themselves were
educated ; and nothing has been found more difficult than to
effect a revolution in the theological discipline and doctrine of
a nation. This inveterate prejudice Ninian had to encounter
in his labours aBflong the Picts ; for notwithstanding his cha-
racteristic zeal and perseverance, the greater part of this cele-
brated ])eoplc remained unconverted till the time of St. Colum-
ba, whei^ the king and nobility liaving abjured paganism, and

• Pinkerton'.s Jm/ninj, ii. 268. -j- Bede and Ailrcd, ut supra.
\ Pinkcrtoii's /»Y"'ry, i. 7i. Ailicd, t. xi Userii Brilt. Eccl Anliq-

OF GALLOWAY. 7

received baptism from the ISaint, the whole population were at
once induced to follow so illustrious an example.

That Nmian, in his visit to the Picts, ordained presbyters,
consecrated bishops, and divided the country into parishes, is
an assertion undeserving of unqualified belief.* That he conse-
crated persons to the holy ministry of the gospel, is exceedingly
probable ; but that he established parishes, in the proper ac-
ceptation of that word, either among the Picts, or among his
own flock in Galloway, is absurd or impossible. The erection of
parishes, indeed, was purely an ecclesiastical regulation ; but
that it was effected by Ninian, is disproved by the circum-
stances, that the number of preachers, (all of whom it is pro-
bable he himself had educated in his monastery of Candida
Casa,) were then necessarily small, and that, as just men-
tioned, the Picts at least, whatever was the case with his Gal-
wegian flock, did not receive the word of God gladly. —
At what period parishes were established, it would now be in
vain to inquire. It could not have taken place till the Chris-
tian system had been generally received, and its preachers be-
come numerous ; and as this division, and the necessary pre-
vious ecclesiastical establishments infer no inconsiderable degree
of refinement and political knowledge, it is highly probable
that the arrangement in question did not take place before the
ninth or tenth century. Mr. Chalmers supposes that parishes
were gradually formed after the year 843 ; but that they ex-
isted in the time of Malcolm III., who died in 1093, is as-
certained by authentic records.-f- In the reigns immediately
subsequent, tythes and ecclesiastical dues are mentioned, as
if they were familiarly known and had been long esta-
blished.;!:

It is improper to term Ninian bishop of "the Picts, though
he went to convert them. Galloway formed the great scene of
his benevolent exertions ; its inhabitants were then Celts ; nor

* Ailrcd ar.d Uslier, tit supra. t Caledonia, i. -tS?.

i Diitjdale's Monaslicvn, i. 3i)9 — Conncl on Tythes, i. 8.

8 THE LITERARY HISTORY

were the Picts known in this province till alter the ahdication
of the Anglo-Saxons in the beginning of the ninth century.*

I'.sher mentions a tradition, that on account of frequent and
inconvenient visits from his mother and relations, St. Ninian
left Whithorn and retired to Ireland ; that he obtained from
the king a fit and pleasant place called Cluayn-Coner, where he
founded a magnificent monastery; and that, after many years re-
sidence, he died in that country. -f* This tradition is evidently
unfounded in truth. It is alloAved, on all hands, that he died
and was buried in ^Vhithorn ;:|: and no fact in history is better
kno\\m, than that his tomb there was visited by pilgrims for
ten centuries after liis death. s^J Besides, that this " very reve-
rend and holy" saint, (to use the words of Bede), forsook an
cst;djlishmcnt which himself had reared, and which must have
been endeared to him by many charms and associations, merely
on account of unseasonable visits from his mother and friends,
is abundantly iinpro])able and ludicrous.

After a life spent in promoting the most valuable interests
of mankind ; after introducing his countrymen to a know-
ledge of (jod and his gospel, he died on the sixteenth day of
September 432, at the advanced age of seventy-two. || The
anniversary of his death was long observed in remembrance of
a prelate who had devoted his days to promote the best inte-
rests of his species.

From the narrow-mindedness and superstition of his age, St.
Ninian was not free. That he laid claim to the power of
working miracles, has been asserted by all his biographers,
and has made him the object of much abuse and illiberality.fl
Whether he did really put forth such a claim, or whether this
distinction has been gratuitously conferred on him by posterity,
wc need not inquire, though the latter sujjposition is by no

• Calitlimui, i. ."ii?. j. Userii Britt. Eccles. Antir/uilatcs, 1059.

J Sqiullux rM in ecclesiu beati MuTlini quam ipse a fiindmnento cunsiruxerat,
jH^xUiuf/ue in HiiTarphnijo iipideo juxlu allure. Ailred. Niidani Vila, 19. This
Mtatement is also made by Bede; iii. iii.

§ C<didi,ma,\.2\r,. App. fioto C- \\ Hid.

% riiikertoii'b Irt'juiri/, ii. 277.

OF GALL0U^4Y.

means improbable. But whatever he may have believed, or
pretended, there is no evidence that miraculous gifts have been
imparted to any since the days of the apostles. The dark and
superstitious times in which he lived, however, should exempt
him from the disgrace of errors and delusions which were then
common ; for St. Columba, also, and all the early saints on
the Romish Calendar, supposed they possessed the miraculous
influences of the Holy Spirit. And, besides, when we see
grave Protestant divines inculcate the doctrine that, in certain
circumstances, the power of working miracles will be conferred
on faithful preachers of the gospel, the memories of Ninian
and his contemporaries should surely no longer be visited with
contempt or ridicule.*

His literary attainments cannot reasonably be regarded as
great. Some of his biographers, however, have represented
them as stupendous ;-|- while Mr. Pinkerton characterises him
" as a man of a confined mind, and a stranger to secular
learniug."'*'i But to him, with all his ignorance and bigotry, we
owe the first ecclesiastical establishments in Scotland, and his
name will ever hold a respectable rank among the early orna-
ments of our country.

* Smith's and Adomnan's Life of St. Columba, passim — Tillotson's Ser-
mo7is, viii. 304. ix. 362. Edin. 1772, 12mo.

+ Leland de Scriptoribus Britannicis, i. 56. Some have even repre-
sented him as an author. — Ne viderentur, says Usher, omnino posterorum
immemor, inaffectato-, sed utili exarahat stylo, Psalterii Meditationes, librum
unum, et Ex Seiitentiis Sanctorum, librum unum — Useiii Britt. Eccl. Antiq.
Balei Scriptoris Britannia, i. 43.

X Inquiry, ii. 277.

10 THE LITERARY HISTORY

CHAPTER II.

OUIGIX AND HISTORY OF MONASTERIES.

The death of Ninian was fatal to the progress of learning and
refinement in Galloway. The benefits which he conferred on
the Gahvegians, there was none after him to cherish and per-
petuate. In the see of Candida Casa, indeed, Acta succeeded
hini. but Acta has left us no memorials either of his learning
or usefulness ; and besides, with the exception of the short pe-
riod of seventy years, during the sway of the Anglo-Saxons,
this see could not boast of a bishop for the protracted space of
seven centuries.* Nor is this circumstance difficult to be ac-
counted for. The political state of the district was extremely
unfavourable to the cultivation of taste and of literature. In
less than a century after the death of Ninian, Galloway became
subject to the Anglo-Saxons of Northumbria ; and though
their conquerors conferred on them many advantages, though
for a short time they revived the reduced bishoprick of Can-
dida Casa, and taught them the arts of peace and of domestic
comfort, the Gahvegians never willingly submitted to their
sway ; they regarded them with hostility, and made frequent
and daring attempts to regain their independence.

But the abdication of the Anglo-Saxons, which took place
in the year 820, was not the source of much benefit to the
Galwegians ; their province was immediately overrun by a
fresh horde of invaders ; and they were afterwards involved in

' Keith's Calal. of ScoUish Hin/wps, 161.

OK GALLOWAY. 11

a continual state of" warfare, offensive or defensive, till the mid-
dle of the fifteenth century, the date of the fall of the family
of Douglas.

In such circumstances, they could devote no time to intel-
lectual improvement. Such pursuits they would have reckoned
unworthy of them, and incompatible with their glory and inde-
pendence. To them the dignity of literature and civilization
were entirely unknown. From their earliest youth, their pas-
time and trade was war ; it was their daily, their sole occupa-
tion. So remarkable were they for daring and devoted heroism
and enterprise, that these, at an early period, obtained them
the appellation of the wild Scots of Galloway, and procured
them from the Scottish king the distinction of forming the van
in every engagement at which they might be present.

But the evils under which Galloway so long laboured were
not unblended with many advantages. Their native princes,
amid all their ambitious and warlike enterprises, were not inat-
tentive to the interests of literature and religion ; for by their
means she could boast of no fewer than ten ecclesiastical estab-
lishments before the end of the thirteenth century. These
continued to flourish, even under the inauspicious sway of the
family of Douglas, who long held the province in thraldom,
and who regarded intellectual endowments as a stain and re-
proach. Of these monastic establishments, for many ages the
only sources of learning and religion, we now proceed to give
such an account as the scantiness of materials has enabled us
to collect.

MoNACHiSM, if we may believe that St. Ninian introduced
it into Galloway, was then but of recent establishment. An-
thony of Egypt is looked upon as the author of this system.
In 305, he thought it meritorious to forego all the charities
and sympathies of life, and to retire into the depths of the de-
sert for the practice of austerity. His example was successively
followed at Rome and in Pontus ; and St. Martin, from whom
Ninian received his instructions, was the first that founded a
monastery in Western Europe.*

" Hist- Ace. of Monachiam., in Gibbon, vi. 241 — 6. 8vo.

12 THE LITEnARY HISTORY

Monastic establishments have been regarded by modern
^\Titers as objects worthy only of contempt and of ridicule.
A\'ith their very names we are taught to associate ideas of the
most base and repulsive kind. Nor is this feeling entirely un-
founded. For more than a centuiy before their final suppres-
sion, monasteries were distinguished only for lewdness, igno-
rance, and impiety. But, however degraded they at last be-
Tame, how objectionable soever they may be at a period when
liberal knowledjie is common, and schools and colleges are nu-
merous, vet for many centuries they formed the only semina-
ries of education in our land ; literature and science, unknown
among the laity, were confined to the monks ; and their re-
cords and chartularies contain almost the only repositories of
our early literary and ecclesiastical history. The first two au-
thors that Scotland can boast of were of the order of monks,
and a great proportion of our early wTiters spent their days in
a cloister.* ^^■ hen we are inclined to apply to these ancient
estiiblishments epithets of contempt or condemnation, let us
soften our feelings by reHecting, that, for ages, they formed
the only source from which the stream of intellectual attain-
ments was fed and maintained — from which " roving clans and
savage barbarians derived the benefits of knowledge, and the
blessings of religion."

About the middle of the twelfth century, Fergus, Lord of
Cralloway, founded a priory at Whithorn, for monks of the
Premonstratensian order, so called from Premonstrc in Cham-
pagne, the seat of their first abbey .-|- Of this monastery the
records are entirely lost. At the Reformation, all the chartu-
laries and ecclesiastical manuscripts that the Popish clergy
could get into their hands were carried away by them, and
either destroyed, or lodged in the Vatican at Rome, or the
Scotch College at Paris. '^J'hrs was the case, in a peculiar
manner, in the province of Galloway ; for, of the many reli-

• Irving's ScMltiah Poets, i. 18, If).

•j- .">ir James Biilfoui'i* Acrounl of the Bvi/iojmch and Monasteries in Scot-
land, anil their founders, and time offoumlation, JMS. Adv. Lib. Keitli, &c. on
Rdiijifjus JIouscs, Kfith'b Catulotjue, 21i.
1

OF GALLOWAY. 13

gious establishments with which it abounded, no records re-
main ; and the very little that can now be known of their his-
tory must be collected from the meagre references of collateral
sources.

With the exception of Morice, who swore fealty to Ed-
ward I. in 1296, the names of none of the early priors of
Whithorn have been handed down to us ; but this loss is am-
ply compensated by the celebrity of James Beaton and Gavin
J )unbar, both successively connected with this priory, and both
afterwards raised to the highest civil and ecclesiastical digni-
ties.

James Bethune, or Beaton, was youngest son to John
Beaton of Balfour, in Fife. He was prior of Whithorn some
time before the year 1504. About this period he obtained the
office of lord treasurer, and in four years afterwards was elected
bishop of Galloway ; but, before his consecration, he was pro-
moted to the archiepiscopal see of Glasgow, on which appoint-
ment he resicrned the situation of treasurer. He attained to
the highest offices, both in church and state ; for, in 1515,
through the friendship of the Duke of Albany, then regent of
the kingdom, he was created lord chancellor ; and, in 1522,
he was raised to the dignity of primate of Scotland. But his
prosperity was not uninterrupted. Of the office of chancellor
he was deprived by the fluctuation of court favour ; and such
at that period was the instability of power, that, to preserve his
life, he was compelled to retire from his public duties, to lurk
in the most remote corners of the country, and was even re-
duced to the necessity of tending sheep, disguised under the
humble garb of a shepherd. When the Earl of Angus, how-
ever, whose accession to power was the source of all his mis-
fortunes, lost the royal favour, this prelate returned to the
unrestrained exercise of his episcopal functions, but was not
afterwards allowed to resume the office of chancellor. He died
in 1539, having nominated his nephew, the infamous Cardinal
Beaton, his successor in the see of St. Andrews, — a nomina-
tion afterwards confirmed by the king.*

" Keith's Catal. ut supra. Crawfurd's Officers of State, Gl-2.

14- TKK MTKRARY HISTORY

The character of Beaton is any thing but respectable. His
conduct was ever reguhited by those tyrannical and arbitrary
maxims, which, whether exercised as an engine of church or
state policy, are uniibrmly subversive of the peace, the happi-
ness, and safety of those against whom they are employed.
Patrick Hamilton, and several others, whose names our church
still venerates, he committed to the Hamcs ; while Buchanan,
*».with many eminent men, were obliged to save their lives by
seeking refuge in a foreign land.* " Principle," says Dr.
Cook, " had over his decision no influence ; and it is impos-
sible to acquit him of the heavy charge of having hypocriti-
cally sacrificed, under pretence of regard to what he despised,
men who were guided by the conviction of their understanding,
and who obeyed the suggestion of conscience."-|*

But Beaton is yet entitled to some praise. He founded St.
Mary"'s college in St. Andrews. This seminary was erected on
the most judicious and advantageous principle ; it soon attain-
ed to no inconsiderable degree of eminence ; and with it have
been connected some of the best and most learned men of whom
our country can boast. ;|;

Beaton was succeeded by Gavin Dunbar, son to Sir John
Dunbar of ^Nlochrum, county of Wigton, and Janet Stewart,
daughter to the Laird of Garlics. § He studied at the Uni-
versity of Glasgow, where he was remarkable for diligence, and

• Spottiswood, 62, et seq, Knox, 4, et seq.

f Owk's lieformaiion, i. 163-4.

+ Keith's Catalogue. Life of Melville, i. 224—226.

5 Douglas (Peerage, p. 114.) is wrong in stating tliat Gavin Dunbar was
BOD to Patrick Dunbar of Cliigston, and grandson to the Laird of Mochrum.
Dunbar of Cliigston, Arcliib;ild Dunbar, founder of the family of lialdoon,
and Gavin, were brothers, being sons of the Knight of JMochrum. Craw-
furd'8 Officerfi of State, p. 75. Crawfurd's MS. Gen. Coll. Ad. Lib. De-
diralion to Tripatrinrchicon, by the Ilev. Andrew Symson.

T lie family of Mochrum, which is now represented by Sir William II.
Dunbar, Hart., is of gn;at antiquity. Thomas Dunbar, the first of Mo-
chrum, who was second son of Patrick, ninth Earl of March, got a grant
under the Great Seal, of the lands in question, and of others in 1368.
(Douglass Baronnijr, 113.)

OP GALLOWAY. 15

gained no inconsiderable share of literary celebrity. " Being,"
says Keith, " a person of polite letters, he was pitched upon
to have the education of the young king, James V. entrusted
to him ;"* and, according to Crawfurd, " he managed the
province allotted to him so happily, that he taught his royal
pupil, with ease and pleasure, every thing that was necessary
f<)r so great a prince to learn in his young and tender years.'" ■!•
This important trust, indeed, he discharged so much to the
satisfaction of the regents of the kingdom, that in 1522, when
the see of Glasgow became vacant by the translation of Arch-
bishop Beaton to St. Andrews, they appointed Dunbar his
successor at Glasgow. In 1528, he was raised to the dignity
of chancellor of the kingdom ; and when the king, in 1536,
went to France, on his marriage to Magdalene, daughter of
Francis I., the Archbishop of Glasgow was appointed one of
the Lords of the Regency. The tie between the royal pupil
and his preceptor was never dissolved. " Dunbar," says
Crawfurd, " had always a full share in his master's esteem,
who looked upon him as a wise and able servant, and worthy
of the trust he reposed in him,"!

With all his eminence, however, he seems not to have been
a very useful preacher of the gospel ; or, more properly speak-
ing, he seems never to have preached at all. On one occasion,
indeed, at the request of Cardinal Beaton, he travelled to Ayr
to oppose the celebrated George Wishart, who was labouring,
in that quarter, in propagating and enforcing the reformed
doctrines. The pulpit which Wishart meant to occupy was
taken possession of by his opponent, who, we are told, " preach-
it to his jackmen, and to sum auld boisses of the town. The
soum of all his sermone was, They say we sould jjretc/te,
quhy not? Better hit thryve, nor nevir thryve : Hand us
still for your Bisehope, and ice sail provyde better the nixt
tyme. This was the beginning and end of the Bischopis ser-
mone, wha with haist departit the toun, bot returnit not to

• Keith's Catalogue, 86. f Craw furd's Officers of State, 15.

\ Crawfurd, vt supra.

THE LITERARY HISTORY

fulfil his pronicis."* If this irreverent exhifjition was made
by the second dignitary of the Popish church in Scotland, we
cannot form too low an opinion of the degraded state to which
that faith was then reduced in this country.

Like the other Popish clergy of his day, Dunbar, as is evi-
dent from the foregoing statement, viewed the progress of the
Reformation with extreme fear and dissatisfaction, and was not
less remarkable than any of his brethren for a cruel and in-
tolerant spirit. Bishop Keith, it must be confessed, states that
Dunbar had not a <• persecuting turn," though he quotes facts
that undennine the assertion ; and our illustrious Buchanan,
who enjoyed his acquaintance, speaks of him with respect, and
composed an epigram in his praise. -f* These writers have, I
am afraid, judged too favourably : for we find him engaged
with Cardinal Beaton in many of his most sanguinary mea-
sures, and endeavouring to check the advancement of the re-
fonned doctrines, by committing to the flames those who
preached and promoted them. To overlook the other arbitrary
transactions in which he took an active part, we may safely
conclude that a person who assisted on the trials of Patrick
Hamilton and George Wishart, can, with little propriety, be
said not to have possessed a " persecuting turn." And he not
only concurred in the sentence passed on these men, but when
AVishart was perishing at the stake, he, along with other pre-
lates, kept his eyes fixed on the awful spectacle, and seemed to
enjoy it.

In the parliament held in March 1542, immediately on the
death of James V., a motion was made by Lord INIaxwell, that
the Bible be allowed to be read in our vernacular tongue. This
overture, which redounds much to the honour of him who pro-
posed it, was carried after considerable discussion, and was the
first public and legislative step towards a reformation of reli-
gion. JVom this decision, however, which went to sap the
very foundation of the Popish faith, Archbishop Dunbar, in
his own name, and in the name of " all the prelates of the

• Knox's Historj/, 5i. Edin. 1731.

-j- EpifframA. 4-3. liiichanani Historia, xiv. 40G.

OF GALLOWAY. 17

realm," thought it proper to dissent. This opposition, which
was of course unavailing, does not impress us with a very fa-
vourable opinion of the dignitaries by whom it was made.*

He died on the 30th of April 1547, ^^^^ ^^^ interred in
the chancel of his cathedral, in a tomb which he had caused to
be built for himself. -f-

The Abbey of Dundrennam was founded by Fergus, Lord
of Galloway. The first monks of this place were brought from
Rievall in Yorkshire, and were of the Cistertian order.;|: The
first abbot of Dundrennan, was Sylvanus, who died in 1189-
There is a chasm of nearly three hundred years in the history
of this abbey, which cannot now be filled up. In the begin-
ning of the fifteenth century, Thomas was abbot of Dundren-
nan, — " a man," says the Rev. Mr. Thomson, " who was an
honour not only to his country, but to the age in which he
lived. "§ He was a member of the two celebrated councils of
Constance and Basil. He and Bishop Kennedy of Dunkeld
represented the Scottish church in the council of Constance ;
while, if we credit so fabulous a writer as Dempster, he held a
more dignified rank in that of Basil. || Dr. Mackenzie, who
is remarkable for any thing but accuracy, has placed the
meeting at Basil before that of Constance, and has spoken of
this abbot as living in I47O. It is not likely that, when
chosen to represent the Scottish church in 1414, he was so
young, that he can be expected to have been alive sixty years
after that period.^ It is evident, indeed, that he survived the
council of Basil, which met in 1431, only a very short time,
for in a few years after this period, another ecclesiastic filled
the abbot's chair of Dundrennan.

Part of the Chronicle of Melrose was composed by an abbot of

* Officers of State, 77 — Keith's Hist. 50-1.
f Keith's Cutal. 86.

\ Spottiswood, Keitli and Hope, on Religious Houses; also Sir James
Balfour's Ace of the Bishoprichs and Monasteries, IMS. Adv. Lih.

§ Statist. Ace- of Scot. xi. 45. || Dempster, Apparatus ad Hist. Scot. i. 69.
^ Lives of Scottish Authors, i. 319.

THE LITERARY HISTORY

this place ; and it has been conjectured tliat the ecclesiastic
of whom we are speaking, was the writer of it.* From the cele-
brity which he acquired, it is not at all improbable ; but the
truth of this conjecture we have no means to ascertain.

Henry, who succeeded Thomas, was abbot of this place be-
fore the year 1437 ' for at that date, a charter granted by him
to Henry Cutlar of Orroland, was confirmed by the pope. Of
this abbey, I have learned nothing from the period just men-
tioned, till the middle of the subsecpient century, when an-
other person of the name of Heni-y appears as a member of the
pri\y council, under the designation of Abbot of Dundrennan."|*

Edward Maxwell, the son of the noble family of that
name, was abbot here in the time of Mary. This ill-fated
woman, after the fatal battle of Langside, fled, at the recommend-
ation of Lord Herries, who accompanied her to Dundrennan,
which thus had the honour of affording an asylum to this
beautiful and interesting princess. Edward Maxwell, along
with his relations. Lord Herries, and Lord Maxwell, as also
Gordon of Lochinvar, M'Lellan of Bombie, and many others
connected with this district, subscribed a bond immediately be-
fore the battle of Langside, obliging themselves to protect and
defend their unfortunate queen. The ecclesiastic of whom we
are treating, was the last abbot of this place, which at his death
was annexed to the chapel royal at Stirling.

"At the end of the Chronicle is tliis note : — Hac est vera copia Antiquce
Chroniccr <le Mdross in Scotia, inchoala per Abbatem de Dundranan ab Anno
735, cuntinxmta per varies ad Annum 1270.

+ Keith's Ilintory, A pp. 50. K

OF GALLOWAY. 19

CHAPTER III.

HISTORY OF MONASTERIES CONTINUED.

The Priory of St. Mary's Isle also owes its erection to Fer-
gus Lord of Galloway, and was the seat of Canons Regular
of the order of St. Augustine. The history of this establish-
ment for the first four hundred years has sunk into oblivion.

David Panther, or Paniter, of an ancient family near
Montrose, was prior of this place towards the middle of the
sixteenth century, and is one of the most learned men con-
nected with Galloway. He held several benefices, being at the
same time prior of St. Mary's Isle, vicar of Carstairs, and
commendator of Cambuskenneth.* For a considerable time be-
fore the year 1545, he was also principal secretary of state ;
and it was while he held this appointment, that he wrote those
elegant official letters which have perpetuated his name. He
was elected to the bishoprick of Ross at the period just men-
tioned, but was not consecrated, as immediately on his nomi-
nation he was appointed ambassador for Scotland at the
French court, where he continued seven years ; during which
period he regularly received the revenue of that see. His con-
secration took place at Jedburgh on his return, in the presence
of the Earl of Arran and a splendid company of nobility, all
of whom bestowed great praises on him for the remarkable
prudence and wisdom with which he had discharged the duties
of his high trust.-f^

• Keith's Cat. 113.
f Leslceus de Rebus Gestis Scotorum, 178.

20 THE LITERARY HISTORY

In the political transactions of his time, he still continued to
act a prominent part. Soon after his return to his native land,
he was employed hy the King of France to treat with the
Karl of Arran, to induce him to resign the regency into the
hands of the Queen Dowatjcr. His nejjotiation was success-
ful ; and the French monarch, as a reward for his services, con-
ferred on him an abbey in Poictou. In 1550, when peace was
likely to be concluded between Scotland and England, he was
sent as commissioner from the Scottish Parliament to bring
about that desirable event ; and when Mary was married to
the Dauphin of France, Panther with several other illustrious
men, were deputed by the Scottish nation to attend, as wit-
nesses of the ceremony. Having led a life of great activity
and eminence, he died at Stirling on the 1st of October 1558.*

Few of that a<je were more remarkable for taste and for
erudition, than bishop Panther. The celebrated Lesly, who
at a subsequent period filled the same see, speaks of him in the
most enthusiastic terms ;-|* and ]\Ir. Ruddiman, no incompe-
tent judge, remarks, of how fine a genius Panther was his let-
ters sufficiently declare ^ for they are such as could only have
been written by a man imbued with elegant literature, and
deeply skilled in the principles of political economy. J These
letters, indeed, which were written on public business in his
official capacity as secretary of state, and })ublished by Ruddi-
man in 1722, afford a model of classical latinity, and are de-
ser^•ing of higher celebrity than has been awarded them. The
j)u!jlication of Ruddiman consists of two volumes, of which the
second only was composed by our prelate, the first being the
work of Patrick Panther, his near relation, and also an elegant
writer. §

" r.iirlianani Hist. xvi. Kcitli's Ilisl. 72. Spottiswood's Hint. 90.

\ Lexbnis <le Rebus frestis Scotnriim, 478 — .516.

} EpialoUe Iter/. Scot. The full title of tliis book is Epistolce Jacohi
Quarti, Quinti, ft Mariae Re<jum Scotorum, cormnrjue Tutorum, et Reijni Gu-
hfrna/oriim, rid Imperalores, Ref/en, Pontifurs, Civitates et Alios ah anno 1505.
aii annum lolj. Kdiii. 1722, 2 vols. bvo.

5 EjnstoltF Reg. Scot.

OF OALiLOWAV. 21

But whatever was his eminence as a scholar, it is doubtful
if much praise be due to his moral and religious character.
He seemed, says Buchanan, to have been educated in the school
ofprofaneness, and not in that of" piety ; and at court he prompt-
ctl men to all manner of impurities ; and Knox represents
him as a man of grossness and sensuality ; " Eating and
drinking,"" says he, " was the pastyme of his lyif.""*

Robert Richardson, whose progenitors had, for several
generations, been respectable citizens of Edinburgh, was, about
the year 1560, created commendator of St. Mary''s Isle. Along
with Alexander Gordon, bishop of Galloway, he was present
in the parliament (1560) in which the Confession of Faith was
first ratified, and is mentioned among others as having " re-
nouncit papistry, and openly professed Jesus Christ with us."-}"
Two years before this period, he had been advanced by the
Queen-Regent to the offices of lord treasurer and general of the
mint. He seems either to have been a man of no wamnth or
violence of feeling, or to have been calculating, selfish or tem-
porizing, for he contrived to retain his two lucrative situations,
both under Mary and under her son. He purchased large
estates, which, at his death in 1571» he left to his two sons —
Sir James Richardson of Smeaton, and Sir Robert of Pencait-
land.j

The Priory of Tongland was founded about the middle of
the twelfth century, by that munificent prince whom we have
so often mentioned. The monks were of the Premonstraten-
sian order, and were brought from Cockerland in Lancashire.
We find Alex'Ander, abbot of this place, swear fealty to Ed-
ward I. in 1296. He was also a subscriber to Bagimont''s
Roll. The next abbot of Tongland of whom we have any
memorials, is James Herries, who, in 1430, repaired this mo-
nastery, which was greatly decayed, and enclosed the precincts
with a high wall. " He was a Doctor of the Sorbonne,"" says

• Knox'.s Histmij, 118. f lb- 280.

t Crawfurd's Officers of Stale, 383.

•22 THE LITERARY HISTORY

Keith, •• aiul much taincil tor his learning, and wrote upon
the validity ot" indulgences.'''*

In the reisn of James IV. an Italian, a man of doubtful
worth, who came to this country in the character of a physi-
cian and alchymist, was promoted to the abbot''s chair of this
place. He seems to have been a fanciful theorist and projec-
tor. Having laid claims to the art of flying, he undertook to
rise, in the presence of the king and courtiers, from the battle-
ments of Stirling castle, and fly to France, whither he was to
arrive before the IScottish ambassadors, who were just then com-
mencing their journey. The result of this mad attempt may
easily be anticipated. He not only entirely failed, but his thigh
bone was broken by the fall ; and, as Dunbar says, he sunk
deep into a dunghill. That his wings were not entirely com-
posed of the feathers of the more noble and dignified birds, but
blended with those of the lowest fowls, he regarded as the cause
of his failure and disgrace."^ By this ridiculous exhibition, he
exposed himself to the keen personal satire of William Dunbar,
author of the allegorical poem of The Thistle and the Rose.
The poet, after admirably describing how the feathered tribes
attacked him for invading their province, adds :

For t'eir imcuiiuaudly he cawkit,
Quliyll all his pentiis war drowii'd and drawkit,
Jle maid a hundretli iiolt all hawkit,
Ijeneath hiin with a spowt.

He schfiire his leddereiiie that was scheuc,
And .slipj)it out of it full cleiit',
And in u inyre, up to the enc,

Aniaiig the glur did ulyd.
'I'lie fowlis all at the fjdrem dang;
As at a monster tharne aniang,
Quhyll all the pennis of it owt.-.prang

Iiitill the air full wyde.

And he lay iit the plunge ovir mair
Sa lang as any i^vin di<l laii' ;

• Keith's Cat. 5?4j.

f Le«lcEiis tic Jiebus G st. Scot. PjM—'^Ui. Dunbar'b Poems.

OF GALLOWAY. 23

The c-rawis him socht with cryis ol' cair

III every schaw besyde.
Had he reveild bene to the ruikis,
T hay had him rcviii with tliair ekiikis.
Tliro dayis in duh amaiig tlie dukis

He did with dirt him hyde."

Of the subsequent life of this ecclesiastic nothing is known.

William Melville is the only other person whose name
I can discover, as connected with this abbey ; of which he was
coinmendator. He was fourth son of Sir John Melville of
Raith, and brother to Sir James Melville of Halhill, whose
Memoirs are so well known.* Melville is often mentioned
in the history of his times, by the title of Lord Tungland.
This title he obtained on being made a Lord of Session in
1587? on the resignation of the Dean of Moray. -j- Dubartas,
the celebrated French poet, having visited Scotland in 1597^
was made known to James VI. who had published a transla-
tion of his poem of Uranie. Henry IV. then king of
Navarre, gave him secret instructions to endeavour to bring
about a marriage with his sister and the Scottish monarch, to
whom he introduced him. The representation of Dubartas
made no inconsiderable impression on the mind of James ; for
when Dubartas departed, a person of trust was despatched at
the same time to accompany the poet, and to bring home an
accovmt of the Princess of Navarre. The person to whom this
affair was entrusted was Lord Tungland. The marriage, how-
ever, did not take place, in consequence of the ardent attach-
ment of the Princess to the Comte de Soissons. Melville was
decidedly hostile to the existence of presbyteiy in Scotland ;
and we find him often employed by the Scottish monarch as
his commissioner in the ecclesiastical courts. In 1595, along
with Macgill of Cranston-Riddel, he appeared before the pres-
bytery of Haddington with a complaint from the king against
the famous John Davidson, minister of Prcstonpans, for his
resistance to the royal will at the last General Assembly, and

• Crawl u id's Peerage, 325. ■Melville's Memoirs, 323.
f Hailes' Catalogue of Lords of Session., 6—8.

'2i THE LITERARY HISTORY

for protesting against the proceetlings and enactments of the
two tbrnior Assemblies.* In the year after that just mention-
ed, Sir Patrick Murray and Melville wove appointed to attend
the synml of Fife, and not to allow the measures of the late
Assemblies to be altered or annulled. The synod, however,
showed no disposition of the kind. IMelville died in 1613.
He was subservient to every wish of his sovereign, and showed
not much respect to the civil rights and religious privileges of
his countrymen. "f

The monastery of 8auls;eat, which lies in the parish of
Inch, in the neighbourhood of Stranraer, was also founded by
Fergus, lord of (ialloway, and was the seat of monks of the
Premonstratensian order. It was so called, according to Sym-
son, either from Sedes Animarum, or from Sedes Saulis, a per-
son of the name of Saul being the first abbot of it. It never
rose to any eminence, and of its history nothing is known.
The only hint I have met with connected with it, is, that, in
15G8, the abbot of Saulseat, along with some of the most emi-
nent men of the kingdom, subscribed a bond, obliging them-
selves to defend, by every means in their power, their unfortu-
nate queen.

The college or provostry of Lincluden, situated on the
small river Cluden where it joins the Nith, about two miles
above Dumfries, was originally a convent for Benedictine or
Black Nuns, and was founded by Uchtred, son to Fergus, lord
of Galloway. The nuns were, about the end of the 14th cen-
tury, expelled by Archibald the Grim, Earl of Douglas, on ac-
count of their debauched and scandalous lives, and this esta-
blishment converted into a college or ])rovostry.

'i'he first provost of Jjlncluden was Klese, who was succeed-
ed by Alexander Cairns, chamberlain to the Earl of Doug-
las. He was succeeded, in 1424, by John Cameron of the

" .^I'Crie'B Life if Melville, ii. 134-

t J>l>otti«woo(l's Ilisl. 453. Calderwood's Hist. i25. Hailes' Cata-
hxjue, H.

OF GALLOWAY. 25

house of Lochiel, — a man whose name is recorded in the his-
tory of his country. He attained to the highest offices in the
state. James I. on his return from Kngland, made him secre-
tary and lord privy seal, and afterward chancellor of the king-
dom. He was at a subsequent period elevated to the archiepis-
copal chair of Glasgow, and was elected one of the delegates
from the Church of Scotland to the council of Basil, whither
he went with a magnificent retinue of thirty persons. The re-
bellion, which, after murdering James I., brought his son to
the throne, deprived Cameron of the office of chancellor. He
now retired from public life ; and died at Lockwood, on the
24th December 1446.

His character, and the circumstances of his death, have been
variously represented. From one account it would seem that
to all his vassals within his diocese he had been infamously
cruel and inquisitorial, and that his end was worthy of his
wicked life ; for that, after thrice hearing a voice calling on
him to appear before the tribunal of Christ to plead his cause,
he suddenly expired, uttering a deep groan, his countenance
being distorted, and his tongue suspended from his mouth.
This is the account given by Buchanan, and is re-echoed by
Spottiswood ; w^hile Crawfurd and Keith dispute the truth of
it, as Buchanan has stated it merely on the faith of public re-
port, and as, had Cameron been so harsh and unprincipled, it is
improbable that he could have retained so long the countenance
and favour of the best of sovereigns. Whether Cameron was
an amiable character, cannot now be decided ; but the state-
ment of Buchanan is too absurd to gain implicit confidence.*

The next provost of Lincluden was Halliburton, of whom
nothing is known, and who was succeeded by John Methuin.
After Methuin, persons of the names of Lindsay, Living-
stone, Herries and Anderson were successively provosts of
this place. Andrew Stewart, third son of Sir James Ste-
wart of Lorn, by Jane, widow of James I., succeeded Ander-

* Buchanani Historiu in Vita Jacobi II. Spottisivood, 114. Crawfurd 's
Officers of State, 2i. Keith's Catalogue, liS.

26 THE LITERARY HISTORY

son. He was (loan of faculty of the university of Glasgow, and
sul)senuently bishop of Moray. He died in 1501.*

Stewart was succeeded by George Hepburn, uncle to the
first Karl of Both well, who, while he held several benefices,
was also lord treasurer of Scotland. He died at the side of his
monarch on the bloody field of Flodden.-f*

WiLLiAM Stewart, son of Sir Thomas Stewart of Minto,
was, it is thought, the next provost of Jjincludcn. He was
raised to the dignity of lord treasurer of Scotland in 1530, and
two years afterward, was created bishop of Aberdeen. To the
college of that })lace he was very munificent ; he bestowed up-
on it a considerable addition to its revenue, and built apart-
ments for a library. He founded two schools ; and, honoured
by all, he died on the 17th of April 1545. " He was," says
Spottiswood, " a man given to virtue, charitable to the poor,
and ready to every good work.^J

This provostry was afterwards filled, in succession, by Max-
well, and three persons of the name of Douglas, the third of
whom was the last provost of Lincluden, which was erected in-
to a temporal barony in 15G5 ; since which time it has been
the property of the INIaxwells of Nithsdale.

The Al)bey of Glenluce was founded in 1190, by Roland,
Lord of Galloway, and Constable of Scotland. The monks,
who were of the Cistertian order, were brought from Melrose.
Here again we have to complain of the same want of materials
as on former occasions : few names connected with this abbey
have come down to us. In 1214, William was abbot of
Cilenluce, who, though proba})ly a man of credulity, seems not
to have l)een entirely destitute of learning. The ecclesiastics
of this early period, indeed, were much more learned and vir-
tuous than tliey are generally represented or believed, or than
their .successors of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. All
that can now be known of this abbot is, that he flourished at

• Keith's Cut. 86. f Crawfiird's OJfkers of State, 368.

X Crawfurd'e Officers of Stale, 373—4. Spottiswood, 106.

OF GALLOWAY. 27

the period recently mentioned, and that he addressed a letter
written in Latin, to the Prior of Melrose, containing an ac-
count of a remarkable phenomenon in the heavens, which had
been observed by two monks of Glenluce. This letter has al-
ready appeared in print, and affords no very contemptible spe-
cimen of the monkish latinity of that early period.* In the
Chronicle of Melrose, he is termed opthni testimonii, et sanctae
conversationis monachus. In the reign of James IV. Walter
was abbot of Glenluce, having been sent thither by John Duke
of Albany.

CuTHBERT Baillie, of the anciont family of Carphin,
descended from that of Lamington, is the next person I find
connected with this abbey ; of which he was commendator.
He was early destined for the church ; and so soon as he
entered into orders, obtained a canonry in the chapter of
Glasgow, and was made rector of Cumnock. How early he
held the commendatorship of Glenluce, I have not discover-
ed ; but he died in 1514, after having for two years filled
the dignified office of lord-treasurer of the kingdom. Thomas
Hay, of the house of Park, was commendator of the abbey
in 1560.t

Lawrence Gordon, son to Alexander, bishop of Gallo-
way and archbishop of Athens, was abbot of this place in the
end of the 16th, and beginning of the 17th century. In 1602,
James IV. erected, in his favour, Glenluce into a temporal
barony, which, at his death in 1606, was, by royal charter,
conferred on his brother John, dean of Salisbury ; who was at
length succeeded by his son-in-law, Sir Robert Gordon of
Gordonston. Glenluce was afterwards annexed to the see of
Galloway, the revenue of which, from various causes, had
been much reduced ; and, towards the end of the 17th cen-
tury, it was again erected into a barony, and became the pro-
perty of the family of Dalrymple, afterwards Earls of Stair. J

" Mackenzie's Lives of Scottish Writers, i. 406.

-j- Crawlurd's Officers of State, 369.

I Wood's Fasti Oxon. 79a. Gordon's Historrj of the FamHi/ of Gordon,

28 THE LITERARY HISTORY

Of the abbey of Kirkcudbright, which was the seat of"
Franciscan or lirey Friars, and probably I'ounded either by
Roland, formerly mentioned, or his son, Allan, lord of
Galloway, no acconnt can now be given. Like Saulseat, it
seems never to have attained to any degree of celebrity : the
following notice is all I can discover respecting it. In the
time of David 11. John Carpenter belonged to this place — a
man who, says Keith, " was an excellent engineer, and
dexterous in contriving all instruments of war ; he fortified
the castle of Dunbarton, for which he had twx^nty pounds
Sterling of yearly allowance settled upon him by that mon-
arch."*

The abbey of Sweet-heart was, early in the 13th cen-
tury, instituted by Dervorgille, daughter of Allan, lord of Gal-
loway, and wife of the illustrious John Baliol, and was the
seat of Cistertian monks. At the death of her husband,
which took place in France, Dervorgille extracted his heart,
and having spiced and embalmed it, put it into an ivory box,
bound with silver and enamelled ; and, having brought it
home, deposited it solemnly in the wall of Sweet-heart, near
the high altar.-f* This circumstance gave the name of Sweet-
heart to the monastery, which in modern times, is also known
by the appellation of New- Abbey. The only eminent name
connected with this place, is that of Gilbert Brown, who
was descended of the ancient family of Carsluith, in the
parish of Kirkmabreck, now extinct, and who was the last
abbot of Sweet-heart. His connexion with this abbey must
have been soon after the middle of the sixteenth century, as, in
15C0, he had a seat in that parliament, by which the (con-
fession of Faith was passed.^ The celebrity of Gilbert
Drown originated in the controversy between him and the
famous John Welsh of Ayr, on the subject of popery. A

• Ki'itli'H Cut. A\>y. 27.5.

t \rytitoii'R Chrov'jkil of Scotland, edilcd by l\IacpI)cr.soii, viii. 8.

\ KtitirM Cat. 2m.

OF GALLOWAY. 29

communication from Welsh, to a person of the ('atholic
religion, the object of which was, to undermine the principles
of that faith, having fallen into the hands of Brown, he im-
mediately composed what he regarded as a refutation of it, ad-
dressed to Welch.* Welsh was not tardy in making a reply ;
which, while it is extremely satisfactory and conclusive, forms
one of the most learned and elaborate works written in that
a<re. Nor was Brown without his share of talent ; and his
erudite treatise, (if a few pages can deserve that name,) is as
superior to the works of any of his Catholic brethren of that
period, as it is inferior in every useful quality to the elaborate
production of Welch. — Welch wished for a verbal and public
disputation on the points at issue ; but this. Brown, for his
own good name, had the caution and prudence to decline."!*

" Brown," a rigid and inflexible catholic, " was," says
Dr. M'Crie, " a busy trafficker for Rome and Spain, and a
chief instrument of keeping the south of Scotland under ignor-
ance and superstition. "j Accordingly, the commissioners of
the Assembly, in a list of grievances, which, in 1596, they
submitted to the king, stated among other things, " that
Jesuits and excommunicated papists were entertained within
the country." Gilbert Brown of New-Abbey was specially
mentioned, and recommended to be apprehended, and brought
before his majesty for his errors. This recommendation, how-
ever, was not attended with immediate success : but, nine
years afterwards, he was apprehended by Lord Cranstoun,
captain of the guard appointed for the borders — though not
without some difficulty, as the people attempted to rescue him
out of his hands. § He was first confined in Blackness, and
thence in a few days conveyed to the castle of Edinburgh.

• The title, or rather the first sentence of Brown's reply, is, A7ie An-
swere to one certaine libeU or jvritijig, sait by Mr. John Wehche, to ane Catho-
liclie, as ane Answere to ane objection of the Roman kirk, whereby they go about
to deface the veritie of that onely true religion whilk we professe.

f Preface of Welsh's Beply.
Life of Melville, ii. 208.

§ C alderwood's Hist. A])p. 320—196. Keith's Cat. 26.

THE LITERARY HISTORY

More kindiiess was shown by the king to him than to his ami-
able and ingenious o])ponent ; tor after having been liberally
entertained, while in confinement, at the public expcncc, he
was pcnnitted to leave the kingdom ; all the apparatus and
insignia ol" popery belonging to him having been carefully
restored before his departure. He died in France in 1612.*

The abbey of Wigton, the seat of Dominican or Black
Friars, was founded in 1262, by Lady Dervorgille of Gallo-
way. Of its history nothing is known ; and even the very
ruins of it have totally disappeared. Friars, indeed, from the
very nature of their order, never attained to eminence. Obliged,
as they were, to profess poverty, and to subsist on the charity
of the world, their lives necessarily passed away in the most
uninteresting and inglorious manner. Whatever influence
they may have possessed, whatever esteem they may have ac-
quired in the limited sphere in which they moved, their names,
unassociated with any great purpose or achievement, soon sunk
into total oblivion. This was the case in a peculiar manner
with the establishment at Wigton. Of the existence of the
various successions of Friars who adorned, or disgraced it, the
faintest memorial cannot now be traced.

• Sir Robert Spottiswood, second son of the archbishop of that name,
seems to have got a grant of this abbey. He succeeded liis celebrated father
as a I>ord of Session in 1622, under the title of Lord New-Abbey. He was
in 1633 elected president of the court; but, on the trumph of ])resbytery in
1637, he ceased to exercise that office. He joined the marquis of Montrose ;
and was apprehended near rhiliphaugh, in August ICA5. He was tried
for treason, by a committee of jiarlianient, and found guilty. He was be-
headed at the market-cross of St. Andrews, 20th January 1646. Memoirs
of his Lifn, prefixed to his Praclics of the Law of Scotland, edited in 1706, by
his grandson, IMr. John Jipottiswood, advocate.

OF GALLOWAY. 31

CHAPTER IV.

BISHOPRICK OF GALLOWAY.

Having, in the two preceding chapters, given an account of
the monastic establishments in Galloway, we must now go
back to trace her episcopal history, — a task for which the ma-
terials are, upon the whole, ample and satisfactory. We have
already mentioned, that Ninian was succeeded by a person of
the name of Acta, and that, after his time, with the trifling
exception of about seventy years, this bishoprick remained in a
state of decay until the middle of the twelfth century. At
this latter period, therefore, our present account begins.

The bishoprick of Candida Casa* was revived in 1154, pro-
bably by Fergus, Lord of Galloway, who flourished at this
period, and was a great patron of learning and religion. Chris-
tian, who was consecrated bishop of that see in the year just
mentioned, seems to have been a man of no inconsiderable
eminence. He is mentioned by Rymer as a witness to the
sentence passed by Henry II. of England in 1177? ^^ the dis-
pute referred to his decision by Alfonsus and Sanctius, two
princes of Spain. -j* About the same period Cardinal Tomasi,
arriving in Scotland, as legate from Rome, summoned the

• Wc use the terms Galloway and Candida Casa as synonymous, the
bislioprick in question being designated by either of these names. The
diocese of Galloway comprehended Wigtonshirc and the stewartry of Kirk-
cudbright, and, according to Spottiswood, part ot Dumfries-sliire. {Hist. App.
10.)

f Rymcr's Feeder a, i. 48.

32 THE LITERARY HISTORY

Scottish prelates to Kdinburgh, where he sat in council.
Christian refused to obey the summons, because, being a suf-
fragan of the see of York, he regarded himself as subject only
to the jurisdiction of the archbishop of that place. Nor might
this have been his sole reason. The connexion of the Galwe-
gians with their Scottish neighbours was, for many centuries,
very slender and jealous ; and an alliance with England was
waniily courted and cherished, to enable them to resist the in-
roads cf the Scottish kings. Such, it is probable, was also
their ecclesiastical state, even so early as the time of Christian.
It is, at least, evident, that all the bishops of Candida Casa,
until the beginning of the fourteenth century, being conse-
crated at York, owned subjection only to that see ; and it is
even mentioned, that at one period, when the convent and
prior of Whithorn, and the other inhabitants of Galloway,
severally espoused the cause of rival candidates for the see of
Candida Casa, and when each applied to the archbishop in
favour of their respective competitor, that prelate preferred
and consecrated the person recommended by the Galwegians,
thus indisputably shewing the extent and stability of his
power. Whatever, in the time of Christian, may have been
the ecclesiastical connexion between England and Galloway,
or whatever reasons he may have urged in support of the step
he had taken, he was nevertheless suspended from his office by
the legate.* Of his subsequent history we know nothing, but
that he died at Holmcultram in the year 1186.

Christian was succeeded by John, who, in 1206, resigning
his charge, retired to the abbey of Holyrood, where he died in

1209.t

Walter was the next bishop of this see. He is tenned by
Keith chaplain (clcricus) to Koland, Lord of Galloway, and
afterwards chamberlain to Allan, the last of the male line of
that illustrious family. He died in 1235. J

His successor, it is thought, was Gilbert, abbot of Kinloss,

• Hailch' Huit. Memoirs concerning (he provincial councils of the Scottish
Clergy, 6.
■\ Forduni Scotichronicon, viii. * Keith, 161.

OF GALLOWAY. 33

who, having been recommended and supported by the inhabi-
tants of Galloway, was opposed by the prior and convent of
Whithorn, who made choice of Odo, al)b()t of Deretonsal.
The decision of this matter, as mentioned above, was referred
to the archbishop of York, who, preferring the claims of Gil-
bert, invested him with episcopal dignity.*

Gilbert died in 1253, and was succeeded by Henry, abbot
of Holyrood, whom Baliol chose as one of the commissioners,
on his part, in the dispute between Bruce and him for the
crown of Scotland. -f-

The see of Galloway was next filled by Thomas, who, in
1296, swore fealty to Edw^ard I. and recognised Bruce's title
to the Scottish throne. + To this prelate the following lines of
Wynton refer : —

De Byschope of Gallway, tiiaie Thomas,

(A Theolog solempne he was,)

Made a Serraownd rycht plesaiit,

And to the matere accordant. §

Of the other persons who held this see till about the year
1426, little else than the names have come down to us.
Alexander Vaux, descended of the ancient and powerful
family of the De Vallibus or De Vaux, was consecrated bishop
of Galloway about that year. His name is mentioned by
Rymer ; he is honoured with the praise of Lesly ; and Boyce
terms him vir nohilis et eruditus — a learned man, and of noble
extraction. II In 1429, he was appointed by James I. one of
the preservers of the peace on the borders of Scotland. He
resigned his bishoprick about the year 1451, in favour of Tho-
mas Spence, a man of no inconsiderable distinction.^

" Spence being a man of singular prudence," according to
Keith, " was employed in several embassies, particularly in
the treaty of marriage between the Duke of Savoy and Lewis

" Hailes, ut supra. -f llynier's Firdcra, ii. 555.

\ Keith, ut mipi-a. § Wynton's Clirowjliil of Scotland, \x. \Z-

II Rymer's Fcedera, x. Boethii Aberdon. Episcop, Vitae, f. xiv.

•[ Boethius, uf supra, f. xv.

.'^4 THE MTERARY HISTORY*

Count de Mauvionuc, his son, with Annabclla, sister to James
1 1 . ill 1 449." * He was appointed, in 1451 , one of the ambas-
sadors from the Scottish Court, to negotiate a truce with Eng-
hnid, and, in 1 i.";}}, was made keeper of the privy seal. At
this latter date, he was transhited to the see of Aberdeen, when
he rcsigni-d the office of privy seal, which, however, he again
resumed, and kei)t till the year M^l-f He founded an hos-
pital iji Kdinhurgh for twelve ])oor men, called the Hospital
of Our Lady, which is now converted into a work-house, under
the name of PauFs Work.+ He died at Edinburgh on the
Hftecnth day of April 1480.

He was succeeded by Ninian, of whom nothing important
is known, and at whose death George Vaux, a near relation of
bishop A\aux, mentioned above, was, through the interest of
Thomas Spence, out of gratitude to his beneiactor, promoted to
this see. It was during the time of this prelate that James 111.,
having founded a chaj)el royal at Stirling, annexed it to the bi-
shoprick of (ialloway. (jeorge A^aux was the first that held this
a])jK)intnient ; which was retained by his successors until the re-
volution in 16}{}{ ; and the Pope having conferred episcopal dig-
nity on the dean of the chapel, the bishops of Galloway were
now designated Candidfe Casa: et CcipcU(V Rvgia. Strivelinge?i-
si.s Episcopi — bishops of (ralloway and of the chapel royal of
Stirling.^ Tbis appointment undoubtedly added much to the
importance of the see to which it was thus annexed ; but, from
its very foundation, the dignity of this bishoprick was high ;
for, from its being the oldest in Scotland, and from the cele-
brity of the province in which it was situated, it ranked imme-
diately after the archie])iscopal sees of St. Andrews and Glas-
gow. After the erection of Edinburgh into a bishoprick in
Ui.'J.'}, it i)ecanie fourth in degree ; and the precedence of the
f»ther sees was determined by the sein'oiity of the prelates by
whom they were resjiectively filled.

James III. having been slain at Bannockburn, once the
scene of a more gJorio\is achievement, in a rebellion of his

• KoiUr.s Catalo(/w, IfiS. f IJyinpi's Fa'Jcra, ix.

X Arriot's Hitlorif of luiinbunjh, 24-7. § Keith's Cat. IGk

OF GALLOWAY. 35

nobles, his only son, who hecadcd the nobility on this occasion,
and succeeded to the throne, retired soon after his accession to
Stirling; and by means of the members of the chapel royal,
and chiefly of bishop Vaux, the royal dean, he became so peni-
tent on account of the undutiful part he had acted, that, while
Vaux " put him in good hopes of forgiveness by God"'s mer-
cies in Jesus Christ," he was induced, to give his conscience
ease, to use an outward sign of repentance, and " garth make
a girth of iron, and wear it daily about him, and eiked every
year of his life certain ounces of weight thereto as he thought
good.""*

Vaux must have died before the year 1508, as at that date
James Beaton, of whom we have already given an account,
was elected bishop of Galloway ; but Beaton, before he was
consecrated, was advanced to the archbishoprick of Glasgow.

David Arnot, son to John Arnot of Arnot, and Catherine,
daughter to Melville of Carnbee, was the next that filled this
see. He was archdean of Lothian, abbot of Cambuskenneth,
and commendator of Tongland.-|-

He died in 1526, and was succeeded by Henry Wemyss,
who was nearly related to the noble family of that name in
Fife. In 1540, he attended at St. Andrews, on the summons
of Cardinal Beaton, on the trial of Sir John Borthwick for
heresy, and concurred in the unjust and tyrannical sentence
pronounced on that individual. He died in the course of the
year just specified.]:

Andrew Durie, abbot of Melrose, and descended of an
ancient family in Fife, succeeded him. He seems to have
been rather eminent, and to have taken an active part in the
political events of his time. He was seldom absent fi-om his
duty in parliament. With several noblemen, Durie, in 1550,
accompanied the queen-dowager to France, whither she went
to endeavour, by superseding the Earl of Arran, to get the
regency of Scotland conferred on herself. And he was also

* Pitscottie's Hislori/ of ScotlnncL 171. App. note D.

f Keith's Cat. IG.j. J Spottiswood, 69. Keith's History, App. 4,

3G THE LITERARY HISTORY

one of the commissioners sent from the Scottish court to neoo-
tiatc the marriage of Mary with the dau])hin of France. His
(U\ith took place in the month of Septemher 1558.*

'I'liat ] )urie was exempt from the vices hy which the Popish
ck'rgy were then distinguish.ed, is hardly to he expected. And
Knox accordingly presents us with a repulsive, though pro-
hahly an exaggerated picture of him. " That enemy of God
was sumtymes called, for his filthiness, Ahhote Stottiken ;"
and '' he vowed and plainly said, that in despi/te of God, ao-
/aiig as tluiy that war prclats levid, sonld that word, caUit the
craiisrell, nen'r be pirachcd icithin this rmhney-f

Alexandkr Goroon, whose name must be familiar to the
reader, and whose history we shall endeavour to detail with
some minuteness, was, on the death of bishop Durie, promoted
to the vacant see. He was the son of John, master of Huntly,
and of Jane Stewart, natural daughter of James IV. " Scarce-
ly any Scottish prelate," says Dr. M'Crie, " ever occupied so
many different sees, or occupied them for so short a time.''*'J
A\nK'n the l)ishoprick of Glasgow became vacant in 1547, on
the death of Gavin Dunbar, Gordon, through the influence of
liis powerful family, obtained the appointment ; but before he
was inducted to the charge, he was opposed by James Beaton,
then abbot of Aberbrothick, and the decision of the matter
having been referred to the court of Rome, Beaton, though a
man of inferior extraction, was preferred ; while, as a compen-
sation for his disa])pointment, the Pope conferred on Gordon
the title of archbishop of Athens, which he ever afterwards re-
tained, and gave him the promise of the first vacant benefice
in Scotland in the gift of the Karl of Arran, then regent of
the kijigdom. He was afterwards successively bishop of the
Isles and of Caithness, and in 1558 was promoted to the see
of (ialloway.

Gordon, with all the frailties that attach to the name, is en-
titled to the distinction of being the first prelate that was con-
verted to the protestant faith. This happy change took place

• Kcitli's Cat. 165. f Knox's Jlistonj, IIH. ^ Life of Knox, ii. 80.

OF GALLOWAY. 37

immediately on his consecration to the see of Galloway ; for, in
the year following, we find him associated with the promoters
of the reformed religion in suspending, by a solemn deed, the
queen-dowager from her authority as regent. Having unani-
mously adopted this important step, they elect a council for
the management of public affairs until the meeting of a free
parliament. " When the council," says Dr. M'Crie, " had
occasion to treat of matters connected with religion, four of the
ministers were appointed to assist in their deliberations. These
were Knox, Willock, Goodman, and Alexander Gordon., bishop
of Galloway.''* And in 1560 Gordon, along with the barons
of Lochinvar and Garlies, and other eminent individuals, sub-
scribed the Confession of Faith and the first Book of Discip-
line, containing a plan of the ecclesiastical polity and religious
tenets to which they bound themselves to adhere. -|-

The principles of Gordon, however, do not seem to have
been of the most pure or most inflexible kind. Though, at
one time, he was held in high estimation as a man of worth
and piety, and was familiar with our great reformer, both " in
his house and at tabill,''! yet he never exhibited much zeal in
promoting the interests of the protestant cause, and at length
forsook the presbyterian party, with whom he had become
bound to act. The hollowness of his pretensions Queen Mary
was the first to detect and to expose. " I understand,''"' (said
the queen, in an interview with Knox at Lochleven in 1563),
" that ye ar appoynted to go to Dumfrese for the election of a
superintendent, to be established in these countrys. Yes, said
he, those quarters have gritt need, and sum of the gentlemen so
requyre. But I heir, said sche, that the bischope of Athenis
wald be superintendent. He is one, said the uther, madam,
that is put in election. If ye knew him, said sche, as weall as
I do, ye wald never promote him to that office, nor yet to any
uther within your kirk. Quhat he has bein, said he, madam,
I nyther know, nor yet will I inquyre ; for in tyme of dark-
ness, quhat culd we do, but grope and go wrong, even as dark-

" Life of John K/w.r, i. 300. f Knox's Ilislonj, book iii. \ \h.

38 THE LITERARY HISTORY

lies caryotl us ? Bot yt' he feir not God, he deceaves mony
mo than me. Wcall, sayes sche, do as ye will, but that man
is a dangerous man. And thairuntill," continues Knox, "was
not the queen deceaved ; for he had corrupted the maist pairt
of the gentelmefi not only to nominat him, bot also to elect
him."* In consequence of this discovery, the appointment did
not take place, but soon afterwards he was created, by the ge-
neral assembly, visitor or commissioner of Galloway. "f*

He seems not to have discharged very conscientiously
the sacred duties incumbent upon him. In 1567, ^^ ^^^
him called before the assembly, and accused of not hav-
ing, for three years, visited the kirks within his charge ;
of having haunted court too much ; of having purchased to
oe one of the session and privy council, offices incompatible
with a rigid discharge of the sacred duties ; of having re-
signed Inchaffray, of which he had been commendator, in
favour of a young child ; and of having let divers lands in
feu, to the injury of the funds of the church. | To these grave
and multifarious charges he pleaded guilty ; and yet, from some
circumstance not fully explained, his commission was continu-
ed, with an admonition from the assembly to be more diligent
and exemplary. At a subsequent period, however, he was
suspended from every ecclesiastical office. Nor have I learned
that this deed of suspension was ever rescinded. ij

The history of Gordon affords us an interesting view of the
purity of our infant church, and of the moral qualifications in-
dispensably necessary in the character of her ministers.
Though many of our early reformers were distinguished by
birth and family connexions ; though almost all of them were
eminent for learning and genius, yet self-denial, virtue, and
])iety, were the most prominent features in their character. —
They overlooked all the inconveniences and privations which,
on account of their religious principles, they experienced ; and
with the greatest cheerfulness and resignation, they were ready
to spend, and be spent, in promoting the cause of reforma-
tion. The age in which they lived was not worthy of them.

• Knox's //isiorj,, '.121. f 11). J Keith's History, 585-6. § Kcitli'.s Cat. lG(i.

OF GALLOWAY. 39

With men of" such exulted sentiments, a person, lukewiirm
and worldly-minded like (iordon, could not expect to make
common cause. The splendour of his family, and his great
influence at court, could procure him no favour in the eyes of
men of such singleness of mind, who overlooked every adven-
titious distinction, and counted all things but loss, that they
might win Christ.

(rordon, besides, was a man too deeply engrossed in secular
pursuits, to make a faithful or useful minister of religion. In
1565, he was created an extraordinary I^ord of Session.* He
attended Parliament regularly.-f Along with some of his most
distinguished contemporaries, he was appointed by the queen
to collect into one body the ancient laws of the kingdom. | We
find him, with many others, immediately previous to the bat-
tle of Langsidc, sign a bond, obliging themselves to defend,
by every means in their power, their unfortunate sovereign.§
His name, indeed, seems connected with almost all the im-
portant political transactions of his time. In such circum-
stances, it was totally impossible that he could discharge his
sacred duties with scrupulous fidelity and care.

But though, as stated above, he had forfeited the confidence
and employment of the general assembly, he did not altogether
lay aside his clerical character. Knox having found it neces-
sary for his safety to flee from Edinburgh in May 1571? tior-
don occupied his pulpit. His discourses, according to Banna-
tine, were more agreeable to the queen's party than those of
his predecessor ; but the people despised him, for he not only
supplanted their favourite pastor, but endeavoured to refute
some of his opinions. The following extract from one of his

• He was superseded, however, as a judge, in 1569 ; lieeause, to use the
words of the book of sederunt, his place " vaiks by his continual] absence."
Hailes' Catalofjuc of Lords of Session, notes, 8.

■f- Keith's History, App, passim.

f To these persons we owe the first impression of our laws, commonly
called the Black Acts of Parliament, because they were jirinted in the
black Saxon character. This took place in 1566. Wackenzie's Lives,
ii. 504.

§ Keith's History, 477.

40 THE LITERARY HISTORY

sermons, preached at this time, is curious in itself, and exhi-
bits the sentiments then prevalent in the nation, respecting
the guilt of the queen. He is enforcing the doctrine, that,
with all licr failings, she is their lawful sovereign, and, as such,
is entitled to the prayers of her subjects :

*' Sanct David was a synncr, and so was sche ; Sanct David
was an adulterer, and so is sche ; Sanct David committed mur-
ther in slaying Urias for his wife, and so did sche : bot what
is this to the mater ? the more wicked that sche be, hir sub-
jectis suld pray for her, to bring hir to the spreit of repent-
ance ; for Judas was ane synner, and gif he had bene prayed
for, he had not diet in despair ; whairfore I pray all faythfull
subjectis to pray for thair lauchfull magistral, gif it be the
queue. It is the queue, as I doubt not ; bot ye may weil con-
sider that na inferior subject hes power to deprive or depose
thair lauchlull magistral, hie or sche whatsumever, albeit thay
comitt whoredome, murther, incest, or ony vither cryme, being
anes be God just and lauchfull prince or princes, to ring above
you, not chosen as the imperiall magistrats are.^^*

Gordon died in the year 1576.-f" He retained the revenue
of the see of Galloway till his death ; which, indeed, he con-
sidered so much his own property, that, during his last sick-
ness, he made a disposition of it in favour of his son John,
dean of Salisbury', and it thus remained in his family for the
most part of half a century. Well might Keith exclaim,
*' thus went the ecclesiastical benefices in that period."

Gordon, whose wifc\ name was Barbara Logic, daughter
to JjOgie of that ilk, left behind him several children, John,
Lawrence, Robert, and George, and a daughter, Barbara,
married to Anthony Stewart, rector of Pcnningham.;]: Law-
rence, as already mentioned, was abbot of Glenluce, and the

• Tramaclums in Scotland in 1570-3, printed from Bannatine's AIS.
iirifJer tlie guperiotendence of John G. Dalzell, Esq. 181.

f Kr-ith's Calalnifitr, 160.

^ Tlic parson of I'ciiniiigliiiin, wlio was son to Stewart of Garlics, got witli
Mi.-H Gordon the lands of Clary, in that parish.— Gordon's Hislori/ of the
Family of Gordon, i. 300.

OF GALLOMAY. 41

remaining three seem to have been presented at different times
to the bishoprick of Galloway ; but owing to the agitated con-
dition both of the church and state, none of them obtained con-
secration for that dignity. This see, indeed, appears to have re-
mained vacant from the time of bishop Gordon, until the in-
duction of Gavin Hamilton, (of whom we shall soon speak,) in
1606.

John Gordon, his eldest son, was a man of no ordinary
talents and erudition. Having for a while attended the uni-
versity of St. Andrews, and Baliol College, Oxford, he re-
moved to France to prosecute his studies, where he soon be-
came celebrated, particularly for his skill in the oriental lan-
guages. In a charter of the bishoprick of Galloway, and ab-
bey of Tongland, conferred on him while in France, his know-
ledge in Hebrew, Chaldaic, Syriac, and other tongues, is
mentioned. He never, however, returned to his native land,
to receive consecration for these offices. He afterwards held
an eminent place in the domestic establishments of three
successive sovereigns of France, Charles IX. Henry III.
and Henry IV. ; and notwithstanding the many induce-
ments and solicitations he must have met with there, to
cause him change his religious faith, he maintained it un-
corrupted. James VI., on his accession to the Fnglish
throne, sent for Gordon from the continent, and conferred on
him the deanery of Salisbury, a situation which he ever after-
wards retained. In 1605 he maintained a disputation in
Baliol College, in presence of the king ; and, as soon as it was
over, was dignified with the degree of doctor in divinity, to
show the sovereign the nature of that ceremony. He died in
the month of August 1619, leaving behind him an only
daughter, (by a second wife,) married to Sir Robert Gordon
of Sutherland, one of the Lords of the bedchamber to James
VI., but better known as the historian of his family. The fol-
lowing encomiastic stanzas, addressed to him by the celebrated
Thomas Maitland, it may not be improper to insert, as they
contain intimations of his character.

42 THE LITERARY HISTORY

AD JOANNEM GORDONIUM.

Gordoni, pxiinia si laiis virtuto paratiir,

Laus tribupuda aliis, laus tril)iieiula tibi.
Dulcis enim eloquii cum sit laudanda facuitas ;

Est tiia tergemino liiifjua polita soiio.
Nemo Palladias tiactat f.iclicius artes,

Inj::eiiii tantum dexteiitate vales.
Quid ? quod forma viro digna est, sine crimine corpus,

Et Juno eximias polliceatur opos.
I\Jagiia (juidom sunt haec ; uamquc laudanda putautur.

Cur ego digna suis laudibus esse negem ?
Sed amdor raorum magis est minibilis illis

Ductrina, ingenio, sanguine, forma, opibus."

• Delitiae Poetarum Scotontm, ii. 174.

Tiie writings of Gordon, it may here be mentioned, are considerably
ample. Dr. M'Crie mentions two letters from him, — one to the regent Mur-
ray, containing political intelligence, and the other to John Fox, on literary
topics ; and that a poem composed by him is prefixed to Plauloye pour M.
Jean Hamilton. The rest of his works are theological. The first, which
must have been composed on the continent, as it was published the very year
of his leaving it, and the object of which was to undermine the principles of
the catholic faith, was likely written in consequence of the various public
disputations which he liad maintained in France on this subject. It is term-
ed, Assertioncs Theoloijicae pro vera verae Eccleiiac nota quae est solius Dei
adoratio. 8vo. KiOS. His next work was given to the wctrld in con.se-
quencc of James's attempt to establish e])isc()j)acy, a measure whicii he
strenuously advocated : KiKjland aiul Scutlamr.s Happiness in heimj reduced to
Unity of Reliijion under King James. London, 1 604, 4to. Orthodoxo- Jaco-
bus et Papa Apostaticus, vfAS published in 1611. The literary controversy
between king James and cardinal liellarminc is well known. Gordon, hav-
ing espoused the side of the Scottish monarch on this occasion, wrote the
following treatise in answer to Bellarmine, who had assumed the fictitious
name of .Mathaeus Tortus : Anti-IieUarndiio-torlur, site tortus retorlus et Ju-
liano papismus. London. 1612, 4to. He published also a treatise on The
Ceremonies of the Church ofEmjland. together with Sermons, and other Thimjs.
— Life of Melville, Vu 224; 5. Wood's Fasti Oxonienses. London, folio, i.
7yj. (cordon's History of the Family of Gordon. Edin. 1726, i. 360-1.

OF GALLOWAY.

CHAPTER V.

BISHOPRICK OF GALLOWAY CONTINUED.

Having, in the last chapter, endeavoured to give an account
of the bishops of Galloway until the era of the Reformation,
we now proceed, in order to make our narrative more distinct
and uniform, to detail the history of the protestant prelates of
this see until the year 1688, the date of the final downfall of
episcopacy in Scotland.

Gavin Hamilton, son to John Hamilton of Orbiston,
was, in 1606, promoted to the bishoprick of Galloway, after a
vacancy of thirty years, during which period the deaneiy of
the chapel royal was vested in the chapel of Dunblane.* Before
he obtained this dignity, he was minister of Hamilton. On
account of the reduced and ruined state of the revenue of his
see, occasioned by the rapacity of bishop Gordon his prede-
cessor, two other benefices were conferred upon Hamilton, who
was thus, at the same time, prior of Whithorn and abbot of
Dundrennan. Spottiswood mentions, that, in 1600, the reve-
nue of Galloway " was so dilapidated, that scarcely it was re-
membered to have been.'"'*|'

On the death of Elizabeth, James, in going to take posses-
sion of the English throne, chose Gavin Hamilton, then mi-
nister of Hamilton, and Andrew Lamb, then of Brechin,
both afterwards bishops of Galloway, with other eminent indi-

• Keith's Catal 166. Spottiswood's History, App. 9. f lb. 4'58.

THE LITERARY HISTORY

\ idnals, to attoiul him. Wc find Hamilton in London again
in l(j()(), and that he, Spottiswood, and several other divines,
were in the presence of the king, when Andrew and James
Melville, with the other six Scottish ministers, were intro-
dnced to have a conference with his majesty. These prelates
always pretended to befriend their persecuted countrymen, but
their professions evaporated in empty promises and protesta-
tions. It is hardly to be expected, indeed, that Hamilton,
who afterwards was a member of the Iliixh Commission Court,
would feel much rem-et at the accumulated sufferings of these
inriexible presbyterians.

In ICIO, James summoned three Scottish prelates to Lon-
don to receive consecration, there not being a sufficient number
at home for performing that ceremony. These were Spottis-
wood of Glasgow, Lamb of Brechin, and Gavin Hamilton of
(ialloway. Having undergone this ceremony, they were thus
qualified, on their return, to give ordination to those pro-
moted to the vacant sees.*

Bishop Hamilton, who died in 1G14, was succeeded by
A\'illia:\i Coupeu, a man of no ordinary talents and cele-
brity. ^>Vc have no reason, in this instance, to complain of the
want of authentic and copious materials. In addition to the
biographical sketch of himself, which he composed during his
last sickness, the incidents of his life are handed down to us
in the literary and ecclesiastical histor^ of his time.

Cowper was born in the year 15G8. His father, John
Cowper, a respectable merchant in Edinburgh , having early
abjured poperj', brought up his son in the principles and pro-
fession of the protestant faith. His mind seems to have been
early impressed witli a deep and an abiding sense of piety.
" In my younger years," .says he, " I was trained up with the
wrestlings of (iod ; from my youth I have borne his yoke, ex-
ercised with his terrors ; yet so, that many a time his sweet
consolations have refreshed my sou]."-j-

• Spottiswood's Hislori), 51 1. Keitli's Cnlal. iCA\.

* JJfr (if Cowper, written by Litnscll, aiid pictixed to his works, printed
al liondon, lC2f», folly.

OF GALLOWAY. 45

After receiving some elementary instruction in his native
city, and after attending for four years the school of Dunhar,*
he was sent to the University of St. Andrews, in 1580. In
four years he was created jNlaster of Arts ; and being at this
time urged by his parents to enter upon a profession different
from that in which he took the deepest interest, " for my
heart," says he, " still inclined to the study of the holy Scrip-
tures," he left his paternal roof, and removed to Kngland.
There he remained for vipwards of two years, employed at
first as under teacher in the school of Hoddesdon, and after-
wards in the service of Mr, Broughton, a learned divine, to
whom he acknowledjTed himself indebted for much valuable in-
struction and edification.

He now returned to Edinburgh, and having for a while
prosecuted his theological studies under his elder brother, one
of the ministers of that city, and having given a " proof of
his gift" privately before the Reverend Robert Pont of St.
Cuthbert, Principal Rollock, and several other clergymen, he
was authorized a probationer of the presbyterian church of
Scotland, in the beginning of 1588. Nor did he remain long
without the charge of a flock ; for in a few months, on an ap-
plication from Bothkennar in Stirlingshire, he was appointed
by the general assembly minister of that parish, though then
only in the twentieth year of his age. In this situation he
did not remain long ; for, by the direction of the assembly, in
consequence of the earnest solicitation of the inhabitants of
Perth, (without any application on his part), he was translat-
ed, at the end of seven years, to that town, where he perform-
ed, in the most faithful and zealous manner, the important
functions of his station, till the year 1614, when, on the
death of Bishop Hamilton, he was translated to the see of Gal-
loway. *|*

• " At Dunbar school," says lie, " we went two and two to the church ;
God put then this prayer in my heart every day, in the way : Lord, bow
mine ear, that I may hear thy word." Life of Coicper, ut supra.

f " In Perth," says Wr. Cowper, " I continued doing- the work of God
for tlic full space of nineteen years. How I did carry myself in my open

THE LITER ARY HISTORY

It is necessary, before we proceed farther, shortly to mention
the circumstances in which our retbrmed church was now placed.
A short time before the period at which we are arrived, episco-
pacy had been, through the policy of James VI. established
in Scotland, both by a decision of the assembly, and an enact-
ment of the Scottish Parliament. The examination and ordi-
nation of the candidates for the sacred office, as well as their
disgrace and ejection, were vested solely in the bishops ; none
could be inducted to a benefice, unless he acknowledged his
sovereign as the only head of the church, and professed obe-
dience to the bishop of the diocese ; and those who manfully
opposed these innovations, and endeavoured to maintain the
polity established by the early reformers, were either immured
within the walls of a dungeon, or banished from their native
land. This state of things was introduced by slow degrees,
and was such as we have described it, at the time when
Cow|)er obtained the presentation to the bishoprick of Gal-
loway.

Cowper's sentiments respecting ecclesiastical discipline did
not remain unchanged until the date of his preferment. He
could not, for several years previous to this period, have retain-
ed his living in Perth, without owning subjection to episcopal
dignity ; and accordingly, in 1608, we find him attend a
packed assembly, which the zealous adherents to presbytery
regarded as illegal and unconstitutional, and from this time
readily concurring in all the measures sanctioned by royal and
episcopal authority.

The public transactions in which he was engaged, show the
esteem in which he was held. In 1596, a publication, con-
sisting of fifty-five articles, which were intended to undermine
the foundation of presbytery, and to pave the way for that

conversation, living among them, not as one separate from them, Imt mixed
myself in all their fellowship, as a comfort to the best, and a wound to the
worst inclined sort, this age will not want living witnesses to record it.
]\Iy diligence, in like manner, in the ministry, not only on the ordinary
day>, hut on others, which I voluntarily chose thrice a-vveek, Wednes-
days, Fridays, and Saturdays, for a preparation to the Sabbath." — Life, of
OncjieTy ut nipra.

OF GALLOWAY. 47

innovation which the king intended to make in the church,
was submitted by him to the assembly which met at Perth
in the month of February of that year. I'hough the most vi-
gorous measures w^ere taken to defend the established church ;
though several of the inferior judicatories gained to themselves
immortal honour, by their zeal and fearlessness ; — yet, by cor-
ruption, by persuasion, by threatcnings, the king was enabled,
in that assembly, and at a subsequent one which met at Dun-
dee the year following, to make that first inroad on the presby-
terian establishment, which was fraujjht with so much evil to
the peace and happiness of his subjects. William Cowper
was appointed by the first of these assemblies a member of the
commission for " reasoning'' the articles given in by the king;
and when the principal articles were decided upon, another
commission of " the most wise and discreet brethren,"" Cowper
being included in the number, were nominated by the second
assembly to treat of the remainder, and all affairs that might
concern the good of the church. *

In the assembly which met at Linlithgow, in 1608, discus-
sions took place respecting the growth of popeiy, and the means
of preventing papists from holding any office of trust or au-
thority ; for, though the bishops, as lately hinted, exerted at
this time a complete sway over our ecclesiastical judicatories,
the catholic faith was not less obnoxious to them than to their
more rigid presbyterian brethren. A supplication on this sub-
ject was drawn up, to be submitted to James, to whom five
commissioners were appointed to go to London to present it.
These were, the celebrated Spottiswood, the Earl of Wigton,
Lord Kilsyth, William Cowper, and James Nisbet, burgess
of Edinburgh. ■}-

In 1616 an act for drawing up a liturgy for the episcopal
church of Scotland was passed by the assembly which met at
Aberdeen; and several learned divines, "Bishop Cowper being
designed the chief," were appointed to effect this work. |

• Spottiswood'.s Hishrri/, 139, HG. Ciildcrwood's Hist, of the Church, 39 k
Life of Mdcille, ii. 9.5, et seqq. '

+ Spottiswood's Hist. 506. Calderwood's Hist. 503.
\ Life of SpottisTvood, prefixed to his Historij.

48 THE LITERARY HISTORY

The fbllowino- circumstance forms an interesting and amiable
feature in the character of Cowper. James having, in I6I7?
resolved to visit Scotland, from which he had been absent for
fourteen years, issued orders to repair the royal chapel, and
sent English carpenters, with portraits of the apostles to be
erected in it. The serious part of the community immediate-
ly took the alann. A report that images were to be introduc-
ed, and that, ere long, they would have the mass, began to
circulate, and gained general belief Cowper, who, as bishop
of Galloway, was dean of the chapel, and who always, it can-
not be denied, showed a deep sympathy with the feelings and
quiet of the people, conceived it to be his duty to write to his
sovereign, representing the agitation which such a step would
necessarily occasion among his Scottish subjects. To this let-
ter he procured the signatures of several prelates, and of the
ministers of Edinburgh. The application was not unsuccess-
ful ; for, though James was dissatisfied with it, and alleged
that it resulted from ignorance and bigotry, and even threaten-
ed to bring with him some English Doctors to enlighten their
minds, yet he forth^'ith laid aside his original intention res-
pecting the portraits, thus removing every cause of disgust and
provocation.*

C'ow]ier was not destined to attain to advanced years, for he
died in Edinburgh, on the 15th of February 1()]9, at the age
of fifty-one. During his last illness, which continued several
weeks, he wrote an account of his life, to obviate the misrepre-
sentations that had gone abroad respecting him ; and the serious
and pious nature of his conversation, and the fervour of his de-
votional exercises, strikingly proved that his latter end was that
of the righteous. He was buried on the south side of the New
(ireyfriars' church, where the monument over his grave is still
to be seen : his funeral was attended by the lords of the privy
council, and by the magistrates of the city ; and a sermon was
delivered on the occasion, by Archbishop Spottiswood.-f-

• Spottiswond's //(Ato/y, 530. Cook's JHnt^u/oftlie Church,u. 26. Rowe's
MS. Ilislonj, 12G.

f Life of Coiijicr, prfftxtil to liis works, f'iildcrwood's Ilistori/, 721.

OF GALLOWAY. 49

If Spottiswood and other writers may be believed, the cause
of his death is much to be deplored. " By their libels and
pamphlets,"" the presbyterians, according to this prelate, attack-
ctl the bishop of Galloway, so " that he, taking the business
more to heart than was needful, fell into a sickness, whereof he
deceased."* Nor did this abuse terminate with his life ; his
memory has been loaded with abuse ; and even an eminent
writer of the present day has not hesitated to prostitute his
pen in reviving and perpetuating the slander.-f* That part of
his history which gave rise to these attacks, we must endea-
vour, in order to estimate his character aright, to examine and
appreciate.

The sentiments of Cowper, with respect to ecclesiastical
polity, must indeed have undergone a total revolution ere he
ventured to accept episcopal honours. Educated in the princi-
ples of presbytery, and officiating for many years as a presby-
terian minister, he was much attached to the tenets, ami simple
but solemn form of worship which that polity prescribed. Nor
was his dislike of episcopacy less remarkable than his partiality
for the church of which he was a member. At so recent a
period as ICOG, we find him associated with Andrew Melville,
and other distinguished individuals, in a determ.ined resistance
to the establishment of the episcopal form of worship. In the
same year he thus addressed an old acquaintance, who, having
forsaken the presbyterian cause, had accepted of a bishoprick :

* The same tiling is insinuated by Caldcrwood -. — '< When Cowper ac-
cepted a bislioprick, he set forth an Apologie, to purge himself of covetous-
ness and ambition, and gave reasons wherefore he changed his mind. He
VMS so vext with answers, that he threw some of them into the fire, and would not
look upon them. Mr- David Home of Godscroft pressed liim with a reply to
his answer, whereupon Cowper published his Dikaiologie, answering only to
such passages as pleased him." — P. 648. The full title of this work is the
Bischope of Galloway, his Dikaiologie, containing a just defence of his former
appology against the imputations of Mr. David Home. Lond. 1614. pp.
183 — To which is added, A view of church government best warraided by
the word; and a short ansiver to the tripartite antiapologie of some nameless
authors,

t Scott's Minstrelsy of the Scqflish Border, iii. 144.

50 THE LITERARY HISTORY

" Your course," says he, " wherein you are entered, I never
lovetl ; althoutrh the tVuit you enjoy be sweet, yet tlie end shall
prove it never i^roAv on the tree of life.*" And at one tiine he
" not veiy decently compared bishops to coals and candles, that
not only light, but have a filthy smell in all men's noses."*

That this change of sentiments originated in ambition or
covetousness, neither charity nor his own direct declaration will
permit us to believe. That he was a man devoid of piety and
principle, none will affirm who are at all acquainted with his
life, or who have read his works. His conversion, it must, how-
ever, be confessed, is extremely obnoxious to suspicion. All
history bears testimony to the fact, that to espouse a cause, and
adopt principles which at one time we violently opposed, and re-
garded as subversive of our dearest rights and privileges, is sel-
dom entitled to the praise of candour, particularly when the
change is accompanied with riches, dignity and power. The ac-
count, however, which, on his death-bed, (vowper himself gives
of this important event, surely claims very serious consideration,

" Now, about this time,"" says he, " God had opened to mc
a door, and called me to the charge of the churches in Gallo-
way, in the south-west part of this kingdome ; for being named
with others by the General Assembly of such as they thought
it meet to be preferred to the Christian dignity (whereof I ever
acknowledged myself not worthy,) and recommended by the
fathers of our church, it was his Majesty ""s pleasure to present
me to that benefice, due to the office whereunto the church had
called me. God knows that this was done without my know-
ledge, or seeking, directly or indirectly ; for I could have been
contented all my days with a private life, resolving to give
honour and obedience in God to such as were called to these
places, after that it was once established by order in our church,
and I had considered the lawfulness, antiquity, and necessity
of it among us.

" Here,'' continues he, " I was neither guilty of ambition,
nor of any precipitate embracing of it ; for, between the date of

• Spottiswood's History, 'iOfi. Cal(ler\Voo(l's History, .527, .531, 549.
Row's MS. History, 127.

OF GALLOWAY. 51

his Majesty's presentation and my acceptation, there intervened
eighteen weeks."

Such is his account, which we shall leave without comment
to the judgment of' the reader ; hut it may he recorded to his
honour, in opposition to the express declaration of his enemies,
that, during his connexion with the diocese in question, there
was no instance of cruelty or persecution, — no attempt to make
encroachments on the civil rights and religious privileges of the
people. " Cowper,*" says an imdouhted judge, " was an
amiahle man. Though he altered his opinion, and hecame a
bishop, he uniformly shewed much moderation, and was guid-
ed by sincere attachment to the best interests of religion."*
" In this my calling," says he, alluding to his connexion with
Galloway, " how I have walked, and what my care was to
advance the gospel there, I trust I shall not, nor yet do want
witnesses." These are his dying words, and a death-bed is not
the place for hypocrisy or prevarication.

His writings, which are all theological, and are very numer-
ous, consist of Sermons, short religious treatises, and a Com-
mentary on the Book of Revelation. They were originally
given to the world by himself in a separate form; hut, in 1623,
they were collected and published in London in one large
volume, extending to 1122 folio pages; and such was the es-
timation in which they were held, that, at the end of six
years, another impression was found necessary. To both these
editions a memoir of the author, written by himself, was pre-
fixed, with an account of his last illness, by the hand of a
friend.

His works display abilities of no ordinary kind. His pulpit
discourses are characterised by a degree of fancy, of fervour,
and of pathos which must have made them, at the time they
were delivered, powerful instruments of persuasion and instruc-
tion, and may still render them eminently useful to the theolo-
gical student, as well as to the private Christian. His illustra-
tions are striking and appropriate, and not seldom ingenious

• Cook's Hist, of the Church, ii. 269.

THE LITERARY HISTORY

and original ; but arc so fully and clearly evolved, as to make
them intellimblc to the weakest intellect. Of these remarks,
the lecture ou the parable of the prodigal son affords no slender
confirmation. His stylo is peculiarly happy : equally removed
from vulgarity and declamation, the overwhelming vices of the
age, it is simple, nervous, copious, and often elegant, such as
would not have dis<jraced a writer of the bemnning of last cen-
tury. " The residence of CoAvper in England, during some
years of the early part of his life, may have given him that
command of the English language by which his writings are
distinguished.""*

The Commentaiy on the Revelation, his largest work, is of
itself sufficient to perpetuate his name. Though expositions
of this sublime and interesting part of the sacred volume
have been composed by some of our most eminent writers, the
treatise of Cowjier will, we think, be found inferior to none of
them in ingenuity, in soundness of judgment, and in biblical
kaming. For entering on an analysis of this work, we nei-
ther have space, nor do we reckon ourselves perfectly qualified ;
but we cannot conclude this sketch without submitting to the
reader the recommendatory lines from the pen of Drummond
of Hawthornden, On my Lord of Galloway., his learned Cowr-
mentary on the Revelation :

To this admir'd discoverer give place,
Ye who first tam'd the sea, the windes out-ranne,
And match'd the dayes bright coachman in your race,
Americus, Cokimbus, Magellan,

It is most true that your ingenious care
And well-spent paines, another world brought forth ;
For l)casts, birds, trees, for gcmmes and metals rare.
Yet all being earth, was but of earthly worth.

He a more precious world to us dcscryes,

Rich ill more treasure than both Ind'os contuinc ;

• Life of Melville, ii. 31G,

OF GALLOWAY. 53

Faire in more beauty than men's wit can falnc,

Wliose sunne not sets, whose people never dyes.

Eartli shall your browes deck with still verdant bayes,
But heaven crowne his with starres immortal rayes.

Andrew Lamb succeeded Cowper in the see of Galloway.
His first settlement in the church was at Burntisland ; and in
1606, he was promoted to the bishoprick oi' Brechin. He
was one of those who, on the death of Elizabeth, accompanied
James VI. to England, and, as mentioned in speaking of
Gavin Hamilton, was one of the three prelates that received
consecration at London. He was a member of the High
Commission ; but showed little intolerance in his own diocese.
He died in 1634. From the following epigram, it appears
that he was blind.*

Lammius astrorum spoliatus lumine, lucem
Qua se, quaque Deum conspicit, intus habet.

Thomas Sydserff, who succeeded him, was son of SydserfF
of Ruchlaw, an ancient family, originally styled of that ilk,
of whom one is a subscriber to Bagimont's Roll, in 1296. The
family of Ruchlaw is still extant in Haddington, their original ^

seat. The subject of this note was tutor to the first Earl of
Traquair, a nobleman who rose to the dignity of High Trea-
surer of Scotland.-}- Sydserffs subsequent promotion in the
church, may have been principally owing to his connexion with
this distinguished person ; to whose interests he, under every
circumstance, remained firmly attached. He became a clergy-
man ; and his first appointment in the church was in Edin-
burgh, his charge being that of the College Church, which he
held for a short time conjunctly with Henry Rollock, nephew
to Principal Rollock. He early imbibed those Arminian prin-
ciples which were so obnoxious to the great body of the Scot-
tish people, and became subservient to all the illiberal and in-
judicious measiures of Laud. The violence by which he was
afterwards distinguished, he had begun to display ere he was
invested with the mitre. Henry Charters, Professor of Divi-

• Arturi Johnstoni Epigr — Belit. Poet. Scot. i. 622.
f Crawford's Officers of State, 406.

O-if THE LITERAKY HISTORY

nity, having died in 1629, Sydserff and John Maxwell, (after-
wards bishop of Ross,) endeavoured to get a person of Amninian
doctrine, " who had glutted in all the erroures of that time,"
appointed his successor. This attempt, however, was completely
defeated : but Sydscrff soon met with his reward. Hewaselevated
to the see of Brechin, and soon afterwards to that of Galloway.
He erected a High Commission Court in his new diocese, com-
posed of his OT^Ti creatures ; and exercised his authority against
presbyterians in the most arbitrary manner. It was by him
that the famous Rutherford was ejected from his living in the
parish of Anwoth and confined to Aberdeen. He seems not
to have been more unpopular in Galloway than throughout the
kingdom. " The bishop of Galloway was like to have re-
ceived injury in Stirling : but the magistrates saw to him. In
his return to t'alkirk, the wives railed and stoned him with
stones, and were some of them punished. Also at Dalkeith,
upon Sunday, the wives so railed upon him, that the treasurer,
[Lord Traquair, his former pupil,] put two of them in prison.
The bishop is in great fear and danger."* This unpopularity
arose in a great measure from his alleged leaning to popery,
not from his high episcopal principles. He was supposed to
wear upon his breast a crucifix of gold. " After some quarrel-
ing of him for his crucifix and clamours,*" some women attack-
ed him on the streets of Edinburgh ; and it was with difficulty
he was rescued by Traquair and others out of their hands. -j" A
few doggrel stanzas on the bishops of Scotland, TMntten while
Sydscrff was in Galloway, have been preserved among Wod-
row's valuable MS. collections; and in them he is thus spoken
of:—

" A papist thou art, (inWoway ; in heaven thou'lt never dwell ;
Tliy crooked feet and fiery head will cause thee march to hell :"

lines which, among other things, convey to us some idea of
his personal appearance.

Sydserff was deposed and excommunicated by the Assembly

• Baillie's ZcUers, i. 34. f lb. 20 — Guthrie's Manoirs, 28.

OF GALLOWAY. 55

of Glasgow in 1638. He then retired to England. He seems to
have attended the royal forces, hoping, through them, to witness
the restoration of his order in Scotland.* While in the south, he
superintended the publication of a posthumous work, composed
by his friend Dr. William t orbes, the first bishop of Edin-
burgh. -f- To this work is prefixed a life of the author.
The editor's designation is T. G. [Thomas, bishop of
Galloway,] which Dr. Irving has supposed to point out Dr.
Thomas Gale ;:j: but that the opinion of this learned writer is
erroneous, is evident from Baillie, who distinctly mentions
Sydserff as the editor.^ The only other instance in which we
find him in the character of an author, is in The Muses' Wel-
come, where are two short Latin poems, bearing the signature
of Thomas Si/nserjiiis.

On the Restoration Sydserff was the only surviving bishop in
Scotland, and expected to be elevated to the primacy. But
the base conduct of Sharp had given him paramount claims ;
and the subject of this sketch was nominated to the see of
Orkney. " He lived," says Burnet, " little more than a year
after his translation. He had died in more esteem, if he had
died a year before it."|| " He was, after all," says the same
author, " a very learned and good man ; but strongly heated
in those matters, * * of which I know Sydserff made great
acknowledgments in his old age."^ Mr. William Annand,
who preached his funeral sermon, insisted " with much parade
on h\s sufferings for the sake of the gospel !"

Sydserff man-ied a daughter of John Byres of Coates, " late
dean of guild, a prime counsellor, and good patriot."** He
had a large family ; of whom one was a physician, another

" Rutherford's Letters, Part iii. 53.

f This work is entitled, Considerationes Modestae et Pacificae Controver-
siarum, de Justificatione, Punjatorio, Invocalione Sanctorum ct Cliristo Me~
diatore, Eiicharistia. Per Gidielmum Forbesium, S. T. D. et Epis. Edin.
primum. Lond. 1658. 8vo.

I Irving's Lives, i. 138. § Letters, ii. i26.

II History of Ins own Times, i. 191. f lb. lb. 33.
** Crawford's Hist, of the Univ. of Edin. 115.

56 THE LITERARY HISTORY

inanrictl to the representative of the ancient family of Kilker-
ran, anil a third was the author of the first newspaper that this
country could hoast of. This paper was called Mercurius
CaU'donius ; comprising the affairs in agitation in Scotland,
with a survei/ of foreign intelligence. It was a small 4to.
of eight pages ; was published weekly ; and extended only
to ten numbers. It was begun on the 31st of December 16G0,
and tcnninated on the 28th of March 1G61.

It was, in truth, the first paper of really Scottish origin;
though Cromwell had some years before printed a newspaper.
This celebrated man carried a printing press with him ; and
through Christopher Higgins, whom he brought to (Scotland
for the express purpose, he printed at Leith in 1652, A Di-
urnal of some passages and ajfairs ; and in 1653, il/ercwriM*
Politicus. The last was first printed at Leith ; but afterwards
at Edinburgh. It continued till the Restoration, when it was
changed into Mercurius Puhlicus, At the Revolution, and
for ten years afterwards, there was not, it may be stated, a
newspaper printed in Scotland ; but at the Union we could
boast of no fewer than three.*

James Hamilton, who was promoted to this see in 1661,
was brother to the first Lord Belhaven. So early as 1634 he
had been settled minister of Cambusncthan ; a situation which
he contrived to retain, amid all the ecclesiastical vicissitudes
of that period, until the Restoration. In reference to this
accommodating and temporizing disposition. Bishop Burnet
remarks, " Hamilton was good natured, but weak ; he was
always believed episcopal ; yet he had so far complied in the
time of the covenant, that he affected a peculiar expression of
his counterfeit zeal for their cause, to secure himself from sus-
picion. When he gave the sacrament he excommunicated all
that were not true to the covenant, using a form in the Old
Testament, of shaking out the lap of his gown ; saying, so did
he cast out of the church and covenant all that dealt falsely in

• Chalmcr¥'.s Life of Ruddimun, ll7_f). I/ond. 1794, 8vo.

OF GALLOWAY. 57

the covenant."* " His gifts,"" says Wodrow, " were reckon-
ed every way ordinary ; but he was remarkable for his cun-
ning time-serving temper."-f-

At the Restoration, Bishop SydserfF being the only Scottish
prelate alive, and Charles II. having then re-established epis-
copacy in Scotland, James Hamilton, Sharp, afterwards arch-
bishop of St. Antlrews, and Fairfoul, afterwards of Glasgow,
were summoned to London, and received episcopal consecra-
tion. Having undergone this ceremony, they were thus ren-
dered qualified to give ordination at home to those who might
be promoted to the vacant sees.

Hamilton, having died in 1674, was succeeded by John Pa-
TERSON, dean of Edinburgh, and son to the bishop of Ross.
He was, first, minister of Ellon, Aberdeenshire, then of the
Tron Church of Edinburgh, and afterwards dean of that
city. In I67'i» he was created bishop of Galloway, a situa-
tion which he held for nearly five years, when he obtained the
see of Edinburgh. During the time of his connexion with Gal-
loway, he was created a member of the pri\y council, and his
name was added to the committee for public affairs. His last

translation, which took place in I6O7, was to the archiepisco-
pal chair of Glasgow, of which he was deprived by the Re-
volution. At this period, he opposed the forfeiture of the
■crown, and in the Convention of Estates, strenuously support-
ed the government of the expatriated king. He died at
Edinburgh in the month of December I7O8.J

Arthur Ross, bishop of Argyle, was Paterson"'s successor
in the see of Galloway, which he did not hold much more
than a month, when he obtained the archbishoprick of Glas-
gow.

James Aiken, or Aitken, a person of no ordinary degree
of distinction, was promoted to this vacant bishoprick. He
was son to the sheriff of Orkney, and was born in Kirkwall in

• Burnet's Own Times, i. 190, 1.

f Wodrow's History, i. 237, ed. 1828.

\ liegistir of Burials in Abbey Church, Hohjrood.

58 THE LITERARY HISTORY

1G13. Having previously attended the University of Edin-
burgh, he removed to Oxford in 1()37, where he studied divi-
nity under the celebrated Dr. Prideaux. Aiken was chosen
chaplain to the Duke of Hamilton, when appointed Lord
High Commissioner to the famous assembly which met at
Glasgow in 1C38, — a situation of which he discharged the
duties so well, that on his return to London, he was presented
to the church of Birsay in his native county. When the
Duke of INIontrose landed in the north of Scotland, the pres-
bytery, of which Aiken was a member, issued a proclamation,
expressing their determination to maintain their allegiance,
and to use every means in their power to promote the royal
cause. This was a step which the state of feeling then pre-
valent in Scotland could not brook. The general assembly,
at that time sitting in Edinburgh, passed sentence of deposi-
tion against the whole presbytery, and, in addition to this, ex-
communicated Aiken, because the proclamation had been
drawn up by him, and because he had had a conference with
INIontrose himself Nor was this spirit confined to the clergy.
The privy council, animated by the same feelings, issued an
order for apprehending him ; but Aiken, having obtained
private intelligence of his danger from his relation Archibald
Primrose, lord register, Hed into Holland, where he remained
till 1653, when, venturing to return to Scotland, he resided
in Edinburgh in a private capacity until the Restoration.

When this event took place, so pregnant with ills to the
prcsbyterian church of Scotland, he went to London, in com-
pany with Thomas Sydserff, to congratulate his Majesty.
At this period, Aiken obtained the rectory of Winfrith in
Dorsetshire ; and, in 1C77' ^^^ elected and consecrated bi-
shop of Moray, " to the great rejoicing," says Wood, " of
the episcojial party ;"''* and, in three years afterwards, was
thence translated to the see of Galloway. Now of an ad-
vanced age, he obtained " a dispensation to reside at Edin-

• Wood's Athcm Oxon. ii. 685.

OF GALLOWAY. 59

burgh, because it was thought unreasonable to ol)ligc a re-
verend prelate of his years to live among such a rebellious and
turbulent people, as those of his diocese were, the effect of
whose fiery zeal hath too frequently appeared in affronting,
l)eating, robbing, wounding, and sometimes murdering the
curates."*

This worthy prelate, however, ventured to pay a visit to the
" rebellious" people of his diocese. That he was not " mur-
dered"" by them is sufficiently evident ; for his death took place
some time afterwards in Edinburgh ; and, though anxious
to blacken the character of presbyterians, his party has not
condescended to inform us, whether he was " affronted, beat,
robbed, or wounded." He died in 1677? ^^ ^^^ advanced age
of seventy-four. His epitaph was written by Dr. Pitcairn.

His character is entitled to considerable praise. His prin-
ciples, both political and ecclesiastical, were indeed of an arbi-
trary and intolerant kind. But the friends with whom he
acted, speak favourably of his talents and piety ; and when
James proposed to annul the penal laws, he, seeing the danger-
ous design the king had in view, had the boldness and hon-
esty, notwithstanding his usual deference to royal authority,
to opjiose the measure. Unable, from old age and sickness, to
walk, he was carried to the Scottish Parliament, where he
publicly declared his total disapprobation of it ; and he also
used his influence with the nobility and gentry to the same
effect.-j-

Aikcn may, in some respects, be regarded as the last bishop
of Galloway ; for John Gordon, who succeeded him, and was
consecrated at Glasgow in February 1688, probably never vi-
sited his people ; and, at least in the end of that year, following
the fortunes of his infatuated monarch, who forfeited his throne,
he forsook Britain for ever, and retired to St. Germains, where
he afterwards continued to reside. He read the liturgy of the
church of England to those protestants who resorted to him,

• Wood's yl thence Oxon. ii. 685. f lb. il..

60 THE LITERARY HISTORY

and expressed a desire to join in that service. William, Prince
of Oranije, landed in Britain on the 5th of November 1688 ;
and in April of the following year, prelacy was abolished, and
presbytery finally established as the national church of Scot-
laud.

OF GALLOWAY. 61

CHAPTER VI.

REFORMATION.— LIVES OF MACBRAY AND WELSH.

The ecclesiastical and literary history of a nation is inti-
mately connected. This is the case in a peculiar manner with
the province of Galloway ; for a great majority of the scholars
of whom she can boast have been of the sacred profession. —
As in the foregoing chapters of this work, the literary and
ecclesiastical notices have been indiscriminately blended, so, as
we proceed, we shall have occasion to advert to the history of
the Reformation, and of the protestant cause.

The doctrines of the Reformation obtained, at a very remote
period, a footing in Galloway. These doctrines Gordon of
Earlston had the honour of introducing into this province.
Some of the disciples of WicklifFe, eager to expose the corrup-
tion and dangerous tendency of the papal faith, and to dissolve
the magic spell with which that faith enchained the faculties
and consciences of mardiind, itinerated to Scotland in that
work of piety and benevolence. The family of Earlston, not
only became converts to their principles, but received them
into their house, and afforded them safety and protection ; and
had in their possession a copy of the New Testament in the
\Tilgar language, which was read at secret meetings, held in a
wood in the neighbourhood.*

The refonned opinions of Wickliffe, thus imbibed, and pro-
moted by one of the most powerful families in Galloway, could

" At this time the use of the sacred volume was confined to the clergy.

THE LITERARY HISTORY

not fail to spread very rapidly through the whole extent of it.
It may, without hesitation, be asserted, that before the mar-
tyrdom of Patrick Hamilton, which took place on the last day
of February 1528, the Gallovidians had completely abjured
the catholic faith, and adopted those sentiments, for which that
illustrious man perished iu the flames.

As connected with this period, John IMacbray, or Mac-
bra ir, deserves to be commemorated. He is termed by his-
torians a gentleman of Galloway, without having the particu-
lar place of his birth specified. This omission of our early
wTiters cannot now be rectified, but I think it not improbable
that he was a native of the parish of Irongray, where the name
was once common. Immediately on the death of Hamilton,
Avhom all the nation regarded as a martyr, the reformed doc-
*■ trines, being eagerly examined and subjected to the test of re-
velation, began to be rapidly disseminated. The most vigor-
ous measures were adopted for checking their progress. The
fires of martyrdom were kindled, and many, of whom our
church has still reason to boast, were committed to the flames.
Others, among whom was Macbray, to preserve their lives,
were compelled to exile themselves from their native land.

He fled to England in 1538, where, having become a
minister of the English protestant church, he continued till
the death of Kdward \I. when, having retired to Frankfort,
he was appointed preacher to the English congregation of that
place.* He was afterwards removed to a charge in Lower
Germany ; where, says Spottiswood, " he continued the rest
of his days :"' but Dr. INI'Crie has shev/n, by many references,
that, on the accession of Elizabeth, he returned to England,
and that, in 15C8, he was inducted to the vicarage of St.
Nicholas in Newcastle, where he died in 1584.-|-

Such is the scanty account we can give of a man who seems
to have been distinguished in his day, and whose name is
recorded by various writers. Strype, who terms him " an il-
lustrious exile," says, that the most pious and learned protes-

• .Cpottiswood's Histonj, 97. + Life of Knox, i. 359.

OF GALLOWAY. G3

taut divines having boon seloctod to preach successively in St.
Paul's, JNIacbray formed one of the number, and officiated
there in his turn in 1559-* And Bale, who mentions several
of his works, states, that he wrote " elegantly in Latin." -f
He composed an account of the church of which he was pastor,
in Lower Germany ; and " some homilies," says Spottiswood,
" he left upon the prophecy of Hosoa, and an history of the
bogiiming and progress of the Knglish church." |

The next name that claims our notice, is that of a man
whose memory is associated with one of the most important
events of our history — I allude to the famous John Welsh,
who was born about the year 1570, and was son to the laird of
Collieston, a small estate lying in the parish of Dunscore,
Dumfrios-shire. § The imprudence and vices of his youth are
universally known. At school, he was not more careless when
present, than unwilling to attend it ; he despised and trampled
upon the authority both of parents and teacher ; and resolved,
at length, to extricate himself from every species of restraint,
he abandoned his paternal roof, and associated with a company
of gipsies and border freebooters, participating in all their rob-
beries and debaucheries. He was now regarded as sunk into
an irretrievable state of depravity ; and his parents daily feared
to hear of his coming to a premature and ignominious end.
Soon, however, experiencing poverty and wretchedness, the
unavoidable result of his crimes and irregularities, and feeling,
too, it is not improbable, the compunctious visitings of con-
science, he ventured to return home ; and being, by means of
a female relative, introduced to his father, he besought

* Strype's Annak of the JReign of Elizabeth, ii. 134.

•J- J3alei Scnptores JBritannice, 229.

J Spottiswood, and IJfe of Knox, ut supra,

§ The source from which I have obtained the substance of the following
sketch, (unless when reference is made to other sources,) is a small volume,
entitled, The Life of John Welch, printed at Edinburgh, 1703. The author
of it was Blr. James Kirkton, first minister of Merton, and afterwards one
of the ministers of Edinburgh ; and who, being married to a relation of Mrs.
Welsh, possessed the best means of coming to the knowledge of the circum-
stances he records.

04 THE LITERARY HISTORY

liim, in the tcndcrest and most penitential manner, to pardon
his disobedience ; and promised to give, in future, no new
cause of" grief or of shame. Parental affection could not with-
stimd this appeal. Welsh was immediately restored to the
bosom of his family ; and, having petitioned permission to
study for the church, was removed to college, where he became
remarkable, not more for the ardour of his application, than
the fervour of his piety. His first settlement in the ministry
was at Selkirk, which, on receiving an invitation from Kirk-
cudbright, he was soon induced to leave, on account of the
ignorance, the profanity, and ingratitude of his people.

It was while he held the charge of Kirkcudbright that he
composed his celebrated work on the errors of popery. A com-
munication sent by Welsh to a person of the catholic religion,
'• the object of which was to expose the absurd and dangerous
tendency of that faith, having fallen into the hands of Gilbert
Brown^^blajt of Sweetheart, he immediately undertook to re-
fute it in a treatise addressed to Welsh. Welsh, on receiving
it, solicited a public disputation on the subject in question ; a
request which jBrown, fi'om a scrupulous regard to his own
good name, had the prudence to decline. Welsh, therefore,
composed his Reply ; a work in which he overthrows the
arguments of his opponent, head by head separately, — which
neither Brown, nor any popish writer has yet attempted to
answer, — ^nd which, unquestionably, is one of the most erudite
and elaborate treatises of the age in which it was composed.
The author displays the most jninute acquaintance with the
oldest and most rare theological writings, and he analyzes and
refutes those that bear against him with a degi'ee of dexterity
and talent, to which Brown, learned as he unquestionably was,
possessed no claim.* His triumph over his opponent was com-

" The title of tliis work is, — A Repli/ arjainst M. Gilbert Browne,
priest. Wherein iv IiavxRcil many of the yreatest and wei'jhliest points of
controiterxie between v.s and the papbites, anil the truth of our doctrine clear-
ly proued, anil tlw, falnct of flieir religion arul doctrine laid open, and most
evidenllie conuicted and confuted, btj ihe testimonies of the Scripture and

OP GALLOWAY. 65

plete and undisputed. — " I have set downe your answcrc ful-
lie," says Welsh in his preface, " and hcs answered to every
poynt and argument seuerally ; the like, Maister Gilbert, 1
desire of you, that if ever you can be able to put to your hand
to make ane ansvvere, that you set downe me word for word,
and answere euerie head and poynt thereof seuerally, as I haue
set them downe here, and shew what you graunt, and what
you denie in euerie head and argument, as I haue done in
yours ; otherwaies I will take it for no answere, bot for a nia-
nifest demonstration that ye are conuicted in your conscience of
the falset of your owne religion."*^ — Brown, notwithstanding this
challenge, and the humiliating alternative to which it reduced
him, thought it proper to maintain silence.

At what period Welsh removed from Kirkcudbright to Ayr,
I have not been able to ascertain. It could not have been till
towards the end of the year 1599, as the introductory address
to Gilbert Brown is dated from Kirkcudbright in, August of
that year. Of the extent of his zeal and exertions at Ayr, it
is almost impossible for us to form any thing like an adequate
idea. He preached publicly every day, — was scrupulously
faithful in the performance of his other important duties —
and uniformly devoted the third part of his time to pri-
vate prayer and meditation. The presbyterian clergy, in-
deed, of the 16th and 17th centuries, were all eminently dis-
tinguished for ardent and indefatigable activity in holy things.
Cowper, when at Perth, in addition to his other d^ies,
preached, as we have already stated, four times a-week ; Sa-
muel Rutherford rose every morning at three o"'clock, and after
devoting the early part of the day to prayer, meditation, and
study, spent the remainder of it in visiting and instructing his
people ; and John Livingstone of Stranraer set apart an hour

auncient Fathers ; and also hy some of their own popes, doctors, cardinaUs,
and of their own writters- Wherevnio is annexed a seuer all treatise concerning
the Masse and antichrist. By M. John Welsche, preacher of Christ's GospeU
at Aire. Edinburgh, printed by Robert Walde-grave, printer to the King's
Maiestie, 1602 — 4to. pp. 363. It is dedicated " to the Riglit Excellent
and Mightic Prince James the 6, King of Scotland."

GC THE LITERARY HISTORY

every morning, for reading the Bible to his fiock, and ilhistraf-
ing it.*

And the success of Welsh was fully in proportion to the
extent of his exertions. On his arrival at Ayr, he found the
flock over whom he was to preside, not only remarkable for
ignorance and profanity, but carrying their abhorrence of
sacred things to such an extent that, in their sight, a minister of
the gospel was an object worthy only of contempt and hatred.
This Mr. Welsh himself experienced when he first came
among them ; for it was not without difficulty that he could
procure a house for himself and his family. This unhappy
state of matters he was soon enabled to remove. His inde-
fatigable exertions for thewelfare of his people — the mild, yet
firm and dignified nature of his private intercourse with them
— the solemnity and energy of his public ministrations — and
the eminent spiritual mindedness of his own life, soon gained
their affection and commanded their esteem.

The circumstances in which our reformed church was now
placed, are generally known. James had, for several years be-
fore the time at which we are arrived, been gradually smooth-
ing the way for abolishing presbytery, and establishing episco-
pacy on its ruins. Under various pretexts, he had made in-
fringements on the power and privileges of the General As-
sembly. Though, by a parliamentary decision, this judicatory
was <lirccted to be held annually, and a determinate rule laid
down for fixing the particular day and place of meeting, yet
James had succeeded in obviating that enactment ; and though
the assembly which was held at Holyroodhouse in 1602, came
to a resolution that this court should henceforth be kept ac-
cording to the act of Parliament — a resolution which the king
himself, who was present, agreed to ; yet the assembly, which
was appointed to meet at Aberdeen in 1604, he prorogued un-
til the month of June of the following year. But his Majes-
ty did not stop here. His object was not merely to make en-
croachments on the privileges of this court, but to destroy its

• Tlic Lives of Rutherford and Livingstone in this work.

OP GALLOWAY. 67

existence. Accordingly, the assembly which himself had fixed
to take place at Aberdeen in 1605, he not only prorogued, but
mentioned no other time for its meeting. This tyrannical
conduct, which was striking at the very root of tlie prcsby-
terian cause, alarmed the whole nation. The ministers were
compelled to exert themselves, unless they meant to surrender
their privileges for ever. And nine presbyteries resolved to
send representatives to Aberdeen, with instructions, however,
merely to constitute the assembly, and to appoint a day for its
next meeting. Of these representatives Welsh was one. John
Forbes, minister of Alford, was chosen moderator. While
they were employed in reading a letter delivered to them by
Straiton, the king''s commissioner, from the lords of the privy
council, a messengcr-at-arms entered, and charged them, in the
king''s name, to dissolve the meeting on pain of rebellion. With
this request the ministers seemed quite ready to comply, and
only solicited that the royal commissioner should appoint
the time and place for next meeting. This being refused,
the moderator nominated it to be held at the same place
on the last Tuesday of September ensuing, and dissolved
the meeting by prayer. The commissioner, afraid lest
the indecision he had shown in allowing, as he did, the assem-
bly to be held at all, or in seeming to recognise its lawful-
ness or competency, might expose him to the resentment of the
prelates and of the king, is supposed to have given a very dis-
torted account of the whole proceedings to his majesty. He^
declared, that on the day previously to the meeting, he had
forbidden it by a public proclamation at the cross of Aberdeen.
Of the falsehood of this assertion, no person now entertains a
doubt ; not only the ministers had not heard this proclamation,
but none could be produced who were present when it was de-
livered. " And it is universally believed," says Dr. M'Crie,
" that he had ante-dated his proclamation, to conciliate the
kinji and his court-ministers, who were offended at him for the
countenance he had given to the meeting.''"' *

• Life of Melville, ii. 201.

THE LITERARY HISTORY

We cannot withhold our applause from the manner and
spirit in which this assembly was held. " The question at
issue, between the court and the ministers, amounted to this,
whether they were to he ruled by law, or by the arbitrary will
of the prince — whether royal proclamations were to be obeyed,
when they suspended statutes enacted by the joint authority of
king and parliament ? This question came afterwards to be
debated in England, and was ultimately decided by the estab-
lishment of the constitutional doctrine, which confines the ex-
ercise of royal authority within the boundaries of law. But it
cannot be denied, and it must not be forgotten, that the minis-
ters of Scotland were the first to avow this rational and salu-
tary doctrine, at the expense of being denounced and punished
as traitors ; and that their pleadings and sufferings in behalf
of ecclesiastical liberty, set an example to the patriots of Eng-
land. In this respect complete justice has not been done to
their memory ; nor has expiation been made for the injuries
done to the cause which they maintained, by the slanderous
libels against them,, which continue to stain the pages of Eng-
lish history."*

This manly and dignified conduct of the assembly, however,
James, in the frenzy of his zeal for the hierarchy, and for his
prerogative, could not forgive. Orders were immediately is-
sued to proceed with the most unrelenting rigour against the
ministers who had thus dared to act in opposition to his autho-
rity. They were accordingly apprehended ; and fourteen of
them, ha\'ing resolved to defend the propriety of their conduct,
were committed to different prisons. Forbes and Welsh, con-
sidered as leaders, were lodged in separate cells in the castle of
Blackness. These two, with four others, when brought before
the pri\y council, declined the authority of that tribunal, as in-
competent to judge in a cause purely ecclesiastical, and which
could only be decided by the judicatory of the church. This
behaviour, coupled with the high crime of which they were
originally charged, could not be overlooked. They were serv-

• Life o/MelviHf, ii. 203.

OF GALLOWAY. G9

cd with an mtlictmcnt to stand trial for high treason, on the
10th of January 1606, before the Court of Justiciary at Lin-
lithgow. This trial ivS one of the most infamous and tyranni-
cal that ever disgraced a court. The charge of treason, which
consisted in the mere circumstance of having given in a decli-
nature against the jurisdiction of the privy council, was found-
ed on a law which, as far as respected ecclesiastical matters,
was disabled by a subsequent enactment. His majesty condes-
cended to exercise all the influence he could command to con-
vict the prisoners. The Earl of Dunbar, his favourite, was
despatched to Scotland for that purpose ; and when the jury
seemed reluctant to bring in a verdict of guilty, the king's ad-
vocate, worthy of the occasion, threatened them with the royal
displeasure if they allowed the pannels to escape ; and the
judges prostituted the dignity of their office, by promising that
no punishment should be inflicted on them, provided a verdict
was delivered agreeable to his majesty. The result may thus
easily be anticipated. Notwithstanding the justness of their
cause, — the able defence of their counsel, — and the impressive
and energetic speeches of Forbes and Welsh, a verdict was at
length brought in, finding them guilty of treason. — " But it
ought to be recorded," to use the animated words of Dr. Cook,
" that although the most indecent mea,ns were employed to
influence the jury, — although they were even threatened to be
prosecuted as traitors, if they hesitated to bring in the verdict
demanded by the servants of the crown, — six of the fifteen
composing it voted that the ministers were innocent ; and one
of them nobly said, that he not only absolved them from the
crime of treason, but regarded them as faithful servants to
Christ, and good subjects to the king."*

From policy, however, or out of respect to the voice of the
nation, the punishment of death, which the law awards to trai-
tors, was not inflicted on them ; but, after fourteen weeks' im-
prisonment, they were banished to France. The scene of their

♦ Cook's Hist, of the Church, ii. 168. Criminal Trials, ii. 494 — 502,
edited by Robert Pitcairn, W.S., a work of great importance and merit,
wliich does honour to the research aiul public spirit of its enlightened editor.

70 THE LITERARY HISTORY

departure was extremely interesting and striking. Their fate
had excited the deepest sympathy and pity, and a vast multi-
tude assembled on the shore of Leith to bid them a last adieu.
Mr. M^elsh offered up, on the occasion, a most pathetic and
impressive prayer ; and, after having sung the twenty-third
psalm, the ministers tore themselves away, and most of them
were doomed never to return. The populace were much mov-
ed ; and implored, in the most fervent manner, the Divine
Being for their welfare and happiness.

It may not be improper to mention, that Welsh, while at
Kirkcudbright, had married Elizabeth Knox, daughter to our
illustrious reformer. This lady inherited a portion of her
fixther's spirit. She attended her husband, while in confinement,
and was present at Linlithgow, with the wives of the other
prisoners, on the day of trial. These heroines, instead of giv-
ing themselves up to unavailing sorrow and despondency, seem
to have possessed that firmness and fortitude which the occa-
sion required. They blessed God that their husbands were
endowed with courage to maintain the cause of Christ through
shame and through suffering, and that, like him, they had
been tried and condemned under the darkness of night.*

Welsh, on his arrival in France, applied with so much ar-
dour to the study of the language of the country, that, in about
fourteen weeks, he was able to preach in it. He was first set-
tled minister of a protestant congregation at Nerac, from whence
he was afterwards removed to St. Jean d'Angely, a tovm of
Lower Charcnte, where he continued to labour in the work of
the ministry until a short time before he left that country.

The following extraordinary circumstances must not be
passed over in silence. In the war which, in 1620, Lewis
XIII. king of France, waged against his protestant subjects,
St. Jean d'Angely was besieged by his majesty in person.
Welsh, who assured the magistrates that God would deliver
them, not only encouraged his fellow-citizens by his exhorta-
tions, but ascended the walls, and resolutely assisted in defend-
ing the garrison. The siege terminated in a way highly gra-

. _ • Life of Knox, ii. 269—7 i.

OF GALLOWAY. 7^

tifying to the defenders. A treaty was concluded, by which
the full and free exercise of their religious principles was se-
cured them, and the king was to be allowed to enter the town
in a friendly manner with his troops. A law at that time ex-
isted in France, that, wherever the king resided, there should
be no public exercise of any form of worship different from that
which he adopted ; and accordingly, the magistrates of St. Jean
d'Angely requested Mr. Welsh to forbear preaching on the
ensuing Sabbath. " It is making,"" says Welsh, with his char-
acteristic firmness, " no good requital to God for your delivery
to hinder his worship ; for my part, except I am violently hin-
dered, I will go to the public place, and preach to any that
come ; — and if none come, I mil go home and bewail the
miseries that are coming upon you."" This resolute conduct
was productive of the happiest effects. Not only was there a
o-reater meeting than on any former occasion, but many per-
sons of the catholic religion, who belonged to the royal troops,
were among the number of his hearers. The king hearing of
the determination of Welsh, and offended at his presumption,
despatched the Duke d'Esperon, with some of the guard, to
brino- him from the pulpit into his presence. When Welsh
saw the du.ke enter the church with an armed guard, he was
not intimidated. INIaking a pause in his discourse, he ordered
a seat to be set for the Marshal of France, — and " command-
ed him, in the name of God, whose servant he was, not to dis-
turb his worship." The duke, struck with the dignity of
Welsh, and the air of authority with which he spoke, involun-
tarily obeyed his " commands," and listened to the sermon
with decorum and seriousness. When the services of the
church were over, the duke brought him before the king, who
demanded of him " how he durst preach, it being against the
law to do it so near the king .?" " If your majesty," replied
Welsh, " knew what I preach, you would command othei's,
and come yourself to hear it ; for I preach salvation by Jesus
Christ ; and I am sure your own conscience tells you that your
own works will never merit salvation to you ; — I preach that
there is none on the earth above you, which none of those

7- THE LITERARY HISTORY

about you that adhere to the pope will say/' This unexpected
reply so pleased the king, that lie exclaimed, " Vcnj well ; i/ou
shall he mi/ minister,'" — addressed him by the name of Father,
and promised him his protection. And circumstances soon oc-
curred to tiy the faith of his majesty's promise. St. Jean
d'Angely having been besieged and taken the subsequent
year, Lewis ordered INI. de Aitry, one of his generals, to plant
a guard at ]\Ir. Welsh's house, that he might receive no in-
juiy ; and soon afterwards, himself and his family w^ere con-
\eyed, at his majesty's expense, to Rochelle.*

Welsh was not yet for advanced in years ; but from the
length of his confinement in Scotland, the exertions he had
made as a minister of the Gospel, and the various calamities of his
life, his constitution now began to fail him, and symptoms of a
pulmonary nature were visible. Being told by his physicians,
that the only chance he could have of prolonging his life, was
to breathe his native air, he repaired to Campvere in Zealand,
from which he sent supplications to the British king, for per-
mission to return to Scotland. He only, however, obtained
leave to return to London ; nor would he be allowed to visit
his native land, unless he gave his approbation of the ecclesias-
tical polity then established there. For extorting this sub-
mission, Dr. John Young, his majesty's chaplain, waited on
him, and conversed with him on the subject. His principles,
iiowever, had been too long cherished, and too deeply rooted,
to be easily shaken ; he spurned every compromise of them, or
the most indirect approval of prelacy ; he had all his life suf-
fered in opposing arbitrary and corrupt measures, and had
never yet regretted the part he had acted ; he had not hesitated
to confront death, when at the very meridian of his days ; and
it was not to be expected, that now he would endeavour to

• Livingstone's Remarkahle Ohnervations upon the Lives of the most eminent
l^rinistcTs find Profexsors in the Church of Srothmd. AJ S. Adv. Ivibrary, article
Mr. John WcUh. Livingstone informs us, that lie got liis information from
Lord Kcnmure, who, at the time to which we refer, was lodged in Mr.
M'lIsIi'h house. Sec also Introduction to Rutherford's Survey/ (if the spiritual
Aniirhrim. I.ond. HItH.

OF GALLOWAY. ^3

purchase a few years of precarious existence, by abandoning or
betraying a cause which he had identified with the glory of
(jod, and with the temporal and eternal interests of mankind.
Nor was this inflexibility and faitlifulness confined to Welsh
himself. His amiable wife was distinguished by the same
spirit. This lady, having obtained access to his majesty, peti-
tioned him to grant her husband liberty to return to his native
country. James replied, that if she would persuade him to
submit to episcopal authority, permission should be given him.
Mrs. Welsh, lifting up her apron, and holding it towards the
king, answered in a spirit worthy of her father and her hus-
band ; " Please your majesty, I'd rather kep [receive] his head
there."*

The termination of his life was characteristic of the tenor of
it. James, in opposition to all entreaty, had prohibited hiim
from preaching in London, until he heard that his death
could' not be far distant. As soon as Welsh was informed of
his majesty "'s resolution, he availed himself of the privilege
which it allowed him ; and having obtained a pulpit, preach-
ed with his usual animation and energy. It was a last and
expiring effort, and seems to have hastened his end ; for he
retired to his chamber, and, within two hours, died without a
struggle. This event took place in 1622, in the fiftieth year
of his age.

The character of Welsh is peculiarly amiable. From the
period of his entering into the ministry, his whole time was
devoted to his sacred profession. He has been accused of acri-
mony and violence, even in the pulpit ; but violence and acri-
mony may almost be forgiven in a man whose party had every
day to struggle against power and oppression, and who per-
ceived that nothing could effect the success of their cause, but
a full exposure of the base and arbitraiy means by which it
was endeavoured to be blasted and exterminated. A circum-
stance of a different nature has also made him the object of
much ridicule, namely, that he spent the third part of his
time in prayer. We cannot respect those who have brought

* Life of Knor, ii- 27 1.

THE LITERARY HISTORY

forward this charge. It may be branded with the epithet of
entliusiasm ; but it was enthusiasm in a duty which cannot be
performed too fully or too well. Inflexibility of purpose and
principle, forms the most prominent feature in Welsh's cha-
racter. This was displayed in every circumstance of his life ;
and the spirit which, in his youth, when his moral and reli-
gious nature was uncultivated, prompted him to trample under
foot parental authority, was the very same with that which,
under higher guidance, and at a future period of life, animated
him to persevere so resolutely in the service of his divine Mas-
ter, and fearlessly to resist the exercise of arbitrary power.

Of his learned work we have already spoken. He is also
the author of various sermons which were at first given to the
world separately, but which, after his death, were published in
a collected form, and have since formed a favourite book in
every district of the south of Scotland.

There is one part of Welsh's history to which I have not yet
alluded, namely, that he possessed, or was believed to possess,
the gift of prophecy, and the power of working miracles. That
he himself laid claim to this distinction, or appealed to it
as a proof of the truth of his doctrines and principles, is ex-
ceedingly improbable, and has never indeed been asserted.
With all his enthusiasm and ardour, he possessed too much
judgment and penetration, and was too deeply skilled in the
principles and history of Christianity, to advance a claim so
absurd and preposterous. The age of which we are speaking,
and those that preceded it, were times of credulity and super-
stition ; and in those early days, miraculous gifts was an honour
gratuitously paid to the memory of almost every divine, emi-
nent for piety and virtue. This has undoubtedly been the
case with Knox and Welsh, and many other individuals.
For the truth is, there is no evidence of a miracle having been
performed since the days of the apostles. Nor are miracles
now necessary. They were at first necessary for proving the
divinity of the nature and mission of our Saviour, and for gain-
ing his gospel a reception in the world. But that necessity
did not long exist. With the apostles, the miraculous gifts

OF GALLOWAY. 7^

of the Holy Spirit disappeared. Nor, whatever may have
been pretended or believed, have they been imparted to any
since that distant period.*

AVelsh was the father of three sons ; two of whom prede-
ceased him, while the other, though he survived his father
about twelve years, died young in 1G34. He was minister of
Temple-Bar, in the north of Ireland, and was distinguished
for piety and zeal in the discharge of his clerical duties. Mr.
John Livingstone, who gives him a place among the " eminent
ministers" whose worth he so affectionately commemorates, at-
tended him on his death-bed. " I being at prayer," says he,
" at his bed-side before him, and the word victory coming out
of his mouth, he took hold of my hand, and clapped both his
hands, and cried out Victory .^ victory .^ victory for evermore I
and then desired me to go on in prayer, and within a short
time after he expired."-f-

He left behind him one son, afterwards minister of Irongray,
his grandfather*'s native parish. He lived during the perilous
and bloody reign of Charles II., and being possessed of that
ardour of piety and adherence to principle which characterised
his forefathers, he endured a large share of the sufferings
and persecvition of that period. At one time nine thousand
merks were promised by the government to any who should
apprehend hun. He died about the year 1680 in London,
whither he had retired after the battle of Bothw-ell-bridge.|
Several respectable families of the name of Welsh claim de-
scent either directly or collaterally from the distinguished mi-
nister of Ayr, or from the house of CoIlieston.§

• Chap. i. of this work, 16. Life of Knox, ii. 262—7.

■j- Livingstone's Remarkable Observations, JMS.152.

\ Wodrow's History, i. 234 — ii. 13 ; Scotch Worthies, 70.

§ The house of Collieston seems soon to have terminated in a female.
Mary Welsh, wife of William Gordon of Miinihuy, is mentioned as " heir"
of John Welsh, younger of Collieston, in 1659. Inq. Retor. Ahhrev. § Dum-
fries.

-(<'-.*;
/ *

70 THE LITERARY HISTORY

CIIAPTER VII.

LIFE OF SAMUEL RUTHEllFORD.

This distinguished man was born in the year 1600 in the
parish of Nisbet, now annexed to Crailing, in the presbytery
of Jedburgh.* His parents, it is supposed, were of the rank
of fanners ; and he is known to have had at least two brothers,
one a schoohiiaster in Kirkcudliright, the other an officer in
the service of the Dutch. After having received his elementary
education either at Nisbet, or Jedburgh, distant about four
miles, he entered the college of Kdinburgh in 1617? and after
going through the usual course of study, took the degree of
Master of Arts in 1621. AVhat rank he held in his classes
is not told ; but we may infer that his progress, particularly
in classical literature, was great, from the circumstance that,
at the end of two years after his graduation, he was, by com-
parative trial, elected regent or professor of humanity. There
were four candidates ; and " although INIr. Will, (one of the
masters of the High School,) pleased the judges most for his
experience and actual knowledge, yet the whole regents, out of
their particular knowledge of ISIr. Samuel Rutherford, demon-
strated to them his eminent abilities of mind and virtuous
disposition, wherein the judges being satisfied, declared him
successor in the profession of humanity."

Though thus honourably elected, he did not continue long

• The Life of Samuel Rutherford, written by the present author, was pub-
lishcd in 1828, in one volume, 12ino. ; to whicli the reader is referred.

OF GALLOWAY. 77

connected with the university. For, having " given some
scandal in his marriage,"" he resigned his charge in the year
1625. Without entering on this unpleasant subject, (which
will be found very fully investigated in the Life of Rulhtrford
already referred to), we shall merely mention that the name
of his wife was Eupham Hamilton ; of whom, previous to his
marriage, nothing is known. Rutherford, on retiring from the
college as a professor, is supposed to have devoted his time to
the study of theology, under the celebrated Andrew Ramsay.
It is not unlikely, indeed, that he had commenced this study
while he officiated as regent of humanity ; for the incomes
derived from the university were, in these days, so small, that
the regents, while they conducted the business of a class, M'ere
themselves frequently attending the lectures of the professor
of divinity ; and they resigned their situations in the college,
not merely for livings in the church, but sometimes for grammar-
schools. At what period Rutherford received licence as a
preacher, we are not told ; but in 1627? (two years after he
had resigned his place as regent of humanity), he was settled
minister of Anwoth, in the presbytery of Kirkcudbright ; a
livinfr which he obtained through Gordon of Kenmure. An-
woth had not, till this date, been a separate parish, but had
been united to Kirkmabreck and Kirkdale, in the latter of
which the place of worship stood ; nor was there a church in
Anwoth till one was built immediately before Rutherford^s
removal thither.

AVhether Rutherford, on his going to Anwoth, received
episcopal ordination, and acknowledged episcopal authority, is
a question that has often been agitated. It is reasonable to
suppose, from the domination to which the bishops were now
raised, and which they were not remiss in exercising, that no
minister could obtain a charge without acquiescing in all the
conditions, and submitting to all the shackles which Episcopacy
imposed. There seem, however, from particular circumstances,
to have been some deviations from this established practice.
And of these the case before us is recorded as one. Mr.
M'Ward, the pupil and friend of Rutherford, to whom the

78 THE LITERARY HISTORY

truth must have been well known, unconditionally states, th.tt
he entered to his charge " by the means of that worthy noble-
man, my Lord Kenmure, without giving any engagement to
the bishop." M'odrow corroborates this opinion. And Ste-
venson mentions, that " untill the beginning of the year 1628,
some few preachers, by moyen, [influence,] were suffered to
enter the ministry without conformity, and of this number
we suppose Mr. Rutherford may be reckoned, because he was
ordained before the doors came to be more closely shut upon
honest preachers." In corroboration of this opinion, Ruther-
ford himself expressly declares, in a letter from Anwoth, that
** the great master-gardener, the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, in a wonderful providence, planted me here, where,
by his grace, in this part of his vineyard I grow." And at
another period, he gives it as his decided opinion, that " the
lawfull calling of ane pastor to the flock of Christ, requireth
the consent, vowes, and approbation of the people and pres-
byterie." The truth, in fine, seems to be, that Andrew Lamb,
then bishop of Galloway, and the friend of Kenmure, was
induced by that gentleman, and by Lord Kirkcudbright, a
zealous Presbyterian, and possessed of great estates in the
parish of Anwoth, to relax, in this instance, the authority with
which the law invested him, and to connive at the Presbyterian
ordination and non-conformity of Rutherford.

Never did any clergyman enter upon his sacred trust under
happier auspices, or with more flattering prospects of success.
The inhabitants of Anwoth had previously had sermon only
every alternate week ; a circumstance which they seem deeply
to have felt and lamented. " Our soules," they say, " were
under that miserable extreame femine of the word, that we
had onlie the puir help of any sermone everie second Sabbath."
The doctrines of the gospel had, at this time, obtained a
surer footing in Anwoth, and were more assiduously cultivated,
than has yet been stated. For under the ministry of William
Dalglcish, their former clcrgj-man, (who still continued minister
of the united parishes of Kirkmabreck and Kirkdale,) not only
the great body of the people, but the proprietors and higher

OFfiALLOWAY. 7^

orders, had embraced these doctrines, and exhibited a corre-
spondent walk and conversation. The landlords, indeed,
were all characterised by the same sentiments on the subject
of divinity and ecclesiastical polity, that Rutherford himself
entertained ; sentiments, indeed, that first recommended him
to their notice, and that induced them to adopt the steps ne-
cessary to his induction as their minister.* He exhibited, in
the exercise of his important functions, a degree of industry
and zeal that is almost incredible. He was accustomed to rise
every morning at three o'clock ; the early part of the day he
spent in prayer, in meditation, and study ; and the remainder
of it was devoted to his more public duties — to the visitation of
the sick, the afflicted, and the dying, and to the examination
and encouragement in godliness of the different families of his
congregation. His flock were the cause and objects, he tells
us, " of his tears, care, fear, and daily prayers ;" he laboured
among them " early and late ;*" and " my witness is above," he
declares to them, " that your heaven would be two heavens to
we, and the salvation of j/o« all, as two salvations to jjie."

Nor w'ere his labours and usefulness confined to the inhabi-
tants of Anwoth. People firom many of the neighbouring
parishes resorted to his preaching, and in consequence of the
paucity of faithful ministers, he was often invited to officiate,
and occasionally to dispense the sacrament in the adjoining
churches. *' He was a great strengthener of all the Christians
in that country, who had been the fruits of the ministry of ]Mr.
John Welsh, the time he had been at Kirkcudbright ; the whole
country indeed, were to him, and accounted themselves as his
particular flock." There were, however, still a few clergymen
in this province, such as William Dalgleish of Kirkmabreck,
John M'Lellan of Girthon, and Robert Glcndinning of Kirk-
cudbright, who, in spite of every obstacle, continued faithful
to presbyterian principles and doctrines. But many parishes
were either vacant, or were filled with minions of the bishop ;

• Rutherford's stipend consisted of 200 merks Scots, (about £,\\ Sterling,)
derived from the teinds of the parish, and of a voluntary contribution on the
heritors.

00 THE LITERARY HISTORY

and as the people, with extremely few exceptions, were decitlecUy
in tavc>ur of the tenets, hoth ecclesiastical and theological, ot"
the non-contorniists, they thought no journey too long, and
no lahour too great, that enahled them to enjoy the ministration
of their favourite pastors. Nor was it to the lower orders alone
that his ser\'iccs were so welcome and acceptable. Between
him and the hiixher classes also, an intimate Christian connexion
obtained. Almost every individual of this rank, in the county
in which he lived, had embraced presbyterian doctrines ;
and we learn, both from his Letters, and from the exertions
which, as we shall see, they made to retain him in Galloway,
when the General Assembly wished to remove him from it, that
they regarded him as the minister not merely of the parish
over which he more immediately presided, but of the whole
province, and as the spiritual teacher, guide, and comforter of
each of them.

But eminence and worth, however gi'eat, will not exempt
from the sorrows and sufferings of humanity ; and Rutherford,
while he must have been gratified in being the instrument of
so much good, and in the esteem and admiration which were
so extensively shown him, was doomed to experience deep
family distress and bereavement. His wife, after a tedious and
severe illness of thirteen months, died in the month of June
1630, in less than five ydars after their man-iage. Her pro-
tracted sickness was the soiree of much anxiety and anguish to
him. " My wife's disease," says he in a letter to one of his
most valued friends,* " increascth daily to her great torment
and pain, night and day ; she had not been in God''s house
since our communion, neither out of her bed. I have hired a
man to Edinburgh to Dr. Jeally and John Hamilton. I
can hardly believe her disease is ordinary, for her life is bitter
to her; she sleeps none, but cries. * * What will be
the event, he that hath the keys of the grave knows." In

" iMaiioii M'Nauglit, wife to William Fullcrton, provost of Kirkcudbriglit.
A short account of Mrs. Fullcrton may be found in a note, pp. 63 — .5. to
77<e tost ami Ifeavenli/ Speeches of Lord Kenmure, edited in 1827, by the
present author.

OP GALLOWAY. lU

nnother letter to the same friend, "my wife," he observes, " is still
in exceeding great torment night and day. Pray for us, for my
life was never so wearisome to me. God hath filled me with
gall and wormwood ; but I believe, (which holds up my head
above the water,) It is good for a man that he hear the yoke in
his ynnth.'"' When her death had taken place, he seems to
have borne it with pious resignation, though in no part of his
correspondence that is preserved, is the subject particularly al-
luded to. In a letter to Lady Kenmure, he says, " the Lord
hath done it, blessed be his name ;" and four years after the
event, he speaks of her as having been " the delight of his
eyes," and of the wound which her death had occasioned, as not
being " yet fully healed and cured." Even at the end of nine
years he uses sinailar language, and remembers with intense
grief the bereaving dispensation with which he had been
visited.

This marriage had been productive of children, though, as
far as we know, they had all predeceased their mother ; and
when bereaved of his wife, Rutherford was left alone without
any pledges of their love to engage and interest his affections.
And to add to his distress, he had been seized previously to her
death with a fever, which continued for thirteen weeks, and
w^hich, when it was removed, left him in a state of such debility,
that for some time he w'as able to preach " but once on the .
Sabbath, with great difficulty," and able neither to visit nor
examine his congregation. Amid these afflictions his mother
lived with him, having left Nisbet in consequence, it is sup-
posed, of her husband^s death, and come to end her days under
her son's roof; but instead of affording him comfort, she seems
rather to have added to his anxiety and distress, for she was old
and infirm, and apparently following fast her departed relative
to the grave. " God knowing my present state, and the neces-
sities of my calling, I hope will spare my mother's life for a
time, for the which I have cause to thank my I^ord." " My
mother is weak, and I think shall leave me alone ; but I ain
not alone, but Christ's Father is with me." And though she
may for a while have survived her daughter-in-law, her death,

82 THE LITERARY HISTORY

we know, took place previously to 1036, \vhen Rutherford was
removed from Anwoth. He had a brother, also, at this time
a teacher in Kirkcudbright, who frequently visited him. He
entertained for him the greatest esteem ; and from his sympa-
thy and affection he must have derived much consolation.

His small ftimily circle generally included the only daughter
of Mrs. FuUerton (INIarion IM'Knaught,) of Kirkcudbright ;
between whom and Rutherford a most intimate and pious con-
nexion sul)sistcd from the time he came to Anwoth, till her
death in 1643. '"■Blessed be the Lord,'"* says he, " that in
God's mercy, I found in this country such a woman, to whom
Christ is dearer than her own heart, when there be so many
that cast Christ over their shoulder.'" In the spiritual welfare
of his young guest, he appears to have placed the deepest in-
terest. " Your daughter," says he, in a letter to INIrs. Fuller-
ton, " desires a Bible and a gown ; I hope she shall use the
Bible well, which if she do, the gown is the better bestowed."
*' I am in hopes,'" he observes in another letter to her mother,
" that the seed of God is in her, as in one born of God. * *
I have her promise she shall be Christ\s, for I have told her
she may promise much in his worthy name ; for he becomes
caution to his Father for all such as resolve and promise to
serve him."" And the tender regard he thus expressed for the
daughter, was extended to the whole of Mrs. Fullcrton's fa-
mily. " I pray for you, with my whole heart and soul, that
your children may walk in the truth, and that the Lord may
shine upon them, and make their faces to shine, when the
faces of others shall blush. I dare promise them in his name
whose truth I preach, if they will but try God's service, that
they shall find him the sweetest master that ever they served ;
and desire them from me, but to try for a while the service of
this blessed Master, and then, if his service is not sweet, if it
afford not what is pleasant to the souPs taste, change him upon
a trial, and seek a better. * * If I have any credit with your
children, I intreat them in Christ's name, to try what truth
and rcalit)' is in what I say, and leave not his service till they

OF GALLOWAY. 83

have found me a liar. I give you, your husband, and them,
to His keeping, to whom I have, and dare venture myself" and
soul, even to our dear Friend Jesus Christ, in whom I am."

The names of John Gordon of Kenmure and his Lady, have
already been introduced to the reader. They at first lived at
Rusco, in the parish of Anwoth. At the end of two years
after his induction, they removed to Edinburgh, where, or at
Kenmure Castle, twenty miles from Anwoth, they afterwards
resided. On their departure, Rutherford bids them '• for ever
farewell in paper, having small assurance ever to see their face
again, till the last General Assembly, when the whole church
universal shall meet." Their absence indeed he laments ex-
tremely, and regards as the severest trial he had experienced
since he entered on his ministiy. But he kept up a regular
correspondence with them, particularly with Lady Kenmure,
on religious subjects. He assures them that his constant prayer
would be, that the christian graces which they had exhibited
might be more and more cultivated and improved. On their
return from Edinburgh, and settlement at Kenmure castle,
he thus addresses her Ladyship : — " I bless our Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath brought you home again to your country,
from that place where ye have seen with your eyes that which
our Lord's truth taught you before, to wit, that worldly glory
is nothing but a vapour, a shadow, the foam of the water, or
something less and lighter, even nothing ; and that our Lord
hath not without cause said in his word, the countenance and
fashion of this world passeth away.'"

Gordon had meanwhile been elevated to the peerage under
the title of A'iscount Kenmure ; and though he still retained
the theological and ecclesiastical principles which he had before
professed, and in which he had been educated, yet having re-
ceived such marks of favour from his sovereign, he did not
think himself warranted in opposing the measures of the Court
relative to the Church ; and in consequence, under pretence of
indisposition, he withdrew (1633,) from his attendance on
Parliament, and retired to his seat in the country. The en-
actments of this Parliament were as hostile to the Presbyterian

84 THE LITERARY HrSTORY

polity as any measures of that house had formerly been ; ami
thoutfh Keninure did not at first seem impressed with a pro-
per sense of his unmanly dereliction of duty, yet, when he per-
ceived the ruinous tendency of these, enactments, his conduct
appeared to him in its true light ; he felt the most poignant
sorrow and remorse for having proved a traitor to so good a
cause ; and on his death-bed, about a year afterwards, " I have
found," he confessed, " the weight of the wrath of God for
not giving testimony for the Lord my God, when I had occasion
once in my life at the last Parliament, for which fault how
fierce have I found the wrath of the Lord ! my soul hath raged
and roared ; I have been grieved at the remembrance of it.
* * For all the world, I would not do as I have done."

The circumstances connected with the death of this no-
bleman must not be passed over in silence, both as they are
illustrative of the triumph of faith in an eminent Christian,
and throwing light on the character of the subject of this nar-
rative. Rutherford had accidentally come to Kenmure Castle
at the time his Lordship^s disease was beginning to assume an
alarming aspect ; and on being entreated to remain, attended
him till his death, which took place about a fortnight after-
wards, (12th Sept. 1634.) Kenmure rejoiced at the arrival,,
at so interesting a conjuncture, of a clergyman whom he loved
so much, and in whose religious services and conferences he
had formerly taken such delight ; and he immediately intro-
duced the subject of his apprehended dissolution. " I never
dreamt," says he, " that death had such a terrible, austere, and
gloomy countenance. I dare not die ; howbeit, I know I must
die." The minister proceeded Avith great earnestness and judg-
ment, to show him the sources whence his fear of death took its
rise, and to unfold to him the principles and views which, un-
der such circumstances, the gospel inculcates and requires. And
notwithstanding some doubts and misgivings, which Rutherford
succeeded most effectually in removing, and the interference of a
clergyman of less sound views, he accomplished such a happy
reformation in the sentiments and hopes of this nobleman, that
his death has ever been regarded as conspicuously that of the

OF GALLOWAY. 85

"righteous. A few minutes before his departure, Rutherford
asketl him if he should pray. " He turned his eye to the pas-
tor, not being able to speak. In the time of that last prayer,
he was observed joyfully smiling, and looking up with glorious
look. * * The expiring of his breath, the ceasing of the
motion of his pulse, corresponded exactly with the Amen of the
prayer, — and so he died sweetly and holily, and his end was
peace.""

Rutherford lamented the death of his patron in an elegiac jxtem
written in Latin ; and in 1649, he published The Last and
Htatcnly Speeches, and Glorious Departure, of John Viscount
Kenmure ; a work from which the foregoing particulars are
obtained, and which contains a minute and interesting detail of
the conferences which Rutherford held with that nobleman, on
the most important of all subjects,^-death and salvation. The
narrative is in every point of view most striking ; it is given in
language distinguished alike for simplicity and pathos ; and the
•discussions which it embraces, are allied more to heaven than
to earth, exciting emotions of a character peculiarly solemn and
sacred.*

The death of his patron had the effect of enhancing, if pos-
sible, the interest which Rutherford took in the spiritual wel-
fare and comfort of his widow. His letters to her on the death
of her husband, and subsequently, on that of her only surviving
son, who died a minor, as w^ell as his whole correspondence with
her, breathe a spirit of the most elevated piety. Their inti-
macy, indeed, seems to have increased with years, and one of
the la.st letters he wrote was to this excellent lady."f"

* Tliis interesting little work was first published at Edinburgh in 1649,
extending to thirty pages small quarto, exclusive of seven pages of a Dedi-
cation. It was printed anonymously, but has been uniformly ascribed to Ru-
therford ; a point which I venture to hope has been rendered apparent in
the preface to the edition of that work, published in 1827, by the present
writer. To this edition are prefixed, Memoirs of Lord Kenmure, con-
taining a concise account of the public transactions in which that nobleman
•was called upon to engage. This Tract was extremely rare until flie appear,
ance of the edition in question.

■^ It may not be unimportant to mention, that Lady Kenmure was sister

}U)

THE LITERARY HISTORY

Kutlicrt'ord, tliougli peculiarly assiduous in the discharge of
his pastoral duties, took a deep interest in ecclesiastical man-
ners, and maintained an epistolary correspondence with the
preshyterian leaders in Edinburgh, and the different parts of the
country. He was reiiarded as the orgfan of the church in the
county in which he resided, and was duly apprized of every
measure that was thought to affect the preshyterian cause. He
communicated the intelligence to his brethren, and to others
who were well-affected ; and when no public movement could
be made in reference to any step which the government or the
episcopal church adopted, Rutherford and his friends hoped
to gain the same end by means of private fasting, humiliation,
and prayer. The first Sabbath of every quarter was agreed
upon for this purpose, with any other six days that might be
reckoned most convenient, between the quarterly meetings.
" When authority, king, court, and churchmen, oppose the
truth, what other armour have we but prayer and faith ?"

Rutherford, meanwhile, beheld with pain and alaiin the
promulgation of doctrines which he reckoned unsound and un-
scriptural ; and he devoted a portion of his time to the study of
a controversy which then agitated the reformed church. The
i)old opinions of Arminius created a deep sensation, at first in
Holland, and subsequently throughout the Christian world.
Anxious as he was for the truth, he could not witness tlie pro-
gress of error without attempting to oppose it ; and, notwith-
standing his other important engagements, he found leisure to
compose a learned work, entitled, Exercitationes Apologelicae pro
Dhina Gratia, on the controversy in question. This treatise is
elaborate, distinguisiicd by ])roofs of extensive reading and

to the celebrated IMarquis of Argyle, who was executed in 1661, for his ad-
herence to I'resbyterian principles, and to the Solemn League and Covenant.
After the dcalli of her first husbari'i, slie was mnriied to the Honourable
IJenry Moiitgoiiicry, serond .son to liie Earl of Eglinton, " an active and
faithful friend of CJirist's kirk," whose religious views were congenial to her
own. She was soon left a widow a second time, in which state she lived
till a very vcneriit)le age, being alive in the year 1G72; liut how long slic
survived that period I have not a.scertaincd — Memoirs nf Lord Kcnmurc, ]iic-
Jixcd to The Last and Ileavcnhj SpKer/ics, '.i5 — 7.

OF GALLOWAY. 87

erudition, both biblical and classical, by a thorough acquaint-
ance with all the polemical Morks which had been written on
the subject, and by uncommon dexterity in the use of the dia-
lectic art. It was published at Amsterdam in 1636 ; and it
gained its author great fame, both in his native country and on
the continent.

Kpiscopacy having long been predominant, and the most
severe means being used to eradicate presbytery, Rutherford
could not hope to continue long overlooked. ISo early as the
year 1630, he had been summoned before the high commis-
sion court ; but, owing to the favour shown him by Mr. Alex-
ander Coh-ille, one of the judges, and a friend of Lady Ken-
mure, and the absence of Spottiswood, the diet was deserted,
and he was set at liberty. But such leniency was not always
to last. SydserfF, bishop of Galloway, having, like most of his
brethren, erected a high commission court in his own diocese,
composed of his own creatures, Rutherford, in 1636, was sum-
moned before this tribunal, which sat at Wigton, and was de-
prived of his ministerial office. This sentence SydserfF had
the influence to get confirmed by the high commission at
Edinburgh, before which Rutherford was cited to appear.
" The cause that ripened the hatred of this supreme court
against me,''*' says Rutherford, " was my book against the Ar-
minians, whereof they accused me these three days I appeared
before them." The result may easily be anticipated. Though
much interest was used in his behalf, and though some even
of the judges spoke in his favour, he was deposed from his pas-
toral office, prohibited, under pain of rebellion, from officiating
in his ministerial capacity, in any part of Scotland, and sen-
tenced to be confined within the town of Aberdeen during the
king''s pleasure.

This sentence did not dispirit or Intimidate him. " That
honour," says he, in a letter written immediately after his trial,
" that honour I have prayed for these sixteen years, my kind
Lord hath now bestowed on me, even to suffer for my royal
and princely king, Jesus." In another letter he speaks of his
being on his journey to C/irisf^ pa/ace in Aberdeen. He

iill THE LITERARY HISTORY

fouiul it impossible to visit his flock and friends in (iallovvay ;
but he was accompanied to his place ot" confinement (in Au-
gust 1()3(),) by a deputation ot" his congregation in Anwoth,
" with great regret at the want of such a pastor, so holie,
learned, and modest.""

The time of" his confinement in Aberdeen is one of the
most interesting periods of his life. But on this portion of his
history we have uot at present room to dwell. It continued
for a year and a half, at the end of which time, public senti-r
ment having acquired the ascendency, episcopacy was forced
to give way, and make room for that polity which arbitraiy
power had long endeavoured in vain to destroy. He now re-
turned to his flock in Anwoth ; and, as a representative of the
presbytery of Kirkcudbright, he was a member of the famous
general assembly which met at Glasgow in 163H, which abo-
lished prelacy, and erected presbytery on its ruins. This lat-
ter polity continued the national church till the restoration, a
period upwards of twenty years.

Rutherford was now too eminent a man to be permitted to
remain in the remote 2)arish of Anwoth. Counter-applica-
tions were made to ol)tain the benefit of his services, namely,
from Edinburgh and >^t. Andrews, the foniner soliciting him to
become one of the ministers of the city, the other to be appoint-
ed professor of divinity in the New College. He wished to
decline both applications, and to be allowed to continue with a
flock to whom he was deeply attached. The parish of Anwoth,
and the county in which it is placed, respectively gave in most
urgent petitions against his removal. In truth, he at first abso-
lutely refused, hoping that the ensuing assembly of 1G39
would not givi" their sanction to either appointment. But in
this expectation he was disappointed. I'he claims of 8t. An-
drews were ])ref"erred, and he was oliliged to submit. He
went thither, and entered on his arduous duties as professor of
divinity, in the month of October in the year last mentioned.
And it is believed, that, owing to his numerous and important
avocations, he never had the satisfaction of sgain visiting his
former flock, or of occupying that j)ul[)it which he had so long

OF GALLOWAY. 89

adorned. He was, at the same time, on his own request, ap-
pointixl one of the ministers of St. Andrews, as colleague to Mr.
Robert Blair.*

Nor were these the only offices to which he was nominated.
He was, in 1647, chosen principal of the college ; a place of
great honour, but nearly a sinecure ; and, in 1651, he was
elected rector of the university. He had, meanwhile, received
calls from West Calder and Edinburgh respectively, to remove
to these places. But his reputation was not confined to his na-
tive countr)\ It had become considerable on the continent ; and
he was honoured with invitations from the universities of Harder-
wyck and Utrecht successively, to occupy the chair of divinity
in these seminaries. But these offers he hesitated not to decline.
" Let me entreat you," says he, in a letter to a friend, who
seems to have formed the resolution of removing to the conti-
nent, " let me entreat you to be far from the thought of^teav-
ing this land ; I see it, and find it, that the Lord hath covered
the whole land with a cloud in his anger ; but though I have
been tempted to the like, I had rather be in Scotland beside
angry Jesus Christ, than in any Eden or garden in the earth.""

The venerable assembly of divines met at Westminster in the
year 1643 ; and of eight commissioners, namely, five clergymen
and three elders, sent from the church of Scotland to that ce-
lebrated convocation, Rutherford had the honour to be one.
He was absent four years ; he was regarded as one of the most
able and eminent members of that assembly ; and, while there,
he added much to the celebrity which he had before acquired.

On his return he renewed, with undiminished vigour, the
discharge of his academical and clerical duties, which, in his

* Bushy-Bield, the house in which he resided while in Anwoth, and the

church which, on his settlement there, was built for him, remained entire

till 1828. Bushy-Bield has now disappeared ; but of the church the bare

walk still remain. A new church has been erected at a distance of about two

hundred and fifty yards. The old pulpit, made of oak, is still preserved.

A place in the near vicinity of Bushy-Bield is still distinguished by the

name of Rutherford's Walk, as he was in the habit of retiring to that spot

for exercise or meditation.

90 THK LITEUARY HISTORY

abscnce, had been performed by his colleagues, Dr. Colvillc
and Mr. James Wood. He still continued to take the same
interest in the public affairs of the church, and his name
stnnds connected with almost all the important transactions of
his times. He was attached from conscience to the most rij^id
sect of presbyterians ; and was, under every circumstance, the
consistent and fearless supporter of every principle and measure
for which he had the sanction of the word of God, or the con-
victions of his own understandinj;.

But it was not merely by his academical prelections, his
pulpit discourses, and his exertions as a churchman, that he
laboured to promote the cause of divine truth, and of presby-
tery ; which form of ecclesiastical polity was, in his opinion,
strictly ordained in the Scriptures. He exerted himself more
than any of his contemporaries, to obtain the same end through
the pjress ; he boldly stepped forward, on every necessary occa-
sion, as the unflinching champion of the church and of ortho-
doxy ; and his numerous and learned publications reinain as
an honourable memorial of his zeal, of his love of truth, and
hatred of error. We have already mentioned his work against
the Arminians. Before he went to the Westminster Assembly,
he had published another treatise, entitled, A Peaceable and
'J'empcrate Plea for Pauls Preshtjlerie in Scotland ; and,
during the four years he was in London, he gave to the world,
(not to speak of two sermons published separately,) no fewer
than five large works, either strictly theological or polemical.
After his return to St. Andrews, in ] 647, he was the author
of seven elaborate volumes, chiefly controversial. These works
do not display much taste according to the standard of taste
that now obtains, but they are characterised by great learning,
by eminent subtlety in the dialectic art, and by an intimate
acquaintance with the compositions of the early christian fa-
thers, and of subsequent writers on theological and ecclesiastical
subjects. Kditions of his treatises on practical theology still
occasionally issue from the press ; but his polemical works have
never been reprinted, and copies of them have in consequence

OK GALLOWAY. 91

become scarce. They are, however, well known to recondite
scholars, and will ever entitle his name to a high place among
the writers of his age.*

But probably his most celebrated work was Lex, Rex, the Law
and the Prince ; a discourse, for the just prerogative of king
and people ; a treatise written in answer to the Sacro-sancta Re-
gum Majestas ; or the sacred and roj/al 2)rerogative of Christian
Kings, published by John JNIaxwell, excommunicated bishop
of Koss. On its appearance, this work of Kutherford excited
very deep and general interest ; and Bishop Guthrie speaks of
it as being " idolized"" and regarded as preferable to Buchan-
an's celebrated treatise, De jure Regni apud Scotos. We re-
gard it — whatever some writers may have said to the contrary —
as highly honourable to his memory. It is loyal, yet liberal ;
it exposes the extravagant monarchical principles inculcated
by Maxwell ; yet it is evidently the production of one who
both feared God and honoured the king ; it is characterised by
views and sentiments far superior to the age in which it ap-
peared ; and which have now obtained the sanction of the most
enlightened governments of Europe.

At the restoration, when the divine right of kings and pas-
sive obedience became predominant, when the proceedings of

• One of his best works, Examen Arminianismi, was a postlmmous produc-
tion, Jiaving appeared in 1668, under the superintendence of the celei^rated
Nethenus, professor of divinity at Utrecht. The \vorl<, along with Rutlier-
ford's other papers, had been placed in the hands of Robert IM'Ward, then
one of the ministers of the Scottish church at Rotterdam ; who, after sub-
mitting it to the critical inspection of John Livingstone, formerly of An-
criim, then residing in that city, transmitted it to Nethenus for publi-
cation.

Rutherford's celebrated Letters were also posthumous, having been pub-
lished at Rotterdam by Mr. M'Ward, in 1664. To this publication the
writer himself would never, it is supposed, have given his consent. From
the very interesting nature of these letters, copies of them had been col-
lected during his lifetime ; which gave him great annoyance, and which
he regarded as a breach of confidence on the part of his correspondents.
These letters, however, do honour to his memory ; they have been very
often reprinted ; and now, at the end of two centuries, still retain their
popularity.

92 THE LITERARY HISTORY

govonimcnt were cliaractcrised by illibcrality and persecution,
the author ot" Lex, Hex, could not expect to be allowed to re-
main unmolested. The committee of estates, in September
1C60, issued a ])roclamation against this obnoxious work, and
it was declared that every person having a copy of it in his
possession, who did not deliver it to his majesty's solicitor, be-
fore the middle of the ensuing month, should be regarded and
treated as an enemy to the king. Copies of it were publicly
burned in Kdinburgh by the hands of the common hangman;
it imderwent a similar fate at London, and at the gates of the
college, of which the author was Professor of Divinity. Nor
did the vengeance of government stop here. He was deprived
of his situation as a member of the university, and of his
charge in the church ; his stipend Avas confiscated, himself or-
dered to be confined to his own house, and cited to appear be-
fore the ensuing parliament on a charge of treason.

Rutherford was not yet old ; but he had always been a man
of delicate constitution ; and for some years past, his health
had declined much. His complaints, in truth, had now as-
sumed so alanning an aspect, that he was incapable of obey-
ing the summons served vipon him ; and it was evident to him-
self and his friends, that his death could not be far distant.
Not having it in his power to prove, by any public appearance,
that his principles remained unaltered in the prospect of disso-
lution, three weeks before his death, he emitted a testimony,
(which was afterwards printed,) expressive of the sentiments he
had uniformly maintained and advocated on ecclesiastical mat-
ters, and on the connexion which, in his opinion, the scriptures
allow between the church and the civil government. He also
made and subscribed his last will and testament, and arranged
his worldly affairs in the most judicious manner, for the benefit
of those who were to survive him. '

Having completed these an-angements, he devoted himself
exclusively to a preparation for that event which he saw was
fast approaching. " I shall shine," he said, " I shall see him
as he is ; I shall see him reign, and all his fair company with
him, and I shall have my share. Mine eyes shall see my Re-

OF GALLOWAY. 93

ileemcr, these very eyes of mine, and none for me." He died
on the 20th of March lf)()l, under the influence of that reli-
gion, by the love and cultivation of which, his whole life hiul
been eminently distinguished. His last words were, " Glory,
glory, dwelleth in Emanuel s land.'"'

Rutherford left behind him a widow, (for he had formed a
second marriage in 1 640, ten years after the death of his first
wife,) with one child, a daughter, named Agnes, then eleven
years of age. Of seven children which his second marriage pro-
duced, it was his melancholy lot to see six laid in an untimely
grave.

Mrs. Rutherford, on her husband's death, fixed on Edin-
burgh as her place of residence. In what circumstances, as to
pecuniary matters, she was left, the most minute information
is afforded us in his latter will. His whole property, at the
time of his death, amounted to L. 2,923, 13s. 4d. Scots money,
or about L.243 Sterling ; a sum barely sufficient for her sup-
port ; but either at this thne, or soon afterwards, she obtained
some property in the parish of Covington, the revenue of which
formed a considerable addition to her income.

She appears to have been distingushed by great worth, and
to have possessed a character not dissimilar to that of her pious-
husband. " It is true," to use the words of Mr. M'Ward, in
a letter addressed to her daughter, " it is true, you are depriv-
ed of the great advantage of a father''s example, before you could
make much observation of his walk ; but God hath been gra-
cious to you in sparing a mother of the same spirit and walk
with him, and whose experience also, I know to be beyond the
experience of any I know."

Mrs. Rutherford survived her husband upwards of fourteen
years, and died in the month of May 1675. But before that
event, she had seen her daughter, who married William Chies-
ly, writer to the signet, settled in life. The religious character
of Mrs. Chiesly, neither before her marriage nor after it, seems
to have been altogether worthy of her descent. JNI'Ward, in
his letters to her, addresses her in such terms as if he had been
informed of her neglect of sacred things, or had suspected her

94 THE LITERARY HISTORY

of such neglect. Nor was she married to a man move exem-
plary than herself in this respect. Chiesly, in truth, seems not
to have been a man of respectable character. He was disco-
vered to be o-uilty of " gross, exorbitant, and uninstructcd"
proceedings in a matter intrusted to his management ; and at
len.fTth, evidentlv from such practices, he was degraded from his
rank as a lawyer, and deprived of his privileges as a member
of the College of Justice. He died in the year 1704, at the
age of seventy. The date of his wife's death, I have not learn-
ed. Nor have I discovered the number of children that result-
ed from their union ; but one of their family, (a daughter,
named Jean, who had never been married,) died so late as the
year 173G, — seventy-five years after the death of her grandfa-
ther, the subject of these memoirs.

Of his character, we do not think it necessary to say much
in addition to what has been stated in the course of our narra-
tive. Our readers must already be well acquainted with it, so
far as it can now be known. He was a man indefatigable in
the discharge of every duty. In the clerical profession he took
great delight, and distiiiguished himself by peculiar faithful-
ness and zeal in the performance of its sacred functions. He
feared not the face of man in maintaining the ecclesiastical and
theological principles of the church to which he belonged, — or
in resisting and exposing error. He was willing to lay down
his life as a testimony to the truth. He may, we confess, some-
times have shown violence, and have pushed his principles to
an objectionable extreme. But liberal allowances must be made
for him in this respect. The age was one of faction and of
controversy ; and it was difficult, if not impossible, for any
man, who took an active share in its proceedings, or who was
animated with an energetic spirit, to keep free from the error to
which we refer, or to display mildness and gentleness amid the
storms and turbulence by which he was surrounded. And let
it be remembered, that the part he acted in public affairs, whe-
ther marked by violence or not, he undertook solely on public
grounds, and never made it subser\'ient to his own aggrandize-
ment. There seldom has lived an individual more devoid of

OP GALLOWAY. 95

personal ambition, or who seemed less anxious to avail himself
of any places of honour, even when they were pressed on his
acceptance.

His friendship was warm and steadfast ; a circumstance evi-
dent from his Letters, and from the fact, that the friends of his
early life, that were not removed from him by death, continued
to be those of his advanced years. In his domestic relations,
he is entitled to equal praise. Kvery time he appears before
us in this interesting capacity, it is highly to his honour. But
in nothing was he more remarkable, than for his assiduous cul-
tivation of personal piety. He may be said to have lived near
to God. Kvery principle of his heart, and every action of his
life, he endeavoured to mould according to the divine standard ;
and of him it may be truly said, that he departed in peace, his
eyes having seen the salvation of God. ,

9b* THE LITERARY HISTORY

CHAPTER VIII.

LIFE OF JOHN LIVINGSTONE.

John Livingstone, for a considerable time minister of Stran-
raer, was born at INIonyabrcck, or Kilsytli, in the presbytery
of Glasgow, on the 21st of January 1603. His father and
grandfather, descended from a family afterwards dignified with
the title of Karl of Linlithgow, were successively ministers of
that parish. The former, who married a daughter of Alex-
ander Livingstone, portioner of Falkirk, Mas removed from
Kilsyth to Lanark, where he died in 1641. *

The subject of this memoir was, at the age of ten years,
sent to the school of Stirling, then taught by Mr. William
Wallace, " a good man and a learned humanist/' Under
this respectable teacher his progress was gi-eat. At the termi-
nation of three years he had acquired so much knowledge in the
learned languages, as to be reckoned qualified to enter on his
studies at the university. On account of his youth, however,
and the urgent solicitation of Wallace, who was proud of his
pupil, and who wished to be the means of raising him to still
higher proficiency, he was allowed to remain another year at
Stirling. Nor were the cxj)ectations of the teacher unfounded.
*' For most part,^' says Livingstone, " we read by ourselves
in a little chamber above the school, our master furnishing us
in books, where we went through the most parte of the choice

" MS. Life of Livim/stotie, written by himself, in Adv. I.ihriuy.

OF GALLOWAY. 97

Latine writers, both poets and others ; and that year was to me
the largest, most profitable year I had in the schools."

Thus accomplished, he bade farewell to Mr. Wallace in
I6I7 ; the summer of that year he spent under his father's
roof in Lanark ; at the termination of which time he entered
the University of Glasgow, where he devoted himself, with un-
remitting ardour to the prosecution of his studies. " In my third
year in the College of Glasgow," says he, " I read more than
I think I did in any year since ; I was then under the over-
sight of precious Mr. Robert Blair, who for two years was my
regent in the college, and having got some grounds in logick
and metaphysics, and the subtilities of the schoolmen, a vain
thought to be above my equals, set me on to a great pains.'"*
Having passed Master of Arts in 1621, he left college and re-
turned to Lanark.

He had not yet fixed what profession he should follow. Af-
ter much hesitation, he seemed to prefer the department of me-
dicine, and requested his father's permission to go to France to
prosecute his studies. This request did not meet with his fa-
ther's approbation ; but anxious to see his son settled in life,
he advised him to form some matrimonial connexion, and to
retire to an estate in his native parish which he had recently
purchased in his name. This offer placed him in a most try-
ing and delicate situation. The wish and advice of so affec-
tionate a parent he knew not how to resist ; and yet, if these
were complied with, the pursuits of literature, for which he
felt an ardent attachment, must be foregone for ever. From
his earliest youth, he had been distinguished for a deep sense
of piety ; and in this perplexing dilemma, he resolved to set
a day apart to endeavour by prayer to obtain divine direction.
For this purpose, he retired to a cave not far from Lanark,
where, after petitioning guidance and assistance from on high,
he was led to infer that his lot was to preach Christ Jesus and
him crucified. Urged on by this persuasion, he, from this
moment, determined to devote his whole heart and time to his
advancement in theological learning. His father was too good
to oppose this resolution, or rather, he took delight in cherish-

THE LITERARY HISTORY

ing it. The property just mentioned was sold ; and having
at length hcen lieensed a probationer of the Scottish church,
Livingstone preached his first sermon from his father's pulpit
on the second day of Januaiy 1625.

For some time after this period, he remained at Lanarks
preaching frecpiently either at home, or in the neighbouring
jwrishes. But in April 1626, he visited Galloway at the re-
quest of Lord Kenmure, who wished, after some obstructions
were removed, to present him to the parish of Anwoth. Some
unforeseen difficulties having come in the way, his settlement
in Anwoth could not be eftected so soon as had been intended ;
in consequence of whicli he was induced to accept a call to the
parish of Torphichen. — The following statement, relative to
this j)art of his history, contains biographical notices.

" At that time, in Galloway," says he, " I got acquaint-
ance wath my Lord Kenmure and his religious lady, and se-
veral worthy and experienced Christians, as Alexander Gordon
of Karlston, Alexander Gordon of Knockgray, Robert Gordon
of Knockbrex, John his brother, and Alexander of Gairleuch,
Fullcrton Laird of Cairlton, John M'Adam, and Christian
M'Adam of Waterhead, IMarion M'Knaught in Kirkcud-
bright, and several others ; for I preached at a communion at
Borgh, where was many good people that came out of Kirk-
cudbright, and I was present at private meetings with some of
the forementioned at Gairleuch, and in the Airds, where Earl-
ston then dwelt.*"*

This settlement at Torphichen, however, did not take place,
being opposed by Spottiswood, on account of his non-confor-
mity. This was the fate of several other calls which about
this time he received. He was in the mean time invited to
Cumbemauld, the seat of the Earl of Wigton, with whom,
with little intermission, he continued, preaching frequently to
the tenantry of that nobleman, till 1C30, when, having re-
signed every hope of obtaining a settlement in Scotland, he

'. AfS- Life of Livimjstom, iO, II. Also liis Bemarkabk Observations
vpon tin: lircn (if the mtjst eminent ministers and professors, wlicre most of the
persons mentioned in llic text are commemorated.

OF GALLOWAY. 99

was persuaded by the entreaty of some clerical friends, and
the kindness of Viscount Clandiboy, to accept of the charge
of Killinchie, a parish in the north of Ireland. Of the na-
ture of his induction to his charfre, the foUowinff account is
interesting. " I needed to have ordination, and the bishop of
Down, in whose bounds the parish of Killinchie was, was a
corrupt and timorous man, and would require some engage-
ment ; therefore my Lord Clandiboy sent some with me, and
wrote to Mr. Andrew Knox, bishop of Rapho, who, when I
came and gave him the letters from my Lord Clandiboy
and the Karl of Wigton, and some others that I had, for that
purpose, brought out of Scotland, he told me that he knew
my errand, that I came to him because I had scruples against
episcopacy and ceremonies, according as Mr. Josiah Welsch
and some others had done before, and that he thought his old
age was prolonged for little other pur[)ose than to do such
offices, that if I scruple to call him my lord he cared not
much for it. All he would desire of me, because they got
there but few sermons, that I would preach there at Ramal-
ton next Sabbath, and he would send for ]Mr. William Cun-
ningham and some two or three neighbouring ministers to be
present, who, after sermon, should give me imposition of
hands ; but though they performed the work, he behoved to be
present, for otherwise he durst not answer it to the state. He
gave me the book of ordination, and desired any thing I
scrupled at I should draw a line over it in the margin, and
Mr. William Cunningham should not read it ; but I found
it had been so marked by some there before, that I needed
not mark any thing. So the Lord was pleased to carry that
business far beyond any thing that I had thought, or almost
even desired."

In the north of Ireland there were at that time many prcs-
byterian congregations, and amongst Livingstone's brethren
were Mr. Josiah Welsh, Mr. Robert Blair, and Mr. John
M'Lellan, subsequently minister of Kirkcudbright.* While

• John M'Lellan was originally a schoolmaster, and afterwards a mi-
nister, in the north of Ireland. He was, hke Livingstone and the other

100

THE LITERARY HISTORY

in this charge, he was exposed to m\ich distress and per-
secution. By the bishop of Down, in whose diocese Kil-
linc'hie was situated, he was deposed from his office, and ex-
cx)mniunicated. Afraid of imprisonment, and in danger of
his life, he was compelled to flee for refuge to his native
country ; and at one time, along with his other persecuted breth-
ren, had formed the resolution of crossing the Atlantic, and set-
tling in America. The hand of providence, however, overruled
this detennination ; and at length, being on a visit to the
Earl of Cassillis in Ayrshire, he received two calls to the minis-
try, the one from Stranraer, the other from Straiten. He pre-
fen-ed the former parish, and was inducted, by the Presbytery
of Stranraer, minister of that place, on the 5th of July 1G38.
In this situation, as prelacy was now abolished in Scotland,
he experienced no opposition. The more serious persons of
his flock having, on his arrival, requested liberty to attend
family worship in his house, he offered to meet with them
every morning in the church. This offer they willingly ac-
cepted. They assembled daily, and after singing a few verses
of a psalm, and reading a small portion of scripture, on which
he spoke " only so long as a half hour glass run," he con-
cluded the meeting by prayer. He attended the celebrated
assembly of Glasgow, which met soon after his induction to
Stranraer, and concurred in all its proceedings ; he was ap-
pointed by the Presbytery, in 1640, chaplain to the Karl of
Cassillis's regiment, and was present at the battle of New-
burn, near Newcastle ; and in consequence of an application
to the Assembly from the Presbyterian inhabitants of the north
of Ireland, he was appointed to go thither three months every
summer for five years previously to 1648. He continued at
Stranraer until this year, when, by the decision of the assem-
bly, he was translated to the parish of Ancrum, in the Pres-

clcrgymen of tliat place, deposed and excommunicated. He was removed to
Kirkcudbrip)it about the year 1G38, where lie continued until his death in
1650. Livingstone gives him a place in his Remarkable Observations, (p.
154); his name is repeatedly mentioned in Baillie's Letters (i. 197, 3i2,
&,c.) and many of his letters have been preserved in Wodrow's MSS.

OK GALLOWAY. 101

bytery of Jedburgh. The following extract from his Life
will not be reckoned unintcrestinjr.

" During my abode in Stranraer," says he, " the neighbour-
ing ministers with whom I keeped most society, by whose
counsell and company I profited most, were my brother M'Lel-
lan of Kirkcudbright ; INIr, Robert Hamilton at Ballintrae,
and Mr. George Hutcheson at Colmonell ; and in the Pres-
bytery of Stranraer, Mr. Alexander Turnbull at Kirkmaiden,
Mr. George Dick at Inch, Mr. John Dick at Glenluce ; and
in the Presbytery of Wigton, Mr. Andrew Lauther at
Whythorn, and Mr. John Park at Mochrum, who also suc-
ceeded at Stranraer ; with all these I have been at their com-
munions, and most of them have been with me at the com-
munion at Stranraer."

His flock at Ancrum were not so exemplary as those of his
former charge.* They were indeed so ignorant and immoral,
that a considerable time elapsed ere he thought it proper to
celebrate among them the sacrament of the supper> On the
death of Charles I. he was sent to the Hague as one of the
commissioners from the parliament and church of Scotland,
to treat with his son, (who had assumed the title of Charles
II.) respecting his accession to the throne of his forefathers.
This embassy terminated unsuccessfully ; and at the desire of
the prince himself, another deputation, of which Livingstone
was also a member, were the following summer despatched to
Breda on the same important mission. Livingstone had the
discernment to discover the vacillating and dissolute princi-
ples of Charles ; and when, after much hesitation and delay,
he agreed to accept the conditions offered him, and to sub-
scribe the solemn league and covenant, Livingstone, who pre-
sided and delivered a sermon on the occasion, officiated with
much reluctance, fully aware that the king was insincere, and
insisting that this solemn obligation ou^ht not to be adminis-
tered, until a manifest change had been efi'ected in his prin_

" " The people of Stranraer," says he, " were very tractable and re-
spectful."

102

THE LITERARY HISTORY

ciples, conduct, and councils. The doubts of Livingstone
were not lancitul. For Charles not only trampled under foot
his solemn vows and engagements, but persecuted unto death
all who supported those very principles, which the national
league and covenant inculcated, and to which he had publicly
sworn to adhere.

He now returned to Ancrum, and devoted himself to the
performance of his sacred duties ; which, however, were occa-
sionally intemipted by the active part he took in the import-
ant transactions of his time. Of these transactions, however,
we cannot at present give an account. We can merely men-
tion that, like Rutherford, he belonged to the most rigid side
of the church ; and that those who composed it, being less
numerous than their opponents, particularly after the Res-
toration, were exposed to suffering and persecution. Li-
vingstone early foresaw the treatment to which, like the rest of
his brethren, he must ere long be subjected. On the Monday
of the last sacrament he was allowed to dispense at Ancrum,
he took a public farewell of his flock and friends, aware that
the tie betwixt them must soon be broken. Nor was he de-
ceived. He was summoned to appear on the 11th of December
16G2, before the privy council at Kdinburgh. He obeyed
the summons ; and because he would not promise to keep the
anniversary of the death of Charles I. and take the oath of
allegiance in the precise way in which it was dictated to him,*
sentence of banishment was passed upon him ; he was ordered to
leave Scotland in two months, and until his departure, to remain
north of the Tay. " Well," exclaimed he, "although it be
not permitted me to breathe in my native air, yet I trust
whatsoever part of the world I go into, I shall not cease to
pray for a blessing to these lands, to his majesty and the

" " I do acknowledge," says Livingstone, in his answer to the chancellor
on tliis occasion, " the king's majesty (whose person and government I
wi.sh God to bless,) to be the only lawful supreme magistrate of this, and
all other his majesty's dominions ; and that his majesty is the supreme civil
governor over all persons, and in all causes, as well ecclesiastic as civil ; but,
for the oath as it stands, in /cnniiiit, I am not free to take it."

OF OALLO^VAY. 103

government, and the inferior magistrates thereof, but especial-
ly to the hind of my nativity." The last part of his sentence
was not put in execution. In consequence of a petition to
the council, he was allowed to spend the short period before
his departure at Leith, whence having written a striking and
affectionate letter to his flock at Ancrum, he sailed, soon after
the commencement of the subsequent year, for Rotterdam, and
bade his native land farewell for ever ! On his arrival at
that city, he found Mr. M'Ward, and other exiled brethren.
He enjoyed many opportunities of preaching to the Scots
congregation there ; and having devoted the remainder of his
eventful life to the cultivation of theological and biblical learn-
ing, he died on the 9th of August 1672, in the 70th
year of his age.

When in Ireland, Livingstone was married to a daughter of
Bartholomew Fleming, merchant in Edinburgh, then on a
visit to her sister, Mrs. John M'Lellan, of whose husband
we have already spoken. His courtship was singular ; and
affords a curious proof of the spirituality of his principles.

" Mr. Blair propounded to me that marriage; immediately
thereafter I was sent to London to have gone to New Eng-
land, and returned the June following. I had seen her seve-
ral times before in Scotland, and had the testimony of many
of her gracious disposition, yet I was for nine months seeking
or I could get direction from God anent that business, during
which time I did not offer to speak to her, (who, I believe,
had not heard any thing of the matter,) only for want of clear-
ness in my mind ; although I was twice or thrice in the
house, and saw her frequently at communions and public
meetings, and it's like I might have been longer in such dark-
ness, except the Lord had presented an occasion of our con-
ferring together ; for, on November 10th, 1634, when I was
going to the Friday meeting, at Antrim, I foregathered with
her, and some others, going thither, and propounded to them,
by the way, to confer upon a text, whereon I was to preach the
day after at Antrim, wherein I found her conference so judi-
cious and spiritual, that I took that for some answer to my

104 THE LITERARY H16T0RV

prayer to have my mind cleared, and blamed myself that I had
not bei'oro taken occasion to confer with her. Four or five
days after, I proponed the matter, and desired her to think up-
on it ; and after a week or two, 1 went to her mother's house,
and being alone with her, desiring her answer, I went to prayer,
and urged her to pray, which at last she did ; and in that time
I got abundant clearness, that it was the Lord's mind that I
should marry her, and then propounded tlie matter more fully
to her mother ; and albeit, 1 was then fully cleared, I may
truly say, it was about a month after before I got marriage af-
iection to her, although she was, for personal endowments, be-
yond many of her equals ; and I got it not till 1 obtained it
by prayer, but thereafter, 1 had greater difficulty to moderate
it."

Mrs. Livingstone was a person of great energy and for-
titude of character. In I674, two years after her husband's
death, we find her, along with about fifteen other females,
most of them ministers' widows, petitioning the privy council
for liberty to the prcsbyterian ministers to preach the gospel
witliout molestation, " as the people may, in an orderly way,
call them." These ladies, in order to incur the same respon-
sibility, severally engaged to present a copy to the principal
councillors. With this view, they met in the Parliament
Square, and delivered the petition to them as they passed.
" The good woman, Mrs. Livingstone," says Wodrow, " pre-
sented the petition to the chancellor. The Earl received it
with civility enough, and read it in the place where it was
delivered, and patiently heard what she had to add, for the
gentlewoman spoke very well and handsomely." The applica-
tion was unsuccessful : indeed, some of the petitioners were
afterwards seized and imprisoned on account of it ; but it
affords a striking proof of their zeal and intrepidity.

'J'hat Livingstone was a faithful and zealous minister of the
gospel, has already been stated. His sermons were at first
carefully composed and committed to memory, but he after-
wards spoke either from short notes, or merely from revolving
in his mind the subject on which he meant to discourse. His

OP GALLOWAY. 105

discussions, therefore, as he himself allows, were often neces-
sarily disjointed and declamatory ; but from the general sim-
plicity and perspicuity of his style and arrangement, and from
the earnestness and energy with which he spoke, he seems to
have carried along with him irresistibly the hearts and under-
standings of his hearers. A sermon which, in his youth, he
delivered in the parish of Shotts, occasioned, as himself
informs us, a chan<re in the reliccious sentiments of about five
hundred persons; and double that number experienced a
revolution of their principles on a similar occasion at Holy-
wood, in the north of Ireland. " Perhaps," says Wodrow,
"few ministers since the Apostles' days were more remark-
ably countenanced from heaven in their work than ]Mr. Li-
vingstone.'"

Nor was he less eminent as a scholar than as a clergyman.
" I had a kind of coveting," he says, " when I got leisure to
read much, and of different subjects, and was oft challenged
that my way of reading was like some men's lust after
such a kind of play or recreation. I used to read much too
fast, and was pleased in the time but retained little. My
memory was waterish and weak, yet, had I improved it, I
miiiht have had better use of it ; for after I came to the
college, I did, with no great difficulty, attam to some toler-
able insight of the Hebrew and Chaldee, and some also of the
Syriac ; the Arabic I did essay, but the vastness of it made
me o-ive it over. I got also so much of the French, the
Italian, and after that, of the low Dutch, that I could make
use of several of their books — and of the Spanish and high
Dutch, that I could make use of their Bibles."

The erudition which he thus acquired he did not lose by
indolence, or employ in unprofitable speculation. The period
between his banishment and his death he devoted to his
favourite object — the elucidation of the sacred volume; of
which he meant to publish an edition, containing the original
Hebrew, and a new Latin translation, with various readings,
explanatory notes, and a reconciliation of passages apparently
contradictory. This elaborate undertaking obtained the ap-

lOG THE LITERARY HISTORY

jirobation and support of Yoetius, and other learned men to
>vlu)ni it was submitted ; but his death, which was evidently
accelerated by an ardent application to study, deprived the
world of a work which, from the character of its author, must
have fomied a valuable addition to biblical literature. In
our life of Rutherford, we remarked that the Examen Jr-
miniamsmi\ a posthumous production of that celebrated per-
son, was submitted before publication to the critical judg-
ment of INIr. Livingstone, of whose learning and worth,
Nethenus the editor speaks in very encomiastic terms. In
such high estimation was he held by his brethren, that he
was repeatedly requested by the general assembly to com-
pile a histoiy of the Church of Scotland from the famous era
oflC38. With this request, from several circumstances, he
did not find it convenient to comply ; but in the manuscript
account of his own life, written during his banishment, he has
thrown very considerable light on the transactions in which he
himself had been engaged ; and in his Remarkable Observa-
tions upon the Lives of the most eminent Ministers and Profes-
sors in the Church of Scotland, also in manuscript, he has left
us memorials of his distinguished contemporaries.

OF GALLOM'AY. ' 107

CHAPTER IX.

LIFE OF ROBERT M'WARD.

Robert M'Ward,* the intimate friend both of Livingstone
and Rutherford, was a native of Glenluce, a considerable vil-
lage in Wigtonshire. He seems to have been much young-
er than cither of these distinguished persons, though the year
of his birth has not been ascertained. The name and con-
dition of his parents are also unknown. He attended the
University of St. Andrews ; and having acquired, while yet a
student, the friendship of Rutherford, Professor of Divinity,
on this celebrated person's going to London as one of the Scot-
tish Commissioners to the venerable Assembly of Divines met
at Westminster, M'Ward was selected to accompany him as
his private secretary and amanuensis. "f He returned to Scot-
land in the end of the year 1647, and such was his character,
that, in April 1650, he was elected a professor of philosophy
in the university in which he had so recently been a student. |

* In our former edition we gave an imperfect sketch of Al'V/ard's life.
The present memoir is much more comi)lete. For tiie additional matter
which it contains I am indebted to an elaborate life of this celebrated per-
son, written by the Rev. William Steven, of the Scottish Church, llotter-
dam, with the perusal of which in manuscript I have been favoured. The
sketch from which I have so liberally availed myself is meant to form an
article in a Historical Account of the Church of P.otterdam, which is soon
to appear, and which, from the known research of the author, and the faci-
lities lie enjoys, cannot fail to contain much valuable information.

t J^ife i>f Eullicrford, 23.3..4, l.y the present writer.

X Lamont's Chronicle of Fife, 10.

108 THE LITERARY HISTORY

It is likely that, while he conducted the business of his own
class, he was attending the lectures on theology delivered by
Kuthertbrd, with a view to a settlement in the church. He
did not, however, take license as a preacher till the year 1655 ;
and in the subsequent year he succeeded the celebrated An-
drew Gray as one of the ministers of Glasgow\ In this charge
he continued for five years as an energetic and successful clergy-
man. Like his preceptor, Rutherford, he belonged to the
most rigid party in the church ; and at the Restoration, \^'hen
episcopacy was re-established at the expense of that polity
which had predominated for upwards of twenty years, he re-
mained firm to his original principles, and did not fail to lift
up his voice against " the glaring defections of the times."
In the month of February 1C61, he concluded a sermon, in
which he had been inveighing against the arbitrary measures
of government, with the following expressions : —

" As for my own part, as a poor member of the church of
Scotland, and an unworthy minister in it, I do this day call
you, who are the people of God, to witness that I humbly of-
fer my dissent to all acts which are or shall be passed against
the covenants and work of reformation in Scotland ; and I pro-
test that I am desirous to be free of the guilt thereof, and
pray that God may put it on record in heaven."|

These words, which are somewhat excusable on account of
the cruel and wanton proceedings of Charles relative to the
presbyterian church, could not be overlooked. M'Ward was
immediately apprehended, committed to prison, and served
with an indictment to stand trial for sedition and treasonable
preaching. The result need scarcely be told. He himself
knew from the beginning that his acquittal was hopeless ; and
he did not experience disappointment or vexation, when he
was sentenced to leave the kingdom within half a year. Of
this time he was allowed to spend one month in Glasgow ; and,
what was a wonderful stretch of lenity, he was declared entitled
to the stipend for the following year. Within the time speci-

• WoflroWs Jlislonj, 207. Hvo. Ed. ]828.

OF GALLO^VAY. 109

fictl, he left his native land, and sailed for Holland, whence he
never returned.

In his correspondence with his Scottish friends, he makes
frequent mention of the kind reception he experienced at Rot-
terdam, where he had fixed his residence. In a letter to Lady
Kenmure, who is already known to the reader as the friend of
Rutherford, he says, " If your ladyship he desirous to have
any account concerning my condition, know that I have met
with much undeserved kindness. I am ashamed to call my
lot a suffering lot ; for He hath rather hid me from the storm
than exposed me to trouble. I have occasion now and then to
preach at Rotterdam, where we have ane old Scots minister,
who is dissatisfied with the times.'***

The minister to whom he here refers was Mr. Alexander
Petrie, author of A Compendious History of the Catholic
Church, from the year 600 until the year \Q00. A portion of
the leisure he now enjoyed he devoted to the examination of the
manuscripts of his friend Rutherford, who had died in March
1661 ; which papers had been placed in his hands by the au-
thor's w'idow. He collected and arranged his celebrated Let-
ters ; which appeared in 1664, with an interesting address to
the " Christian Reader," containing much important biogra-
phical information, composed by Mr. M'Ward. The part he
took in the publication of Rutherford's posthumous work, Ex-
amen Arminianismi, has already been mentioned.

Soon after the publication of Rutherford's Letters, M'Ward
removed to Utrecht, where he enjoyed the friendship of these
eminent divines, Voetius and Nethenus. He also made him-
self useful to many of his young countrymen who were attend-
ing the university of that place. There is another circum-
stance connected with his residence here that must not be
omitted. In the English church at Utrecht he frequently
preached ; and INIr. Best and the consistory requested him to
give a weekly sermon every Wednesday morning. To this
request he wullingly acceded ; and when Mr. Best afterwards

* Wodrow's MSS. Iviii. 53.

110 THE LITERARY HISTORY

required to be absent for a few weeks, he officiated in hi&
room. But jNI-AV'ard was strictly prcsbyterian ; and, as he
did not adopt certain forms that obtained in the English
church, and as he had used some expressions in regard to
England which gave offence, representations were made to
himself on these subjects, and communications were despatched
to Mr. Best. IM'Ward v/as inflexible ; and as he would not
comply with ecclesiastical forms, M'hich, he conceived, Scrip-
ture did not enjoin, and presbyteiy never tolerated, his weekly
discourse and his connexion with ]\Ir. Best"'s congregation ne-
cessarily terminated ; and the people of Utrecht no longer en-
joyed the benefit of his spiritual instructions.

It was pro])ably this circumstance that induced him, about
the year 1668, to return to Rotterdam, where many of the
most distinguished Scottish presbyterians had taken refuge,
such as John Livingstone, John Brown, late of Wamphray,
John Nevoy, late of Newmills, and Colonel Wallace. He resid-
ed there, supported by the liberality of some of his friends in
Scotland, as also of the magistrates and inhabitants of the city,
till the year 1676, when he was appointed one of the ministers
of the Scottish church, as colleague to Mr. John Hog, who had
succeeded Mr. Petrie in 1662. This appointment was the
more honourable to Mr. M'Ward, as IMr. Brown and Mr.
John Carstairs were also put in nomination.

" Mr. M'Ward," says Mr. Steven, " effected many impor-
tant improvements. At his suggestion a sessional meeting was
held every Monday morning, for religious purposes. With him
also originated the proposal, to levy a small gratuity for the
poor of the congregation, from every Scots vessel arriving at
Rotterdam. He successfully an-angcd matters, and got the own-
ers and masters of ships readily to enter into his benevolent views.
For this acceptable offering, which has been uninterruptedly
and cheerfully continued to the present day, free church ac-
commodation is granted to captains, masters, and sailors, who
have distinct pews." He was also the means of establishing
a school for Knglish and the elementary branches of educa-
tion, connected with the Scottish church, and dependent on it;

OF GALLOWAY.

Ill

a scininary which still exists, and which has, in the most ample
manner, realized the important object which its enli<;htened
founder had in view. While engaged in these philanthropic
arrangements, he was unwearied in discharging his sacred du-
ties ; and both by his pulpit discourses and private ministra-
tions, he laboured to prove himself a workman that needed not
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

But however useful his labours were, or whatever was the
unobstrusive piety of his deportment, his flock were not allow-
ed long to enjoy his valuable services. The wrath of Charles
II. was not satisfied with the pvmishment which had been in-
flicted on him. He felt unhappy on hearing of M'Ward, or
any of presl)yterian principles, whom he had banished, attaining
to honour and distinction, even in a foreign land. So early
as the year I67O, application had been made to the States Ge-
neral, on the part of the English monarch, to obtain the ex-
pulsion of M'Ward, Robert Trail, formerly one of the mini-
sters of Edinburgh, and John Nevoy, from Holland. The
States seem to have acquiesced in this request, but took no
active steps to carry it into effect ; for these obnoxious clergy-
men never removed from the Dutch territories, but remained
for some time in seclusion. In 167^, a similar application
was made by Charles ; but it was received with a different
spirit on the part of the Dutch government. They peremp-
torily refused to comply. But the English king, in the most
urgent or threatening terms, continued to reiterate his request,
the compliance with which he said he would regard as a per-
sonal favour done to himself, till the States General thought it
prudent to yield. But, in yielding, they bore testimony to the
pacific dispositions and useful labours by which these unfortu-
nate men had been distinguished since they had become sub-
jects of the republic. They showed them all the respect, and
did them all the good which, under the circumstances, they
could confer upon them ; and gave them, on their departure,
an official recommendatory letter, ad, oinnes populos^ requesting
for them a kind reception and affectionate treatment. INIr.
M'Ward and Mr. Brown retired to Utrecht, or its neighbour-

112 THE LITERARY HISTORY

liood, where they were allowed to remain unmoicsted ; biit
Colonel ^^'allaco, who was particularly obnoxious to Charles,
on account of his connexion with the battle ot" Pentland, found
it necessary to pass the Dutch boundary, and to settle on the
borders of France.*

Of the loss which the members of the Scottish church in
Rotterdam sustained, in consequence of the removal of these
men, particularly Mr. M'Ward, they were fully aware. From
the minutes of consistory, of date 1st February 1677? i* ap-
pears, that " the session were very much grieved to be de-
prived of their laithfull, peacefull, and pious preacher, and of
such another, also, who, every Lord's day, was an helper in
the work of the Lord ; and likewise, of the most painfull and
usefull elder, they had amongst them." From the same
source we learn, that Mr. M'Ward " they do still own and
avouch to be their minister, and the said Mr. Wallace their
elder, notwithstanding of any act or ordinance now passed out
against them, procured by the means of wicked and malicious
instruments, and enemies to the truth and power of godliness,
in the court of England."" Mr. M'Ward, before his departure,
partook of the Lord"'s Supper with his people. And on Sab-
i)ath, 25th February 1677? ^"^ delivered a farewell discourse,
" being to remove the 27th instant, as he did, to the great
grief of all truly godly in the place.""'

Mr. ]\I' Ward's name, as a mark of respect to him, still
continued in the session roll as one of the ministers of the
Scottish church ; but, before his removal, he was requested by
the session, to nominate a person properly qualified to succeed
him. This task he undertook to fulfil ; and his letters to his
colleague, INIr. Hog, and to the congregation, relative to this
subject, are extremely interesting, and exhibit his character in
a very amiable light. Mr. James Kirkton, and Mr. John
Carstairs, men whose names are well known in the history of
our church, were the persons whom he successively tried to
accept the charge. But, from circumstances which need not

* M'Crie's edition of Life of Colonel Wallace.

OF GALLOWAY. 113

be mentioned here, they declined the ofi'er made them. At
length, however, on the 30th of" December of the year in
which M'Ward had withdrawn to Utrecht, Mr. Robert l^lcm-
ing, author of The Fuljllling of the Scriptures, and other
theological works, and who, like M'Ward, had studied divi-
nity under Rutherford at St. Andrews, was inducted as his
successor ; and continued as one of the ministers of Rotter-
dam till his death in 1694.

As the States General had reluctantly agreed to pass
sentence of banishment against M'Ward, and his two
friends. Brown and Wallace, they were not sorry to see
them return to their former place of residence. The two latter
returned to Rotterdam in the year 1C7^> ^^id Mr. M'Ward
soon joined them. He seems not, however, to have had any
further official connexion with the church, in which Mr. Flem-
iuir had been settled as his successor. But, with the other ex-
iled ministers, he held weekly meetings in private houses, for
religious puqwses. Towards the end of the year last men-
tioned. Colonel Wallace died in the arms of the subject of this
sketch, and Mr. Brown, in September of the following year ;
of the death and character of both of whom he gave an affec-
tionate account, in his correspondence with his friends, which
has happily been preserved. Mr. John Livingstone, who,
after his banishment, also lived in Rotterdam, had died some
years before. These, and other bereavements, he felt acutely ;
but his own days were now fast drawing to a close. The pre-
cise date of his death is not known ; but it took place towards
the end of the year 1681, after a banishment of twenty
years.

He was the author of various works. We have already
mentioned his introduction to Rutherford's Letters. To Mr.
Brown''s several publications are prefixed recommendatory
essays by M'Ward. He also wrote similar prefaces to other
works, as minutely specified by Mr. Steven. His other trea-
tises are, Solemn Jppeal to Preachers in Times of Spirit-
ual Declension ; a work that never appeared in English, but,
as Mr. Steven states, was translated into Dutch by Koelman,

114 THE LITERARY HISTORY

aiul publislu'il in Holland, in I67t; The Poor Mans Cup
of Cold Water, ministered to the Saints and Sufferers for
Christ in Scotland ; The True Non-Conformist, written in
answer to Bishop Burnet's Dialoi^ue between a Conformist and
Noji-Confonnist ; Banders Disbanded ; A Testimony against
Payinir of Cess to the Persecutors ; EIIAmNI^iMOI ; or. Ear-
liest Contendings for the Faith. This last work, which is his
largest, and which was posthumous, as some of his other trea-
tises were, was written in answer to some papers on the Indul-
gence, submitted to him hy Mr. Fleming, his successor in
Rotterdam, the latter having employed indulged clergymen in
his pulpit, and having, to a certain degree, abandoned that
party in the church to which M'Ward always rigidly adhered.
M'Ward, in truth, inveighed, on all occasions, most violently
against the indulgence. His letters, for example, addressed to
his friends in Scotland, had a direct tendency, on this account,
to widen the breach which then unfortunately obtained in the
church. " He was," says Kirkton, " a hot-myndcd man,
(otherways a man of parts and learning.)" He is also known
to have composed a History of the Church of Scotland ; but,
unfortunately, the manuscript has been lost. He maintained
a regular correspondence with his friends in Scotland, particu-
larly with the widow and only surviving child of his deceased
friend and preceptor, Samuel Rutherford. No fewer than
seventy of his letters have been preserved by Wodrow, which
the writer of them had either collected before his death, or had
pre\nously kept copies of, with the view of their being after-
wards published ; but such publication never took place. They
arc not all worthy of being presented to the public, but some
of them are valuable, containing much biographical and inte-
resting information. He has been, by some, erroneously re-
presented as the author oi' Naphtali ; which was written by Mr.
James Stirling, minister of Paisley, assisted by Sir James
Stewart of Goodtrccs.

OF GALLOWAY. 115

CHAPTER X.

LIFE OF ANDREW SYMSON.

The history of Andrew Symson is not connected, as to
congeniality of character, with the distinguished men of whom
we have been speaking. He was, in truth, an episcopalian
clergyman ; and his opinions and views on ecclesiastical sub-
jects was necessarily the very contrary of theirs. In point of
time, however, his life comes to be considered in this place.
Nor shall we find the task an unpleasant one ; for he seems to
have been an estimable person, and distinguished by the pos-
session of respectable abilities.

Of his parentage or birth nothing is known. He was edu-
cated for the ministry, and before he left the university he had
obtained the degree of A. M. Whatever were his previous sen-
timents, we find him a member of the episcopal church in the
beginning of the reign of Charles II. The state of ecclesiasti-
cal affairs at this time requires briefly to be mentioned. The
presentation to vacant churches by lay patrons, having been
abolished in 1649, was restored in 1662 ; and those clergymen
who had, in the interval, entered on their benefices, were de-
clared to be unlawful possessors. The act, however, granted
them indemnity for the past, provided they agreed within a
certain time to receive presentation from the patrons, and sub-
mit to be inducted by the bishops. This requisition was dis-
regarded by about four hundred ministers, and the whole coun-
try was put into a ferment. A proclamation was under these

116 THK LITERARY HISTORY

circumstances issued by the privy council, ordering such as had
not obeyed the late act to lay aside their ministry and withdraw
from their parishes ; and the military who were stationed
throughout the country, were commanded to pull out of their
pulpits all those who, though interdicted, still presumed to
exercise their sacred functions. In the presbytery of Wigton,
consisting of ten members, not fewer than eight, refusing to
conform, were forcibly torn from their congregations and de-
prived of their livings. Of these, Mr. George Waugh of
Kirkinner was one.* It was at this time, namely, early in
the year 16*63, that Symson, with other episcopal ministers,
were despatched to Galloway to supply the vacant churches
there. " Though,"" says he, " we had not a formal and explicit
call, yet we had it virtually and upon the matter ; for after we
had several Lord^s days preached in our respective congrega-
tions for which we were designed, (seven Lord''s days I am sure
for my own part,) our edicts served and duly execute, the re-
presentatives of the parish attended on our ordinations, and the
generality of the parish came to our solemn admissions ; and
thereafter waited on the ordinances under our administrations,
yea, and the very members of the former sessions concurred
with us, and assisted us in the exercise of discipline, and recti-,
fying such affairs as was incumbent to them, after the old man-
ner.'^t

" Mr. Wauf^li was confined aloiif^ with IVIr. Jolin Cant, witliin the parish
of Ke!ls, and denied the exei cise of his niinisteri.'il functions. Having left
this phice, he removed to Edinhurgh, and in 1(573, he, with others, were
brought hefoie the council, and ordered to return to their several pliiccs of
confinement, by a certain day, or he apprehended as despisers of his majes-
ty's authority. He was ulire at the Revolution, but never reponed at
Kirkinner.

The otlier ministers of the presliytery of V»'igton, who refused to conform,
were Arcliibald Hamilton of Wigton, Alexander Koss of Kirkoowan, Wil-
liam rviaitland of Whithorn, Alexander Fergusson of JMochrum, William
^Maxwell of Minnigaff, Patrick Peacock of Kirkmabrcck, and Robert Ritchie
of 8<»rbie. — Wodrow's Hi.slori/, i. 321-7.

f Prefacr. to Si/mson's TripalrinrrJdcon, inserted in llie Appendix (No.
ix.) to the printed Large Deacriplion of Gcdluway. Edin. 1823.

OP GALLOWAY. 117

Such were the circumstances under which, according to his
own account, he first came to Galloway, and entered upon the
pastoral office in the parish of Kirkinncr, The hamaony
with which he seems to have been inducted to his charge ap-
pears to have continued for some time. He used " all peace-
able and Christian methods'" to gain the " dissenters," as he
termed the presbyterians. When the commander of the
forces that were stationed in the stewartry, applied to him and
his episcopal brethren for a list of these dissenters, thoy abso-
lutely refused to comply, and deputed two of their number to
announce this determination to that officer ; a procedure on ac-
count of which, he says, they " were complained of as enemies
to the government, and obstructers of the settlement of the
peace of the country.*" But the result of such christian de-
portment was the prevalence of the greatest harmony between them
and their parishioners, insomuch, he mentions, that at the battle
of Pentland only two persons from Wigtonshire were pre-
sent. When acts and proclamations, issued against the pres-
byterians, were about to be put in force in that part of the
country, " we used," he states, " our utmost endeavours to
ward off the blow ; and by our intercession and diligence in
that affair, we got the penalty most times mitigated, yea, and
many times wholly taken off, for which we got but little thanks
many times from both parties.""*

This is the side of the picture most favourable to himself;
and we cheerfully allow him all that liberality and benevolence
to which he lays claim. His character, indeed, seems to have
been very amiable ; and no person, perhaps, could have acted
a better part in the unhappy circumstances under which he was
placed. But we doubt that he had mistaken quiet on the part
of the people for acquiescence. I'he probability is, that when
Mr. Waugh was forced away from them, they entertained
those very opinions on account of which he had been deprived
of his living, and that they afterwards proved true to them.
The truth in short is, that whatever countenance the people of

•

* Pi'eface to St/msoii's TripairiarchicoUi ut supra.

118 THE LITERARY HISTORY

Kirkinner may at first have been disposed to show Mr. Symson,
they afterwards \nthdrew it, and entirely deserted his ministry.
He himself confessed that his hearers were reduced to " two or
three." In a Funeral Elegie, written on the death of David
Dunbar, younger of Baldoon, only son of Sir David Dunbar,
Bart., who lost his life by a fall from his horse in 1C82, while
riding between Leith and Holyrood House, he has the follow-
ing striking lines :

He was no schismatick ; lie ne'er withdrew
Himself from tb' house of God ; he with a few
(Some two or three,) came constantly to pray
For such as had withdrawn themselves away.
Nor did he come by fits ; foul day or fair,
I, being i' th' church, was sure to see him there.
Had he withdrawn, 'tis like these two or three,
Being thus discouraged, had deserted me.
So that my muse 'gainst Priscian avers
He, he alone, were my parishioners.'

Nor was this desertion of him by his parishioners the only
evil he was doomed to encounter. Amidst the distraction of
the times, and the hatred of which the episcopal clergy were
the objects, his brethren and himself were often " maltreated."
But, though he mentions his being " necessitate to retire to a
quiet lurking place," and that " frowns, mocks, and taunts"
were his " daily bread and constant fare,*" yet, owing to his
moderation and general worth, he was " for the most part free
from those male-treatments that many of his brethren met with."
His troubles, in truth, proceeded more from strangers than his
own parishioners ; for the latter, to use his own words, " were

* Dunbar's sister seems to have been a person of opposite sentiments.
" Mistress JMary Dunbar, second daugliter to Sir David Dunbar of Baldoon,
was forced to abscond and leave her father's house, and live for some time
here and there, frequently in herds' houses, where she could not be accom-
modated accordiiifj to her birth and rank. One day she very providentially
and narrowly escaped the enemy's fury at the Caldons, about the year 1685."
Kirk- Session Records of Kirfcinner ; for extracts from which, I am indebted
to the Rev. James Reid, the present incumbent. A full account of the per-
aocutions to which the parish was exposed, was compiled in 1710 by the
Session, and inserted in their minutes.

OP GALLOWAY.

119

SO kind to me, that, when they were atlvertisetl of any ap-
proaching clanger, they have hoth by day and night advertised
me thereof, upon which I have many times retired myself
quietly into their country houses, where I was lodged and
kindly entertained, and so escaped the danger I might other-
wise have been subject to." Indeed, long after he had been
forced from Kirkinner, he states that " his lot had been cast in
a very pleasant place," and that " he had to do with a very
well-natured peo])le :" — " for which people," says he, " for I
hate ingratitude, I shall have a kindness so long as I breathe."
He showed the same mild and resigned spirit, when, in 1684,
at the very moment of the hottest opposition shown to episco-
pacy, he speaks of that parish, " whereof," he states, " 1 have,
(by the providence of God, and the protection of his Sacred
Majesty's laws,) for more than twenty years, been a residenter,
per varios casus, et per discrimina rerum.''^

But he was not the only sufferer. Many of his people were
exposed to fines, to imprisonment, and to death, on account of
their non-conformity with the ecclesiastical polity to which he
belonged. The persecution, indeed, which they endured, was
extreme ; of which we have, at present, room only to give two
instances, taken from the Sessioii Records.

" Margaret Laughlison [or M'Laughan,] of known integrity
and piety from her youth, aged about eighty, widow of John
Millikin, wright in Drumjargan, was, in her own house, taken
off her knees in prayer, and carried immediately to prison, and
from one prison to another, without the benefit of light to read
the Scriptures ; was barbarously treated by dragoons, who were
sent to carry her from Machirwood to Wigton, and being sen-
tenced by Sir Robert Grier of Lagg to be drowned at a stake
within the flood-mark, just below the town of Wigton, for
conventical keeping and alleged rebellion, was, according to
the said sentence, fixed to the stake till the tide made, and
held down within the water by one of the town officers by his
halbert at her throat till she died." Another female, it is well
known, namely, Margaret Wilson, from the neighbouring pa-

120 THE LITERARY HISTORY

risli of PeiininjThamc, aged eighteen, \^'as inhumanly drowned
along with her.

" M'illiam Sprot in Clutoch, being about 1685 obliged to
leave his own house to shun persecution, went to Portpa-
trick on his way to Ireland, and there was apprehended and
brought back on foot betwixt two dragoons, exactly by his own
house door, to Wigton prison ; his wife being big with child,
followed him to the said prison, where she saw him laid on his
back in the cold prison, put in the irons, his ears cut off', his
fingers burnt by fiery matches, and afterwards he was sentenced
to be banished to America, and in the voyage thither he died ;
he was a person eminent for piety ; his poor wife with grief
miscarritxl of her child.'"'

The inhabitants of Kirkinner being firmly attached to pres-
bytery, and being thus visited with the severest persecution
for conscience-sake, Mr. Symson, the episcopal minister of
that parish, brought in against their inclination, in the
place of a minister whom they adored, however amiable a
man, could not expect much happiness or much respect in
his official capacity as a clergyman. Nor did he enjoy much
of either. His ministry, as we have seen, was deserted ;
his person insulted ; and under these circumstances, after
ha\ing continued in the parish for " twenty-three years,"
or till 1()86, he found it necessary to withdraw from a place
where his labours were entirely unacceptable, and where he
was daily exposed to peril and insult.*

Four years before this date, namely in 1682, a series of
queries had been circulated throughout the kingdom by Sir
Robert Sibbald, his majesty's geographer for Scotland, with
the view of procuring information preparatory to the jmblica-
tion of a Scottish Atlas. These queries attracted the atten-
tion of Symson, who undertook the task of drawing up A Large
Description of Galloway, " not thinking it altogether eccen-
trical to his profession to comply something with his genius."

* Preface to Tripatriarchicon, ut supra.

OF GALLOWAY. 121

This task he performed in 1084 ; but the troubles that en-
sued, he informs us, caused the pa])ers to be laid aside, if not
entirely forgotten, for some years; and it was not till 1G92,
when residing at Dalclathick, in Glenartney, Perthshire, that
he carefully revised and enlarged the work, and wrote out that
co])y which Sir Robert Sibbald, along with other papers,
deposited in the library of the Faculty of Advocates. It re-
mained in manuscript till the year 1823, when 'it was pub-
lished under the title of A Large Description of Gallowaij,
by Andrew Si/mson, minister of Kirkinner, 1684, with an
Appendix, containing original papers [referring to Galloway]
fro7n the Sibbald and Macfarlane MSS.

The work is one of the most judicious, minute, and interest-
ing of the kind to which it belonifs. Its statistics and miscel-
laneous information are important ; but the account which it
contains of the manners and customs that prevailed in Galloway
towards the end of the seventeenth century, is invaluable,
and as no such information is elsewhere to be found, its interest
will every year increase. We know of no other county in
Scotland that can boast of such a description as that which
Symson has given of Galloway.

Where he settled, or how he was employed on his leaving
Kirkinner, cannot now be ascertained. In 1692, six years
after he had withdrawn from Galloway, and the year in which
he revised and enlarged his Description of Galloway, we find
him living in a remote part of the country, and stating that he
had " time and leisure enough." He soon after this period be-
came a printer in Edinburgh ; though it is probable that print-
ing was not the first trade to which he turned his attention on
settling in that city. In an advertisement prefixed to an edi-
tion of n'Renzie's Observations on the Statutes, printed by
him in 1698, he terms himself a merchant-burgess of Edin-
burgh. " In 1700,'''' says Watson, in the preface to his His-
torj/ of Printing, " Mr. Matthew Symson, a student of divi-
nity, set up a small house ; but he, designing to prosecute his
studies, left the house to his father, Mr. Andrew, one of the
suffering clergy, who kept up the house till about a year ago

122 THE LITERARY HISTORY

that lu> died."' The subject of this memoir, however, had been
estabUshed as a printer before the date referred to by Watson.
He dietl in 1712. His library, which was extensive, was sold
by public auction after his death. The catalogue was printed
under the title of Bibliutheca Symsoniana ; a catalogue of the
vast collection of books ?'« the library of the late reverend and
learned Mr. Andrew Symson*

Symson was a married man, but of his wife, even of her
name, nothing is known. He had a son, Matthew, as above-
mentioned, who seems to have commenced life as a printer, but
who was afterwards employed by James, Earl of Galloway, as
tutor to his two brothers.-|- Of his other children, if he had
any, no traces can be found.

He was the author of other works beside the Description of
Gallotvay. In 1705, be published a poem, entitled Tripatri-
archicon ; or the Lives of the three Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob, extracted forth of the sacred story, and digested
into English verse. He also published Elegies ; but of this
latter production, only one copy is known to be extant in
Scotland. The Elegies are thirteen in number, and eleven of
them were in honour of persons connected with the county in
which he so long resided. His poems, if they deserve that
name, are not entitled to praise as compositions of merit ; but
they shew their author to have been a man of great simplicity
and benevolence of character. The following extract from a
meditation on death, occasioned by the funeral of the virtuous
Ladij Agnes M'-Culloch, relict of umrjuhile William Maxwell
of Mvrreith, who died in 1C84, may serve as a specimen of his
versification.

• This catalogue was printed in 1712, and extended to 34 quarto pages.

•f The connexion between Mr. Andrew Symson and the noble house of
Clalloway, was most intimate. He had been tlie con-disciple of Karl Alex-
ander, father to Karl Jami's, mentioned in the text; a circumstance 'that
perhaps occasioned his coming to (lalloway, and his settlement in Kirkinner.
lie dedicated his Tripalriarrldcon to the latter nobleman : and he availed him-
self of this occasion to give a rninulc and curious genealogical account of his
lordship's family.

OF GALLOWAY.

It was the vcrtuous lady here tliat lyes
Abstracted, in this coffin, from our eyes,
That gave my low-borne, home-bred muse th' occasion
T' endite, and pen to write this meditation ;
And therefore 't will not he amiss that I
Should, though in short, ere I conclude, apply.

Her age was great, because she lived to see
Her children's children to the third degree;
Yet. notwithstanding, I am hold to say,
'Twas at the most but a short winter day.
And to jiroceed, although she was not vext
With quintessence of sorrow, nor perplext
With flood and seas of grief, yet still I'll say,
Her lifetime was a cloudy winter day.

She was a lady of great moderation,
A virtue slighted by this generation.

The dowrie left her by her loving spouse
She managed well ; she did not rant, carouse,
Or spend as many wanton widows doe ;
(And if 'twere fitting I could name them too,)
Nor did she as a niggard hoord the same,
(A fault for which some widows are to blame,)
But she improv'd it well, and did provide
For her descendants, and the poor beside.
Her house was as an alms-house, she being ready
To reach her hand forth to the poor and needy ;
Yea more, I think, I need not doubt to call
Barmeul, while she dwelt there, an hospital.

123

124 THE LITERARY HISTORY

CHAPTER XI.

LIFE OF JAMES DALRYMPLE, VISCOUNT STAIR.

The family from which the subject of this memoir was de-
scended, is of great antiquity. The exact period of its origin
cannot be ascertained : but mention of it is made in a charter
of Robert II., in the year ISJl- The name anciently as-
sumed two forms, Dalrympill and Dalrimpill ; and from a
practice prevalent in the early ages, it is evidently local, and
took its origin from the lands of Dalrymple, in the county of
Ayr, which, at a remoter period than can now be traced, be-
longed to this family. At the time mentioned above, this
barony was possessed in nearly equal parts by two persons of
the name of Dalrymple, sprung, it is supposed, from a com-
mon progenitor, and who voluntarily sold or resigned their re-
s])ectivc lands to John Kennedy of Dunure. But though they
alienated their property, they retained the name which it had
conferred on them. The Dalrymples, now separated into
branches, settled in different parts of the kingdom. That
branch, which has for centuries been regarded as the chief of
the name, and from which the celebrated person whose life
w^e profess to trace, was descended, became possessed of the
lands of Stair in Ayrshire, in consequence of the marriage of
William Dalrjniple in 1451, to Agnes Kennedy, heiress of
that estate.*

The Dalrymples of Stair have, from the earliest periods,
been characterised as the friends and promoters of civil and re-

• Crawfurd's Peerage. Chalmers' Caledonia, 529.

OF GALLOWAY. 125

ligious liberty. They were amongst the first in this country
that adopted the reformed faith ; and they have ever been ready
to make any sacrifice, or undergo any labour, in behalf of the
truth, and of sound and liberal principle.

James Dalrymple, afterwards President of the College of
Justice in Scotland, and Viscount Stair, was the ninth of the
family in lineal succession who had possessed the barony of
Stair. He was born at Drummurchic, in the parish of Barr,
Ayrshire, in the month of May 1619. His father, of the same
name, died in 1()24, when the subject of this memoir was only
five years old ; but his mother, (Janet, daughter of Kennedy
of Knockdaw,) survived till 1663, and enjoyed the happiness of
seeing her son elevated to places of trust and dignity. He received
his elementary education at the school of Mauchline in his
native county ; and in 1633, when fourteen years of age, he
was removed to the college of Glasgow ; where he is said to
have made such progress in his various classes, that he attract-
ed the attention or acquired the friendship of the professors
under whom he studied. He took the degree of A. M. in
1637 ; at which date he seems to have left the university. He
had not the advantage of foreign travel ; a mode of knowing
the world common at that time to young gentlemen of Dal-
rymple's rank and circvimstances. Instead of going abroad,
he appears to have entered the army immediately on leaving
college ; and during the short period of his military life, he
was stationed chiefly in Edinburgh, where he enjoyed every
facility for adding to his knowledge of mankind, and for be-
coming master of those momentous questions, both as to church
and state, by which the country was then agitated. Like the
family from which he sprung, he embraced the views of the
presbyterians, and disapproved of those arbitrary proceedings
by which Charles I. endeavoured to annihilate that party, and
to promote his own illiberal measures. Whether he was on
active service during the civil war which began in 1639, I have
not discovered. He rose to the rank of captain, and had the
command of a company of foot in the Earl of Glencairu\s regi-
ment. But he did not foll*Jw the military profession so long

126

THE LITERARY HISTORY

as to reap any of its higher honours. Possessing a natural
turn lor science and literature, and having at college obtained
great eminence in these liberal pursuits, his predilection for
letters soon taught him that the army was not a congenial
field for the proper cultivation of his genius and taste. A va-
cancy having occurred in the university of Glasgow, and a pro-
gramme having been issued inviting persons to apply for the
vacant office, J)alrymple, happening at that time to be in Glas-
gow, was induced, chieHy through the solicitations of the pro-
fessors, to whom he was known, to offer himself as a candidate.
The offices in our Scottish universities were, at that period,
invariably filled by comparative trial ; and Dairy mple having,
on this occasion, along with other competitors, gone through
this ordeal, was elected professor of philosophy. When he
appeared before the examinators, he was clad in " buff and
scarlet,"" his military dress. For some time after his appoint-
ment, he retained his commission in the army ; a singular
union of offices.*

This situation, to which he was appointed in IG'll, when
only twenty-two years of age, afforded him a wider field for the
exercise of his talents than he had yet enjoyed. He resum-
ed the studies which his military life had interrupted. In ad-
dition to the branches connected with his own academical de-
partment, he devoted his leisure hours to classical literature,
antiquities and history. He also assiduously turned his atten-
tion to the study of the civil law, which, at that time, was not
taught in any college in Scotland. A knowledge of it could
be ac([uired only by private study, or by resorting to foreign
universities. It is still, as it was then, regarded as the most
essential part of the education of a Scottish lawyer, forming,
as it does, the basis of the municipal law in all matters not

" Forbes's Journal of the SemAon. Edin. fol. 1714. Tliis respectable
author, wlio u'as proletsor of law in the university of lulinburgh, prefixed
V) liis work a j)reface containing Lives of the inoht celebrated Scottish lawyers
before his time: among tliese IJairympIc holds a prominent place ; and the
sketch of him there f^iven, thoiiffh very briif, is the only one that has hith-
erto npp<'ured.

OF GALLOWAY. 127

depending on feudal principles. Dalrymple, as he had not
enjoyed the benefit of foreign travel, was denied also the pri-
vilege of studying at any foreign seminary ; and the distinction,
to which he afterwards attained in civil law, must be ascribed
solely to his own application and merit, not to any adventitious
advantages.

1'he class, characterised by the vague name of philosophy,
which it was his duty to teach, embraced dialectics, ethics and
j)olitics, with arithmetic and geometry : a proof that division
of labour was unknown in the seminary to which we refer. It
is allowed on all hands that Dalrymple was an equally learned
and successful teacher. His students held him in high re-
spect ; and he could number among his pupils young men, with
whom he then formed a friendship which continued through
life, and who themselves afterwards attained to distinction.
But his connexion with the college did not long continue ; for
he resigned his chair at the end of the session 1647, after hav-
ing filled it with honour for six years. In the month of April
preceding, he intimated to the patrons his intention of retiring,
and suggested to them the propriety of their selecting a proper
person to succeed him.*

He had had his views directed, before this period, to the law
as a profession more suited to his taste, and that held out
nobler prospects of his rising to eminence. During the time
he had been connected with the college of Glasgow, as a pro-
fessor, he had been engaged soliciting grants for the increase of
the revenue of that seminary, and in other important matters ;
and, while his birth and talents pointed him out as the fittest
person to be put forward on these occasions, such employment,
bringing him into contact with the great men at the head of
public business, whether in the government or in the law, re-
dounded much to his future advantage, and had no small share
in determining him in favour of that profession, of which he
afterwards became the ornament. His studies, during the time

* MS. communication, obtained from the records of Glasgow Univer-si-
ty, with which I was favoured by my friend tlie Rev. Duncan Clerk, now
miuister of Torosav.

128 THE LITERARY HISTORY

he continued a protessor in Glasgow, had been made to corres-
pond with these views ; and having left that city in 1647, ^^
entered advocate at the Scottish bar on the 7th of February of
the following year.*

Before this period, indeed so early as the year 1643, he had
married Margaret, eldest daughter and co-heiress of Major
James Koss of l>alnicl in the county of Wigton ; a lady by
whom he got a large estate. This union subsisted for forty-
nine years, with great happiness to both parties. His only
sister-in-law. Christian Ross, became the wife of Sir Thomas
Dunbar of Mochrum, in the same county.-f*

Dahymple, in his new profession, soon attracted attention,
and obtained distinction in consequence both of his abilities and
application. (Jn the death of Charles 1. in 1649, and again
in the following year, commissioners were despatched from the
church and parliament of Scotland to his son, then in Holland,
to treat with him respecting his accession to the throne of his
forefathers. To these commissioners Dahymple had the honour
of being appointed secretary. The conditions wished to be
imposed on the prince were very rigid and uncompromising ;
and the only mention made of the person who forms the sub-
ject of this memoir is, that contrary to the wish of his clerical
associates, he was anxious " to close the treaty with the king,
and to favour the views of the lay commissioners." j Charles at
length accepted the conditions offered him ; but it was not long
till he broke his most solemn vow ; antl he afterwards visited
with persecution those by whom the principles to which he now
attached his name were professed and inculcated. Whether
the characteristic moderation of Dalrymple on this occasion was
judicious, it is difficult to say ; but he gained the royal favour
by it. " He gave," says Forbes, " great proof of his abilities,
sincerity and moderation ; for which the king did ever after
esteem him." He took advantage of being in Holland to visit
the universities, and to pay his respects to the great men of

■ F.irbcs's Jotf/-//«/. -j- Ikni^ha'a Baronayc, 117.

\ MS- Life fifjii/m Livingstone, 71.

OP GALLOWAY. 120

tliat country. It was the first time he liacl been on the con-
tinent ; and he seems to have availed himself, as much as pos-
sible, of" the limited period, during which the duties of his pro-
fession allowed him to be absent.

On his return he found that he had been nominated one of a
committee to revise the old books of laws, the acts of parliament,
and the practice of the several judicatories ; an appointment
which shewed the estimation in which, as a lawyer, he was
already held.

Cromwell, in the year 1654, having abolished the Court of
Session, as it had been originally constituted, and having sent
down English Judges, to whom he added some members of the
Scottish bar, denominated them " Commissioners for Adminis-
tration of Justice." The number of these commissioners never
at any time exceeded seven ; and they were at one period so
low as four. Before this time the court consisted of two divi-
sions, the outer and the inner house ; of which a quorum in
the latter was four. It is evident, therefore, that when the
number of commissioners was reduced to this number, the
outer house was at least virtually abolished. Under such cir-
cumstances, the faculty of advocates, in 1656, sent a deputation
of four of their body, of whom Dalrymple was one, to petition
the commissioners to restore and maintain the outer house.
The application was listened to, and the two divisions of the
court were preserved.

On the death of Sir James Lermonth of Balcomie in 1657,
one of the commissioners, their number was reduced to four,
the minimum of the inner house. A successor reauired in-
stantly to be appointed. Dalrymple, though he had not been
ten years at the bar, had arrived at the summit of his profes-
sion ; and his name for talents, legal knowledge and integrity,
was not surj)assed, if equalled, by any of his contemporaries.
The protector^; council in Scotland had, therefore, little dif-
ficulty in filling up the important charge now vacant. Three
days, indeed, before Balcomie's death, General Monck, as the
orean of the council, had recommended him to Cromwell, in
anticipation of that event, as a proper person to be elevated

130 THE LITERARY HISTORY

to the bench.* " I make bold," says he, " to mention
to your highnessc, one ISIr. James Dalrymple, as a person
fit to be a judge, being a veiy honest man, a good lawier, and
one of a considerable estate ; there is scarce any Scotchman or
Englishman, who hath bin much in Scotland, but know him,
of whome your highnesse may enquire further concerning
him.'-f

Aftcr tlie vacancy had taken place, (June 2Gth), Monck,
after alluding to the necessity of maintaining the outer house,
which could not be done unless by the immediate nomination
of another judge, writes as follows : " beleeveing it," says
he, " to bee your highnesse's intention, that they should supply
such a present exigency in a time so pressing, they bethought,
and have pitched upon a person of eminent abilities, namely,
Mr. James Dalrymple, an advocat ; of whose qualifications and
good affections they have ample satisfaction, to be one of the
said commissioners for administration of justice, at the same
salary which the Lord Bclchomy had, being three hundred
pounds per annum., according to the establishment for the
Scotche judges ; of which choice they humbly crave leave to
desire your highnesse's approbation." \

This elevation was not only unsought, but unexpected, on
the part of Daliymple. Nor was it accepted without consider-
able hesitation. By continuing his practice at the bar, his
income would have been much greater than the allowance made
him as a judge. He had, besides, an aversion to take office
under an usuq)er. Some time before, when the Tender was
imposed, abjuring the royal family of the Stuarts, he had
refused taking it, and withdrawn, in consequence, from

• Lord Brodie, who had been on tlie bench previously to the cliange
which, as already stated, liad been made in the constitution of the court,
had, a few day.s before declined, in consequence of sickness and infirmity, to
resume his judicial functions. In six months afterwards, Jiowever, he
allowed himself to be reponed. Thurloe's State Papers, vi. 346. IJailes'
CataUxjue.

f Tlmrloe, vi. 3G7. This letter is dated Edinburgh, 23d June 1657.

\ lb. ib. 372.

OF GALLOWAY. 131

the bar, as did many other lawyers. Nor did he return
till that obligation was dispensed with, or the refusal of
takiuir it connived at. Had he been left to himself, he would
probably have declined the preferment altogether ; but on its
being shewn him, by the most judicious men of the day, that
the people of Scotland were most anxious that the vacant office
should be filled by a native Scotsman, and by one distinguished
for integrity and knoMl?dge of the law, — and, moreover, a differ-
ence being insisted on between holding any civil appointment
under an usuq^er in councils of state, and the dispensation of
justice to his fellows-subjects, and the oath of allegiance being
dispensed with,* he accepted the office so handsomely offered
him ; to which he was admitted, under the title of Lord Stair,
on the 1st of July 16571*

But thouffh he held this commission from the motives and
under the conditions just stated, he would not, though invited
to do so, avail himself of a seat in parliament, or in the coun-
cil of state ; because such appointment he regarded as abetting
usurpation, and as identifying himself with the measures of a
government, the legality of which he could not recognise, and
which he afterwards exerted himself to destroy.

The preferment in question was not the only mark of respect
which IMonck showed him. This celebrated man on all occa-
sions reposed confidence in him, and not unfrequently asked
his advice and was guided by it. " The day before General

" An Apology for Sir James Dalrymple of Stair, president of the session,
written by himself This pamphlet, of which a few copies only are known to
exist, extends to four quarto leaves, closely printed. It bears the date of
1690; at which period it was written, as shall afterwards be mentioned, in
refutation of various slanders propagated against him. It is a curious docu-
ment, throws great light on his cliaracter, and contains much valuable
information.

+ Sir Matthew Hale, whose character in many respects resembles that of
Dalrymple, was induced to accept of the situation of a judge under Crom.
well, from similar principles. " Having considered well of it," says Bishop
Burnet, " he came to be of opinion, ' that it being absolutely necessary to
have justice and property kept up at all times, it was no sin to take a com-
mission from usurpers, if he made no declaration of acknowledging their
authority.'" — Burnet's Life of Hale.

132 THE LITERARY HISTORY

INIonck wont into Enolaiul to settle the distractions which
the sectaries had bred there, he called Judge Dalrymple to
a private conference, desiring his opinion freely what was best
to be done for settling the three nations ; to which he readily
answered, tiiat the wisest and fairest way was to procure a
meeting of a full and free parliament ; and recommended ear-
nestly to the General to interpose at London effectually for
setting the course of justice a-going, which was then stopt by
reason of the disorder and unsettledness of the times : which
counsel the General followed."* Lord Stair at the same time
used his influence at home to unite all parties in the royal
cause, and to effect the restoration of Charles ; and when that
auspicious event took place, he lost no time in repairing to
London to congratulate his majesty on his return ; on which
occasion the honour of knighthood was conferred on him. The
king having, in 1661, restored the Court of Session to the
state in which it had stood previously to the commonwealth.
Stair was nominated one of the judges. Nor was this all.
Lord ^liddlcton, the royal commissioner for Scotland, on being
applied to by the court to name a vice-president in room of
Lord Craigmiller, the president, who had been called to Lon-
don by the king, appointed the subject of this memoir to fill
his place ; and Stair was ever afterwards, in absence of Craig-
miller, selected by the judges to preside in his room. This
distinction necessarily pointed him out as a proper person to
be raised to the president''s chair so soon as a vacancy should
occur. This event at last took place owing to the death of
Craigmiller ; and Stair accordingly, (17th January 1671,) had
the honour of being nominated his succe.ssor.-|*

But there are some circumstances of his life, which hap-
pened ])reviously to this time, that must not be passed
over in silence. In the first ])arliament of Charles II.
a Declaration was framed characterising the taking up arms,
against the king, under any pretence whatever, as sedition,
and the National Covenant, as swoni to in 1638, and the

• I'oibcs's Journal. \ lb.

DP GALLOWAY. 133

Solemn League and Covenant, as unlawful obligations ; which
declaration every man was obliged to make, in order to
be continued in any place of trust, or admitted to it. This
obligation was tendered to his colleagues for subscription in
160*3, at a time when he was absent from town, in consequence
of the death of his mother. And of these distinguished per-
sons, with the honourable exception of Sir James Dundas of
Arniston, none scrupled to sign the obnoxious paper; a document
which went to establish non-resistance and passive obedience,
and which conferred irresponsible power on the king. Such a
measure could not bvit excite great alarm and uneasiness in the
breast of Stair, who was distinguished not more for his loyalty
than his love of liberty. To a man, indeed, possessed of any
thing like liberal sentiments, there was in this case no room
for hesitation. And Stair seems accordingly to have at once
decided not to recognise such unconstitutional enactments,
and to remain true to the solemn and deliberate obligations
under which both himself and all his countrymen had come.
He forfeited office, and incurred the risk of losing the royal
favour, by immediately sending his resignation to the king ;
and when his colleagues, not aware of this fact, intimated to
him by letter that he required to sign the declaration within
a certain time, else his situation would be regarded as vacant,
and no written explanation or apology accepted, he announced
to them that, before the date of their communication, he had
ceased to be one of their number. On receiving this answer,
the judges declared his place vacant. He, meanwhile, re-
mained at his country-seat in Wigtonshire for a year, un-
molested by the government, but, as he himself declares, w ith-
out the least desire or hope of restoration to his official duties.
He was at length, however, solicited by the king to wait on
him in London ; with which invitation he thought it his duty
to comply. His majesty, on seeing him, informed him that
he was unwilling to accept his resignation ; that his place had
not been filled up ; and that he was desirous he should resume
his station in the court. Such conduct was honourable to the
character of both parties. But Stair declined complying with

134 THE LITERARY HISTORY

the royal wishes, and stated that nothing could induce him to
recotrnisc so offensive a document as the one he had been com-
manded to sign. The king, with greater liberality than he
generally displayed, having requested to know on what terms
he would consent to sign the declaration, Stair replied that
he was willing to declare in general terras against whatever
was opposite to his majesty ""s just rights and prerogatives, pro-
vided, (with the view of pro%-iding against contingencies in
these slippery times,) that such terms Mere granted to him by
the kinjT in writinji. These conditions received the sanction
of Charles ; who, as a farther mark of his favour, conferred on
liim the title of baronet ; and Stair having been favoured with
a letter from the king addressed to the judges of the Court of
Session, resumed his place in that court on the 21st of April
16C4.*

The stand which this eminent individual made on this occa-
sion shows the most enlightened views and a conscientious regard
for truth and right principle. Happy had it been had his
colleagues and the statesmen of his day entertained the same
sentiments as to civil government, by which he was charac-
terised. " Since I was capable of considering the subject,"
says he, " I have been ever persuaded that it was both against
the interest and duty of kings to use arbitrary government ;
that both kings and subjects had their titles and rights by
law ; and that an equal balance of prerogative and liberty
was necessary for the happiness of a common wealth. '"'■j- Such
liberal sentiments, though then not duly appreciated, and
though the public avowal of them was not unattended with
danger, he had the satisfaction of seeing completely triumphant
before his death.

In IG7O5 commissioners were appointed by the parliament
from Scotland to meet with commissioners from Enyland, to
treat of the union of the two kingdoms. Of the Scottish com-
missioners, (twenty-five in number), Lord Stair was one ;
and though the attempt was unsuccessful, we are told that

" Forhcs's Juiirnal , and Stair's A/iolor/ij. f Ajiolof/i/-

OP GALLOWAY. 135

*' IMy Lord Rothes, Sir John Nisbct, the king''s advocate, and
Sir James Dalrymplc, did behave themselves well in that
affair."*

When Lord Stair had been invested with his new dignity
as president of the supreme court in I67I, as previously men-
tioned, he availed himself of the influence, with which this
high office invested him, to effect many important improve-
ments in the constitution and regulations of that judicatory.
Even before this time, he had been the author of reform in
the procedure of that court. " He began," says Mr. Forbes,
" the calling of causes by the order of roll in his course as
ordinary, before the act was made ; whose example in firmly
adhering to that rule brought to perfection a thing which,
(though designed at the institution of the college of justice,
and ordered by many acts, by the king's approbation), took no
effect till then.''*f- The improvements alluded to seem to have
been of the most judicious kind ; but it is not necessary at
present either to specify or consider them. Nor indeed does
the present writer deem himself fitted for such a task. It need
merely be mentioned that, with singleness of heart, he devoted
his time and his talents to the most conscientious discharge of
his official duties, and to the promotion of the purity and
efficiency of the court over which he presided. He attend-
ed in his place so regularly that, during the whole time
he held the office of a judge, he was scarcely a single day ab-
sent, and for ten successive years, he states that he never had
been once absent. He spent his vacant hours in hard study,
and in recording the decisions and procedure of the court,
" I did carefully and faithfully observe the debates and deci-
sions of the Lords of Session during all the time I was in it,
in all important cases which were not come to be uncontroverted
as a beaten path, or were obvious to common capacities, and
I did seldom eat or drink, and scarce ever slept before I perused
the information that passed every sederunt day, and set down the
decisions of the Lords while they were fresh in my memory."":J:

» Law's MtmoriaUs, 31. t Journal, 3k

:j: Apologij.

136 I'HE LITERARY HISTORY

There is one circumstance connected with this part of his
life, mention of which, as it has been made the subject ot
much discussion, must not be omitted. I allude to the alleged
share which he had in the misunderstanduig which took place,
in 1C74«, between the privy council and the bar, and the con-
sequent banishment from the city of about fifty of the advo-
cates.

At this time, the right of appeal from the decisions of the
Court of Session to Parliament was not recognised, though one
or two attempts had been made by litigants and their council to
act as if such a right existed. But this right, which undoubt-
edly forms a iiiost salutary check on the court, was not esta-
blished by law till the Revolution. In the year 1G74, an ap-
peal was lodged to Parliament against the line of procedure in
an important case ; and till such procedure was rescinded, the
defender's council regarded themselves as " not obliged to an-
swer.'' *■ This attempt, the real nature of which will be found

• It was a case in which the Earl of Dunfermline \\as pursuer, and the
Earl of Callendcr dofcnder. " Several delays had already been obtained that
Callender mif,Hit be present, and tlic last diet at whieh the advociites under-
took to answer being come, the defender wished farther delay on the ground
that it is statuted that where the Lords, for the intricacy or importance of causes,
reported from the outer house, ordain them to he heard in praescniiu, that the
same shovld he enrolled in the inner house, urcordinij to the date (f that interlocu-
tor., and discussed accordimjbj ,- /;'// irhich he done, they are not obliyed to an-
swer.

" It was answered, that diets being given and taken to answer the points
proposed, they could not now return to this dilator, which might have
been proposed the first day, and required not Callender's presence to in-
form ; and that this cause not being enrolled, the Lords, according to their
ordinary custom, might ajjjioint any point therein to be farther cleared, as
the Lords Jiave always been accustomed to do, and which quadrates with
the intent of the act for preventing uncertain attendance ; for the jiarties
being obliged to attend the debate in the outer house, ought not then to
refuse to answer immediately in the inner house, but after the cause is
enrolled in the inner house, they are in tuto to go home, and not obliged to
answer till their time.

" The Lords repelled the defender's allegiance, and declared that if they
would not debate in their presence, they v/ould advise the dispute reported
from the outer house, and allow to either jiarty time to give their informa-

OF GALLo\rAy. 137

in the note below, was regarded as insolent on the part of those
by whom it was made, and the advocates concerned in it in-
curred the severe displeasure of the judges. The Court of Ses-
sion being the ultimate tribunal in any case brought before it,
such an attempt as the one in question was illegal ; and, if
allowed, calculated to impair the respectability of the judicato-
ly from which the appeal was made, and to shake the public
confidence in its decisions. The state of the law may have
been bad ; but for this the judges were not responsible. Their
duty was to assert their privileges according to the law as it then
existed ; and, under these circumstances, as the counsel refused
to plead, or enter on the merits of the case, unless a reversal of
the procedure complained of was granted, the judges had no
alternative ; the authority and statvites of their court was at
stake ; and it was thought proper to expel Sir George Lock-
hart and Sir John Cunningham, the refractory counsel, from
the bar. The judges submitted the whole matter to govern-
inent ; and the privy council stept forward to maintain the dig-
nity of the tribunal that had been insulted, and banished Cun-
ningham and Lockhart, with about fifty of the bar who had
espoused their quarrel, twelve miles from the capital. They
continued a year in exile ; at the end of ^vhich period, they
were allowed to return and resume their official privileges,
*' many of them having satisfied the offended Lords with ac-
knowledgment of their error and serious repentance ; while all of
them, after they had tasted the bitterness of loss of gain for a
session or two, concluded the war with accommodation and sub-
mission.""*

Whether this proceeding on the part of the privy council
was politic or not, this is not the place to decide. But as Lord
Stair has been unjustly blamed as the author and instigator of

tion, and thereby to enlarge the debate as far as they pleased." — Stair's De-
cisions, Feb. 5, 1674.

An appeal being entered, the Lords characterised it as illegal, and " re-
presented to the king the whole matter, that sucli preparatives might be
prevented in time coming." lb. ib.
* Kirkton's Ilistonj, 3i7, 8.

130 THE LITERARY HISTORY

it, wc have thought it proper to meet the charge. His Lord-
ship uiulouhtodly regarded the conduct of counsel referred to as
arrogant and illegal ; and he concurred with his colleagues in
inHlcting on them that punishment which the case was sup-
posed to merit. But he went no farther. The privy council
alone was responsihle for the suhsequent proceedings. His own
words are decisive on the suhject. " 1 have been quarreled
for being the author of the banishing of the advocates from
Kdinburgh in the year 16'J4f, whereof I was aIlos;cther free;
for it was done in the vacant time w^hen I was in the country,
and the inspection of the sederunts of the council will demon-
strate that in that whole vacance I was not present." Other
allegations equally false respecting the bar were made against
him ; but all such attacks originated in the violence of the
times, and in the envy occasioned by Stair^s subsequent great
power and preferment.*

Lord Stair, as is evident from the foregoing extract, was a
member of the privy council : but a judge, particularly the
president of the supreme court, is understood to be above all
party-politics, and to discharge his important functions for the
good of his fellow-citizens, vminfluenced by the character and
proceedings of the government under whose authority he ad-
ministers justice. The illustrious individual, of whom we are
speaking, seems to have regulated his conduct on this salutary
principle. He was seldom present at any meeting of council
during the vacation of the covirt, which sat, (as it still does,) only
six months annually ; and even during the other half of the
year, he appears not to have attended regularly, especially if
official duties required his presence elsewhere. When he did
attend, however, he always interposed in favour of moderate
and cautious measures ; while he never ceased to oppose every
thing of an illiberal or unjust tendency. He frequently de-
clared in his place at the council board, that though, in other
courts, judges have no option, but must rigidly administer the
law, however severe or inexpedient, yet that the council to whom

* Forbes's Joiirnul, !51. Apolorjy.

OF GALLOWAY. 139

the l<ing had intrusted the policy and government of the na-
tion hiy under no such obligation ; and that pnidencc, moder-
ation, and equity, should characterise all their proceedings. He
remonstrated frequently and openly against those cruel and
arbitrary measures which the government indulged against the
presbyterians. " So far was I," says he, " from being the
author or justifier of the severities used against those of my own
])rofession, of whom many are my witnesses, that I did what
I durst to save them ; and I was always so esteemed, and often
publicly reproached in council for so doing." AVhen, in I678,
it was resolved to bring the Highland host, (amounting to
COOO, whose barbarous proceedings are w^ell known,) into the
western counties, in order to keep down the cause of presbytery
and the covenant, his lordship not only remonstrated with all
freedom and faithfulness against the measure, but entered his
dissent in the council books. He made the same determined
opposition when the Bonds of peace were proposed. These
Bonds contained an obligation on the part of those who sub-
scribed them, under severe pains and penalties, that they would
apprehend and bring to justice every presbyterian minister that
came in their power, who had kept conventicles ; and that they
would prevent their tenants, the servants of their tenants, with
their own families and domestics, from withdrawing from the
episcopal ministers, from attending conventicles, or succouring
field-preachers and persons intercommuned. The subscription
of such an obligation was tantamount to the renouncing of
presbytery ; and yet, though the gentlemen of the west, on
whose account it was framed, magnanimously refused to recog-
nise it, it is a remarkable fact, that of the judges of the
supreme court and of the members of the privy council. Lord
Stair was the only one that had the public spirit, not only
not to subscribe it, but to resist it and to lodge his dissent
against it. I regard this statement as highly honourable to
the character of this distinguished person. Had he not
been a judge, he would, I have no doubt, have made a
noble stand against the arbitrary proceedings of government,
and manfully have espoused the cause of the suffering presby-

1^0 THE LITERARY HISTORY

terians, and united his fortune with theirs. Well might he
exclaim, " God knows I had no pleasure in the affairs then
aijitated in council." *

Nor was it only in resisting bad measures, but in recom-
mending and promoting good ones, that he deserves such ho-
nourable mention. He stood high in the estimation of the
Duke of Lauderdale, of whose intentions, at least, (for long af-
ter his death he spoke of him as having been " most zea-
lous for the honour of his country,"" and as having been " over-
ruled by measures before he came to his greatness,")-!- he seems
to have had a more favourable opinion than impartial judges
now entertain. AV^ith all the rancour and illiberality of his
disposition, he was, in truth, the best minister that Scotland
knew during the two reigns that preceded the Revolution ; and
the only show of kindness and indulgence that the presbyte-
rians of that black period experienced was at his hands. Stair
used his influence with that celebrated minister to obtain se-
veral acts of council coiTcctivc of the abuses that then obtain-
ed. Persons cited on ecclesiastical matters, for example, had
previously had no specialties of time or place stated in their
respective summonses, but only one or two of the days of all
the months for several years were mentioned. Persons accu-
sed were thus put to their oath on the whole libel, " whereby,"
says Stair, " many had been holden as confest, and thereupon
fined, imprisoned, and transported like slaves to foreign planta-
tions."";}: Criminal prosecutions were not conducted at this
time with much impartiality ; but the change effected by
Stair, namely the specific mention of time and place, was one
of the greatest improvements that could have been accomplish-
ed. § Of the character of the criminal court he entertained so

" Apologij. -f- lb. f lb.

§ Lauderdale, it may bo mentioned as a ])ictiirc of tlie times, incurred the
displeasure of the infamous Sliarp, archbishop of St. Andrews, and of the
court, for carrying into effect Stair's excellent suggestion. This prelate
wrote to the bishops in England and to the government, that Lauderdale
had by this step overturned the settlement of the nation, and done more, dur-
ing the first month he bad ijeen in jiower in Scotland, against the royal inte-
rest, than could he retrieved for tJie next seven years. lb.

OF GALLOWAY,

141

unfavourable an opinion, that though solicited, both before and
alter the Restoration, to become a judge init, with a handsome
addition of salary, he absolutely declined the offer ; and when
upwards of seventy years of age, he mentions with a feeling of
self-gratulation, " I did never meddle in any criminal court,
nor was I ever judge, pleader, juror, or witness therein.'"'*

But probably the most important act of his life as a public
man remains yet to be told. " I was ever," says he, " fully
persuaded, since I came to ripeness of age, of the truth of the
Protestant religion, and of the constitution and govermnent of
my mother country, as reformed from popery and prelacy .'"•f*
He had been educated in the presbyterian faith, to which he
ever steadfastly adhered, and the presbyterians, we are in-
formed, placed great confidence in him.:[: From his dig-
nity and situation as a judge, it was not in his power to
take active steps in their favour, though we have found him,
as a privy councillor, interpose with energy in their behalf.
He did not, we think, applaud the conduct of the more rigid
or violent of the presbyterians ; on the contrary, he approved
of the conduct of the moderate party ; and he suggested to the
whole of that suffering body, the propriety of supporting the
Duke of Lauderdale, in order to overcome the prejudices which
the king entertained against them, and thus to ward off the
severities under which they groaned. Burnet terms hiin " a
man of great temper and of a very mild disposition ;" and, ac-
cordingly, from his want of energy in their cause, and from his
intimacy with the Duke of Lauderdale, he lost at length the
confidence of the presbyterians. But his own principles re-
mained unaffected and unchanged, though " prudence," says
he, " allowed me not at all times to make noise. "§ When the
duke of York, afterwards James H., came to Scotland, he was
received with great pomp by the privy council and the other
constituted authorities. The judges of the Court of Session,
with the members of the college of justice, waited on his royal

* Apolorji/. f lb-

t Burnet's Own Times, i. 413, Lond. 1818. § Apohijy.

142 THE LITERARY lirSTORV

highness at Holyrootl, on which occasion the president, in nams
ot" the court of which he was the head, addressed him in a
congratuhitory speech. The duke being susjx'cted of" a leaning
to popery, and a bill of exclusion having been discussed in the
English parliament. Stair, taking advantage of these circum-
stances, said, among other things, that " the nation being en-
tirely protestant, it is the fittest place your royal highness could
have made your recess to at this time." Not content with
these words, which gave offence to many, Stair afterwards used
his influence privately with him to induce him to take no
steps which might weaken the establishment of the protestant
relimon.*

The attachment to the reformed religion, or rather to the
presbyterian faith, which Lord Stair here displayed, circum-
stances soon enabled him to manifest in a more public and ef-
ficient manner. He was a member of the parliament that met
in 1681, as one of the representatives for Wigtonshire.
Among other important acts of that assembly, one was propo-
sed fixinfi the indefeasible rii^ht of succession to the throne,
without any regard to religious belief; a test pretended to be
for the better security of the protestant faith, but to which were
subjoined a r&cognition of royal supremacy, a disavowal of the
solemn league and covenant, and an obligation to attempt no
changes in civil or ecclesiastical matters without the permis-
sion of the king. To this obnoxious test Stair, who had pre-
viously resisted other similar obligations, could not give his
acquiescence. But as the tide at this time ran so high in fa-
vour of royalty, the difficulty was in what manner to resist it.
As the term protestant religion, which occurred in the act, was
vague, and might be interpreted differently by different indi-
viduals. Stair, with the design of rendering the statute abor-
tive, artfully moved that the Confession of Faith framed by
Knox and the early reformers, should be considered as the
standard. This confession teaches resistance to tyrants as a duty,
and fixes limitations to the supreme power, and altogether in-
culcates principles at variance with the other provisions of the

* Forbes's Journal.

OF GALLOWAY. 143

act to which it was joined. The Confession in question,
though Stair was intimately acquainted with it, was unknown
to ahnost every other member ; even the prelates, says Bur-
net, had never read it ; and when the test, with the important
modification in question, passed into a law, which was done very
hurriedly, it was ascertained not only to be unreasonably long
for an oath, but one part of it to be contradictory of the other.*
On this account, indeed, Stair expected it would fall to the
ground, and be a dead letter. But arbitrary power was too
triumphant to allow such benevolent expectations to be realized.
For while many persons most attached to the crown scrupled
to take the test as it then stood, and the more patriotic and
independent declined it altogether, the privy council published
what they regarded as a solution or explanation of some diffi-
culties attending it, which seems to have quieted their con-
science, and to have satisfied their submissive adherents. And
in this way, says Wodrow, " it became for many years a
handle tor persecuting even to the death great numbers, and
some of them of very considerable rank, and oppressing mul-
titudes of noblemen, gentlemen, and others, who would not
comply with it.""-|- Stair himself, as he had failed in his en-
lightened object, 'vvould not, of course, subscribe it. " Though,""
to use his own words, " I was well pleased with the first part
of it," namely, that which his own amendment included,
" which was the safest hedge against papists that ever I saw,
yet I could not sign the latter part of it.''';^

The consequences of this conduct on the part of Stair may
easily be conjectured. The test, which passed into a law on
the last day of August 1681, required to be signed by all in
places of trust and importance before the subsequent month of
Januaiy. But before the arrival of that period, he travelled to
London, with the view of waiting on the kino; and resiccnincf his
office as president of the Session. On his arrival, however, he

• The duke of York, wlien Stair's amendment was carried, declared that
he had ruined all honest men by it, meaning, of course, papists in particular.
—Apology.

I Wodrow's Church Hist. iii. 295. * Apoloffij.

l-i4 THE MTERARY HISTORY

was not only refused admittance to the royal presence, but in-
formed that a new commission for the Session had been issued,
in which his name did not appear.* Never was thei-e a more
flagrant instance of the prostitution of royal authority than
this. " I neither did resign," says Stair, <' nor was excluded
by the act of the test, seeing the day was not yet come, hut hy
mere arbHrary power."" " This dismissal," to use the words
of J>ord Pitmedden, " makes the places of judges, Avhich by the
act of James VI. were ad vitam out culpam, become arbitrary ."-f*

The dismissal of Stair could not give him much uneasi-
ness. He had, when a young man, and when office was of
greater importance to him, resigned his rank and situation as a
judge, rather than sacrifice or compromise his principles. The
consolation of having done his duty, both as a judge and a
senator, was sufficient to compensate him for even a greater
insult than that offered him. He was, besides, now ad-
vanced in years ; he had been in public employment nearly
forty years ; above one half of which time he had had a seat on
the bench ; and it is evident that about this period he had
meant to retire ; an intention which he had communicated
to some of his private friends. Though he had been very
happy in the mutual affi^ction of his colleagues, both while he
was at the bar, and since he had been elevated to the bench,
yet, " I wish," he declares, " to have some remnant of my
life, of which I might be master, without diversion."^

Before his connexion with the court of Session was dis-
solved, he had begun to print his celebrated book, entitled.
The Institutions of the Law of Scotland^ deduced from its
originals, and collated with the civil and feudal laws, and with
the customs of neiirhhouring nations. It is inscribed to the
king, but the dedication had passed through the press ere he
had lost the royal favour. I'he following extract from it is
not uninteresting : — " It is but little short of forty years since

" Three other judges were displaced at the same time, namely, Sir Tho-
mas Murray of Olendoick, Sir .John IJaird of Newbyth, and the Earl of
Arjfyle, thu latter an cTlraordinnrij Lord of Session.

-}■ Aj/olo'jij ; and llailes's Catal- p. 2!}, + Dedication (o Decisions.

OF GALLOWAY.

I have followed the study and practice of law, constantly
and diligently, so that those who will not deny me reason
and capacity, can hardly deny knowledge and experience in
the suhject I write of. My modesty did not permit me to
publish it, lest it should be judicially cited where 1 sat : but
now, becoming old, I have been prevailed with to print it,
while I might oversee the press. It was not vanity and am-
!)ition that set me on work ; but being so long a servant to
God and your majesty in the matter of justice, 1 thought it
my duty not to smother my thoughts of the immaculate
righteousness of God Almighty in his moral law, and of the
fulness and fitness of your majesty's laws, that I might pro-
mote your honour and the good of your subjects.""

This work is one of the most important books on law that
has appeared in any language, and has raised the name of the
author to the highest place in the department to which it be-
longs. His " Institutions," says Professor Forbes, " are so
useful, that few considerable families in Scotland, not to men--
tion professed lawyers, do want them. He hath therein so
cleared up the springs and grounds of our law, that had been
dammed up from ordinary observation by rust and rubbish,
and reduced it into a sound and solid body, (for which he de-
serves to be reckoned a founder and restorer of our law), that
if it were lost, it might be retrieved, and the tenor of it made
up out of his excellent Institutions.""* " It is not without
cause," to use the words of Mr. Brodie, " that the profound
and luminous disquisitions of Lord Stair have commanded
the general admiration of Scottish lawyers. Having brought
to the study of jurisprudence a powerful and highly cultivated
intellect, he was qualified to trace every rule to principle.
Yet such was his sterling practical good sense that he rarely
allowed himself to be carried away by theory, too frequently
the failing of philosophic minds, less endowed with this car-
dinal virtue. * * * His philosophy and learning have

Journal
L

146 THE LITERARY HISTORY

enabled hini to enrich jurisprudence with a work, which, in
eni!)odyin<T the rules of law, clearly devclopcs the ground on
which they are founded."*

Stair now retired to his seat in the parish of Glenluce,
W^igtonshire, under the positive assurance that, though he
had been deprived of his office, he should be allowed to enjoy
quiet and security in the country. Under this impression,
he must have looked forward with much delight to those rural
or literary pursuits, which could not but have yielded him
much enjoyment. He had within himself all the elements of
happiness. His character was high and vmblemished ; his
mind was richly cultivated ; his domestic circumstances were
comfortable ; his fortune was ample. He required nothing
to ensure him an old age equally dignified and happy, but
safety and non-interference. But these blessings, whatever
promises had been made, were not granted him. He was re-
garded with suspicion ; his tenants were imprisoned and forced
to give bond in more than they were worth, on account of
their attending conventicles ; his rents were arrested ; and
fearing to be himself apprehended and impeached, he con-
sulted the Lord Advocate whether he could remain in Scotland
in quiet. Sir George Mackenzie, who then held that office,
readily answered in the negative, and advised him to withdraw
to the continent. Accordingly, in October 1682, about a year
after his retirement, he emigrated to Holland, " the place of
the greatest common .safety. "'"'•f-

But the emigration of Lord Stair did not satisfy the go-
vernment. His independent conduct in parliament, and the
freedom he had used with the J)uke of York on his arrival
in Scotland, were crimes not to be forgiven. But a fresh
charge was now made against him in his absence. He was

• Preface to ."Mr. Urodio's excellent edition of the Institutes, Edin. 1826.
Another impression (1828) ha« since appeared, under the siiperinteudeuce
of .Mr. .John .S. More, another eminent memhcr of the Scots bar.

■f Law's Memorials, 236. Ajwloijy

OF GALLOWAY. 147

accused of high treason on the ground of " harbour and reset
of rebels," inasmuch as persons on his estate had attended con-
venticles, and some of them had been present at Both well bridge.
He was summoned successively to appear before the Court of
Justiciary, the Privy Council, and Parliament, accused of high
treason. " Hundreds of examinations and re-examinations
were taken against me, even of my most intimate domestic
ser^'ants, and my sister-in-law, (Lady Dunbar of Mochrum),
not in the regular way for probation, but by way of inquisi-
tion, to found a process upon any special matter.^^ But this,
he subjoins, was not done, " because nothing was found
against law." Alluding to his character as a judge, which
was also impugned, he observes, " No man was found to wit-
ness the least malversation or baseness, by indirect interest in
any cause, by taking any bribe or reward, by partiality or
insolvency, though nothing would have been more accepta-
ble to the Court, than by one blow against my fortune and
fame, to have ruined me upon malversation in my trust as a
judge."*

But the vengeance, which proved ineffectual against him at
home, pursued him abroad. In our Life of Mr. M'Ward,
we found the English government apply to the States General,
requesting them to remove certain obnoxious indi\'iduals out
of Holland, where they had taken refuge. A similar appli-
cation was made on the present occasion, and frequently re-
peated ; but without success. The Prince of Orange and
the States entertained too enlightened views to lend their sanc-
tion to a proceeding so manifestly tyrannical and unjust.

On his arrival in Holland, he seems to have chosen Leyden

* Apoloqy. " After I was gone," says lie, " my eldest son was fined in L.500
sterling upon Claverhouse's pickish accusation, that as baillie of the regality of
Glenluce, he had fined too low for conventicles, and thereafter he was taken
summarily without citation, and brought to the Tolbooth of Edinburgh, as
if he had been a malefactor, and detained three months, and then let go
upon bond of confinement, without showing the least pretence of a cause,
though he had never meddled in any public matter, but had served in good
reputation and employment as an advocate." Claverhouse and his brother
David Graham were at this time (684), joint sheriffs of AVigtonshire.

ll'S THE LITERARY HISTORY

as his place ot" residence. A person who had tor forty years led
so active a lite as we have found Lord iStair do, could not
spend his old age in inglorious ease. We have already
spoken of his keeping a daily record of the decisions of the
court of Session. He did so regularly for twenty years pre-
vious to 1 ()}}!, when he was removed from his seat in that
judicatory. Before this event took place, he had intimated
to the king his intention of ])ublishing them ; and on sub-
mitting the same resolution to his colleagues, he not only ob-
tained their approbation, but was honoured with their thanks.
Part I. of this judicious and valuable work, entitled, The De-
cisions of the Lords of Council and Session, in the most im-
portant cases debate before them, with the acts of Sederunt,
from June 1661 to Julj/ 16H1, observed bj/ Sir James Dal-
rymple of Stair, Knight and Baronet, was printed at Edin-
burgh, and published in 1684. The dedication to the Lord
Chancellor and the Judges of the Court to which his
book refers, is dated at Leyden, 9th November in that year.
Part IL, inscribed as before to the Judges, was published
at Edinburgh in 1()87- "He judiciously observed the De
cisions of the Session," according to an excellent authority, —
" in which he hath not omitted any case of difficulty or im-
portance deteiTnined when he was on the bench ; without express-
ing his own opinion, when different from that of the plurality
of the Lords, out of modesty and deference to their judgment.*"*
A journal of the decisions of the court had been kept from its
first institution. But Lord Stair was the first that published
such decisions. Those that bear the name of Lord Durie,
though they embrace a period of twenty-one years previous to
1642, remained in manuscript till 1690, when they were given
to the world.

I \ is Institutions and Decisions both belong to the department
of law, but he was the author of a book of a totally different
description, which a])peared at Leyden in 1686: I allude to
his Phi/sio/ogia Nova Kxperimentalis. I'his work, which is de-
dicated to the Royal Society of London, is written, as the

• Forbes's Journal

OK GALLOWAY. 149

title iiullcatcs, in Latin ; and while it throws off many of the
prtgiulices and absurdities then common both in philosophy
and in science, does not possess that degree of originality at
which he aimed, and which he Hattered himself he had attain-
ed. He had devoted his time and talents too exclusively to
the study of law, to rise to eminence, particularly in advanced
years, in such important pursuits as those which the physiolo-
gy embraces.

He seems at this time also to have been engaged in studies
more nearly connected with his public and professional duties
both as a statesman and lawyer. A work, in the composition
of which he was then employed, was meant to .shew that both
king and subject have their titles and rights by law, and that
an equal balance of prerogative and liberty was necessary for
the happiness of a commonwealth.* Such principles are now
universally recognised and acted upon : they are regarded as ele-
mentary and fundamental truths in political science ; and it is
allowed, that, without their operation, no freedom, prosperity, or
happiness, can be enjoyed. But at the time of which we are
speaking, and previously to it, they were not recognised in
theory, and totally overlooked in practice : nor had the divine
right of kings and passive obedience on the part of subjects
been altogether exploded. Light had indeed begun to glim-
mer ; but it had not been generally diffused, nor was darkness
entirely dispelled till the Revolution. " I have fully ex-
pressed," to use his own words, " my judgment on the import-
ant subjects in question in a treatise, which, when published,
I hope will not be unacceptable to so gracious and moderate a
prince, (William IIL) as we now have, nor to the people."-f-
But this work was never published ; a circumstance which, ow-
in(T to the talents and enlightened views of the author, we
have reason to regret.

Stair, though engaged in literary or .scientific studies in a
foreign land, was not insensible to the important concerns of
his native country. He had gained the friendship and confi-

* Apology. -j- lb.

^•50 THE LITERARY HISTORY

dence of the Prince of Orange ; and had an important share
in those representations and negotiations which terminated, in
1()88, in the expedition of that prince to this country, and in
the glorious Kevohition consequent upon it. When Orange
was about to embark for Britain, Stair requested his royal
highness to state explicitly the true design of his going thither.
The prince at once answered, that it was not personal aggran-
dizement, but " the glor\- of God and the security of the Pro-
testant religion, then in imminent danger." The following re-
ply made by the venerable patriot is characteristic of the noble
feelings by which he seems ever to have been animated. Pull-
ing off his wig and exhibiting his bald head, he exclaimed,
" though I be now in the seventieth year of my age, I am
willing to venture that, (pointing to his head,) my own and
my children's fortune, in such an undertaking :" an answer
which gave the prince much delight, and afforded him, as
he declared, great encouragement in his design. Stair ac-
cordingly accompanied the prince in his interesting and suc-
cessful expedition. The latter manifested in every way the
utmost resj>ect for his venerable attendant ; and after he had
been .seated on the throne, he relied on him chiefly for advice
and direction ;'^he appointed'him to his former station of Lord
President of the Court of Session, on 1st November UJH9 ;
and, on 1st May of the following year, he ennobled him by the
title of Lord Viscount Stair.*

Lord Stair had meanwhile come to Scotland ; and by his
prudent management, secured a majority in the convention of
estates in favour of ^V'illiam, and of the establishment of pres-
bytery as the national religion. f Sir John ])alrymple, his
eldest son, with the Duke of Arfrvlc, and Sir James Mont-
gomery, were sent as a deputation to present the crown, and to
administer the oath to the king and queen.

The great influence which Stair now possessed, and the ho-
nours with which he had recently been invested, could not fail
to excite envy, particularly as the Episcopal party and the ad-

• yl/'o%y, and P'orbes's Jowmo/. f Bnriict'' Own Times, iii. 2(j.

OF GALLOWAY. 151

herents of the abdicated king were both numerous and active.
It must be confessed also, as previously stated, that he did
not enjoy the cordial confidence of some of the Presbyterians,
owing to his being supposed to have abetted the infamous ad-
ministration of Lauderdale, and to his son, already mentioned,
having accepted the office of king's advocate from James VII.
Not only were anonymous pamphlets published against him,
in answer to one of which, his admirable Apology, to which
we have so often referred, was produced ; but attempts were
meant to be made in parliament, by the opposition, to over-
turn the late nomination by William, of the Judges in the
Court of Session, with the view of annulling the appointment
of Stair as president. These attempts were not founded on
sound principle or on precedent. The nomination of the
judges was disapproved of, because it had been made by the
king, and not submitted to parliament, as had been the case at
the Restoration. But the circumstances of the two periods were
quite different. An ordinary judge, on his appointment by
the king, required by law to be tried by the court before his
induction. But at the Restoration, an entirely new set of
judges were appointed ; and as no court previously to their
election existed, and as they could not therefore undergo any
trials, the nomination made by the king was submitted to par-
liament. At the Revolution, on the contrary, William con-
tinued or reponed such a number of the former lords as were
sufficient to examine those nominated for the first time ; and
did not, under these circumstances, think it consistent with
precedent or the royal prerogative to consult parliament on the
subject. At the Restoration, in short, the Court of Session,
having previously existed under the authority of a usurper,
was regarded as extinct, and required to be revived. At the
more glorious period which called William of Orange to the
throne of these realms, that judicatory was not supposed to
stop, but only such changes were made in the list of its judges
as to get the bench occupied by men whose sentiments were
congenial to the times.*

• Apology, wliere a very full account of this mattt^r is given.

152 THE LITERARY H ISTOR V

It was also ohjectetl to the nomination ol" Lord Stair, that
it hail hccMi niaik' hy the king, and not hy the Lords of" Session.
Til is charge shows nothing hut the ignorance and hatred of
those who made it. It was the incontrovertihle law of the
land, that " it is an inherent privilege of the crown, and an
undoubted part of the royal prerogative of the kings of this
kingdom, to have the sole choice and appointment of the offi-
cers of state and privy councillors, and the nomination of the
Ijords of Session."* And as a proof that the last clause in-
cludes the president of the court, that judge has uniformly
been appointed by royal authority from the date of the act in
question. -f- It may seem unnecessary to refute such unfounded
attacks, since there is nothing too absurd for en\'y, conjoined
with political and ecclesiastical rancour, to invent.

As this question, which it was intended to bring into par-
liament, was meant by the opposition, and looked upon by
others, as a public affront on the first and most important ac-
tion of the new government, it was resolved not to allow it to
be agitated in that assembly ; and when the Duke of Hamil-
ton, the royal commissioner, perceived the party to be both
active and strong, he thought it his duty to have recourse to a
dissolution. But even this step was not sufficient to put a
stop to the evil. Lord Stair had meanwhile been created a
peer of the realm, — a circumstance which, it was alleged, ought
to have incapacitated him from occupying the honourable sta-
tion to which he had been raised. This objection was equally
frivolous and inconsistent with precedent. JNIany judges, not
only presidents of the court but ordinary Lords of Session,
had, while they held these offices, been elevated to the peer-
age. And besides, as Lord Stair observes, " it is an express
straitening of the king^ power, if he may not nobilitate such
as have been constant and faithful servants to the crown, which
was practised frequently by his majesty "'s predecessors ever
since the institution of the College of Justice.";|: The truth,

" AcU of Scotn Pari. 1661. + Apoloyy.

X The Information of the Viicount of Stair, addressed to tlie Duke of
ll.imilton, the rf>yal rfmniiisNiniicr, ;iiul fi) tin; states of jiailiament. This

OK GALLOWAY. 15'3

in fine, seems to be, as he himself" declares, that the contem-
plated acts on this subject, which were meant to have a retro-
spective operation, and thus to deprive him of his office,
" were framed by a committee wherein several members were
known to owe him a personal pique, and prospect to affront
him."*

But violence seldom abates, even when it is shown, as in
the present case, to be founded in injustice. The new parlia-
ment, which met in 1690, resumed the subject, and seem to
have displayed no diminution of rancour. But the proceeding
was at once and for ever stopt by the prompt and decided in-
terference made by Lord Melvil, the new royal commissioner.
" I desire," says he, in concluding a short address to the
house on the subject, " that no member of this loyal parlia-
ment may offer to call in question what is his majesty^s just
and uncontroverted prerogative, or that may touch his honour,
or reflect on the character of that judicatory of the session.""]*

Lord Stair, being thus settled as president of the session,
continued to discharge the duties of that high office till his
death. From the unsettled nature of the times, and the vio-
lence of the Tory party, animadversions were sometimes made
on the procedure of the court over which he presided. But
nothing was ever substantiated against it ; and the integrity
and fidelity which Stair had displayed at a time when these
virtues were rarer and less valued, unquestionably character-
ised him as a judge till the end of his days. He was now ad-
vanced in years, having reached the age of seventy at the
time when he embarked with the Prince of Orange in his expe-
dition toKngland. And though he had suffered a heavy bereave-
ment in the death of his wife in 1692, he was not exposed to
much domestic distress, but lived to see his family settled in
life, and rising to places of honour and distinction. And,
under these circumstances, he breathed his last, on the 25th of

curious and rare document contains a masterly answer to the malicious ob-
jections made against his appointment as president, and liis continuance in
tliat office.

• lb. f Acts Scot. Pari 1690.

154 THE LITERARY HISTORY

November 1()95, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. He
was buried in the Hicfh Church of" Kdinburirh.

To the works already mentioned as published by him,
we have to add one, entitled, A Vindication of the Divine
Pcrfirlions, illustratini>; the glory of God in them bi/ rea-
son and )-crclatiori, methodicallj/ digested into several medi-
tations, bi/ a Person of Quality, — a volume which, if possible,
does greater honour to his memory than any of his other pro-
ductions. This work displays on the part of its author great
piety, sound theological views, and a spirit long exercised in
holy meditations. It appeared in 1()95, the year of his death,
under the superintendence of Dr. William Bates and Mr.
John Howe, two distinguished dissenting clergymen, to whom
he seems to have presented his manuscript, and who, on
giving it to the world, contributed a preface to it. " We
have here,'"' they say, " an imitablc and instructive exam-
ple to great men, the dignity of whose stations in the world
too commonly seems to plead an exemption from a more sedul-
ous intention and application of mind to the affairs of religion
that have reference to another world. This performance of
the noble author shows it to be a thing not impracticable, as
it is most praise-worthy, amidst the greatest secular employ-
ments, to find vacancy and a disposition of spirit to look with a
very inquisitive eye into the deep things of God : which (if it
were the author's pleasure to be known,) would let it be seen
the statesman and the divine are not inconsistencies to a great
and com])rehensive mind.'""

Of his character little need be said in addition to what has
been already advanced. His natural talents were of a very
superior order, and were assiduously improved both by study
and reflection. He was laborious, indefatigable, and method-
ical in the performance of his multifarious and important du-
ties, and in general study. As a statesman, his views, liberal
and enlightened, were superior to the age in which he lived.
As a judge his name is unsullied. He could not, con-
sistently with his judicial dignity, take a very open or active
part regarding the arbitrary measures resorted to by Charles II.

OF GALLOWAY. 155

against the preshyterians. He was therefore thought to have
ahettetl these proceedings ; but the facts which have been de-
tailed in the course of our narrative, and his general character,
afford ample proof of the contrary. He was a man of great
moderation ; and while it is likely that he disapproved of the
conduct of some of the most rigid preshyterians, he disapproved
still more of the cruel and disgraceful treatment to which they
were subjected. As a proof of his integrity and soundness of
principle, he refused, as we have seen, CromwelFs tender,
and twice withdrew from his office as a judge, rather than
compromise his views, or be a party to proceedings which his
conscience condemned. His moral sentiments and conduct
were exemplary. He was fond of domestic life, and was an
ornament to it. " He had a great spirit and equal temper in
the harshest passages of his life ; by the constant bent of his
thoughts to what was serious or profitable, he knew how to di-
vert them from every uneasy impression of sorrow. He was apt
to forget, at least not to resent injuries done to him, when it
was in his power to requite them."* Such sentiments and
conduct seem the natural result of that deep sense of religion,
by which his whole character was pervaded ; as to which we
may state, in addition to what has been already said, that " he
prayed always, and read a chapter of the Bible to his family
before they sat down to dinner, and performed the like divine
service after supper ; which he would not interrupt upon any
consideration of business, how important soever."*!*

Of Lord Stair's family, we have left ourselves scarcely room
to speak. His wife, whom he survived about three years, has
been represented as a high-minded woman, of great shrewdness
and energy of character, and knowledge of life, j Their family

* Forbes's Journal. "I- lb.

I Her ladyship was the author of one of the best puns extant. Graham
of Claverhouse, (commonly pronounced Clavers,) was appointed sheriff of VVig-
tcmshire in 1682. On one occasion, wlien this violent persecutor had been
inveighing in her presence against our illustrious reformer, she said, " Why
are you so severe on the chai-actcr of John Knox ? You are both reformers i
he gained liis point by clavers ; you attempt to gain yours by knocks !"

loG

THE LITERARY UrSTORV

amountetl to nine ; five sons and four dauffhters. Sir John, their
eldest son, who succeeded his lather as Viscount Stair, studied
for the l)ar, was king's advocate in 16B7, Lord Justice-Clerk
the year following, again king''s advocate in 1G90, afterwards
Secretary of State, and created Earl of Stair in 1703. He was
a great promoter of the union, and a most distinguished par-
liamentary orator and statesman. He died of apoplexy on the
8th of January 1707? and was succeeded hy his eldest son, the
illustrious Marshall Stair. The puhlic character of the first Earl
of Stair has been differently represented, but on this subject
we cannot at present enter.

Sir James Dalrymple, 15aronet, of Borthwick, second son of
Viscount Stair, was one of the principal clerks of Session, and
author of an able and learned work, entitled, Colleciions con-
cerning the Scottish History preceding the death of David I. in
1153, published in 1705 in 8vo. ; also a Vindication of the Ec-
clesiastical part of his Historical Collections^ in answer to a
late Pamphlet^ entitled The Life of Mr. John Sage. He was
grandfather to Sir John Dalrj^mple of Cranston, Baronet, au-
thor oi Memoirs of Great Britain and Ireland, from the disso-
lution of the last Parliament of Charles II., until the sea battle
off La Hogue, in two volumes 4to.

Sir Hew Dalrymple, Baronet, of North Berwick, succeeded
his father as President of the Court of Session. He was one
of the first characters of his day, for talents, honour and virtue.
Decisions of the Court of Session from 1698 to 1712, com-
piled by him, were published in 1758. Sir Hew died in 1737?
at the venerable age of 85.

J)r. Thomas Dalrymple, the fourth son, was physician in
ordinary to Queen Anne.

Sir David J)alrymplc, Baronet, of Hailes,the only remaining
son, was Lord Advocate of Scotland from 1709 to 17^0. At
this latter date, he was appointed to the office of auditor of Ex-
chequer, but died the year following. Lord Hailes, the cele-
brated author of I'he Annals of Scotland, and other learned
works, and Alexander Dalrymple, hydrographer to the Board
of Admiralty, and a distinguished author, were his grandsons.

OF CALLOW AY. 157

01" the daujfhters of Viscount Stair, Janet, the eldest, was
married to David Dunbar, younger of Baldoon, but survived
her marriage only four weeks and a few days. Her early death
at such an interesting period, seems to have given rise to much
superstitious credulity, heightened or generated by personal
malignity, or by the violence of party-spirit which then pre-
dominated. The same feelings, in which this credulity origi-
nated, have perpetuated, if not increased it, till the present day.
The tradition, however, has assumed two different shapes, the
one being quite the reverse of the other. To the gossiping and
illiberal editor of Law's Memorials, it has afforded occasion to
a most coarse and wanton attack on the illustrious family to
whom the young lady belonged ; while it suggested to Sir
Walter Scott, however absurdly, the idea of The Bride of
Lamviermnor. The gossip referred to, while it is of a most
conflicting and incredible description, seems to me to be al-
together unfounded in truth. The Rev. Andrew Symson,
minister of Kirkinner, the parish in which Baldoon is situ-
ated, and where the young bride with her husband had arrived
a fortnight after their marriage,* in his Elegij on the unex-
pected Death of the Vertuous Lady, Mrs. Janet Dalrymple,
Lady Baldone, Younger, affords no room for the tradition in
question. From his silence on the subject, indeed, the very
contrary is evident ; and we regard him as the only competent
authority that can be adduced.

• At this time, it is evident, from the tenor of Symson's poem, that she
was in good liealth and sound mind ; a circumstance quite at variance with
either version of the tradition. According to the one, the bridegroom, in a
state of insanity, endeavoured to murder the bride ; according to the other,
the bride, in a state of frenzy from which she never recovered, attempted with
a knife to kill her husband. Violence, however, is never alluded to by Syra-
son ; on the contrary, he expressly states that she did " enjoy" the happi-
ness of the marriage state for some " little time ;" which could not have
been the case, had murder been attempted by either party, or had madness
seized either of them. This " little time," evidently continued at least till
she was " brought home" to Baldoun ; on which occasion, says Symson,
" we did allrejoyce even for her sake." The story, in time, originated in
superstitious ignorance, or in the rancour of personal or political enmity, and
has since been illiberally perpetuated by episcopal and Jacobite writers.

15H THE LITERARY HISTORY

We did enjoy great mirth, but now, ah mc !
Our joyful song's turn'd to an elegie.
A Vertuous lady, not long since a bride.
Was to a hopeful plant by marriage ty'd,
And brought home hither. We did all rejoyce
Even for her sake. But presently our voice
Was turn'd to mourning, for that little time
That she'd enjoy ; she waned in her prime ;
For Atropos, witli her impartial knife,
Soon cut her threed, and therowithall her life.
And for tiie time, we may it well remember.
It being in unfortunate September,
Just at the equinox ; she was cut down
In th' harvest, and this day she's to be sown.
Where we must leave her till the resurrection ;
'Tis then the saints enjoy their full perfection.

^V'nh regard to the other daughters, Elizabeth was married
to Alhin, Lord Cathcart ; Sarah to Charles, Lord Crichton,
afterwards Earl of Dumfries ; and Isobel to Sir David Cun-
nintdiam of INIilncraig. They had all children except the eld-
est, whose early death has just been mentioned.

OF GALLOWAY. 159

CHAPTER XII.

LIVES OF ANDREW M'DOWALL, LORD BANKTON, AND
OF ANTHONY MACMILLAN.

After the life of Lord Stair, an account of Lord Bankton,
also a distinguished lawyer, naturally requires to be given.
The family from which Andrew M'Dowall, afterwards a sena-
tor of the college of justice under the title just mentioned, was
descended, is one of the oldest, if not the very oldest, in Scot-
land, and was settled in Galloway at an earlier date than any
records testify. The word JNI'Dowall is supposed, by the best
judges, to be one of the most ancient surnames ; persons bear-
ing that name are said to have existed in Galloway 230 years
before the christian era ; and, at any rate, we find the
M'Dowalls flourishing as a powerful clan at the very dawn of
authentic histor)^* Three families, namely the M'Dowalls
of Logan, Garthland, and Freugh, have in modern times as-
pired to the superiority or chieftainship, and at one period pre-
ferred their respective claims to that honour with great confi-
dence. "f* The two latter houses may be regarded as no longer ex-
isting, at least they have now no property in Wigtonshire, though
the respectable name of the representative of Garthland is still
in the list of the freeholders of that county ; while the family of
Logan is as opulent and distinguished as at any fSicmer period
of its histoiy. Though this is not the place for entering on

• Nisbet'j Herald)!/, ii. 282, and 99. f lb. i. 28i, and ii. 10!).

3 00

THK LITERARY HISTORY

this gencaloirical question, it may be remarked, that lu the
luimble opinion of tlie present writer, the honour of the chief-
tainsliip belongs undoubtedly to Logan. The M'Dowalls of
Logan held their lands blench of the kings of Scotland ; in-
deed, in a charter dated 27th January 1504, and granted by
James IX. to Patrick M'Dowall, the representative of that
iiousc, it is expressly i^tated, that his predecessors had so held
their estate " beyond the memory of man."* The families of
Garthland and Frcugh, on the contrary, held their lands of the
Lords of Galloway. They thus owed feudal service to these
petty princes ; while Logan, holding of the crown, owed fealty
only to his sovereign, and was probably a check on these tur-
bulent barons. Nor is this all. It is evident from charters
still existing, that Garthland, whose claims to the chieftainship
have always been regarded as stronger than those of Freugh,
held lands of Logan, a proof of the superiority of the latter fa-
mily, and that the jNl'IJowalls of Garthland had not only no
right to the honour to which they aspired, but were descend-
ants or cadets of the house of Logan. The character of the
armorial bearings of this latter house, a subject on which it is
unnecessary here to enter, is regarded by Nisbet as affording a
strong presumption in favour of this inference. *[• Li these en-
lightened days, when the contracted principles of feudal times
have disappeared, the determination of this question is of no
moment ; but Lord Bankton being sprung from so ancient u
house, it did not seem improper to state what were the claims
of his family to the dignity in question.

Andrew M'Dowall,;): the subject of this brief sketch, was
second son of Robert M'Dowall, younger of Logan, and

• Ultra memuTiam hominum.

■f S\nhet ut supra. Colonel Aiidrevv iM'Dowall, the present representa-
tive of Lojj'un, politely favoured ine with the perusal of some cliarters and
otiicr documents preserved in the archives of the familj', from which, as well
as from Nishet, the statement in the text is taken.

* The surname is here given accordinfj to the modern orthography. The
suhject of tills memoir sjielt it M'Duuall. He was also sometimes called
."NI'Dougal, which was perhaps the original form of the woid. and is still
used hy several families.

OK GALLOWAY. IGl

Sarah Shaw, daughter of Sir John Shaw, Bart, of Greenock, and
was horn ahout the year 1685. Having gone through the usual
course of education under their roof, and subsequently at the
college of Edinburgh, he became a member of the Scottish bar
on the 21st of July I7O8. The study of the law, from the
time he thought of embracing it as a profession till the last
period of his life, he seems to have pursued with the greatest
assiduity. He early obtained reputation as a practitioner at
the bar, and acquired the character of a sound and discrimin-
ating lawyer. His success was such, that though possessed of
little or no patrimony, being a younger son, he purchased the
estate of Bankton in East Lothian, (a property which had be-
fore belonged to the celebrated Colonel Gardiner, and which is
now possessed by Colonel INI'Dowall of Logan,) from which,
when raised to the bench, he took his title. He was thrice
married. His third wife was daughter to Sir Francis Grant,
Lord Cullen. But none of his marriages were productive of
children. His last union, however, brought him into con-
nexion with persons of eminence in his profession ; which has
associated his name Vv'ith those of Lord Cullen and of his son,
Lord Prestongrange. It was owing to the hints and solicita-
tions of the latter that he undertook the composition of that
work, which has given his name a place among writers in
the department of Scots law, next to that of the illustrious
Stair. To the performance of this task he devoted many
years, while at the same time his practice at the bar was very
extensive. Though the undertaking was great, and he was
now advanced in years, he hoped to be able to finish it before
his death, and meant that it should be a posthumous publica-
tion. But his brother-in-law, William Grant, lord advo-
cate for Scotland, and afterwards a judge under the title of
Lord Prestongrange, who had at first induced him to under-
take the work, urged him to publish it during his life. To
this advice he yielded, and the first volume appeared anony-
mously in 1751. " An ambition," says Mr. ISl'Dowall in his
reface, " to be seen in print when the press is so much cro wd-
ed, did not influence me, and therefore the author's name is

1G2

THE LITERARY HISTORY

concealcd, which I was likewise induced to do because I still
practise at tlie bar ; and, indeed, the original intention was,
that the work should not be published in my life-time." But
his name, which could not be concealed, he thought proper to
affix to the second volume, which appeared in 1752. The
third was published in the subsequent year. The work is en-
titled, An Institute of the Laws of Scotkmd in Civil liightsy
with Observations upon the agreement or diversity between them
and the Laws of England, in Four Books, after the general
method of the Viscount of Stairs Institutes. It is assuredly a
high honour paid to Lord Stair's work, that at the end of
seventy years a lawyer so sound and learned as jMr. M'Dowall,
should have followed the general plan and arrangement of his
celebrated performance. Mr. INI'DowalFs book is in many re-
spects different from that of his illustrious model, owing chiefly
to the altered circumstances of the law at the periods at which
the publications respectively appeared. A comparison of the
laws of England and Scotland as to their conformity with each
other, not necessary in Lord Stair's time, is very properly treat-
ed of at great length in Mr. M'Dowairs Institutes. The Scots
law had also, meanwhile, undergone much alteration or modi-
fication, such as the convcrtinfj of ward-holdings into blench or
feu, and the abolition of hereditary jvn-isdictions, by which feudal
rights and privileges were deeply affected. ]\Ir. M'Dowall,
besides, embraces several subjects not alluded to by Stair, and
is more extensive and minute on others. His book also con-
tains various discussions only collaterally connected with his
main design, such as notes on the introduction of the feudal law
into this country-, and on the authority of the Regiam Majes-
iatem. Mr. ^hDowaW^ Institutes, m short, though they do not
display the profound and philosophic intellect and that ingeni-
ous reference to abstract principles for which Lord Stair's work
is so remarkable, are uniformly referred to as authority in
Scots law, and are quoted as such both by the judges of the
Court of Session, and by the Lord Chancellor in the House
of Peers.

A person capable of writing such a book as that which we

OF GALLOM'AY. l(j.3

have been discussing, should, as a matter of justice to the ju-
dicial character of our supreme court, have been raised to the
bench, previous to the time at which our narrative has arrived.
But on the appearance of the Institutes, Mr. M'Dowall could
no longer be overlooked. Accordingly, on the death of Lord
Murkle, brother to the Earl of Caithness, he was nominated
his successor, on the 5th of July 1755, under the title of Lord
Bankton. * He had at this date been forty-seven years at the
bar, and was far advanced in age. But he survived his pre-
ferment upwards of five years ; during which period he esta-
blished for himself the highest character as a judge; and he
died at Bankton on the 22d of October I76O, in the seventy-
fifth or seventy-sixth year of his age. On the Sabbath suc-
ceeding his death, the Rev. William Carlyle, minister of Pres-
tonpans, the parish in which Bankton is situated, delivered a
sermon in reference to that event ; with a quotation from which,
illustrative of his character, I shall conclude this brief me-
moir.

" It is well known with what assiduity and diligence he
pursued the study of the law, and what great progress he made
in it. Not only the present generation, but ages to come shall
reap the benefit of his learned labours ; by which he did ho-
nour to his countiy, and deservedly raised himself to the dig-
nity of a judge of the supreme court of judicature in this part
of the united kingdom.

" But the most valuable parts of his character, (as indeed
they are of every man's that is possessed of them,) were his un-
dissembled piety and inviolable honour.

*' Having the principles of religion earnestly instilled into
his mind, he maintained them unto the last with a steadfast
and unshaken constancy. He not only kept up a daily inter-
course with God, but in these degenerate days, thought it ma-
terial to show the world his sincere regard to the christian in-
stitution by a regular and devout attendance on the public or-
dinances of religion. And having in the whole course of his
life, manifested his unfeigned faith and um-eluctant submission

" Hailes' Catal. 17.

1C4 THE LITERARY HISTORY

to the will of heaven, he bore his last painful illness with an
iinconnnon Jcgrce of christian patience and fortitude of mind.

'• He had the happiness always to maintain the character
of untainted honesty and uprightness in all his actions ; and
particularly, when he sat as judge either in the civil or eccle-
siastical courts, nothing could bias his judgment ; no partial
regards whatsoever, no desire of his dearest and most valued
friends, could turn his steps out of the way that he looked to
as the way of truth and equity. How carefully did he observe
the directions of the wise man, to which every man, and espe-
cially every judge ought to hearken. Proverbs iv. 25, 26, 2'J.
Let thine ei/cs look right on, and let thy eyelids look straight
before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways
be established. Turn not to the right hand or to the left ; remove
thy foot from evil.

" By his death, much to be lamented, though in a mature
old age, the public hath lost an useful member of society, his
neighbours a sincere and faithful friend, the poor a skilful coun-
sellor and constant patron, his family and allies a kind and af-
fectionate relation, and all have lost the benefit of his exem-
plary conversation ; yet what is loss to us is gain to him ; for
the good and faithful servant eiders into the Joy of the Lord.''''*

Anthony M'MiLL AN or Macmillan, author of several works
on law, next claims our attention, as not unconnected in point of
subject, norinpoint of time, with the distinguished lawyers whose
lives we have been considering. He was born at Corlea, parish of
Dairy, Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, on the 9th of January
1759. His father was James M'Millan, Esq. of Dalshangan,
in the neighbouring parish of Carsphairn, and his mother, Eli-
zabeth INI'Harg, of a respectable family in Ayrshire. His fore-
fathers had for upwards of two centuries been settled in the
Gleukcns, the district of country in which lie was born; and

* Scotn Mntjnzine for Octuhor 17(70.

OF GALLOM'AY. 165

some of tiicm had had the honour of suffcrhifi for conscience-sake
in the reign of Charles II. and his successor. Anthony M'MiUan
had the advantage of receiving his scholastic education at Dai-
ry, under the care of Mr. John Campbell, afterwards minister
of Carsphairn. Being early destined for the profession of the
law, he first went into the office of a writer or attorney at Kirk-
cudbright, whence he afterwards removed to the chambers of a
writer to the signet in Edinburgh. It was soon after this
time, namely in 17^4, that his first publication was given to
the world, entitled. Forms of writing used in Scotland in the
most common cases, with the jyrinciples of the law connected
therewith. In 17^0, a Supplement to it appeared, and in the
same year a second edition, greatly amended and enlarged. In
1787, he published a Si/stem of Conveyancing of Land and Se-
curities thereon, and of Heritable Rights. A second edition of
this work issued from the press in 1808 : previous to which
time, he had printed a Supplement to it on Personal Rights.
These works are very unpretending, but of considerable merit,
and show their author to have been able for higher efforts.
The truth is, he once contemplated composing Institutes of
the Law of Scotland ; a task for which, as I have been inform-
ed by an adequate legal authority, he was not unqualified.

He had, meanwhile, removed to the country, having been
appointed in 1787? or about that time, surveyor of taxes
for Wigtonshire and the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright.
He held this situation till 1792, having been succeeded in
the latter county by a younger brother, who still respect-
ably holds that office. From this date, unfortunately for
himself, he followed no employment, but lived in the Glen-
kens, among his relations, but chiefly at Knocknalling, the
residence of his sister, contented with a small annuity. We
have often known persons of good talents, who might have
risen to respectability or eminence in their various professions,
sink into inglorious indolence, lost to the world, and unjust to
themselves, owing to their possessing too good a home, or a
trifling competence. This unambitious disposition ought care-
fully to be avoided, as inevitably bringing infelicity and degra-
dation alon;:!; with it. And nothinir should be more assiduously

166 THE LITERARY HISTORY

cultivated than the very contrary feeling, — a desire to improve
our condition in lite, and to avail ourselves of all the advan-
tages of which our circumstances are susceptible. Had Mr.
Macmillan, whose inactivity and indolence suggested these ob-
servations, exerted himself in the line of his profession, and
done justice to his education and talents, he could not but have
risen to distinction, and have led an honourable and useful life.
But unhappily for himself and his friends, he adopted a dif-
ferent course, and gradually acquired those habits which it sel-
dom fails to superinduce. He was accidentally drowned while
attempting to cross the Ken, the stream that flows through the
romantic district to which he belonged. This event took place,
so far as I can at present ascertain, in 1817? in the 58th year
of his age.

INIr. INIacmillan did not altogether neglect his studies, not-
withstanding the unhappy course of life which he followed.
In 1813, he published a most useful and judicious volume, en-
titled, Forins of jiroceediiigs before the Justice of Peace Court
in Scotlavd. He also commenced a poetical life of Sir Wil-
liam AVallace, part of which was printed ; but it is under-
stood that he did not finish the work. He cultivated polite
literature. Of poetry he was a great admirer, though his
own verses are not distinguished by much merit. Among
the numerous MSS. which he left behind him, there are some
specimens of dramatic composition. His reading was very ex-
tensive and varied. He was a great talker ; but his conversa-
tion was literary and instructive. His manners and speech
were mild ; his company agreeable ; his affections warm and
benevolent. Irresolution was his greatest failing.

As to his personal appearance, he was about five feet seven
inches in height, of slender make, with a nose slightly bent
up, large blue eyes, and auburn hair.

The life and death of Anthony Macmillan inculcate a salutary
les.son, and confirm the remark, tliat nothing will supply the
want of prudence ; and that negligence and irregularity, long
contirnu'd, will make knowledge and genius useless or con-
temptible. /*

OF GALLOWAY.

167

CHAPTER XIII.

LIVES OF ROBERT MAXWELL OF ARKLAND, AND THE
REV. SAMUEL SMITH.

Mr. Max\^'ELL, one of the most skilful practical farmers, and
eminent writers on agriculture, that this country has produced,
was the representative of a family which had originally sprung,
but at what date I have not learned, from the INIaxwells of
Carlaverock, and which had been settled in Arkland so early
at least as the year 1600. His father, James INIaxwell of
Ai'kland, who was married in 1C9'1 to iNIargaret Neilson,
daughter of Robert Neilson of Barncaillie,* had a family of
seven children, of whom Robert, the subject of this sketch, was
the eldest. Robert's eldest sister, Elizabeth, was married to
John INIaxwell of Breckonside and Terraughtie, and was ac-
cordingly great-grandmother to John H. Maxwell Esq., pre-
sently of Munshes.

The several representatives of the family of Arkland, though
not opulent, seem not to have been bred to any profession, but
resided on their estate as independent country gentlemen. Nor
do I know that ISIr. Robert Maxwell was meant to form an

* Barncaillie and Arkland are botli in the parish of Kirkpatrick- Durham.
The Neilsons of Barncaillie, descended of the ancient liouse of Craigcaffie,
county of Wigton, were proprietors of Barncaillie so early as the year 1537.
This family terminated in a female, Mary, heiress of Barncaillie, married
to Robert Glendonwyn of Parton, and mother to the late NVilliani (ilen-
ilonwyn of I'arton.

1G8

THE LITERARY HISTORY

exception. But after having received an education becoming
his rank, we find him, at an early period of life, engaged in
the cultivation of the soil as a profession. About the year
17-3, when under thirty years of age, he took the lease of a
farm on the estate of Cliftonhall, lying within eight miles of
Edinburgh, containing about 130 acres, all arable, the yearly
rent of which, paid in vwney, was Ij.50. The lease was
to extend to four nineteen years : a period sufficient to repay
him for those improvements and experiments which he con-
templated. In what way his taste for agriculture was first
excited, it is now impossible to ascertain. It could hardly have
been by the example of any landholder or farmer in his native
county, as in that district the art was in the rudest state.*
Throughout Scotland, indeed, there were at that time no large
farms, no money rents, no enclosures, no idea of draining or
fallowing, or proper rotation of crops : what, in fine, is now re-
garded as elementaiy principles in agriculture, was then un-
known ; so wretched indeed was the system of husbandry, that
lands were cultivated if they produced two seeds ; four seeds
were reckoned a noble return.

Under such circumstances did Mr. Maxwell enter on his
farm at Cliftonhall. Before he formed this engagement, his
agricultural views, however he may have acquired them, must
have been comparatively enlightened ; and he was perhaps the
first person that had taken a lease in this country of any great
duration, or that afforded an eminent example of skilful practi-
cal farming. But better times soon appeared. Not only had
private enterprise and zeal begun to accomplish much ; but a
public agricultural society, regarded as the first in the united
kingdom, was established in Edinburgh in the year 1723, en-
titled 77ie Society of Improvers in the Knowledge of Agricul-
ture in Scotland. This association, to which Mr. Maxwell
belonged, and which could boast of the highest names in this
countiy in the list of its members, lasted for about twenty
years ; at the end of which time it declined, owing to the death

Appendix, Note E.

OP GALLOWAY. 169

of nearly all its founders ; but another was instituted under the
name of The Edinburgh Societj/ for Encouragement of Arts,
Sciences^ Manufactures and Agriculture ; of which also Mr.
Maxwell was a member. The institution of these societies,
particularly the former, constitutes an era in this country in
the histoiy of the science to which they belong. The mem-
bers, or others, submitted to the society queries or memorials on
some agricultural point, to which that body drew up a solution
or answer ; while the members themselves, on their several es-
tates or farms, exerted themselves to set the example of the
most approved system of husbandry.

Of The Society of Improvers, Mr. Maxwell was undoubtedly
the most skilful and active member. All the memorials and
queries, directed to that body, seem either to have been an-
swered solely byjiimself, under the sanction of the society, or
submitted to his opinion and direction. On all occasions the
society appear to have reposed the utmost confidence in his
judgment. " We have heard him,'"* to quote from their own
minutes, " speak on most of the different parts of husbandry.
He has wrote not a little that has been laid before us ; and he
merits to have it said of him, that his knowledge of soil, and
of the different methods of improving it, is extensive, and that
his sentiments are just. Was the way of taking his advice in
writ more in practice, we are fully satisfied that it would prove
highly advantageous to gentlemen if they followed it ; and the
lower sort would copy." In 1743, twenty years after the in-
stitution of the society, and when it was rapidly on the wane,
the result of their labours were laid before the public under the
title of Select Transactions of the Honourable the Society of
Improvers of Agriculture in Scotland, directing the husbandry
of the different soils for the most profitable purposes, and con-
taining other directions, receipts, and descriptions, together
ivilh an account of the Society's endeavours to promote our
manufactures. Prepared for the press by Robert MAxvrELL
OF Arkland, a member of the Society, and revised by the
preses'and a'sommiltee appointed for that end. Of this work,
which extends to 457 octavo pages, nearly one half was written

IJO THE LITERARY HISTORY

officially by Mr. Maxwell himself as a member of the society ;
and for the trouble he took in compiling it, that body returned
him their cordial and unanimous thanks. This volume con-
U\ins many original views. The efficacy and mode of burning
clay or subsoil, recently brought to perfection by Alexander
Craig, Esq. late of Galloway, now residing in Edinburgh ; *
the mode of cutting seed-potatoes, and of planting them ; the dif-
ferent kinds of cultivation suitable to various soils; the rotation of
crops ; the necessity and nature of fallow ; green-crop ; drain-
ing ; the enclosing of land ; the husbandry of herbage, as he
terms it, such as turnips, carrots, cabbages, and the various
rrrasses, — not to speak of the multifarious articles relative to
the fisheries and manufactures, and other subjects, — were treat-
ed of, many of them for the first time in Scotland, in that
meritorious and useful work.

The \-iews developed by him in this volume were the re-
sult both of extensive reading, and of his own experience at
Cliftonhall. He was indeed a most liberal and enlightened
improver. " When I commenced farmer," says he, "I did
not only consider what crops, or in what shape the ground I
possessed would bring most money into my pocket in shortest
time, but 1 also employed my thoughts upon the cunsideratifM
of the better or worse state my ground would be improved or
reduced into, by these crops!" He threw off the prejudices of
the class of men .0 whom he belonged ; instead of following
the beaten track of those who had gone before him, his eyes
were open to the manifest defects of their system of husbandry,
and he endeavoured to set the example of better things. Some
of his views, undoubtedly, were fanciful ; and of his experiments
some failed, such i'or example, as the cultivation of fiax ; but
his general husbandry was of a superior order ; and could not
fail to exercise a most salutary infiuence, not only on his im-
mediate neighbourhood, but on the whole country.

• Letters on preparing clay ashes fur manure, written Iiy 31 r. Craig, and
published in the Dumfries Courier in February 1815. These Letters, two in
ntunber, were also printed in a separate form.

OF GALLOWAY. 17^

The Sncict 1/ for Propagating Christian Knowledge in Scot-
land, established in 1709, having been empowered, by a charter
got for the express purpose, to lay out a part of" their funds in
the purchase of land and in agricultural property, Mr. Max-
well addressed a memorial to that body, describing his system
of farming, and offering to take under his care a certain num-
ber of young persons at the expense of the society, to be in-
structed in the science of husbandry. The body, to whom this
proposal was made, thought proper to submit it to the Society
of Improvers, the highest authority at that time, for their
opniion ; and this society having considered the subject, report
that INIr. Maxwell's scheme of husbandry, as detailed in his me-
morial, is excellent, and calculated to promote the general good
of the country, and warmly recommend it to the society to
grant him such encouragement as may enable him to carry his
public spirited proposals into effect. For " we believe,"" they
say, " that such conduct on the part of the society would receive
general approbation.*'''

But Mr. MaxwelFs application, and this recommendation of
his plan, were unsuccesful. The society held out encourage-
ment, but none was ultimately given ; a circumstance of which
Mr. Maxwell complains, and he blames them f"or incurring the
expense of getting a second charter, of which they never availed
themselves. " By some solemn and public deed," he observes,
" they should shew that they have struggled for the promotion
of the knowledge of agriculture, w ithout neglecting the propa-
gation of Christianity. Pure religion, universal benevolence,
the love of husbandry, and of every public and social virtue,
are inseparable.""

But he had too exalted views of the dignity of the art which
he cultivated, to be easily discouraged. He regarded agricul-
ture " as comprehending more parts of philosophy than any
other profession, art, or science in the world,"'"' and as the sole
source of wealth, and national independence. He expected
that a lectureship, or class, in our university might be established
for it. He urged The Society of Improvers to use means to

17^ THE UTERARy HISTORY

accomplish this object. He hoped that government might be
iiulucod to do something in so important a matter, as " agri-
cuhurc,'"' lie observes, " is the preservation of all mankind.""
But the energy ot" his character rose above all difficulties.
For let it be told to his honour, that without the patronage of
any public body, and " encouraged,'" as he affirms, " by indi-
viduals only,"* he gave public lectures on agriculture in Edin-
burgh in the year 1756 ; a time when the science was nearly
unknown in this country. So far as I know, he enjoys the
high distinction of being the first in the united kingdom that
gave public prelections on this important subject. How many
seasons, (if more than one,) he continued these lectures, we
are not told ; but they were of svich merit that he was urged
by several gentlemen who were his hearers, to publish them.
AVith this request he did not think it proper to comply ; but
two of them, which were afterwards printed in his Practical
Husbandman, display such enlarged views, and are written
with such spirit, that there is room to regret that more of them
were not given to the world.

About twenty years before the time of which we have been
speaking, Mr. INIaxwell, then an experienced, as well as scien-
tific ajrriculturist, in addition to the management of his own
farm, had embraced the profession of a land-valuator, and of
superintending extensive improvements upon estates. In this
capacity he appears to have been extensively consulted ; and his
employers consisted of persons of the highest rank and dignity
lx)th in England and Scotland. Field Marshal Lord Stair
was one of his greatest patrons ; and it is well known that his
lordship's enlightened improvements and experiments in farm-
ing were done either at his instigation or with his approval.
Lord Stair, indeed, was so attached to him, that Mr. Max-
well hinted in 17''57? ^^^^^ ^^ ^^''^^ patriotic nobleman had been
living, a public lectureship would have been instituted by him
in behalf of his friend, for the promotion of agricultural science.

In 1757' ^^ S^^^ *° *^^ world The Practical Husbandman ;
being a Collection of Miscellaneous Papers on Husbandry, c^c.

OF GALLOWAY. 173

His former work having been out of print, the new publication
contained, with many new articles, several of his papers that
had first appeared in that treatise. Many of the articles con-
sist of memorials relative to the cultivation of the different
estates, respecting which he had been professionally consulted.
It is in this work that two of his public lectures on agriculture
are printed. Before this period, he had published a Letter,
addressed to the clergy of the Church of Scotland, respecting
the improvement of their glebes ; in which he shewed " it was
their duty, considering the importance of the matter, to preach
the doctrine, which his letter inculcated, unto their hearers, in
some week-day sermons annually, and also to enforce it by their
practice.'"*

But his views were superior to his age ; and the science to
which he so zealously dedicated himself, had not arrived at
such a stage of advancement as to admit of his realizing an
adequate return for his devoted cultivation of it. By his in-
structions and example in a most important art, he benefited
his country, and he may be called a patriot in the best sense of the
word ; but no reciprocal benefit resulted to himself. In truth,
he fell a victim to his own enthusiasm. As his father had a
large family, consisting chiefly of daughters, his eldest son, the
subject of this sketch, could not have enjoyed very ample pe-
cuniary advantages when he took the lease of Cliftonhall ; and
it was not for more than twenty years after he had entered on
his farm, (namely in 1745,) that he became proprietor of Ark-
land, as successor to his father. The money which he had
meanwhile laid out in enclosing and improving his land, (for
when he entered to it, it was quite open,) and in making
agricultural experiments, must have been very considerable.
The loss of his lint-mill by fire, had a tendency also to cripple
his resources. The melancholy truth is, that this respectable
and patriotic individual had the misfortune to experience em-
barrassment in his affairs, and to become insolvent. He was
obliged to resign his lease, which, though high at first, might
at length, owing to the improvements he had effected on it, have
been the source of great opulence to him ; and even his patrimo-

174 THE LITERARY HISTORY

nial estate, which had heen so long the property of his family,
was broiiuht to a judicial sale at the instance of his creditors.*

In \vhat way he gained a livelihood after this date, we have
no minute information. Nor have we been told whether his
lectures met with encouragement. The superintendence and
direction of improvements on estates, was an employment
which he still continued to pursue, and which perhaps con-
stituted the chief source of his support. And after a life spent
in the assiduous and enlightened cultivation of a most impor-
tant art, he died at Renfrew on the 17th day of May 17^5,
in the seventieth year of his age.

He had been married : his Avife was Margaret Montgomery,
daughter of Bailie Montgomery of Kdinburgh ; but whether
she survived her husband we are not told, though it is proba-
ble he was a widower at the time of his death, as that event
took place in the house of one of his daughters. His family
consisted of six daughters, of whom INIargaret, the eldest, was
married to INIr. Hamilton of Monkland, Lillias to Mr. Wal-
lace of Carzield, Barbara to James King, Esq. collector of cess
for the county of Renfrew, (in whose house Mr. Maxwell died),
Catherine to Mr. John Parlin, surrjeon in Glasfjow. The
two other daughters died unmarried. His grandson, William
Hamilton, Ksq. British consul at Boulogne, is the lineal repre-
sentative of the family.

]Mr. Maxwell was not merely an eminent practical former :
he had studied agriculture as a science, and v/as intimately
acquainted with all the works, whether in ancient or modern
times, that had been written on the subject. He was not a
fanciful projector or speculator, but a sensible and discriminat-
ing improver. The enthusiasm of' his character was kept
under pro])er control by the soundness of his judgment. His
style is plain and unaffected, more chaste and pvire than was
common at that time in Scotland. His character seems to
have been very respectable : And altogether, whether we

• Tlii.ssale took pliico 011 tlic Oth .January, 17.50; ArklamI was boiiglit
by Jolin Coltart of Arccmiiitr for L.10,3()4. Scots. It now belongs to Mr.
Skirving of Croyes.

OF GALLOWAY. 17^

view him as a writer on husbandly, or as an extensive improver,
and practical fanner, he is entitled to be regarded as one of
the greatest men of whom in this country agricultural science
can boast.

The Reverend Samuel Sjiith, (whose history, in point of
subject, is naturally connected with that of Mr. MaxM'ell,)
was son to IMr. John Smith, farmer in Craigmuie, parish of
Balmaclellan, and was born in that place in the year 1757-
Like other young men in a similar rank in life, Mr. Smith
enfjajTed in tcachinsi durino; the course of his academical
studies, and till he obtained a settlement in the church. This
object he soon attained ; for he was ordained minister of Cars-
phairn, in his native presbytery, on the 28th of August 1783,
when only twenty-six years of age. On the 17th of Novem-
ber in the same year, he was married to Janet, only daughter
of Mr. James Carruthers, a respeciable merchant in Dum-
fries ; a step on which both parties had always cause to look
back with happiness. He was translated to the parish of
Borgue, in the same presbytery, on the 20th of September
1792 : an appointment which he owed to the late David
Blair of Borgue, Esq. in whose family he had been tutor.
In both these livings, he was very acceptable to the people
placed successively under his care. Not merely was he an
able and interesting preacher, and performed his other official
duties with great fidelity, but he associated familiarly with the
various classes of his flock, who regarded him in the double
light of a pastor and a friend. " He mingled freely in your
social circles," says one who knew him well; " but amidst the
festivity of your meetings, he did not lose sight of the respect
due to his office, and to himself."*

" MS. sermon, preached on the Sabbath after Mr. Smith's funeral, by
the lie V. Robert Gordon, minister of Girthon. Mr. Gordon was himself

17G

THE LITERARY HISTORY

We are not aware at what time he showed any partiality
for the study of agriculture, or what circumstances turned his
taste to that subject. Certain it is, however, as mentioned in
the Life of IMr. INIaxwell, that public attention had been
assiduously directed to this pursuit from the beginning of the
present century throughout all Scotland. Agricultural socie-
ties had, meanwhile, been established in every district of the
kingdom ; and every county could ere long boast of an agri-
cultural survey or report. In the stewartry of Kirkcudbright,
such a society was formed in the year 1809, owing chiefly to
the exertions of the late William M. Herries of Spottes, and
of the late W'^illiam Douglas of Orchardton. Of this society,
however, INIr. Smith was not a member : not at least for the
first two years of its institution ; nor, so far as I know, did he
afterwards join it. But he had for many years taken a deep
interest in agricultural improvements, and had had considera-
ble experience as a practical farmer. The present parish of
Borgue is formed by the union of three parishes ; and, if I
mistake not, the minister has a title to a glebe in each : so
that INIr. Smith enjoyed some opportunity for exciting and
cherishing a taste for agriculture. In 1809, he undertook
to draw up a survey of Galloway, which appeared the year fol-
lowing, under the designation of a General Survey of the
Agriculture of Gallowai/, viz. the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright
and Wigtonshire, with Observations on the Means of their
Improvement. This work, which was not a voluntary effort,
but undertaken on the suggestion of others, particularly of the
late enlightened Karl of Selkirk, was WTitten, it is understood,
very hurriedly, and is not characterised by that extent of agri-

a most respectable clergyman, and an elegant scholar. His parish felt for
him a degree of esteem seldom equalled. Born of respectable parents in
the parish of Terrcgles, he died unmarried in 1817, in the 49th year of his
age. As he was minister of my native parish, I remember well his tall
genteel figure, his love of learning, the mildness of his countenance and
speech, the urbanity of his manners, and the goodness of his heart. I feel
a melancholy satisfaction in paying this tribute, however humble, to his
memory; for "he was one of the first friends tiiat literature procured me,
and I hope that at least my gratitude made me worthy of his notice."

cultm

OF GALLOWAY. 177

cultural reading and that historical knowledge of the subject
which other similar works have displayed. Yet it is highly
creditable to the abilities of the author, and must always hold
a respectable place among the class of works to which it be-
longs. It is written in a simple, chaste style, unambitious
of ornament. It displays a minute knowledge of the actual
state of the agriculture of the province of which it treats, and
an intimate acquaintance, not only with the general principles
on which the science depends, but with the exact nature of the
improvements suitable to Galloway. The work contains also
much important miscellaneous information, for which it will
probably be more consulted in after times than for its merely
agricultural disquisitions. It shows throughout an amiable
spirit, and a benevolent heart ; and, on the whole, we regard
it as forming a most honourable memorial of its author.

Mr. Smith was not yet old ; but he had lived to educate
his family, and to see some of them settled in life. In the
year 1815, his health began rapidly to decline ; his complaints,
which were of a pulmonary nature, gained ground during the
ensuing winter ; and he died on the 6th of March in the fol-
lowing year, in the thirty-third year of his ministry, and fifty-
ninth of his age. He left behind him a widow, (who died
while these sheets were passing through the press,) with six
children, two sons and four daughters, of whom one daughter
is since dead.

He was a man of tall, slender figure, with a gentle bend in
his gait ; of slow or deliberate speech, of acute observation,
of independent thinking, extensive information, and liberal
sentiments. On this subject, we cannot resist quoting the
words of the Rev. Mr. Gordon :

" He had received from nature an excellent understanding.
His judgment was sound and acute. His memory was both
quick and tenacious ; qualities which seldom unite. By much
reading and meditation he had improved his natural gifts. He
had a quick, a lively, and distinct apprehension of every sub-
ject to which he directed his thoughts. His opinions were not
received on the authority of others. From a well-grounded

178 • , THE LITERARY HISTORY

confitlonco in the strenotli and vigour of his own mind, he had
Icarni'il to trust to its rL-sourccs ; and ho did not dochnc the
task ot" tliinkuig for himself. There was a shrewdness in his
discrimination of character, which was partly the gift of nature,
and which was improved by frequent and intimate intercourse
with real life. * * * A character free from failings is
not the portion of any individual ; and no man inade less pre-
tension than he did to any immunity from those imperfections
and failings from which no man is exempt. But of him I
would remark, that I have seldom met with any character that
had more virtues and fewer faults.'' As to his clerical office,
^Ir. (lordon characterises him " as indeed a workman that
needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

OF GALLOWAY. 1 "JO

CHAPTER XIV.

LIVES OF THOMAS GORDON, JAMES HILL, Surgeon, AND
WILLIAM JAMESON, D.D.

Of Thomas Gordon, we can, at this distance of time, give
but a meagre account. The date of his birth is vinknown ;
even the place of it has been disputed. In Chalmers"' Biogra-
phical Dictionary, he is termed a native of Kirkcudbright ;
while the parishes of Balmaclellan and Kells have each claim-
ed the honour of having given him birth. The latter of these
parishes, however, is now regarded as possessing the justest
claim. His father, the representative of an ancient family,
descended from the Gordons of Kenmure, was proprietor of
Gairloch, in that parish.

It has been asserted, that he obtained an academical educa-
tion ; but the university in which he studied has not been
mentioned. He afterwards removed to London, where he at
first supported himself as a teacher of languages, and afterwards
as an author by profession. He first distinguished himself in
the Bangor ian controversy, by two pamphlets written in defence
of Dr. Benjamin Hoadly. Of these treatises, I need not at
present speak, as the substance of them was incoqjorated in
subsequent publications of the same author, and as the contro-
versy which gave birth to them has lost its interest.

The most important event of the life of Gordon was his con-
nexion with Mr. Trenchard, author of several political pamph-
lets, and commissioner of the forfeited estates in Ireland.

180 THE LITERARY HISTORY

" From a perfect stranger to him,"'*' says Gordon, in his pre-
face to Catoi's Letters, " and without any other recommenda-
tion than a casual coffee-house acquaintance and his own good
opinion, he took me into his favour and care, and into as high
a degree of intimacy as ever was shown hy one man to another.
This was the more remarkahle, and did me the greater honovn*,
for he was naturally as shy in making friendships, as he was
eminently constant to those which he had already made.'"'

The memories of Trenchard and Gordon are inseparahly
connected. If ]\Ir. Gordon, as has hcen asserted, was first
employed hy Trenchard as an amanviensis, their connexion
soon grew more intimate. Being men of congeniality of
^^ews, they hccame partners as authors, and their most ce-
Ichrated works were produced hy the joint efforts of hoth.
Their first puhlication was entitled The Independent Whig, —
a work which caine out anonymously, and, with only two ex-
ceptions, in weekly numbers. It was begun on the 20th of
January 17-0, and was concluded in the same month of the
subsequent year. After Trenchard's death, the papers of
which it consisted were published by Gordon in a collected
form, with several separate treatises, written by himself, which
swelled it to two volumes, containing C23 duodecimo pages.

It is a fortunate circumstance that this work is known only
by name ; for it is disfigured by sentiments which are deserv-
ing of great reprobation. It was more immediately directed
against the hierarchy of the church of England ; but it was
also meant, or at least has a direct tendency, to undermine the
very foundation of a national religion, under any circumstances,
and to bring the .sacred profession, if not religion itself, into
contempt. The sacerdotal office, according to this book, is not
only not recommended in scripture, but is unnecessary and
dangerous ; ministers of the gospel have ever been the pro-
moters of corruption and ignorance, and distinguished by a
degree of arrogance, immorality, and a thirst after secular power,
that have rendered them destructive of the public and private
welfare of a nation. " One drop of priestcraft," say they, " is
enough to contaminate the ocean."

OF GALLOWAY. 181

Before the Independent Whig was concliulcd, a similar work
was boi^un by the same authors, under the name of Calos
Letters. It was a weekly publication, like its predecessor, and
was not terminated until the month of July 17^3. The ob-
ject of this work is nearly the same with that of the Independ-
ent Whig, — with this difference, that its theological and eccle-
siastical discussions are much blended with political disquisi-
tions. It was indeed directed particularly against the South
Sea Scheme ; the knavery and absurdity of which our authors
had the merit of exposing, at a time when almost the whole
nation were intoxicated with the golden dreams of wealth and
independence, which it artfully cherished, and by which so
many were ruined and betrayed.

Notwithstanding the insuperable objections we have stated
to the most of the principles of these works, they are charac-
terised, we must confess, by no mean portion of talents and
learning. The authors seem always master of the subjects of
which they treat ; and their discussions are clear, close, and
vigorous.

Like every person who, in any way, attempts to undermine
the interests and welfare of society, Gordon and Trenchard
laid claims to great purity of intention. According to their
own statement, they formed the only two wise, patriotic and
independent men of the age in which they lived. " As these
letters,'''' says Gordon in his pi*eface, already quoted, " were
the work of no faction ol* cabal, nor calculated for any lucra-
tive or ambitious ends, or to serve the purposes of any party
whatsoever, but attacked falsehood and dishonesty in all shapes
and parties, without temporizing with any, bvit doing justice
to all, even to the weakest and most unfashionable, and main-
taining the principles of liberty against the practices of most
parties ; so they were dropped without any sordid composition,
and without any consideration, save that it was judged that the
public, after all its terrible convulsions, was again become calm
and safe."" How false these pretensions are, no man need be
at a loss to determine. Gordon^s own history, indeed, dis-

182 THE LITERARY HISTORY

proves every word that we have quoted. Erroneous opinions
often attacli to the most worthy, and call forth our regret, but
not our censure. But what apology can be offered for that
man, whose principles are determined by his interests, and
who at one time advocates a cause, which at another, because
it has fallen into disgrace, he as strenuously exposes ? This
was the case with Gordon. In the reign of Queen Anne, he
was employed by the Earl of Oxford ; but no sooner had
that statesman, and the party whom he headed, lost their in-
fluence, than Gordon prostituted his talents and his principles,
by promoting, for hire, the interests of Sir Robc\-t Walpole,
and the measures of his administration. Nothing can be con-
ceived more uncandid than such conduct.

The works of which we have been speaking, are not the
only ones to which Gordon owes his fame. He is now proba-
bly better known as the translator of Tacitus and Sallust, than
in any other capacity. His other writings are nearly forgot-
ten ; while his translations are still enjoying that share of
celebrity to which works of their kind are entitled. Before
the time of Gordon, this country had produced two English
versions of Tacitus : the first by Greenway and Sir Henry
Savile, in the reign of Elizabeth ; and the second about a
century afterwards, by Dryden and others. The translation
of Gordon appeared in 1728, in two volumes, folio. It was
published by subscription ; and, being patronised by Sir Ro-
bert Walpole, formed a very lucrative speculation. Though
it is now in a great degree superseded by the elegant trans-
lation of Mr. Muqihy, it is nevertheless a work of no incon-
siderable degree of merit. Mr. Gordon probably understood
his author better than any who have presented him to the
world in an English dress ; and the only objection that has
been made to his work, even by Muq)hy himself, is, that he
foolishly attempted to accommodate the English language to
the elliptical and epigrammic style of the Roman historian.
To this production he prefixed several discourses, comprehend-
ing a vast variety of discussions, political, critical, moral — and

OF GALLOWAY. 1B3

he could not resist the temptation which sucli an opportunity at-
fordeil him, of again favouring the world with his notions re-
specting religion and ecclesiastical polity.

Through the friendship of Walpolc, Gordon held the situa-
tion of first commissioner of the wine licences for several years
previously to his death, which took place on the 28th of July
17.50. He was twice married ; his second wife was the widow
of his friend Trenchard, by whom he was the father of several
children. Two collections of his fugitive pieces were published
after his death ; the one termed A Cordial for Loiv Spirits ;
and the other I'/ic Pillars of Pricslcraft and Orthodoxy
shaken ; as also in 17^8, Sermons on Practical Subjects, ad-
dressed to different characters.

The family from which Mr. James Hill was descended
had long been settled in Roxburghshire, a small piece of gromid
called HilFs Land in the parish of Lillisleaf having for cen-
turies belonged to them. Quintin Hill of HilFs Land was
killed in the battle of Flodden in 1514. His property con-
tinued to belonjT to some branch of the family till after the
subject of this sketch was settled in life ; at which time,
though he wished to have purchased it and to have settled it
on his children, it went into the hand of strangers.

The Rev. James Hill was the first of the family connected with
Galloway. He was ordained minister of Kirkpatrick-Durham
in l(i99, and maintained through a long life the highest cha-
racter for piety and talents. His wife was Agnes, daughter
of Bailie James INIuirhead, merchant in Dumfries, by whom
he had a family of thirteen children ; one of whom was the dis-
tinguished individual whose life we now purpose to trace.

James Hill, who was born in 1703, was early destined for
the medical profession ; and with that view served an appren-
ticeship with a surgeon in Edinburgh. He afterwards entered
the college of that city, a seminary which at that period could

184

THE LITERARY HISTORY

scarcely boast of a medical or anatomical school. Before this
time, young persons, intended for the medical profession, were
under the necessity of repairing to some of the celebrated uni-
versities on the continent for instruction. The chair of ana-
tomy in the college of Edinburgh was instituted in I7O0 ; that
of chemistry in 1713 ; of the institution and practice of me-
dicine in 1724 ; of midwifery in I726. Under this scanty
supply of academical instruction, (to which we may add the
brief course of chemistry and materia mcdica given in the Ed-
inburgh apothecary hall,) did Mr. Hill prosecute his studies
at the university of Edinburgh : and having obtained his di-
ploma as a surgeon, he entered the navy in that capacity in
1730. In this service he continued two years ; at the end of
which time he settled in Dumfries, and commenced the prac-
tice of surgery in that town.

From this date, his time and attention continued to be de-
voted to the practice and study of the medical and surgical
arts. He was distinguished by bold and original views ; and
while the sciences which he professed were undergoing im-
provement in every quarter of the world, his knowledge was
not remaining stationary. From the copious manuscript
notes that he left behind him, as well as from his published
work, it appears, that he was intimately acquainted with
the best works on surgery and medicine ; and that in his own
professional capacity, he ventured to depart from the usual
mode of practice, and to think and decide for himself. Speaking
of cancers, for example, he says, " There was no Infirmary in
Edinburgh when I served my apprenticeship there, so that I
never had an opportunity of seeing a cancerous breast extirpated,
or any other capital operation in surgery performed, till I per-
formed them myself My first practice, therefore, was di-
rected by the late Dr. Monro's performance on dead subjects,
and his prelections on operations, and the best authors that
were published at that time.""

As to cancerous and scirrhous complaints, he had the honour
of being the first surgeon in this country who laid aside the
palliative method, and by his own practice, established the

OF GALLOWAY. 185

superiority of excision to any other mode of cure. Dr. Monro,
under whom he had studied at Edinburgh, Le Dran, Sharp,
and other distinguished writers, recommended and followed the
former method, and discouraged surgeons from attempting the
latter. But the authority even of these men had little in-
fluence with a person of indej)endent thinking like Mr. Hill.
As the result of his observation and practice, he declares that,
" in the case of cancers, I never observed the smallest benefit
from hemlock, (which before his time had been the grand
specific for this complaint). On the contrary, I have, in se-
veral instances, seen much mischief done by it : "" * * *
while, " in the course of thirty years'* practice, I have ex-
tirpated from most parts of the body no less than eighty-
eight genuine cancers, being all ulcerated except four ; and I
have the satisfaction of assuring the public that all the patients
but two recovered of the operation."

There is another department of surgery, in which he ef-
fected great improvement. I refer to the operation of tropan
in cases of disorders in the head from external \-iolence. Other
practitioners had published on this subject before him. But
in the work which he afterwards submitted to the world, he
gives the history of his own practice on this head, from which
it appears that he was the first, or one of the first, that adopt-
ed this mode of cure. " Within these last fifteen years,"
says he, " so many circumstances, which I thought peculiar
to myself, have been discovered and published, that I have
frequently been almost determined to suppress these sheets."
" Yet," he continues, " as I imagined there was still some-
thing new in what I have to propose, I at last resolved to
give an account of such cases as occurred to me in practice, of
the methods 1 employed, and the reasons which induced me
to use these methods." " In truth," says he, " in some points
my sentiments and practice differ considerably from some
authors, for whom I have the highest esteem."

The work, from which these and the foregoing extracts are
taken, appeared in 1772> in one volume 12mo., under the
title of Cases i7i Surgerj/, particularly of Cancers, and dis-

laf)

THE LITERARY HISTORY

orders of the /uad from cxiernal violence, icith observations ;
to which is added, an Account af the Sibbens. This treatise
was most iavourably received ; and from the minute details it
gives of his own practice relative to the two distempers in
question, it must have had a favourable effect on the state
of science respecting them. His Accotint of the Sibbens, or
Yaws, is characterised by original views. In addition to this
work, ]\Ir. Hill contributed various articles, in the line of his
profession, to medical journals.

The deep interest he felt in the cases of his patients, is ap-
parent from his published work. He was a man of nice dis-
crimination and sound judginent; and though he excelled in
handling the knife, he never had recourse to this mode of
cure, unless when circumstances fully warranted it. When he
did avail himself of that instrument, his operations were equally
bold and successful ; and many of his cures have, we under-
stand, been referred to with praise by Dr. Monro and others
in their public lectures. Nothing ever prevented him from
visiting a patient when sent for : he has been known to incur
personal risk, in stormy weather, or in the case of floods, in
carrying his wishes in this respect into effect. His practice
was not confined to Dumfries or its neiojibourhood : he was
regarded as the surgeon of more than one county ; and was
not unfrcquently consulted by persons residing at a great dis-
tance, even in the sister kingdom. A considerable number of
young men, who afterwards attained to distinction as surgeons,
such as the late Mr. Benjamin Bell of Kdinburgh, had the
advantage of serving their apprenticeship under him. In the
instruction of such persons he seems to have exerted himself
with uncommon zeal. He left behind him two manuscript
volumes, entitled Lectures to his apprentices, embracing an
elucidation of the most important subjects connected with his
profession.

With Dr. Kbenezcr Gilchrist, who was a native of Dum-
fries, and who had settled in that town as a physician about
the time that the subject of this sketch commenced the prac-
tice of surgery there, Mr. Hill lived in terms of the greatest

OF GALLOWAY. 1^7

friendship. Dr. Gilchrist, who is often referred to by him in
his Cases of Surgeri/, and who placed the greatest confidence
in the soundness of the professional views and experiments
of his friend, was a physician of very superior character and
attainments. He had studied successively at P]dinburgh,
London, and on the Continent, and obtained the degree of
M. D. from Rheims ; he was the author of various medical
treatises ; and, like his friend Mr. Hill, deserted the beaten
road of medical practice, and made many discoveries in the
art which he professed, particularly with regard to nervous
fever and the efficacy of sea voyages in certain complaints.
He died in 1774' '•> ^^^^ was succeeded by his son, the late Dr.
John Gilchrist.

Mr. Hill did not long survive his friend. He was now,
indeed, far advanced in years, and died on the 17th of Octo-
ber 177^*5 ^^ ^^^ ^ge of seventy-three.

As to his personal appearance, he was in stature above the
middle size, his height being about five feet eleven inches.
He continued till his death to prefer that fashion of dress
that had prevailed in his youth. He wore a full wig ; and
used a large staff. He was a man of dignity both of appear-
ance and manners. His character was in every department of
life most respectable. With the exception of professional
subjects, chemistry was his favourite study. He was fond of
antiquities. But his acquirements were miscellaneous, as well
as minute.

On the 15th of February 1733, a year after his settlement
at Dumfries, he married Anne M'Cartney, daughter of John
McCartney of Blaiket ; by whom he at length became pro-
prietor of that estate.* He kept it in his own possession.

* Blaiket, which lies in the parish of Urr, had been the property of the
M'Cartneys from IGIG, George, son to M'Cartney of Chapelearn, having
purcliased it in that year. Mrs. Hill's mother v/as Margaret, daughter of
Sir Alexander Gordon of Earlston. The sufferings of tlie i\I'Cartncys of
Blaiket during the reign of Charles II. occupy a prominent place in Wod-
vow's Histori/. A younger son of tlie first ]\rCartncy of Blaiket, having
emigrated to Ireland, was the progejiitor of that celebrated nobleman, the
late Earl of JMacartuey. MSS- penes mc. Barrow's Life of Lord Mucaiiney.

188 THE LITERARY HISTORY

Farming he seems in consequence to have carefully studied ; and
among his numerous manuscript papers, there are dissertations
relative to almost every branch of agi'iculturc. INIrs. Hill sur-
vived her husband ten years. Of eleven children, of whom
their family consisted, eight predeceased him. INIr. John
Hill, No. 26, Scotland Street, Edinburgh, his grandson, is
the lineal representative of the family.*

Dr. Willia:m Jameson was a native of the northern dis-
trict of Ayrshire, and born in 1704<. After the usual course
of elementary education, he entered the university of Glasgow,
in which he took the degree of A.M., and which, at a sub-
sequent period, conferred on him the degree of doctor in
divinity. In what way he first became known in Galloway,
I have not learned, but by the unanimous choice of the people,
he was, in 1731, ordained helper and successor to the Rev.
Alexander Telfer, minister of Rerwick.*f* Being a man of
liberal views, and extensive knowledge of life, he exerted him-
self to remove the narrow-mindedness and prejudices, for which
his people were remarkable ; while, at the same time, he never
neglected the more important objects for which he was stationed
among them. Even in the hour of merriment and enjoy-
ment, he lost no opportunity of communicating moral and
religious instruction, and has often been known to terminate
an easy and cheerful conversation, by some unexpected serious

• To 3Ir. John Ilill, as also to Robert Corbet, Esq., Advocate, I am
indebted for t!ic greater part of tlie materials of which this memoir consists.

■j- The name of Mr. Teh"er, who was the first minister of Ilerwick after
the Revolution, is known to the curious reader as the author of a credulous
and superstitious jiamphlet, entitled, A True Relation of an Apparition, the
cxpre-is-ions ami t/rlinrjs of a Spirit vJiich ivfcsted the house of Andrew Machie
of Ilinrj-croft (f Slockinij, in the parish of Rerrick, in the Slewarlry of Kir k-
cndbriijlu., in Scotland, 1 fi95 ,• bi/ Mr. Alexander Telfair, minister of that Paroch,
and attested b'/ miiny other persons, irho were also eye and ear -witnesses- Ellin-
bunjh, printed b>j George Mosman, IWO'. 15 pages, small Ito.

OP GALLOM'AY. 189

remark or inference, that left on the mind an indelible impres-
sion. If any instances of profancness or irreligion occurred
in his presence, he possessed a peculiar felicity in checking
and exposing them ; and " this he did," says Mr. Thomson,
" in the midst of smiles and good wishes, that he often gained
friends, but never thereby procured an enemy."* He enter-
tained a very high opinion of the importance and respectability
of his professional character ; and yet he was distinguished by
a singular facility in accommodating himself to every gradation
of rank and of age. Even when at the very extremity of a
life protracted beyond the usual span, the cheerfulness of his
manners, and the instructions to which he made these subser-
vient, were as conspicuous as ever.

Though old, he still retained

His manly sense, and energy of mind ;
Virtuous and wise he was, but not severe ;
He still remember'd that he once was young;
His easy presence check'd no decent joy.
Him even the dissolute admired, for lie
A graceful freedom, when he pleas'd, put on,
And, langhing, could instruct.

" As a minister," says Mr. Thomson, " he was highly
respectable. His sermons were both rational and pathetic,
exhibiting a deep tinge of that fervent and genuine piety which
ran invariably through his life and conversation. In discharg-
ing the duty of parochial examination, he excelled most men.
So studiously did he avoid putting any one to the blush, and
in such a clear and satisfactory manner did he explain the
Christian system, that several of his people followed him fi'om
one diet to another over the parish ; and he himself has been
heard to say, that he verily believed he did more good by his
examinations in the winter season, than by all his preaching
through the whole of the year."

His attachment to his flock, by whom he was beloved, no
consideration could induce him to sacrifice. Accordingly,

* liCtter from the late Kev. James Thomson to the present writer.

190 THE LITERARY HISTORY

when the living of Kirkciulbright was offered him by the Earl
of Selkirk, who characterised him as the most polite and ac-
complished clergyman in the south of Scotland, he did not for
a moment hesitate to decline the preferment. The tie that
binds pastor and people was, in his case, at the time of which
we arc speaking, enhanced by a residence among them of
thirty years.

^^l^en Dr. Jameson was advanced in life, the late Rev.
James Thomson was ordained his helper and successor. He
died on the 4th of iNIarch 1790, at the venerable age of
eighty-six, of which he had spent no fev.er than fifty-nine as
minister of Rerwick. His wife, INIiss ISIarion Cunninghame,
a descendant of the family of Caprington, had predeceased
him. They had had two children, daughters, of whom Mar-
garet, the youngest, died unmarried, when upwards of twenty
years of age : the other, Jane, was married, first, to one of the
Newalls of Earlston, an ancient family in the parish of Kells,
and, second, to William Donaldson of Kildow, a small estate
in the parish of Kelton. By the former union, she had no
children ; by the latter, no fewer than eight, of whom some
are still alive. Two years before his death. Dr. Jameson had
retired from his official duties, and resided in the family of his
only surviving daughter, Mrs. Donaldson, in whose house he
breathed his last.

Dr. Jameson was distinguished by talents of no ordinary
kind. His mind, naturally strong and vigorous, was culti-
vated and improved by study and meditation. With the
classical writinfrs of Greece and Rome, as well as with those
of his own countr)-, his accjuaintancc was considerable. But
ethical and metaphysical science was his favourite study, and
that in which he excelled. Of this his Easay on Virtue and
Harmony affords no contemptil)le proof. It was published so
early as 17^9, a period when the science of which it treats
was little cultivated in this country : and when few metaphysical
works had issued from our northern press ; and had its author
held a place in any of our literary establishments, it would
have gained him no inconsiderable degree of celebrity. For,

OF GALLOWAY. 191

while it exhibits many undoubted marks of erudition, and of a
strong masculine understanding, it is at the same time remark-
able for the felicity with \vhich it analyzes every complex feel-
ing and emotion, and ascertains the source, the motive, and
tendency of all our actions and sympathies. With regard to
the great object which he had in view in this treatise, the au-
thor himself thus speaks. " We flatter ourselves," says he,
" that we have brought our inquiry to the following conclusion :
— That the complete idea of virtue is not to be obtained from
human nature alone, or taken apart and independent, but from
viewing it as an object co-rejative with the universe ; and, from
the mutual agreement and harmony, which the Supreme Au-
thor and Lawgiver appears to have designed should take place
between them ; that, therefore, virtue is to be regarded and
revered as a divine law, promulgated to man by his own na-
ture, and by the nature of the universe.""

His knowledge and attainments as a theologian were also
respectable. " So thorough a master," says Mr. Thomson,
" was he reckoned of the Deistical controversy," — at that time
carried on with much keenness and asperity, — " that his bre-
thren always ap])lied to him when any difficulty occvirred to
them on that subject ;" and he had composed a treatise on the
evidences of Christianity, which, however, he did not think it
advisable to publish.

102 THE LITERARY HISTORY

CHAPTER XV.

LIVES OF THE REV. JOHN EWART, AND THE REV.
ANDREW DON NAN.

The E warts are an ancient family in the Stewartry of Kirkcud-
bright, as traces of them exist there so early as the year 1500.
For several generations they had been proprietors of Mullock,
as also for a shorter time of Drummore. By marriage they were
connected with the Browns of Carsluith, and other old fami-
lies. The Rev. Andrew Ewart, minister of Kells, father of
the venerable individual whose history we now purpose to
give, was proprietor of IMullock and Drummore. He married
Agnes, heiress of Grierson of Capenoch, by whom he had a
family of two sons and four daughters ; James, the oldest,
(who married JNIiss Christie of Baberton) ; John, the subject
of this memoir ; Anne, married to Mr. Newall of Park ; Agnes,
the wife of the Rev. Peter Yorstoun of Closeburn ; and Nicolas
and Henrietta, who died unmarried. The Rev. Andrew
Ewart was a widower when married to TNIiss Grierson, and
had a daughter, afterwards married to Alexander Kennedy of
Knock gray.

^Ir. John Ewart was born at Kells Manse in the year
171 7> an'l^ after having received a suitable education at home,
entered the college of Kdiiiljurgh. He studied for the church,
and obtained from the crown the presentation to the parish of
Troquirc, near Dumfries, in 17*38, when he was scarcely
twenty-one years of age. In the work of the ministry he ex-
perienced great delight. He regularly visited the sick ; he

OF GALLOWAY. 193

took a deep interest in the state of the poor ; and the three
schools within the parish enjoyed the advantage of his unfail-
ing superintendence and direction. To the various classes of
his parishioners he was warmly attached. His income, how-
ever, was small ; yet, when afterwards offered a more profitable
parish, he declined it, and " preferred to remain permanent
where he was happy."

In the rebellion of 174-5, the rebels having taken Carlisle,
the inhal)itants of Dumfries, believing the insurgents' army to
be in considerable force, naturally supposed that they must be
the next to surrender. They were not inactive in preparino-
for defence ; and jNIr. Ewart, with two other clergymen, col-
lected the farmers and tradesmen in the neia'hbourhood, and
joined their friends in Dumfries. These forces were drawn up
in rank and file on the field ; when Mr. Ewart, after prayer,
addressed them on horseback in a speech full of loyal senti-
ments.

These preparations, however, though honourable to the per-
sons by whom they were made, turned out not to have been
necessary. The rebels visited Dumfries, but left it unmolest-
ed, after having extorted contributions from it. INIr. Ewart,
on his return home, a distance of about a mile, found two
highland officers quartered in his house. He treated them
with the greatest hospitality ; but did not fail to remonstrate
freely with them on the desperate cause which they had es-
poused.

In the year 1747? ^Ir- Ewart married Miss Corrie, the
only daughter of William Corrie, Esq. of Dumfries ; descend-
ed from the family of Carlingwark, originally of Burrens.
A\^ith this lady he enjoyed the utmost happiness, during the
remainder of a lonir life.

In the subsequent part of his life there is little incident.
Professional duties occupied his chief care. He was at the
same time much given to reading. He omitted no oppor-
tunity of communicating pious and virtuous sentiments. To
any of his young friends going abroad, his advice was most

19^ THE LITERARY HISTORY

apjiropriate. Such advices were given in that cheerful, frank,
and aiiectionatc manner, indicative of his character.

He occasionallv attended the meetings of the General As-
scmhly at Edinhurgh, in which city he had many relations
and friends.* In I'JGO, he visited London, accompanied by
his brother-in-law, jNIr. William Corrie. Of this excursion
he ever afterwards spoke with pleasure. He saw George II.
at the Chapel Royal a few months before his death ; but he
highly disapproved of his majesty's engaging in conversation
with some of his attendants, during the time of divine service.
He had the privilege of seeing some of the most eminent par-
liamcntar)' orators of that time.

In 177^^ ^^ published a small work in the form of a cate-
chism, chiefly on the principal points of difference between the
Protestant and Roman Catholic faith. This treatise seems to
have been meant specially for his own parish, in which there
were a few papists. There was, indeed, a Roman Catholic
Chapel in it belonging to an opulent family, in which a priest
of that persuasion regularly officiated. With that family and
with their clergyman, INIr. Ewart always lived in terms of the
greatest harmony. Pains having been taken to make converts
among Mr. Ewart"'s flock, and some popish books having been,
with that view, circulated among them, he thought himself
called upon to counteract these attempts ; and hence the work
in question, which he distributed among his hearers. No
copy of it can now, I believe, be found.

• Among I\Ir. Ewart's early friends was, Dr. Maxwell Garthshore of
London, with whom he maintained a regular epistolary correspondence till
his doatli. This di^^tingnished physician was son to the llcv. i\Ir. Garth-
shore, minister of Kirkcudbright. He married Miss M'Guffog, heiress of
Kusco, by whom he hcaime jjroprietor of that estate. They had an only
son of great promise, who predeceased both parents. Dr. Garthshore died
in 1H12, at the age of ^^0. He was very wealthy, and so extremely chari-
table that he commonly spent about L. 1000 per annum in acts of beneficence.
He was not the author of any literary work, though a man of great literary
etnincnce; but he contributed several articles on professional subjects to the
Hoyal Society of London and to ftleriical Journals.

OP GALLOWAY. 195

In 1791, he drew up a description of the parish of Tro-
quirc for the Statistical Account of Scotland, in the first vol-
ume of which work it appeared ; the article is brief, but written
with great judgment.

Though Mr. Ewart had now arrived at a very advanced
age, he continued to enjoy the best health and the greatest viva-
city, a circumstance which was undoubtedly owing, in no mean
degree, to his habits of very early rising, his temperance and
activity. Before his death, however, Mr. Joseph Easton (who
did not survive him long) was ordained his helper and succes-
sor in the parish of Troquire. His dissolution was very
sudden ; a species of death which, in the case of a good man,
he often spoke of as desirable. Mrs. Ewart and he being on
a visit to their daughter and son-in-law, INIr. and Mrs. Porter,
at that time living at Youngficld, near Dumfries, he was in
excellent spirits, and so well that he spent about an hour and
a half in the open air. Another son-in-law, Dr. John Gil-
christ of Dumfries, joined them at dinner ; and it has been
alleged, that Mr. Ewart had not passed a more cheerful day
during the previous twenty years. Yet there was literally
but a step between him and death. At night he walked up
stairs to his apartment with Mrs. Ewart ; and in a few min-
utes after he had laid his head on his pillow, he breathed his
last. This event took place on the 5th of September 1799,
in the eighty-fourth year of his age, and sixty-third of his
ministry. His funeral sermon was preached by his nephew,
the late Rev. Andrew Yorstoun, minister of Closeburn.

In stature INIr. Ewart was not above the middle size ; he
was of slender make, of great activity and cheerfulness. The
portrait prefixed to his posthumous works, (of which we have
yet to speak,) is a striking likeness of him.

INIrs. Ewart survived her husband upwards of eleven years,
and died on the third of January 1811, when upwards of
eighty years of age. They had a numerous family of sons and
daughters, of whom three, one son and two daughters, still
survive. Of the sons, (three in number,) who are dead, we
cannot resist giving a brief account.

19(3 THE LITERARY HISTORY

Joseph, the eldest, distinguished from his youth for superior
talents, happening to visit Berlin when travelling with INIac-
donald of Clanronald, acquired the friendship and confidence
of Sir John Stepney, then British amhassador at the court of
Prussia. His excellency, having occasion to return to Kng-
land, left Mr. Ewart as charge d'affaires in his absence. This
was the beginning of a brilliant but brief career. After going
through some subordinate steps, he was appointed minister
plenipotentiary on the part of Britain at Berlin. He married
the Countess ^^'^arstenleben, by whom he had a family. Hav-
ing returned to England for the benefit of his health, which
had long been declining, he died at Bath in 1792. He was
a person of great accomplishments, eminent diplomatic charac-
ter, and high in the estimation both of the British and Prus-
sian governments.

The second son of the Rev. ^Ir. Ewart was William, long
a distinguished merchant in Liverpool, of whom the late Mr.
Canning declared, that he never knew " a more upright, honour-
able, right-minded, and kind-hearted man ;" an opinion which
received the sanction of the late !Mr. Huskisson. He died in
October 1823. AVilliam Ewart, Esq. M. P. for Liveqiool,
is his second son.

John Ewart, !M. D., was third .son of the minister of Tro-
quire. He was .settled at Bath as a phy.sician. He after-
wards went to India as inspector-general of hospitals, and died
there in 1799-

Two works, namely. Lectures on the Psalms, and Biogra-
phical SIcelches of Eminent Characters, written by Mr. Ewart,
have been published since his death. The MS. of the former
was given by the author to his daughter Mrs. Porter and her
husband,* a fcM' weeks before his death, with a request that

• A\'illiam Porter, Ki-q., died at London in 3Iay 1815. He was a native
of Galloway, educated at the university of lidinburgh, and, in 1761-, when
twenty-two years of age, was selected to accompany Dr. Dumaresqiie to
St. I'cteraburgh, to assist in forming the imperial academy there. He af-
terwards entered into commercial life in that rity, where he resided upwards
of twenty years. By t luse contingencies in business which ofte/i the best

OP GALLOWAY. 1 97

one volume should be first publisheil, chieHy for the use of his
graiulchildren, and that, if it should be favourai)ly received by
the public, the remaining two might follow. Of this useful
work the first volume appeared in 1822 ; the other two in
182G. These Lectures, abounding with historical and biogra-
phical illustrations, were never preached, but were meant for
the use of private families, particularly for the improvement of
the young ; an object which they are admirably calculated to
serve. The Biograp/iical Sketches, which did not appear till
1830, are of a varied but interesting description, 'i'he volume
contains also " INliscellaneous Pieces, in verse and prose ;'" in-
cluding several letters written by Mr. Ewart to a grandson,
and to his son Dr. John Ewart, which do honour to the me-
mory of the venerable writer. To the Lectures is contributed
an excellent Memoir of the Author, written, we have reason to
believe, by Mrs. Porter. To both works is prefixed the en-
graving of Mr. Ewart to which we have already referred.

The Rev. Andrew Donnan was descended of a family
that had for centuries been established as respectable farmers
in Wigtonshire. I'he surname which they bore is supposed
to be synonymous with Donnegan, and to be of Irish origin. Mr
Donnan was the son of Mr. William Donnan who rented the
farm of Ersick, in the parish of Whithorn, and of Margaret Ful-
lerton. He studied at the university of Glasgow ; his views were
directed to the church ; and after undergoing the usual course
of education, he received his licence as a preacher from his na-
tive presbytery. He was early distinguished for superior ta-
lents. The late Dr. Murray, no mean judge, characterised

skill cannot avoid, he was deprived of all lie had gained. But " his inte-
grity snil honour were unblemished." A short time before his death,
he was appointed one of the commissioners of tlie customs in Scotland. He
was a person of great respectability, of sound scholarship, and extensive
acquirements. See character of JMr. Porter iu Gmtkimn's Mutjuzine for
Way 1815, written by Lord St. Helens.

198 THE LITERARY HISTORY

him as " an excellent man and scholar." He acted for some
time as an assistant-teacher in the grammar school of Wigton ;
and the Rev. David Henderson, minister of that burgh, though
not advanced in life, having been for some time unable from
indisposition to perform his public duties, Mr. Donnan offi-
ciated in his room, and gave universal satisfaction. This
connexion led the way to his subsequent appointment as minis-
ter of that parish. ]Mr. Henderson having died in the year
17H4, though powerful influence was used to procure the living
for another respectable candidate, Mr. Donnan having gained
the esteem and confidence of the people of Wigton, was nomi-
nated his successor, owing chiefly to the exertions of his friend
Mr. Hawthorn, one of the magistrates of the burgh. Nor had
the flock, to whose pastoral care he was thus appointed, reason
to regret his preferment. He rose in their esteem daily, inso-
much that the present writer has heard it remarked that they
did not merely respect him, but were proud of him. He was
in truth a man of superior character. His pulpit discourses
M'cre remarkable for their lucid arrangement, perspicuous il-
lustration, and practical tendency. The editor of his posthu-
mous volume of sermons describes them as " truly edifying,
and well calculated to recommend sound principles and good
morals," and as exhibiting " great clearness and strength of
thought upon subjects of much importance in Christian doc-
trine and practice." Nor while he was thus esteemed and
useful as a preacher, did he neglect the private duties of his
office. These, indeed, he discharged in the most exemplary
manner ; and was altogether a most efficient and acceptable
minister of the Gospel.

The Paraphrases which had recently been composed under
the sanction of the Genera! Assembly, and appointed to be
sung as a part of public worship, had rot been generally intro-
duced at that time. In Mr. Donnan''s parish they had not
been used before his induction to the charffe. He thouifht it
his duty to introduce them ; a step which excited among the
lower orders of his flock considerable displeasure and opposi-
tion. Hut being convinced tliat these Paraphrases formed a

OF GALLOWAV. 199

manifest improvement in the psalmody of our church, and as
not a few of them contained references to the gospel-dispensa-
tion, which necessarily could not be found in the Psalms of
David, he continued steadfast to his resolution. Nor was the
opposition of the people either long-continued or violent. It
was in truth soon laid aside ; and the laudable object he had
in view was realized. There are yet parishes in Scotland in
which popular prejudice on this subject has not entirely dis-
appeared. The people of this country in former times suffered
so much from having allowed innovations in public worship to
creep in, that they are naturally jealous on this point ; a cir-
cumstance for which, if they do not deserve honour, they ought
not to be visited with much blame.

To Sir John Sinclair'^s Statistical Account of Scotland, Mr.
Donnan contributed a description of the parish of Wigton.
This article is of a simple, unpretending character, but ex-
tremely judicious, minute, and appropriate. It was owing to
his influence, it may here be mentioned, that the Wigton
Subscription Library was formed. This library, which still
continues to flourish, was one of the first, if not the very first,
established in that quarter of the country. Being a scholar
himself, and impressed with the dignity of knowledge, he was
anxious to disseminate intelligence among all ranks of the
people.

Mr. Donnan had hitherto remained a bachelor. Indeed
for nearly ten years after his settlement, he lived as a boarder
with Mrs. Henderson, the respectable widow of his predecessor.
But on the 29th of July 1794, he was married to Miss Isa-
bella Gordon, daughter of James Gordon, Esq. of Balmeg, in
his own parish ; the representative of a family descended, about
three hundred years before that date, of the house of Lochinvar.
Her mother was daughter of the Rev. Samuel Brown of Kirk-
mabrcck, grandfather of the late Dr. Thomas Brown.

But though INIr. Donnan was not yet above middle age,
and so far as human views extend, had reason to look forward
to many happy and useful years, his days were near a close.
On one Sabbath, he dispensed the Sacrament of the Supper to

200

THE LITERARY HISTORY

his people. Ho returned from church in apparently good
health, hut was immediately attacked with inHammatory
fever, and het'orc the an-ival of another Sahbath, was no
more. This event took place on the 25th of June 1798, in
the fortv-scvcnth year of his aije and fourteenth of his minis-
try. I'he late Rev. John Steven of Mochrum preached his
funeral sennon ; a discourse which, on account of its appropri-
ate character and high talent, is yet remembered with interest.

He leit behind him a widow and two children, a son and a
daughter. ]Mrs. Uonnan survived her husband nearly thirty-
one years, having died at Peebles on the 16th of April 1829-
The name of this excellent lady, it would be injustice to pass
over with this simple notice. She was a person of the greatest
energy of character, and benevolence of disposition. In the
weliare of any needy or interesting object known to her, she
took an interest altogether uncommon. She delighted, in truth,
in doing good. Nor were her activity of mind, her extent of
intelligence, and her powers of conversation, less eminent than
the goodness of her heart.

Mr. Donnan was in figure about the middle size, of dark
complexion, very short-sighted, and of simplicity of manners
and appearance. He was an excellent classical scholar, fond
of books, and of very minute and exact infomriation. He had
a decided turn for genealogy and antiquities ; and in this de-
partment, left behind him some curious papers relative to his
native county. He was a man of inde])endent thinking, and of
liberal views ; and even in times of ])olitical excitement and
rancour, did not hesitate to judge for himself, and fearlessly to
state his sentiments.

About two years after his death, a posthumous volume of
his sermons was published. This task was executed by his
talented friend and co-presbyter, the late Mr. Graham of Kir-
kinner.* I'he discourses had been written without the least

" The Rev. Jolin Gialiam was a native of tlie parish of Miniiigaff, of
which Ills fatJier was schoolmaster. He was first settled in the parish of
Dunlop, Ayrhhire, and translated to Kirkinner in 1779, where he died in
June 1815, in the eighty-second year of his age, after having been unable

OF GALLOWAY.

201

view to publication, and they labour under all the disadvantages
of a posthumous work. Yet they are most able compositions,
worthy of the character which, as quoted above, the editor gave
of them. They are plain, judicious, practical, unambitious of
ornament, and yet often both striking and elegant. As exam-
ples of this, I would refer in particular to the first sermon in
the volume, on Christian Improvement^ preached on the ordi-
nation of the Rev. Elliot W. Davidson of Sorbie ; to the sixth,
on the Nature and Obligation of an Oath ; and to the twenty-
first, on the Kings Recovery. The discourse on the nature of
an oath is a most elaborate production.

for several years to perform bis duties from advanced years. His wife,
Cliristiaii Hawthorn, predeceased him. Tliey Iiad no children. He was a
learned and worthy man, a great theologian, and thoroughly versed m
church.law. The marginal annotations which he made on the books he per-
used, evinced extensive reading and deep thinking.

202 THE LITERARY HISTORY

CHAPTER XVI.

LIVES OF WILLIAM IVPGILL, D.D., AND THE REV.
WILLIAM MACARTNEY.

WiLLiAJi M'GiLL, whose life forms the subject of this sketch,
was bom at Carscnestock, in the parish of Penninghame,
Wigtonshire, on the 11th of July 1731. His father, of
the same name, rented the farm of Carsenestock, which is
still in the possession of his descendants ; and his paternal an-
cestors had been settled as fanners in that near neighbourhood
at an earlier period than can now be traced. His mother,
Jean Heron, daughter to a respectable tenant in the Moss of
Cree, was also descended of a family which, for several genera-
tions, had been established in that place or vicinity. Dr.
William M'Gill, the subject of this memoir, was the young-
est of five children. He seems to have been early destined for
the church, and he received an education suitable to such pros-
pects. He attended the parish school at the Old Kirk of
Penninghame, then taught by ]Mr. Gordon. Though the
school was distant three miles from Carsenestock, he was never
willingly absent, and regretted when circumstances occurred to
detain him at home.

He studied at the university of Glasgow. During the
course of his academical education, and after he had obtained
licence as preacher, he was engaged as tutor in successive re-
spectable families. The second or junior charge of Ayr, having
l)ecomc vacant, in October IT-^T, was not supplied till the 22d
of October I7CI ; at which period Dr. M'Gill, who was resid-

OP GALLOWAY. 203

ing in the neighbourhood as tutor in a gentleman''s family, and
whose appearances as a preacher had been most acceptable, was,
on the solicitation of the people, inducted to that living. Dr.
William Dalrymple, having been ordained in 1^4:6, held the
senior or first charge ; and it is a remarkable fact that though
J3r. M'Gill lived to be forty-six years a clergyman, Dr. Dal-
rymple survived him, having died in 1814, after having been
sixty-eight years in the ministry. Between these two clergy-
men, the greatest friendship and happiness obtained during the
protracted period of their joint incumbency.

Two years after his settlement, Dr. M'Gill married Eliza-
beth Dunlop, daughter of a merchant in Ayr. The Dunlops
were connected with some of the best families; and INIrs.
M'Gill was niece to Dr. Dalrymple, her husband's colleague.
This lady, though she was distinguished by many amiable qua-
lities, was possessed of a very tender and nervous constitution ;
her temper and mode of thinking were variable and capricious ;
and Dr. M'Gill, it is feared, did not derive that happiness
from his marriage that he had reason to expect.

His wife brought him a fortune of about L.7OO. But
being deposited in the Douglas and Heron bank in Ayr, it
was lost, on the failure of that company in 1 77^* Owing to
the celebrity of the academy of that town, he received a limited
number of young gentlemen into his house as boarders, who
were undergoing their elementary education. By this means
no inconsiderable addition was made to his official income,
which was very limited.

He was, meanwhile, assiduously employed in the discharge
of his sacred functions. His preparation for the pulpit was
regular and unremitting ; and he spent much of his time in
the other private week-day duties of his office. He was al-
together a most useful minister of the Gospel, and enjoyed in
an entiinent degree the confidence and respect of his people.
He had, also, for some time, been engaged in preparing a
work of a theological nature for the press ; which was pub-
lished in 1786, under the title of A Practical Essay on the

Death of Jesus Christ, in two parts, contaiyiins;, 1, the Historu,

204 THE LITERARY HISTORY

2, ///(' Doctrine of his Death * This treatise, which was sup-
posed ta inculcate principles, both of Arian and Socinian charac-
ter, created a deep sensation, not only among the orthodox
clerijv of tile established church, but also amonfj dissenters.
Numerous pamphlets were written in answer to it ; theological
journals laboured to expose its en-ors ; and not a few clergy-
men of different denominations thought it their duty to warn
their hearers from the pulpit against its pernicious tendency.
The whok' west of Scotland was involved in a rclisjious fer-
ment. The author, meanwhile, remained silent ; and neither
by way of explanation or self-defence, did he condescend to
notice any of the pamphlets that had appeared against him.

The truth is. Dr. INI'Giirs Essaj/ did embrace to a certain
degree, sentiments not consentaneous to the word of God, or
the standards of our national church. Orthodox theology never
stood lower in this country than at the time in which this
work appeared. " Along with the elegant literature of our
sister country," says Dr. Chalmers, in his eloquent sermon
preached on the death of Dr. Andrew Thomson, " did the
mcai^rc Arminianism of her church make invasion amons; our
clergv' ; and we certainly receded for a time from the good old
way of our forefathers. This was the middle age of the church
of Scotland, an age of cold and feeble rationality, when evan-
gelism was derided as fanatical, and its very phraseology was
deemed an ignoble and vulgar thing." To that party in the
church to whom these words more especially refer, and who at
that period were altogether predominant, Dr. M'Uill belonged;
and though a man, not only of irreproachable but exem2)lary
moral character, and most indefatigable and popular as a
cltrgj^man, he seems to have receded as far as possible from the
sentiments of the party to whom he was opposed, while he
carried to an extreme extent his own peculiar views. But the
circumstances of the church in this respect are quite changed.
Both sides seem to combine, or to rival each other, in promot-

• TJiis work, which extends to 550 octavo pages, is inscribed to Dr. Dal-
rymple, his colleague.

OF GALLOWAY. 205

ing sound religious views, and in reviving what has been termed
" the olden theology of Scotland."

Dr. M'Giirs Essai/, though the alarm excited by it was
strong and general, a feeling increased by the irreligious
and wanton sarcasm of Burns, had not as yet attracted the
notice of the ecclesiastical courts. This forbearance on the
part of these judicatories may be imputed to the great respect-
ability of the reverend author, and to the high estimation in
which as a clergyman he was held. But circunastances soon
occurred which brought the matter to a crisis, and rendered
inquiry unavoidable.

The General Assembly, in 17^8, appointed a national
thanksiiivinff to be observed on the 5th of November of that
year, to commemorate the goodness of divine providence for
the blessings of the Revolution, which, a hundred years
before, had established presbytery as our national church,
and secured those civil and religious privileges which we
still enjoy. The purity of the standards of our church,
and the necessity of preserving them inviolate, were natur-
ally dwelt upon by clergymen on this occasion. Several
sermons delivered on that day were published ; and among
others, was one by Dr. Peebles, minister of Newton-upon-Ayr.
In this discourse, the author, not only thought it his duty to
animadvert most severely on several passages of Dr. ]M' Gill's
Essay, as containing heretical sentiments, but characterised him
as a person, " with one hand receiving the privileges of the
church, while, with the other, he was endeavouring to plunge
the keenest poignard into her heart."" This exposure or at-
tack, proceeding, as it did, from one with whom he had hither-
to lived on terms of friendship. Dr. M'Gill seems to have
felt acutely ; and notwithstanding his former silence, resolved
to write a reply on this occasion. This he did by publishing
his own sermon delivered on the 5th of November ; to which
he subjoined an appendix, elaborately composed, and extend-
ing to upwards of thirty pages, in strenuous support of his
former vic^vs, and directing reflections of the severest personal
censure against his opponent.

206 THE LITERARY HISTORY

Under sucli circumstances, the church courts were forced to
take such steps as had been long expected of them, and to
vindicate their standards. The matter not having been
brought before the presbytery of Ayr, an overture on the sub-
ject was laid before the synod of Glasgow and Ayr, in April
lyj^O, three years after the publication of the obnoxious treatise.
It being very properly insisted on that the case should origi-
nate in the radical court, and an appeal on this point having
been lodged to the ensuing General Assembly, it v.as remitted
to the presbytery, with instruction to take such steps as they
should find necessary for preserving the purity of the doctrines
of the church, and the authority of her standards. The pres-
bytery of Ayr, accordingly, proceeded to carry this recommen-
dation into ctfect. But of the proceedings that took place, it
is not necessary here to give a minute account. It may be
enough to say, that Dr. IM'Gill continued to defend his opin-
ions, though he at the same time declared that his views were
not hostile to the authority, or incompatible with the doctrines
of the church ; that from the complicated nature of the case,
the presbytery found it necessary to apply to the synod, which
met in the ensuing month of October, for advice and direction ;
and that a committee, appointed to examine into the nature of the
alleged errors contained in his works, gave in an able and elabo-
rate report, stating and illustrating, by a reference to the word of
God and the standards of the church, that they inculcated heretical
sentiments, 1 . (^)n the doctrine of the atonement by the suffer-
ings and death of Jesus Christ. 2. On the person and charac-
ter of Jesus Christ. 3. On the priesthood and intercession of
Christ. 4. On the method of reconciliation to God in the way
of repentance. And 5. On subscription to the Confession of
Faith.

This important question ultimately came before the synod
which met at Glasgow on the 13th of April 1790. The interest
excited by it had now become intense. The court was crowded to
excess. And Mr. Graham of Kirkinncr had come from that dis-
tant paqsh,.as the corresponding member from the synod of Gal-
loway, to sup])ort his early and highly valued friend. But mat-

OP GALLOWAY. 207

ters now assumed an appearance that had not been anticipated.
Dr. M'Gill, on the second day of the meeting of* the court, before
the business was resumed, rose, and instead of defending the
protest and appeal which he had lodged, signified his ardent
desire that no farther proceedings should take place, and that
matters should be accommodated. To this candid proposal no
objections were stated. On the contrary, a committee of six
members was appointed to converse with him, and to endeavour
to brinji the matter to so desirable a termination. The endea-
vour was happily successful. Within two hours the committee
returned ; and expressed their unanimous satisfaction with Dr.
M'GilFs explanations and apology, which they wefe authorized
in his name to submit to the synod. This document was in
these words :

" I am extremely sorry that what was honestly intended by
me to serve the interests of piety, charity, and peace, should
have given ground of offence to my Christian brethren. INly
Essay on the Death of Jesus Christ was designed to be wholly
practical. My sole object was to promote practical godliness,
founded on the facts and circumstanpes of the gospel history :
and upon this design I was so intent that I may in some in-
stances have omitted things which I hold to be true, when the
practical use of them did not immediately occur to me. In
every work of man, more especially a work of some length and
variety, it is not to be expected but there will be failures and
blemishes which may have crept into it ; at which, however,
men of judgment and candour will not be offended, when they
are convinced that the design, upon the whole, is good.

" These things being premised, my general answer to the
first article in the report is,

" 1st, That I have explained ' the Doctrine of the Atone-
ment by the Sufferings and Death of Christ,' if not with all
the advantage that might be wished, yet in the way that ap-
peared to me most agreeable to the plain and undeniable facts
of the gospel record, most instructive and edifj'ing in its ten-
dency, and least liable to be perverted by sinners into a pre-
tence for continuing in their sins ; but, on the contrary, to

208 THE LITERARY HISTORY

afford them pressing motives to a vspccdy repentance. It seems
likewise calculated to comfort and confirm good men, and ani-
mate them in well-doing. I have, alter the evangelists, given
a minute detail of Christ's sufferings for our sins, and largely
insisted on the merit of his obedience unto death, as the foun-
dation of all our hopes of pardon and salvation. And what
is advanced upon this head, I hoped upon the whole, would
have been thought agreeable, not only to the word of Cjod,
which was my oidy rule in composing it, but likewise to the
Confession of Faith, which always represents the perfect obedi-
ence and unspotted sacrifice of Christ, as that which avails with
God in behalf of penitent sinners. Chap. viii. 3, 4, 5 ; chap.
xi. 3.

" To the 2d article of the report, I answer, That my sub-
ject required me to consider our Lord Jesus Christ simply, first,
in his suffering character, as a man of sorrows and acquainted
with grief: And then, in reward of his obedience, as highly
exalted at God's right hand, and made head over all things to
the church. If any word hath escaped me, disparaging to the
'person and character of our J3ivine Saviour,' it was certainly
far from my intention, as I always studied to speak of him in
Scripture language, or in the language which I took to be of
like import with that of Scripture.

" To the 3d article, my answer is. That though I have
hinted some reasons, why some of the expressions relating to
Christ's priesthood are not to be understood literally, but in a
figurative sense, and in allusion to the high priests under the
law ; yet I never meant to say, that the doctrine of Christ's
])riesthfiod and intercession was figurative ; but do maintain
that it was real, important, and highly necessary both to our
present comfort and eternal salvation. For thereby we are
assured of the ])ardon of sin, when we sincerely repent of it,
and may depend on receiving, in answer to our prayers, all
needful aid and succour from above, under our infirmities ; we
have freedom of access to the throne of grace, and are encour-
aged to serve God with the spirit of love, and joy, and hope.
And all these and other benefits which we enjoy or hope for

OP GALLOWAY.

209

throufrh Christ, are founded on the willing and acceptable
sacrifice and oblation which he made of himself on the cross.
The whole of this, as far as I understand, is agreeable to the
holy Scripture, and also to our other standards.

" As to the 4th article, < The method of reconciling sin-
ners to God by repentance,' I only meant, by what I said
on that article, that though our reconciliation to God is solely
by the death of Christ, it is never effected without the sinner
being brought to repentance. As I know no other name un-
der heaven, given among men, wdiereby we must be saved,
but that of Jesus Christ, so I know no method of salvation
but what he has pointed out in his gospel ; and that, I con- ^

ceive, is the method of faith and repentance. ' This is the
work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent :
and except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.' So speaks
the Saviour of the world ; and does not our Confession say,
' Repentance is of such necessity to sinners, that none may
expect pardon without it ?'' Chap. xv. 3.

" Now for the last article in the report, ' Concerning sub-
scription.' I have indeed given my opinion, that it would be
better if the practice of it were laid aside, as it was certainly
for some centuries unknown in the Christian Church, and was
not even practised in our own church for many years after the
Confession of Faith was adopted. But that is a political
question, like patronage, and many others, where, I appre-
hend, a man may lawfully propose his opinion, with the rea-
sons of it, whether well or ill founded, as to what he thinks
may be for the good of religion and society, withovit being
liable to any censure on that account. Upon the whole, I
assert, as I have formerly done more than once, that far from
being inimical in any respect, I am a zealous, though weak
friend to the constitution and authority of the church of Scot-
land, in doctrine, discipline, and worship, and do cordially
condemn whatever appears inconsistent therewith.

" And considering, that every member of the church of
Scotland is bound by very solemn engagements, to adhere to
her standards, and that these standards are the only authori-

210 THE LITERARY HISTORY

tative interpreters of the sacred scriptures amonir us, I hereby
again tleclarc, that I am sorry that my publications should
have given offence to any of my brethren, or to the world.
And now, upon further reHection, I am sensible that there
are ideas contained in these publications which may appear
improper, and modes of expression ambiguous and unguarded,
particularly respecting the doctrine of the atonement by the
sufferings and death of Christ ; his person and character ; the
priesthood and intercession of Christ ; the method of recon-
ciling sinners to God ; and subscription to the Confession of
Faith ; all which ideas I hereby disclaim, and for all such
expressions I am heartily sorry, and hereby declare my be-
lief in these great articles, as they are laid down in the stan-
dards of this church. I therefore intreat the Reverend Synod
to receive this my apology, which I leave with them, and
submit it to their determination to publish these my explana-
tions and apology to the world, if they shall think it neces-
sary.*

" William M'Gill."

The only object of the Synod being peace and the advance-
ment of truth, this ample and manly apology was sustained
by the court without a dissentient voice ; a result honourable
to all the parties concerned, and favourable to the cause of re-
ligion in general, and particularly in that quarter of the
country which had of late been so severely agitated. The
court, deeply impressed with these considerations, appointed

* In Lockliart's Life of Bums is this sentence, " Dr. M'Gill was fain to
ackriowlodj/e liis errors, and |)romi.se that lie would fake an early opi)or-
lunityof ai!oh)giy,ing for ihein to liis own congregation from tlie pulpit —
which promise, however, he never performed." No such promise was ever
asked of liim, or made, and tlicrcfore could not be ])erfornied. The asser-
tion, in sliort, thotigh madi; with such confidence, is unfounded in truth.

The apology was ordered by tlie iSynod to be published by the clerk, with
two sections of the Confession of Faith, as suggested by a member, after
the apology had been given in, — the one resi)ecting the original and essen-
tial dignity of the Son of Ood, — the other illustrative of the doctrine of the
Atonement.

OF GALLOM'AY. 211

Dr. Dairy mple to offer up prayers to Almighty God, and to
express their thankfulness for the divine countenance and di-
rection with which, in this important matter, they had been
favoured.

During the discussions which terminated so happily.
Dr. M^Gill's flock, with very few exceptions, continued
faithfully attached to him. Their affection for him, indeed,
seems rather to have gained strength during the pro-
secution. On the subject being first brought before the
Synod, the magistrates of Ayr felt themselves, (to use their
own words), " irresistibly called upon, in justice to truth and
ministerial usefulness, to bear their public testimony" to the
exemplary faithfulness, and, so far as they could judge, to the
orthodoxy by which, as a clergyman. Dr. M'Gill was charac-
terised.

With the settlement of this question, every thing like in-
cident in Dr. M'GilFs life terminated. It " affords matter
for praise rather than narrative." He paid occasional visits,
as he always had done, to his relations in Galloway. At home
he was doomed to suffer deep family distress. He had been
left a widower before the time at which our narrative has ar-
rived. When he made his last will in 1791, out of a family
of eight, only three survived, one of whom it had been found
necessary to place in a lunatic asylum. The melancholy truth
is, that, though his children in early youth were most inte-
resting and promising, yet, as they arrived at maturity, they
all showed symptoms of something approaching to mental im-
becility. Probably, however, had their life been prolonged, it
might have sunk into that state of nervous sensibility in which
their deceased parent had so long remained.

The last visit he paid to Galloway was on an occasion
which, old as he was, induced him to make a great exertion to
accomplish his ])uq)0se. It was in July 1805, to celebrate
the marriage of his nephew, Mr. Andrew INI'Gill, the respecta-
ble tenant of Barsalloch, in his native parish of Penninghame.
At this time, he preached at Kirkinner, for his friend Mr.
Graham. His constitution had lost much of its original

212 THE LITERARY HISTORY

vigour ; and his gait had ceased to be so erect as it had for-
merly been.

About a year after his return to Ayr, the following letter
was written by him to Mr. M'Gill in Barsalloch.

" Ayr, 18th March, 1806.
" Dear Friend,

" I M'A5> really beginning to think, on account of the length
of time since I had heard from you, that, in administering the
ceremony of your marriage, I had performed the last duty to
a departed friend. But your most welcome letter of the 1 5th
instant, has happily relieved me, and given me the comfort to
know that you and your partner, as well as other friends, are
well. Your former letter was dated 6th October last. I never
leave any letters of my friends long unacknowledged when I am
able ; but 1 cannot continue to write when I receive no an-
swer. On this account I have been obliged to give up even
my dear friend Mr. Graham, my faithful correspondent for
fifty years.

" When you write to Jamaica, [where he had two nephews,
sons to his younger brother James M'Gill, farmer in Clary,]
remember me kindly to our friends there, whose welfare I re-
joice in. I am happy that your farm promises to do well.
But moderate expectations are best, and moderate cares about
the world. Sunday last was the first day, since I saw you,
that 1 was prevented from doing public duty by indisposition.
I am now confined to the house with a severe cough, though
better than I was some days ago. What can I expect at my
time of life .'' I am willing to depart. * * *

" I remain, dear nephew, yovir affectionate uncle and faith-
ful friend,

" Wm. M'GlLL.^^

At this ])criod, and for a long time previously, he had been
afflicted with asthma, which never afterwards left him. He
died on the 30th of March 1807, "^ ^^^ seventy-sixth year of
his age, and forty-sixth of his ministry.

OF GALLOWAY.

213

He left behind him only one child, a daughter, named
Graham in honour of his old i'riend, the minister of Kirkinner.
This lady still survives, and is unmarried. Her father died
possessed of such funds as afford her an ample competency.

In addition to the Practical Essay on the Death of Christ,
and the Bemjits of the Information, a sermon, with an appen-
dix, published in reply to the animadversions of Dr. Peebles,
he was the author of two excellent discourses inserted in the
third volume of the Scotch Preacher. He also published some
occtpsional detached .sermons, designed chiefly for the benefit of
his own flock. These compositions are the result of superior
talents and acquirements on the part of their author. It is to
be regretted that his large work is marked by such vagueness
of language as to admit even of the suspicion of error, or by
heretical views, however unintentional on his part, of which a
distinct disavowal or qualification was afterwards necessary. His
sermons are practical and pious. His learning was very con-
siderable ; his reading extensive ; his habits literary ; and he
enjoyed the acquaintance of some of the most distinguished
men in this part of the island, and maintained an epistolary
correspondence with them.

His professional and moral character was pure. He was
warmly attached to his relations, and cultivated regular inter-
course with them. In his domestic capacity, whatever were
the trials which in this respect he underwent, he was ex-
emplary. His friendships were steady ; and by his friends
he was generally not only respected but beloved. We have
seen that he had opponents ; but he was never known to have
a personal enemy. His manners were mild ; and his conver-
sation lively, agreeable, and instructive. He was possessed of
great equanimity, the result of natural strength of mind, as
well as of an abiding principle of piety and of dependence on the
A^'isdom of divine providence. AVhen one of his children who
had come to an untimely death, was lying a corpse, he did not
hesitate to perform the public duties of the Sabbath with his
usual composure and firmness.

As to his personal figure, he was about six feet in height,

214) THE LITERARY HISTORY

1)1' erfct carriage, and of clerical appearance. He never was
coq)ulcnt ; and towards the end of his days, his figure be-
came comparatively shrivelled, but was still venerable.

The Reverend William Macartney or M'Cartney,* was
born at the INIill or Mains of Penninghamc, on the 10th of
October 17G2. His father, Mr. James M'Cartney, was '^ri-
ant of that farm, and likewise carried on the business of a corn-
miller. His mother was INIargaret Cowan, daughter of James
Cowan, merchant in Newton Stewart. By his paternal grand-
mother, Agnes Milligan, who was married to William Thom-
son as her second husband, Mr. Macartney and the late Rev.
James Thomson of Balmaclellan, were cousins. Mr. Macart-
ney was also connected by marriage with Dr. M'Gill, whose
biography we have just finished.

The INIacartneys are an old family in Galloway. But the
branch of them from which the subject of this sketch was
sprung, had emigrated thither from Ireland, though, as men-
tioned in the life of Mr. James Hill in this work, even the
Irish branch was of Scottish origin. -f- INIr. William Macartney
received his early education under Mr. James Wood, af-
terwards successively minister of Calton chapel, Glasgow, and
of the Presbyterian chapel of Falstone, Northumberland. The
parochial school, (as well as the church,) being soon removed
from the village of Penninghame to Newton-Stewart, young
Macartney, instead of following it thither, was sent to the

• For the materials of which tliis sketcli is composed, I am indebted to
a valuable communication from William Thomson, Esq. merchant, Glasgow.
To Dr. I5oyd of the Kdinburgh High School, I owe similar obligations. Mr.
'Jhomsoii also favoured me with some information relative to Di'. JM'Gill's
life.

-j- Francis Blacartney, great-grandfather of the Rev. William Macartney,
cmit;ratfd from Ireland to .'^^cotland, and .settled at l-rsick, jiariirh of Whit-
liorn. 'I'lic Irioh branch was afterwards ennobled l»y the title of Earl of
Macartney.

OF GALLOWAY. 215

grammar school of Wigton, distant about Ctve miles. This lat-
ter seminary was then most ably taught by Dr. Cririe, now the
venerable minister of Dalton, Uumiiies-shire.

His views had at an early period been directed to the
church. ]iut circumstances occurred which gave them, at
least for a time, a different tendency. Owing to the advice of
his maternal uncle, the Rev. David Henderson, minister of
Wigton, (for his grandmother had been twice m.arried,) he
entered the office of INIr. Robert Fergusson, writer in that
burgh, w'ith the view of serving an apprenticeship under him.
In this employment, however, from whatever cause, he C(mti-
nued only a fortnight. His friends afterwards resolved to send
him to Jamaica, under the auspices of another uncle, George
Henderson, Esq. of that island. With this view he set out,
accompanied by his elder brother James, to Glasgow ; but
whether fortunately or otherwise, he was too late in reaching
that city, as the vessel in which it was meant he should go
had sailed before his arrival. Thus disappointed, he returned
home, and resumed wdth renewed vigour those studies from
which nothing was afterwards allowed to withdraw him.

When he entered the university of Edinburgh, having pre-
viously enjoyed every advantage of education, he was qualified
to join the senior Latin and Greek classes. He made not
only a respectable but an eminent figure in the various branches
of study in which he engaged, insomuch that he attracted the
attention or gained the friendship of several of the professors.
He was now enabled to support himself and defray the ex-
penses of his college studies by engaging in teaching. On the
recommendation of some of the professors, he was employed at
different times in directing the education of young men of high
birth or of advanced scholarship ; some of whom have since
made a distinguished figure in public life. The dead lan-
guages w ere his favourite stvidy ; and it was chiefly in giving
instruction in these that he was employed.

After having completed at college the course of education
which the \aws of the church prescribe, he was licensed as a
preacher of the gospel by the presbytery of Haddington. His

216

THE LITERARY HISTORY

first sermon was preached for Dr. Blair, in the High Church
of Kdinhurgli. Owing to the influence of Sir Islay Camp-
bell, to whose sons he had been tutor, Mr. Macartney was
presented to the parish of Old Kilpatrick, in the presbyteiy
of Dumbarton, and was ordained to that charge on the 18th
of April 1794. Three years after his settlement, he was most
happily married to Miss Janet Park, of a respectable family in
Greenock.

He belonged at this time to what has been denominated the
moderate party in the church, but he afterwards abandoned
their views, and attached himself to their ecclesiastical oppo-
nents. As a clergyman he stood very high. He was an en-
ergetic, clear, and striking preacher. His private official du-
ties he performed with great punctuality, and entirely to the
satisfaction of the people whose best interests were the ob-
ject of his labours. His chief care, in truth, centred in his
flock. He watched over them as one that must give an ac-
count. He was at the same time their enlightened counsellor
and faithful pastor. His studies, while at college, had com-
prehended some of the medical classes ; and in this capacity he
made himself veiy useful to the lower orders of his people.

But amidst his usefulness and happiness, a misunderstand-
ing, which was never brought to an amicable adjustment, took
place, respecting parish matters, between him and the heritors
of the parish, and caused him great annoyance.* It would

" This misunderstanding originated in a question respecting the manage-
ment of the poor's funds. Under the care of i\Ir. 3Jacartney and liis re-
spectaijle session, an assessment, considerably under L. lOO, was anyually
required. The lieritors alleged that this sum was extravagant ; and wished
in various ways to cripple the powers of the kirk-session, and to make that
hody tamely subservient to their views. The session offered to continue their
gratuitousandhenevolentlabours if no undue interference was made with them.
iVIatters, however, came at length to that extremity that the session found
themselves called upon, as an independent court, to resign the management
of the poor's funds into the hands of the heiitors. The result of this step,
which was taken solely on account of the arrogant behaviour of these gentle,
men, may easily be conjectured. 'J'Ik; ass('s>nu:nt innncdiately rose to three
or four times the sum which, under the prudent niiinagement of the session,
had been found neccssars".

OF GALLOWAY. 217

j)crhaps be impolitic to enter minutely on this question. But
this may be said, that Mr. Macartney, though from the treat-
ment he met with, he may not always have given that " soft
answer which turneth away wrath," was always right at bottom
and in principle. He regarded the conduct of his heritors as
illiberal and arrogant ; and in the unflinching opposition he
made to them, he showed his characteristic independence. His
people and his session to a man steadfastly adhered to him ; and
the heritors, five in number, were the only persons in the pa-
rish who did not respect or venerate him. His popularity, in-
deed, seems to have increased from year to year in proportion
as means were used to destroy it ; and after his death, his pa-
rishioners erected, at their own expense, a monument to his
memory, " in testimony of their respect for his worth and in-
dependent principles."

From the time he entered college, he had been distin-
guished as an able scholar and as a man of literary study ; and
this character he sustained till the end of his days. Before
his settlement he had published two pamphlets on education.
After his induction to Old Kilpatrick, he WTote an essay on
the trade with India ; and he contributed various articles to
periodical works, particularly to the Christian Instructor. He
enjoyed the friendship of Dr. Andrew Thomson, the editor of
that journal ; a man whose character in many respects resem-
bled his own. As it has been said of that lamented clergy-
man that, had he been bred to the lavr, he would have risen
to the summit of that profession, a similar remark has often
been made, (even by some of his heritors,) of Mr. Macartney.
In 1798, he published the best translation that has yet ap-
peared of an important work, entitled The Treatise of' Cicero
De Ojfficiis, or his Essay on Moral Duty, translated and ac-

It may here also be mentioned, that before Ulr. IMacartiiey's incumbency,
and we beJieve, since his deatli, certain persons in the parish were obliged
by the heritors to pay for church accommodation. Such payment is, we un-
derstand, quite unwarrantable and illegal, and as such, J\Ir. fllacartney,
much to his honour, and, notwithstanding the opjicsition of the heritors,
did not rest till he got it abolished.

218 THE LITERARY HISTORY

compani'cd icith notes and observations. This version is com-
posed in an elegant, pure, and forcible style. The notes are
etliical and biographical, rather than critical.

He lived to see his family, five in number, four sons and a
daughter, educated, and all settled in life except one, Dr.
John Macartney, Aiho has since commenced practice as a phy-
sician in Liveqjool. Of his three other sons, one is settled as
a merchant in the city of Mexico ; two are engaged in the
same capacity in South America. His daughter is respectably
married in Glasgow.

He did not arrive at very advanced years, having died on
the 26th of October 1828, in the sixty-sixth year of his age,
and thirty-fourth of his ministry. Mrs. Macartney survives
him.

jNIr. Macartney was a man about the middle size, of dark
eyes, black hair, and florid complexion. In his latter days, he
became rather corpulent, and his hair white.

He was a man of sound principle, of correct judgment, of
independent thought and action, of extensive reading and mi-
nute information. He made extracts from every book of me-
rit he perused ; and the extent of his manuscripts of this kind
is sur|)risingly great. His natural temperament was warm ;
his decision was prompt and unflinching ; and he expressed
himself strongly under any circumstances, when his principles
or his feelings were deeply interested. Baseness or dishonour
he held in unspeakable detestation. His political sentiments
belonged to the Whig school. His affections were kind. His
friendships were intense and steady. He was a man of wit,
vivacity, ar.d sarcasm. He hated oppression. In his own
parish, he lent his assistance to the weak ; and was not inaptly
tenned the poor man"'s friend.

OF GALLOWAY. 219

CHAPTER XVII.

LIFE OF ROBERT HERON.

Robert Heron was born at New-Galloway, a royal borough
in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, on the 6th day of Novem-
ber 1764. His father, John Heron, though he followed the
humble trade of a weaver, was a most respectable man.* By
his paternal grandmother, Margaret Murray, aunt to the late
Dr. Murray, the subject of this memoir was not very distantly
related to that celebrated linguist.

He began his letters under his mother, and did not attend
the parish school till he had attained his ninth year. He was
soon distinguished as a boy of great attention and insatiable
curiosity ; and his parents perceiving the great fondness which
he showed for letters, resolved to give him the advantage of a
liberal education.

But Mr. Heron did not continue long a burden on his
parents. At an early age he endeavoured, by his own exer-

• " John Heron was in the constant habit of practising family worship,
even twice a-day, though he liad a sliop full of young men and apprentices.
He was long an elder in Kells. Even at the close of a laborious day, he
would throw his plaid about him, and walk for four or five miles to the
dwelling of any poor man, laid upon the bed of sickness or of death. Uc
would converse with him on ' the world unseen,' and drop upon his
knees by the sick-bed side, and offer u prayer to tlie common Parent of
hrunanity." An Essay on (he ttucfidtiess of kirk-scssions, h\ Mr. Gordon
Barbour.

220 THE LITERARY HISTORY

tions as a teacher, to support and educate himself. Partly on
the Siivings ot" his own scanty income, and partly by the assist-
ance of his parents, he removed to the university of Edinburgh
in the end of the year I'JiiO ; and his views being directed to
the church, he followed the course of study which that profes-
sion requires. During his attendance at college, he supported
himself mostly by private teaching ; but having gained some
distinction by occasional contributions to newspapers and perio-
dical works, he became known to booksellers, and was after-
wards more or less employed by them in translating chiefly
from the French, or in original composition. He was first
known to the public in 17^9, as the superintendent of a small
edition of Thomson"'s Seasons, to which he prefixed a short
but excellent critique on the writing and genius of that
poet. His first production as a translator was an English
version of Fourcroy's Chemistry, which was successively fol-
lowed by translations of Savary"'s Travels in Greece, of Du-
mourier^s Letters, and Gesner's Idyls in part ; an abstract of
Zimmerman on Solitude, and abstracts and abridgments of
several Oriental Tales.

In I79O-I, he read lectures on the " Law of Nature, the
Law of Nations, the Jewish, the Grecian, the Roman, and the
Canon Law, and then on the Feudal Law." " These lec-
tures,"" as he himself informs us, " were intended as introduc-
tory to the professional study of law, and to assist gentlemen
who did not study it professionally in the understanding of
history." But they did not succeed according to his expecta-
tion, and were soon discontinued. He published a syllabus of
his course.

No degree of learning, however great, will atone for the
want of virtue and prudence. The sums received by Mr.
Heron for his literary labours he ^;quandcrcd away thought-
lessly, affecting to live in a rank which it would have required
a large and permanent income to support. Owing to his
extravagance, his pecuniary affairs fell into a state of embar-
ra.ssmcnt, and his creditors getting impatient, he was, by them,
thrown into prison.

OF GALLOWAY.

221

How long he might have continued in confinement, had
not his friends interfered, it would be impossible to conjecture.
On their suggestion, he undertook to write a Historij of Scot-
land., for winch the Morrisons of Perth were to allow him at
the rate of three guineas a-sheet. His creditors now agreed
to liberate him, on condition that he should pay them at the
rate of fifteen shillings a-pound, and appropriate, for that pur-
pose, two-thirds of the copy-right of his intended publication.
It is a melancholy fact, that nearly the first volume of the
History of Scotland was composed in jail. In 1793, ap-
peared the first volume of this work, consisting of six, of
which a volume was published every year successively, till the
whole was concluded ; and during the same period he gave to
the world A Journey throus;h the Western Parts of Scotland,
in two volumes octavo ; A Topographical Account of Scotland;
Extracts of Elegant Literature ; A New and Complete System
of Universal Geography, in two volumes octavo ; a short
Life of Robert Burns, besides several communications for the
Edinburgh Magazine, and many prefaces and critiques. He
was also employed by Sir John Sinclair in superintending the
publication of the Statistical Account of Scotland.

But unsuccessful as most of his productions were, he was
yet pleased to think himself capable of eflbrts of a higher
kind ; and, accordingly, made an attempt at dramatic compo-
sition. Never did man make a more en-oneous estimate of
his powers. His play, which he confesses indeed was written
hastily, is devoid of every thing like merit or interest ; and,
besides, it violates that scrupulous regard to decency of senti-
ment and of incident, for the breach of which no splendour of
genius will atone. He had influence, however, to get it in-
troduced on the Edinburgh stage as an afterpiece ; but it w^as
irretrievably condemned ere it reached the second act. The
author himself was present, and so thoroughly overwhelmed
was he with chagrin and disappointment, that he retired to his
lodgings, and kept his bed for several successive days. Bad,
however, as his play undoubtedly was, he regarded the deci-
sion of the theatre as not only undeserved, but as effected by

'222 THE LITERAHY HISTORY

tlic malicious combination of his enemies. He therefore re-
solved, like Smollet on a similar occasion, to appeal from this
venlict to the public, by printing his play,* " to shame the
roc;ues.'"' It was, however, neither sold nor talked of, and,
except by a few of his surviving friends, is now forgotten.
Prefixed to it was a long, vapouring preface, the tone and
spirit of which may, to a certain degree, be appreciated by the
nature of the quotations with which he introduces it. The
first is from the pages of Tristrain Shandy :

" The learned Bishop Hall tells us, in one of his decades
at the end of his Divine Art of Meditation, ' that it is an
abominable thing for a man to commend himself,' and I verily
think it is so. And yet, on the other hand, when a thing is
executed in a masterly kind of a fashion, which thing is not
likely to be found out, I think it is fully as abominable that a
man should lose the honour of it. This is exactly my situa-
tion !" The other is from Dean Swift :

" When a true genius appears in the world, you may know
him by this sign — that the dunces are all in confederacy against
him."

But, amid all his folly and distress, he was not insensible to
the calls of filial and fraternal affection. Though his parents
remonstrated freely with him respecting his thoughtlessness and
extravagance, the tenor of his correspondence with them is of
the most respectful and candid description. The following
extracts from his letters, written at different periods, confirm
this : —

*' I hope, by living more piously and carefully, by manag-
ing my income frugally, and appropriating a part of it to the
service of you and my sisters, and by living with you in future
at least a third part of the year, to reconcile your affections
more entirely to me, and to give you more comfort than I have
yet done."

O forget and forgive my follies ; — look on me as a son

((

* It is entitled, 67. KilJa in Edinbun/h ,- or News from Camperdown, a
Comic Dranui, in two acts ; with a critical prrface ; to which it added, an ac~
cxnint nf a famous Aas Race. Edinburgh, 170B.

OF GALLOWAY. 223

who will anxiously strive to comfort and please you, and, after
all your misfortunes, to render the evening of your days as
hap]>y as possible."

That he afforded his parents much pecuniary assistance, is
not very probable. But he seems to have exerted himself in
promoting for them the education of their family. " We will
endeavour," says he, alluding to this subject in one of his let-
ters, " to settle our dear Grace comfortably in life, and to
educate our dear little Betty and Mary aright."" His eldest
brother John he brought to Edinburgh, to prosecute his stu-
dies at the University, as, I believe, he intended him for the
church. He seems to have been a yovmg man of very promis-
ing talents ; but his days were doomed to be few, for he died
in 1700, before he had attained the age of manhood.

His sister INIaiy, also, whose name and worth he has affec-
tionately commemorated in the preface to his History of Scot-
land, he afterwards removed to Edinburgh, to complete her
education. The happiness she experienced under her brother's
roof was not of the most enviable kind. But her early death,
which took place in his own lodgings in 1798, overwhelmed
him with poignant sorrow. Every instance of his unkind-
ness to her now rushed on his mind, and he was scarce able
to bear the load of existence. Neither the attention of his
fi-iends, nor the consolations of religion, could impart to him
fortitude or resignation. To add to his distress, his literary
labours not having been of late so lucrative as formerly, he was
reduced to the very verge of want and starvation, and his mind
was daily haunted with the horrors of a iail. Avoiding, as
much as possible, every communication with his former asso-
ciates, he might now be seen skulking about the suburbs of
the town, pale and emaciated, and exhibiting all the external
symptoms of wretchedness and despair.

But at length he returned with renewed \agour to the active
duties of life. And not finding his views succeed in Scotland,
he was encouraged to go to London, whither he went in the
beginning of 1799. There he was at first well employed. It
appears from his letters to his father, that for a few years after

224 THE LITERARY HISTORY

he removed to London, his application to study was great ;
that his mind was in a state of comparative tranquillity ; and
that his prospects were cheering :

" INIy whole income, earned by full sixteen hours a-day of
the closest application to reading, writing, observation, and
study, is but very little more than three hundred pounds a-
year. But this is sufficient for my wants, and is earned in a
manner which I know to be the most useful and honourable,
that is, by teaching beneficial truths, and discountenancing
vice and folly more effectually and more extensively than I
could in any other way. This I am here always sure to earn,
while I can give the necessary application ; and if I were able
to execute more literary labour, I might readily obtain more
money.''

His labours in London were of the most miscellaneous kind.
For almost all the London Magazines of that time he wrote
numerous communications ; he was, at various periods, con-
nected with different newspapers, and he was long employed
as a reporter of debates in parliament. The Public Characters^
and the Annual NecroloiQj, contain many pieces of his com-
position. In 180(), he addressed A Letter to Mr. Wilher-
forcc on the Justice and Expediencij of the Slave Trade. He
wrote a short system of chemistry ; and, a few months before
his death, he published a small work, called the Comforts of
Life^ which it seems met with a rapid sale ; and " I have
composed," says he, in his letter to the Literary Fund, " a
greater variety of fugitive pieces than I know to have been
written by any one other person."

But though, for some time after his arrival in London, he
was well employed, and realized a competent income, yet the
influence of his former habits at length prevailed : he wrote
only when driven to it by pecuniary exigencies ; and soon
found, that by his folly his friends had forsaken him, and that
he was reduced to the lowest extremity of indigence and dis-
grace. The last years of his life were miserable beyond de-
scription. His unhappy situation required uncommon exer-
tions to procure even the scantiest subsistence, or to answer in

OF GALLOWAY. 225

the smallest degree the urgent demands of his creditors ; and
he certifies to us, that " he was obliged to read and write
from twelve to sixteen hours a-day !" But no exertions could
now ward off the calamities which threatened him. He was
thrown into Newgate for debt, where he was confined for some
months ; at the end of which time, in consequence of indispo-
sition, he was removed to an hospital, where, in the course of
a week, without a friend to attend or console him, he breathed
his last, on the 13th day of April 1807-

As to Mr. Heron's personal appearance, his figure was ra-
ther above the middle size ; his gait was very erect, and im-
pressed strangers with the idea of dignity and self-importance :
his countenance was pale and care-worn ; the colour of his eyes,
which were, from study and confinement, generally inflamed,
was blue ; his nose was long ; but, .altogether, his countenance
had a pleasing expression.

His application to study was peculiar and irregular. While
at ease in his pecuniary circumstances, he laid aside his pen
and books, and devoted his time to amusement and recreation.
He delighted in being regarded as an independent and opu-
lent gentleman. In the hey-day of prosperity, he kept a pair
of horses, with a lacquey dressed in livery. But his golden
dreams of wealth and rank, though often renewed, were never
of long continuance. His funds soon became exhausted ; and
he would, under these circumstances, resume his studies with
unremitting ardour, confining himself for weeks to his room,
habited only in his shirt and morning gown, with a green
veil over his eyes, which, as just mentioned, were weakened
and inflamed by these fits of intense application. In the
evening he generally dressed, and relieved his mind by visit-
ing his friends. He composed wijth the greatest rapidity,
and seldom wrote above one copy of any of his works : all his
corrections were afterwards made on the proof-sheets.

In taking a survey of Mr. Heron's intellectual endowments,
we are struck w4th the activity and versatility of his talents.
Though he did not probably possess great originality of ge-

226 THE LITERARY HISTORY

nius — though his mind did not blossom and produce fruit
spontaneously, yet it was naturally so rich and fertile, as abun-
dantly to repay the smallest degree of cultivation and care.
His memory was remarkably tenacious ; his acquired know-
ledge was uncommonly extensive ; a course of study which
commenced with his childhood, and only terminated with his
life, had conducted him through almost every department of
human acquirement.

But his various publications afford not a fair specimen of
his abilities, either natural or acquired. They were almost all
written for bread, and the subjects of them chosen by book-
sellers. To examine them singly is unnecessary, as, in his
letter to the Literary Fund, he has given a fair and candid
estimate of their merit, both in a literary and moral point of
view.*

His style is, in general, pompous and declamatory : it is the
same on the most trivial subjects as on the most important and
dignified; but it is not seldom chaste, elegant, and animated.

But whatever praise be due to his writings, not much is due
to his moral character. He did not make use of his knowledge
in the direction of his own conduct. He possessed little com-
mand over his time or his actions ; for he was the easy victim
of almost every passion and every temptation ; and, on account
of his unsteadiness and indecision, his employers could never
depend on his promise or his application. His temper was in
a great degree unequal and uncertain ; his friendship was easily
gained and easily lost. The vanity and envy which he dis-
played on every occasion, and in every company, disgusted his
companions, and not unfrequently alienated the affections of his
best friends and patrons.

But let us not employ harsh or unkind terms. Human
nature, even when exhibited in its happiest aspect, cannot bear
a very strict examination, and when weighed in the " bal-
ance" of virtue and piety, will be found " wanting." With
all iiis follies. Heron was not unadorned with many virtues,

* AjipciuHx. Note G.

OF GALLOWAY. 227

and had ever impressed on his mind a strong sense of the dig-
nity and necessity of religion. In a diary of his life, ke])t at
various periods, and which seems to contain a full and candid
account of his feelings and actions, it is recorded that in what-
ever manner he had spent the day, he never retired to rest at
night without bowing his knee in prayer before the throne of
the Eternal.

This brief account of his character may be summed up in
the words applied by Dr. Johnson to his unfortunate friend
Savage : — " The reigning error of his life was, that he mistook
the love for the practice of virtue, and was not so much the
good man, as the friend of goodness."

228 THE LrrERARY HIS70RT

CHAPTER XVIII.

LIVES OF ALEXANDER MURRAY, D. D. AND THE REV,

JAMES M'RAY.

Alexander Murray, D.D., the subject of this sketch, having
been applied to by the Rev. John Garlies Maitland of Mini-
gaff, at the reqviest of Principal Baird, for an account of his
early history, transmitted to Mr. Maitland the following in-
teresting narrative.

" Manse of Urr, Jult/ 20, 1812.
" Dear Sir,
" I have many strong objections to state against the utility
and propriety of the task which Dr. Baird''s partiality for me
has imposed on you. First, I have as yet done nothing that,
in a literary sense, entitles me to a place even in the most tri-
vial volume oj" biography. Next, I have a just aversion from
being made a subject of biographical history ; as, in fact, on
account of the absence of any permanent literary merit, a nar-
rative concerning me must appear to every reader, as narratives
of that kind have often appeared to myself, very contemptible
eulogies of men who were, perhaps, a little clever, but whose
actions had left no effects ; who, therefore, were not worth a
monument, and whose histories seemed mere impertinence to a
young aspiring man of letters. Lastly, It is — like human
life and human weakness — a piece of absolute uncertainty
whether I shall be able to execute my own literary intentions
at all, or in a manner creditable to my memory. My ambition
is high enough, but my feelings will be much hurt if, in the

OF GALLOWAY.

229

-event of failure, I shall have the acUlitional mortification of
fearing, that I shall be held up to public ridicule by some fool
or other, into whose hands the papers of my friends may fall,
after their kindness and my small merits have left this scene of
accumulating biography/.*

" The present motives for this task are produced by friend-
ship and great partiality. Gratitude seems to require that I
siiould not refuse to give j/o?/, and my other proven friend, the
means of gratifying an amiable curiosity. But I deprecate all
the unpleasant consequences which may follow, and often have
followed, the disclosure of the great importance of a man to
himself, made by the vain personage himself for advancing his
own glory, or by the friends who loved him too much to dis-
cern his real magnitude. In sole compliance, however, with
the wishes of the friends whom I shall honour while I live, I
shall set down some of the principal facts that respect my
studies till the year 1794, when I received your letter of re-
commendation to Dr. Baird.

" I was born on Sunday, the 22d of October 1^^5,-f and
baptized a fortnight after, on Tuesday 7th November — stated
in the register of baptisms to be the 27th, but the old style is
understood, (in the register.) The place where my father then
lived is called Dunkitterick, or commonly Kitterick ; in Earse,
Dun-chcatharaiach, — the know of the cattle. It is on the
burn of Palneur, on the south side, about a quarter of a mile
from the burn, and on a rivulet that flows from the high hills
above on the south. The hills of Craigneildar, Milfore, aiul
others, quite overshadow the spot, and hide it from the
sun for three of the winter and spring months. The cot-
tage has been in ruins for more than twenty years, as the
farm is herded from the house of Tenotrie, the tenant of which
holds both Tenotrie and Kitterick. This place, now laid
open by a road, was, when my father lived there, in a com-

* " I allude to the tribe of life-writers by profession."
•)- " I ascertained these points in 1805, — I did not exactly know my age
in 1794;"

23() THE LITERAKY HISTOKY

pletely wild glen, which was traversed by no strangers but
smugglers. Patrick Heron's iamily, in Craigdews, were our
next neighbours ; and the black rocks of C'raigdews were con-
stantly in our sight. My father, Robert TNIurray, had been a
shepherd all his days. He was born in autumn I7O6, and
remembered the time of the battle of Sheriffmuir. Our clan
were, as he said, originally from the Highlands. My great-
grandfather, Alexander Murray, had been a tenant, 1 believe,
of Banikiln,* near the present site of Newton-Stewart, but he
had retired into Mininaff vlllairc before his death. He had
several sons. John, my grandfather, was all his life a shep-
herd. He married, when he was young, a woman of the name
of Helen INI'Caa. His children were, — Patrick, father of old
John INIurray in Blackcraig — my father, (Robert, born in
Garlarg,) William, John, and Grisel. INIy grandfather herded,
almost all his man-ied lifetime, the farm of Craigencallie, rented
by old Patrick Heron, Esq. of Heron. My father married,
about 1730, a woman of the name of INIargaret INI'Dowal, and
had by her many children — Agnes, John, William, Robert,
James. Some of these are still alive, — very old people. All
the boys became shepherds. My father lived chiefly in a
place called Garrarie, on the river Dee, opposite to Craigen-
callie, and in the parish of Kells. His wife died, I think,
about 177^- I^ December 1774*' ^^ rather in January l']']5,
he married my mother, whose name is Mary Cochrane. She
was the daughter of a shepherd also, who came originally from
the parish of Balmaghie, and whose forefathers had been small
tenants on the estate of Woodhall. She was born August 13,
1739? and was more than thirty-five years old at the time of
her marriage. My father was then in his sixty-ninth year,
which he had completed before I was born.^f* When I became
of age to know him, except his very grey, or rather white, hair,

• " I think this is tlic name '1 lie lands above Newton-Stewart were
held by a number of small tenants."

f '' I have one sister — .Mary, born in February 1777, ov 1778." S!ic is
Htill alivp, and is the wife of .Mr. Shaw, High Park, i3almaclolian, by whom
she liuN a lainurous family.

OP GALLOWAY. 231

I remember no symptoms of the influence of time about his
person or in his a])pcarance. He enjoyed hak good health
till about a year before his death, which took place at Torwood,
or Dervvood, in the parish of Kells, in August 1797-

" He had been taught to read English in a good style for his
time ; he wrote not badly, but exactly like the old men of the
seventeenth century. He had a considerable share of acute-
ness or natural sagacity, a quality possessed by most of his
clan. His temper was rather irritable, but not passionate.
His moral character was habitually good ; and I know from
his way of talking in private about the thefts and rogueries of
other persons, that he actually detested these vices. He was
very religious in private ; but in company he was merry, fond
of old stories, and of singing. Patrick Heron, your elder, if
alive, will give you a better account of him than I can. He
was no fanatic in religious matters, and always respected the
established clergy, whose sermons he never, like many other
people, criticised, at least in my hearing. My brother James,
his youngest son by the first marriage, died of a fever in I78I
or 17^2. His death, which happened at some distance from
home, was reported to my father early on a Sunday morning,
and I, then a child, could not conceive why my father wept
and jirayed all that day.

" Sometime in autumn I78I he bought a catechism for me,
and began to teach me the alphabet. As it was too good a
book for me to handle at all times, it was generally locked up,
and he throughout the winter drew the figures of the letters to
me in his written hand on the board of an old wool-card with
the black end of an extinguished heather-stem or root, snatch-
ed from the fire. I soon learned all the alphabet in this form,
and became writer as well as reader. I wrou<rht with the
board and brand continually. Then the catechism was pre-
sented, and in a month or two I could read the easier parts of
it. I daily amused myself with copying, as above, the jJrinted
letters. In May 17^2 he gave me a small psalm-book, for
which I totally abandoned the catechism, which I did not
like, and which I tore into two pieces, and concealed in a hole

23'2 THE LITERAUY HISTORY

of a dike. I soon got many psalms by memory, and longed
tor a new book. Here difficulties rose. The Bible, used ccery
night in the family, I was not permitted to open or touch.
The rest of the books were put up in chests. I at length got
a New Testament, and read the historical parts with great
curiosity and ardour. But 1 lono-cd to read the Bible, which
seemed to me a much more pleasant book, and 1 actually went
to where I knew an old loose-leaved Bible lay, and carried it
away in piecemeal. I perfectly remember the strange pleasure
1 felt in reading the history of Abraham and of David. I liked
mournful narratives, and greatly admired Jeremiah, Ezekiel,
and the Lamentations. I pored on these pieces of the Bible in
secret, for many months, for I durst not show them openly ;
and as I read constantly, and remembered well, I soon aston-
ished all our honest neighbours with the large passages of
scripture I repeated before them. I have forgot too much of
my biblical knowledge ; but I can still rehearse all the names
of the patriarchs from Adam to Christ, and various other nar-
ratives seldom committed to mcmorv.

" My fathers whole property was only two or three scores
of sheep, and four muirland cows, his reward for herding the
farm of Kitterick for jNIr. Alexander Laidlaw in Clatteran-
shaws, on the other side of the Dee. He had no debts, and
no money. AW' lived in a wild glen, five or six miles from
INIinigaff, and more from New Galloway. All his sons had
been bred shepherds ; he meant to employ me in that line ;
and he often blamed me for laziness and uselessness, because I
was a bad and negligent herd-hoy. The fact was, I was al-
ways a weakly child, not unhoalthv, but yet not stout. I was
short-sighted, a defect he did not know, and which was often
the occasion of blunders when 1 was sent to look lor cattle. I
was sedentary, indolent, and given to books, and writing on
boards with coals. Jn 17}'3 my fame for wondrous reading,
and a great memory, was the discourse of the whole glen. But
my father could not pay the expenses of lodging and wages for
me at any school. In harvest ^'JiVS, William Cochrane, a bro-
ther (it' my mother, returned from England, where he had

OF GALLOWAY. 233

rnack' a few hundred pounds as a travelling merchant. He
came to visit our family, and being informed of my genius, as
they called it, undertook to place mc next spring at New
Gallov.ay school, and to lodge me in the house of Alexander
Cochrane, my grandfather, then alive, and dwelling about a
mile from New Galloway. This simple expedient might have
occurred to my parents, but I never heard them propose it :
the idea of school-wages frightened them from employing it.
I was brought to New (ialloway about the 2()th of May I'JHi;
and for a month made a ver)' awkward figure in the school,
then taught by INIr. William Gordon : he read English well,
and had many scholars. Mr. (iillcspic, who is almost my
equal in years, being born in 177^ or 177^>' "^'^^ then reading
the Rudiments of I^atin.* INIy pronunciation of words was
laughed at, and my whole speech was a subject of fun. But
I soon gained impudence, and before the vacation in August
I often stood dux of the Bible class. I was in the mean time
taught to write copies, and use paper and ink. But I both
wrote and printed, that is, imitated printed letters when out of
school. My morals did not equally improve. INly grandfather
was an old man, and could not superintend my proceedings. I
learned, therefore, to swear, lie, and do bad tricks, all which
practices I have ever since detested. I was fourteen days, or
thereby, at this school after the vacation had terminated. But
in the beginning of November 1784 I was seized with a bad
eruption on the skin, and an illness, which obliged me to leave
school, which I saw no more for four years.

" In spring 1785 my health grew a little better. I was put
to assist, as a shepherd boy, the rest of the family. I was
still attached to reading, printing of words, and getting by
heart ballads, of which I procured several. I had seen the
ballad of Chevy Chase at New Galloway, and was quite en-
raptured with it. About this time, and for years after, I

* " The Latin scholars then in the school were a l^r. Paplc, now in Dum-
fries; John Heron, now deceased, a relation of my own ; Air. Gillespie ;
Dr. Alexander Ilalliday, now in India; Mr. IM'Kay, schoolmuPter of Hal-
inaelellan, <Jk.c. 'J'hc three last had onlv read the Rudiments."

234 THE LITERAKY HISTORY

spent every sixpence that friends or strangers gave me on bal-
lads and penny histories. I carried bundles ot" these in my
]i()C'kots, and read them when sent to look for cattle on the
banks of Loch Grcanoch, and on the wild hills in its neigh-
bourhood. Those ballads that I liked most were Chevy
Chase, Sir James the Rose, (by Michael Bruce), Jamie and
Nancy, and all heroic and sorrowful ditties. This course of
life continued through 17^5, 17^56, and 17^^7- I'^ t^^* ^■^^^
I had read, or rather studied daily, Sir David Lindsay, Sir
William ^^"allace, the Cloud of Witnesses, the Hind let
Loose, and all the books of piety in the place. My fame for
reading, and a mcmoiy, was loud, and several said 1 was " a
living miracle.'' 1 puzzled the honest elders of the church with
recitals of scripture, and discourses about Jerusalem, &c. &c.
In 1787 and I7H8 I borrowed from John Kellie, then in
Tenotrie, and still residing, I believe, in Minigaff, Salmon''s
Geographical (irammar, and L'Estrange's version of Josephus.
I got vnmnise benefit from Salmons book. It gave me an
idea of geography and universal history, and I actually recol-
lect at this day almost every thing it contains. I learned to
copy its maps, but I did not understand the scale. In I788,
or early in 17^9? Basil I^ord ])aer came to attend a committee
of the gentlemen on the line of road between New Galloway
and Newton-Stewart. He had made a map of the whole val-
ley of Palneur from Dee to Cree, which map he lost on the
moors near Kitterick. It was found and given to me, and I
practised drawing plans of the glen of Palneur, correcting and
printing the names of places, according to my own fancy.

" As I could read and write, I was engaged by the heads
of two families in Kirkowen parish to teach their children.
The name of the one was Kobert Milligan, and the other was
Alexander Milroy, laird of Morfad, an old and singular man,
who had young grandchildren. 1 taught these pupils during
the winter of 1 'JH']-il, but got acquainted with few books. 1
received copies of the numeration and multiplication tables
from one M'William, a boy of my own age, and a brother
teacher. I returned home in March I788. My fees were

OF GALLOWAY. 235

fifteen or sixteen shillings. Part of this I laid out on books,
one of which was the History of the Twelve Ca?sars, translated
from ^■u^tonius ; another, Cocker's Arithmetic, the plainest of
all books, from which in two or three months I learned the
four principal rules of arithmetic, and even advanced to the
rule of three, with no additional assistance, except the use of
an old copy-book of examples, made by some boy at school,
and a ^qw verbal directions from my brother Robert, the only
one of all my father's sons, by his first marriage, that remain-
ed with us. He was then a cattle-dealer on a small scale. In
June 17^8, I made a visit to MinigafF, and got from old John
Simpson, a cartwright, and a great reader, the loan of several
volumes of Ruddiman's Weekly or Monthly Magazine during
1773? 1774* tind 177^? ^^^ ^i^ o^'^ ill-written and superstiti-
ous history of the Four INIonarchies, of the Popes, the kings of
England, &c. IMy memory now contained a very large mass
of historical facts and ballad poetry, which I repeated with
pleasure to myself, and the astonished approbation of the pea-
sants around me. On the 26th May 17^9, rny father and
his family left Kitterick, and came to herd in a place called
Drigmorn, on Palkill burn, four miles above MinigafF. He
was engaged by Mr. Ebenezer Wilson, now residing in Barn-
cauchla. A prospect now opened of my attending INIinigafF
school. I set out by myself, and arrived in Minigaff village,
where my friend, John Simpson, lived, and where INIr. Cra-
mond, schoolmaster of MinigafF, dwelt. I think he lodged in
Simpson's house. Mr. Cramond received me, and I travelled
every day from Drigmorn to MinigafF. 1 read some English ;
but applied chiefly to writing and arithmetic. In the course
of the summer I ran over all Dilworth's arithmetic. But I
was not in stout health ; the distance from school was great,
and I generally attended only three days in the week. INIy
teacher allowed this. I made the most of these days ; I came
about an hour before the school met, I pored on my arithmetic,
in which I am still a proficient, and I regularly opened and
read all the English books, such as the Spectator, World, &c.
&c., brought by the children to school. I seldom joined in

23() THE LITERARY K16TORY

any play at the usual hour, but read constantly. It'occurrevl
to me that I might get qualified for a merchant's clerk. I,
therefore, cast a sharp look towards the method [of book-keep-
insj, and <rot some idea of its forms, bv reading Hutton in the
school, and by glancing at the books of other scholars. When
the vacation came on I was obliged to quit school. At Mar- I

timnas 17^59, I was engaged by three families in the moors of "^j

Kells and MinigafF to teach their children. I bought JNlair's
book-keeping, having sent to Edinburgh for it by a man who
rode as post between Wigton and Edinburgh. The families,
one of which belonged to my eldest brother, resided at great
distances one from another. JNIy brother lived in the Back-
hill of Cxarrarie, — another family lived in Buchan, on Loch
Trool, — a third on the Dee, near Garrarie. I migrated about,
remaining six weeks in each family. Among these mountains
I found several books, — Walker's Arithmetic, — a History of
England, — a volume of Langhorne's Plutarch, having the
Lives of Eumenes, Pompey, Scipio, &c. — and Burns' Poems,
— all which I read with perpetual and close attention. I wa.s
fond of verse of all kinds. In 17^7? before leaving Kitterick,
I made a scoffing ballad on a neighbour shepherd and a girl of
my acquaintance. This was my original sin as to verse. In
17^9, the whole moorlands of Ayrshire and Galloway were en-
gaged in discussing the doctrines of a book written by Dr.
^lacgill, one of the ministers of Ayr. I entered with much
zeal and little knowledge into the feelings of the people, and
declaimed against Socinianism and various religious opinions,
^v■hich I certainly was not of age to understand.

" A little before Whitsunday 1790, I returned home to Drig-
morn. My father had been engaged to herd in Barncauchla, a
farm within two miles of Minigaff village, to which farm we re-
moved on the 26th May 1790. I had now easy access to school,
and went regularly. As I now understood reading, writing,
and accounts, in imitation oi" other lads in the country, I
wished to add to these a little French. I'hese were the sum
toUi] of qualifications deemed necessary for a clerk intending
to go to the AVcst Indies or America.

OF GALLOAVAY. '2'.f]

I hail, ih 1787 iind I'JHH, often lulmircil and mused on the
specimens of the Lord's Prayer in every language found in
Salmon's grammar. I had read in the magazines and Specta-
tor that Homer, Virgil, Milton, Shakespeare, and Newton,
were the greatest of mankind. I had been early informed
that Hebrew was the first language, by some elders and good
religious people. In 17H9, at Drigmorn, an old woman who
lived near, showed me her Psalm book, which v.'as printed
with a large type, had notes on each page, and likewise what
I discovered to be the Hebrew alphabet, marked letter after
letter in the 119 Psalm. I took a copy of these letters, by
j)ri7Uing them off in my old way, and kept them.

I borrowed from one Jack M'Bride at Bridgend of Cree,
Chambaud's Rudiments of French Grammar. About the
30th of May 1790, I set to work on it. INIy indulgent mas-
ter gave me whole pages of lessons, and in less than a fort-
night I besian to read lessons on the second volume of the
Diable Boiteux, a book which he gave me. Robert Kerr, a
son of William Kerr in Risque, was my friend and compa-
nion. He, in preparation for Grenada, whither he soon went,
had for some time read French. His gram.mar was Boyer's,
and the book which he read on, an old French New Testament.
There was another grammar in the school read by Robert
Cooper, son of Mr. Cooper, late tenant in Clarie. In the
middle of the days I sat in the school and compared the nouns,
verts, &c. in all these books ; and as I knew much of the New
Testament by memory, I was able to explain whole pages of
the French to Kerr, who was not diligent in study. About
the 15th of June, Kerr told me that he had once learned Latin
for a fortnight, but had not liked it, and still had " the Rudi-
ments" beside him. I said, " Do lend me them ; I wish to
see what the nouns and verbs are like, and whether they re-
semble our French." He gave me the book, I examined it
for four or five days, and found that the nouns had changes on
the last syllables, and looked very singular. I used to repeat
a lesson from the French Rudiments every forenoon in school.
On the inorning of the mid-summer fair of Newton-Stewart, I

:23}{ THE LITERARY HISTORY "^

set out for school, and accidentally put into my pocket the La-
tin irraniniar instead of the thin French rudiments. On an ordi-
nary day Mr. Cramond would have chid me for this, but on
that festive mornjng he was mellow and in excellent spirits — a
state not gootl for a teacher, but always desired in him by me,
for he was then very communicative. AV^ith great glee he re-
plied, when I told hiin my mistake, and showed the Rudi-
ments, " Gad, Sandy, I shall try thee with Latin,"" and ac-
cordingly read over to me no less than two of the declensions.
It was his custom with me to permit me to get as long les-
sons as I pleased, and never to fetter me by joining me to a
class. There was at that time in the school a class of four
boys advanced as far as the pronouns in Latin grammar.
They ridiculed my separated condition. But before the vaca-
tion in August, I had reached the end of the rudiments,
knew a good deal more than they, by reading at home the
notes on the foot of each page, and was so greatly improved in
French that I could read almost any French book at opening
of it. I compared French and Latin, and rivetted the words
of both in my memory by this practice. When proceeding
with the Latin verbs, 1 often sat in the school all mid-day, and
pored on the first pages of Robert Cooper's Greek grammar,
the only one I had ever seen. He was then reading Livy,
and learning Greek. By help of his book I mastered the
letters, but I saw the sense of the Latin rules in a very indis-
tinct manner. Some boy lent me an old Corderlus, and a
friend made me a present of Eutropius. I got a common vo-
cabulary from my companion Kerr. I read to my teacher a
number of Colloquies ; and before the end of July was permit-
ted to take lessons in Eutropius. There was a copy of Eutro-
pius in the school that had a literal translation. I studied
this last with great attention, and compared the English and
Latin. \Vlien my lesson was prepared, I always made an ex-
cursion into the rest of every book, and my books were not like
those of other school-boys, opened only in one place, and
where the lesson lay. The school was dissolved in harvest.
After the vacation, I returned to it a week or two to read Eu-

OF GALLOWAY. 289

tropius. A few days before the vacation, I purchased from an
old man, named William Shaw, a very bulky and aged edition
of Ainsworth's Dictionary. This was an invaluable acquisi-
tion to me. It had all the Latin words, and the correspond-
ing Greek and Hebrew, likewise a plan of ancient Rome,
and a dictionary of proper names. 1 had it for eighteen
pence, a very low price. With these books I went off about
Martinmas to teach the children of Robert Kerr, tenant in
Garlarg, English reading, writing, arithmetic, and Latin.
In his house I found several more books, — Ruddiman''s Gram-
mar, the most obscure of all works that ever were offered to
children for their instruction, a book on which I laboured much
to no great purpose, — Caesar and Ovid. I employed eveiy
moment in pondering over these books. I literally read the
dictionary throughout. My method was to revolve the leaves
of the letter A, to notice all the principal words, and their
Greek synonimes, not omitting a glance at the Hebrew : to
do the same by B, and so on through the book. I then re-
turned from X and Z to A, and in these winter months I
amassed a large stock of Latin and Greek vocables. From
this exercise I took to Eutropius, Ovid, and Cssar, or at
times to Ruddiman's Grammar. The inverted order often
perplexed me, and I frequently mistook, but also frequently
discerned the sense. The wild fictions of Ovid have had
charms for me ever since. I was not a judge of simple and
elegant composition, but when any passage contained wild,
sublime, pathetic, or singular expressions, I both felt and te-
naciously remembered them. Here I got another book, which,
from that time, has influenced and inflamed my imagination.
This was " Paradise Lost,"" of w'hich I had heard, and which
I was eager to see. It was lent me by Jean jNIacmillan, at
present residing in INIinigafF village, then housekeeper in Gar-
larg, and afterwards married to Robert Murray, my brother's
son. I cannot describe to you the ardour or various feelings
with which I read, studied, and admired i\i\s Jirst-rale work.
I found it as difficult to understand as Latin, and soon saw
that it required to be parsed like that language. I had the

-40 THE LITERARY HISTORY

use of this copy for a year, and replaced it with one of my
owu. 1 account my first acquaintance with Paradise Lost an
era in my reading.

" About Whitsunday 1791? I returned to school, able to
read Kutropius, Ovid, Caesar, and Ruddiman*'s Grammar,
in an intelligent, but not very correct style. I certainly knew
a great deal of words and matters, but my prosody was bad,
and my Knglish not Huent nor elegant. I found the young
class reading Ovid and Ca>sar, and afterwards Yirgil. I
laughed at the difficulty with which they prepared their les-
sons, and often obliged them, by reading them over, to assist
the work of preparation. JNIy kind master never proposed
that I should join them. He knew, indeed, that my time at
school was uncertain ; and he not only remitted a great part of
my fees, but allowed me to read any book which I pleased. I
studied his humour, and listened to his stories about his col-
lege life, in the University of Aberdeen, where he had been
regularly bred, and where he had been the class-fellow of Dr.
Beattie.

" I found my school-fellow Robert Cooper reading Li\y,
the Greek Grammar, and the Greek New Testament. A few
<lays before going to school this season, I had formed an ac-
quaintance with John Hunter, a miner under Mr. George
INIure, and who lived in the High-Row of the Miners' A'il-
lage, at Mr. Heron's lead-mines.* This man and his family
had come from Leadhills. He showed me many civilities,
and gave me the use of the following books, that had belonged
to a brother of his, then deceased : Luciani Dialogi, cum Ta-
bula Cebetis, Greek and Latin ; a Greek New Testament ;
Homer's Iliad, (ireek and Latin, in tw'o small volumes;
Buchanani Historia Rerum Gest. Scoticarum ; and Buchana-
T»i Opera Poetica. 'J'he first jwrtion of my wages had gone
to Dumfries or Edinburgh, to buy Moor's Greek Grammar

" " I wa.s introduced to him by the late Mr. Robert Guthrie, my much
lamented friend, whose family hved in the same Row. I knew 3Ir. Guthri/3
/Voiii I7M7.''

OF GALLOWAY. 241

and Schrevclii Lexicon. I got the Grammar, but I forget
how I obtained the Lexicon. My master allowed me to pass
over Ca-sar, Ovid, Virgil, and Sallust, of which last, how-
ever, I borrowed copies, and read them privately, or at times
with the young class. Dr. George Mure was one of the
young class, and my intimate friend. After I had read my
own lessons, I almost always read along with him his lesson
in Virgil and Sallust. But Mr. Cramond permitted me to
read Livy along with Robert Cooper, and Buchanan's His-
tory by myself Robert Cooper was indolent, and I was
proud to see that I had overtaken him, and could repeat
Greek Grammar, and read Greek in the New Testament,
with more ease. He was given to taw, but I joined in no
sports, but sat all day in the school. My amusement consist-
ed in reading books of history and poetry, brought to school
by the other scholars. At home I attacked Homer, and at-
temptetl to translate him by the help of the Latin translation.
In June 1791, we were allowed to read a daily lesson in the
first book and volume of the Iliad,* which we prepared in the
school. But I kept the second volume at home, and pored on
it, till I fairly became, in an incorrect way, master of the
sense, and was delighted with it. I remember, that the fate
of Hector and of Sarpedon affected me greatly. And no sen-
sation was ever more lively, than what I felt on first reading
the passage, which declares ' that Jupiter rained drops of
blood on the ground, in honour of his son Saqjedon, who was
to fall far from his country ."* My practice was to lay down a
new and difficult book, after it had wearied me ; to take up
another — then a third — and to resume this rotation frequently
and laboriously. I always strove to seize the sense ; but when
I supposed that I had succeeded, I did not weary myself with
analyzing every sentence. About that time I formed a sort
of axiom, that every language must have a certain number of
words, and that, in learning a language, the student is not

* " We liad hut one copy, mentioned above."
R

24'2 THE LITERARY HISTORY

master of it till he have seen all these. I therefore always
liked to turn over dictionaries, as well as to read authors.

" In July 1791 9 I found my Greek knowledge increase.
I began to translate sentences into Greek, by help of certain
phrases at the end of Schrevelius. And so far as I remember,
I, during that summer or autumn, attempted to introduce
myself to your notice, by letters in Greek and Latin. The
Greek one was short, and no doubt very inaccurate likewise,
but less exceptionable. From that time you began to give
me the use of books, and good advices as to my future beha-
viour and studies, which in my situation were very desirable.*
I had from you the loan of Longinus — the Glldipus Tyrannus,
a volume of Cicero's Orations, which I read with great delight
— and some others. All that summer and harvest were de-
voted to hard and continued reading, which was not limited
to words in Greek and Latin, but extended to the history and
poetry in the several books. I carried Homer in my pocket
abroad, and studied him with great diligence.

" I had long possessed the Hebrew letters, and knew the
meanings of many words. I was now determined to learn
that language. I sent for a Hebrew (xrammar to Edinburgh,
by the man who rode post. He brought me Robertson''s Gram-
mar, and the first edition of that book, which contains the Ara-
bic alphabet in the last leaf. Mr. Cramond, to whom I showed
it, in September 1791, at the time when I received it, informed
me, that he once was able to read Hebrew, but that he had now
forgotten it entirely. I had for a long time known the alphabet ;
I found the Latin easy and intelligible ; I soon mastered the
points ; and, in the course of a month, got into the whole
system of Jewish (Grammar. C)n an accidental visit to New-
Galloway, I was told by John Heron, a cousin of mine, and

* " You must remember, that I waited on you frequently during the
autumn 1791, and during the years 1792, 1793, and 1794. I was not six-
teen years of age till Octohcr 1791. When I went to Edinburgh, I sup-
posed and reported myself to be eighteen j but Dr. Baird's error is venial,
and easily accounted for."

OF GALLOWAY. 243

father to Robert Heron, author of several works, that he could
give me a small old Lexicon, belonging to his son. This pre-
sent was to me astonishingly agreeable. It contained, besides
the words and their Latin interpretations, the book of Ruth in
the original. When I came home, some person informed me,
that a relation of Mr. Wilson's in Auchinleck, then living in
Minigaff village, had in her possession a Hebrew Bible, the
property of her brother, Mr. William Wilson, a dissenting
clergyman in Ireland. She consented to let me have the use
of it for several months. It was a small edition in several
volumes, I forget from which press. I made good use of this
loan ; I read it throughout, and many passages and books of
it, a number of times. At Martinmas 1791, Mr. William
Douglas, in Dranandow, engaged me to teach his children.
The fee was, I think, thirty-five or forty shillings. I devoted,
as usual, every spare hour to study. French, Latin, Greek,
and Hebrew, occupied all my leisure time. I sometimes
amused myself with printing songs and favourite pieces of
poetry, in the following sort of character :

' Amang the bonnie winding banks,
Wliare Doon rins wiinpling clear,' &c. &c.

" A ballad written in this manner excited more admiration
than it really merited, because few lads in the country could
do it. I wrote this kind of hand with great celerity, but it is
now obsolete with me.

" I returned to school in summer 1792, and read Latin and
Greek rather for practice than in a rudimental way. The fault
of our teacher was a slovenly inattention to grammatical minu-
tiae, which hurt my future appearance at college, and is more
or less the evil of all country schools. In return for this, he
was kind, familiar, and communicative. His foible was the
love of drink. He had nobody to prepare a comfortable meal
for him in his little way, and he went to the alehouse in order
to avoid the wcarisomeness and inattention which distressed him
at home. You know he at length became unfit for any pub-
lic situation. Yet, had I been placed under a more formal and

244 THE LITERARY HISTORY

regular master, I should never have been able to make a re-
spectable progress. For the broken state of my time would
have condemned me to wait on children in low and young
classes, in order to get by memory every part of the Rudiments.
And every absent winter, and inaccuracy in reading, would
have been pretexts for bcyinning me anew in the Rudiments
and Grammar. All the accurate men have this way of think-
ing. Mr. Dalzel, the professor of Greek, rebuked me severely
for looking into Plato and Aristophanes in my first year at
college. I received his admonitions, but still persisted in read-
ing these writers. Desultory study is no doubt a bad thing,
but a lad whose ambition never ceases, but stimulates him in-
cessantly, enlarges his mind and range of thought by excur-
sions beyond the limits of regular forms.

" In 1792, 1 read portions of Homer, Livy, Sallust, and any
author used in the school. In the autumn 1792, my compa-
nion Cooper left the school, and went, I believe, to Glasgow
university.* I could not imitate him for want of funds. In
the winter 1792-3, I engaged myself with Thomas Birkmyre,
miller of Miniraff iNIiln, and taught his children durincj that
season till ISIarch 1793. My wages were only thirty shillings,
but my object was to get a residence near Newton-Stewart, and
to have liberty of going in the winter Joreju'ghts to a school
taught by INIr. Nathaniel INIartin in Bridgend of Cree. Se-
veral young lads attended it with a view to exercise themselves
in reading English poetry, and in spending their hours agree-
ahJij. Martin had been at Edinburgh, and possessed many
new books, such as the Bee, Duncan's Cicero, some of the best
English Collections, and so forth. In the Miln, I got Gulli-
ver's Travels, and Clarke's Evidences of Christianity. I did
not understand the one, nor care much for the other. My
companions at the nightly-school, were William Gifibrd, lately
a writer's first clerk in Edinburgh, one Thomas Baird, clerk
to a tobacconist, John Mackilwraith, son-in-law to John M'Kie,
lately merchant in Castle Douglas. John Mackilwraith was

♦ " Or to Wigton Kchod, I forgot which."

OF OALhOWAY. 245

an old friend, for his father-in-law was tenant of Kitterick in
1 'JHH. From him I got the loan of Baillie's English ])iction-
ary, which I studied, and learned from it a vast variety of use-
ful matters. I gained from it the Anglo-Saxon alphabet, the
Anglo-iSaxon paternoster, and many M'ords in that venerable
dialect. This enabled me to read Hicke's Saxon Grammar
without difficulty after I went into Edinburgh, and led the
way to the Visi-Gothic and German. About the end of au-
tumn 1792, I had procured from one Jack Roberts, a small
Welsh history of Christ and the apostles. I had seen a trans-
lation, or rather the original English, of this book in former
years, but I could not get access to it after I had the AVelsh
in my possession. I mused, however, a good deal on the quo-
tations of Scripture that abound in it, and got acquainted with
many Welsh words and sentences. If I had a copy of the
Bible in any language of which I know the alphabet, I could
make considerable progress in learning it without Grammar or
Dictionary. This is done by minute observation and compa-
rison of words, terminations, and phrases. It is the method
dictated by necessity, in the absence of all assistance.

" In I79I5 I had the loan of a stray volume of the Ancient
Universal History from my neighbour schoolfellows, the
Maclurgs, who lived in Glenhoash, below Risque. It con-
tained the history of the ancient Gauls, Germans, Abyssinians,
and others. It included a very incorrect copy of the Abyssi-
nian alphabet, which, however, I transcribed and kept by me
for future occasions. I was completely master of the Arabic
alphabet, by help of Robertson's Grammar, in the end of which
(first edition) it is given in an accurate manner.

"In the autumn of 1792, about the time I went to the
Miln, I had, in the hour of ignorance and ambition, believed
myself capable of writing an epic poem. For two years before,
or rather from the time that I had met with Paradise Lost,
sublime poetry was my favourite reading. Homer had encourag-
ed this taste ; and my schoolfellow, George IMure, had lent mc,
in 1791, an edition of Ossian's Fingal, which is in many pas-

i>4G

THE LITERARY HlS^TORY

sages a sublime and pathetic performance.* 1 copied Fingal,
as the book was lent only for four days, and carried the MS.
about with me. I chose Arthur, general of the Britons, for my
hero, and during that winter 1792-3, wrote several thousand of
blank verses about his achievements. This was my first at-
tempt in blank verse. In 1790, 1 had purchased " the Grave,'"
a poem by Blair, and committed it almost entirely to memory.
In summer 1 791 , about the time that I intruded myself on
your notice, I wrote two pieces in blank verse, one on Death,
and another on some religious subject, and sent them to Dr.
Boyd at Merton Hall. The Doctor expressed a wish to see
me, and I went and waited on him. He was very kind to me,
but did not seem to relish my poetry. Dr. John Hope, who
was at the time on a medical visit to the Doctor, hinted to me,
that in order to please him, it would be proper to court the
Comic rather than the Tragic Muse on the next occasion.

" The poem of Arthur v.as, so far as I remember, a very
noisy, bombastic, wild, and incoiTcct performance. It was not
without obligations to Ossian, Blilton, and Homer. But I
had completed the Sevenlh Book before I discerned that my
predecessors were far superior to me in every thing. The
beauties of the first books of Paradise Lost overwhelmed me ;
and I began to flag in the executive department. My com-
panions, young and ignorant like myself, applauded my verses ;
but I perceived that they were mistaken, for my rule of judg-
ment proceeded from comparison in another school of criticism.
In March 1793, I left the INliln, and went to a place called
Suie, on the very limits of INIinigaff, and a mile or two above
Glcncard. I was employed there to teach writing and arith-
metic to one Alexander Hislop, formerly a travelling merchant,
an old ^acquaintance and a warm friend. Here 1 got Pope's
Homer, which indeed I had seen before, but had not read. In
the end of March, one James IM'Harg, son of a small farmer
in the Moss of Cree, who had been at Glasgow for half a year

" I^had^^read Telemaf/uC' .Miss IJaveiiscrof't Dunbar, then at scliool, ]iad
a vory rare and'curious edition of it, wliicli I have never met with in Ediri-
Inirgh.

OF GALLOWAY. 247

in some manufacturing house, came to Suie, on his return
from Glasgow. I shewed him the epic poem. He was trans-
ported with it, and declared that it was the most wonderful
piece in the universe. This was not my first introduction to
him. I knew him in 17^9 at jNIinigaff school, and visited
him now and then while he lived as a merchant in Dashwood,
(Newton-Stewart). He had formerly lent me Milton with
notes, and tiie first volume of Pope's works, I told him that
I did not think the epic poem well done, and that I meant to
destroy it, and take to smaller pieces. He was an enthusiast in
Scotch verse, and had written many comic poems in the manner
of Burns, some of them far from contenaptible. His heart was
very warm, but, like most poets, he was indolent in business,
and generally unsuccessful in his affairs. I returned home in
May 1793, but did not go to school. Indeed my business
there was completed. The whole periods of my school-educa-
tion stand as follows: — 1. From Whitsunday, 26th May, to
the middle of August 1784, at New-Galloway school, adding a
fortnight in the end of October and beginning of November
same year. 2. About six weeks of time spent at Minigaff in
summer 1789- 3. From Whitsunday to vacation time, and
a fortnight after vacation 1790. 4. From Whitsunday to va-
cation time 1791. 5. From Whitsunday to vacation, and a
fortnight after, 1792.

" I passed the summer 1793 at home, and in long visits to
my friends in Newton-Stewart, and other parts. I used to
live u-eeL's with James IM'Harg, and to write in company with
him ridiculous burlesque poems on any subject that struck our
fancy. Newton-Stewart, at that time, read with great interest
Tom Paine's works, in which M'Harg and I did not feel our-
selves much concerned. We both liked liberti/; but I remem-
ber, that the death of the king of France, which I read in
January 1793, in a newspaper, almost made me cry ; and I
hated Marat and Robespierre. M'Harg had a practice of
preying on the credulity of ignorant people who were not able
to read, but were keen Jacobins. He told them a world of lies
about the success of the French, &c. &c. which they with great

248 THE LITERARY HISTORY

and absurd joy communicated to their neighbours. We both
did a little too much in this wicked way, for we thought these
people below par in sense. During that summer I destroyed
Arthur and his Britons, and began to translate from Bu-
chanan's poetical works his Fratres Franciscani. I made an
attempt to obtain jNIochrum school, but Mr. Steven, minister
of that parish, Avho received me very kindly, told me that it
was promised, and that my youth would be objected to by the
heritors and parish.

" Some time in summer 1793, I formed an acquaintance
with William Hume, a young lad who intended to become
an Antiburgher clergyman, and who kept a private school in
Newton-Stewart. About the same time you introduced me to
several members of the presbytery of Wigton. My friendship
with JNIr. Hume procured me the loan of several new books. I
paid a visit to ]Mr. Donnan in Wigton, an excellent man and
scholar. He examined me on Homer, which I read ad aper-
turam librt, in a very tolerable, thovigh not very correct man-
ner. He gave me Cicero dc JValurd Dcorum, which 1 studied
with great ardour, though a speculative treatise. I was en-
thusiastically fond of Cicero, as my dictionary gave me a most
affecting account of the merits and fate of that great man. In
1791, I bought for a triHe a MS. volume of the lectures of
Arnold Drackenburg, a German professor, on the lives and
writings of the Roman authors, from Livius Andronicus to
Quinctilian. This was a learned work, and I resolved to
translate and publish it. I remained at home during the
winter of 179>^4, and employed myself in that task. My
translation was neither elegant nor correct. My taste was im-
proving ; but a knowledge of elegant phraseology and correct
diction cannot be acquired without some acquaintance with the
world, and with the human character in its polished state.
The most obscure and uninteresting parts of the Spectator,
World, Guardian, and Pope\ Works, were those that de-
scribed life and manners. '^I'he parts of these works which I
then read with rapture, were accounts of tragic occurrences, of
great, but unfortunate men, and poetry that addressed the

OF GALLOWAY. 219

passions. In spring 1794, I got a reading of Blair's Jjcctures.
The book was lent by Mr. Strang, a Relief clergyman, to
William Hmne, and AwWent to me. In 1793 I had seen a
volume of an Encyclopaedia, but found very considerable dif-
ficulties in making out the sense of obscure scientific terms,
with whicli those books abound.

" Early in 1794 I resolved to go to Dumfries, and present
my translation to the booksellers there. As I had doubts re-
specting the success of a History of the Latin Writers, I like-
wise composed a number of poems, chiefly in the Scottish dia-
lect, and most of them very indifferent. I went to Dumfries
in June 1794, and found that neither of the two booksellers
there would undertake to publish my translation ; but I got a
number of subscription-papers printed, in order to promote the
publication of the poems. I collected by myself and friends
four or five hundred subscriptions. At Gatehouse, a merchant
there, an old friend, gave me a very curious and large-printed
copy of the Pentateuch, which had belonged to the celebrated
Andrew Melvin, and the Hebrew Dictionary of Pagninus, a
huce folio. Durint; the visit to Dumfries I was introduced to
Robert Burns, who treated me with great kindness ; told me
that if I could get out to college without publishing my poems
it would be better, as my taste was young and not formed, and
I would be ashamed of my productions when I could write and
judge better. I understood this, and resolved to make publi-
cation my last resource. In Dumfries I bought six or seven
plays of Shakespeare, and never read any thing, except INIilton,
with more rapture and enthusiasm. I had seen his poems
before.

" During this summer, my friend INI'Harg was in Edin-
burgh, employed as a hawker, or itinerant dealer in tea, &c.
He described my situation to James Kinnear, a journeyman
printer, a very respectable man, who informed him, that if I
could be brought into town, Dr. Baird and several other
gentlemen would take notice of me. I communicated this
to you, — you countenanced the measure, and, in consequence,
I arrived in Edinburgh in the beginning of November 1794.

250 THK LITERARY lilSTORY

*' jNIv dear Sir, — I have exhausted the paper with a weari-
some detail of triHes, :inJ have not room to subscribe myself,
" Your very faithful and grateful servant,

" Alexr. Murray."

Such is Dr. INIurray's singular narrative, on which any com-
ment would hut weaken the impression which it is calculated
to convey. On his arrival in Edinburgh, we proceed to state,
he was kindly received by IMr. Kinnear. The only letter
of introduction which he hroujiht to town, was one from Mr.
jVIaitland to Dr. Daird; who received him \»ith great kindness.
Too much praise cannot be paid to these two gentlemen for
their generous conduct, particularly as they were strangers to each
other, and were actuated solely by the motive of bringing
into notice indigent merit, and opening to a young man of ex-
traordinary promise a wider field for the cultivation of his ge-
nius and talents. Nor was Murray unworthy of the patronage
of these respectable individuals. On the first day after his
arrival in town, he underwent an examination in presence of
Dr. Baird, Dr. Finlayson, and Dr. Moodie ; and, to use the
language of one of his examinators, " he read, ad aperturam
libri, and also explained and analyzed accurately a passage of
French, an ode of Horace, a page of Homer, and a Hebrew
psalm." In consequence of his uncommon acquirements, not
only the direct advantages of the college were procured to him
without expense, but such pecuniary aid was extended to him
as was necessary for the effectual prosecution of his studies.
At the end of two years he obtained a bursary from the town ;
and about that time he began to support himself by carrying
on private teaching. Dr. Baird continued through life his
faithful friend and patron. " 1 was under his immediate
care," says Dr. Murray, in a letter to Mr. Maitland, " from
179 i to I79G or 1797' when I began to support myself. In
fact, I was always under his counsel and directions, and saw
him as frequently as was suitable, from 1794 to 1806."

Dr. Murray's views were directed to our national church;
and, while he was following that course of study prescribed to

OF GALLOWAY. ' 251

candidates for the sacred office, he was, at the same time, de-
voting every leisure moment to the silent prosecution of his
favourite studies. No language to which he had access escaped
his investigation. lie not only made himself acquainted with
all the dialects of Europe, ancient as well as modern, but his
researches penetrated also into the languages of the Kast. At
a subsequent period of life he made himself master of the
Sanskrita, the ancient dialect of India, and arrived at no slight
proficiency in the study of the Chinese itself. Of the exact
extent of his acquaintance with the latter of these tongues we
have no certain proof; but with regard to the former, the fol-
lowing extract from a letter written to Dr. Baird, contains sa-
tisfactory information : —

" The publication of Dr. Wilkins"" Sanskrita Grammar did
me material service, though I got his book only in May 1809.
Before that time I had limited my views to an examination of
the European dialects. I understood Hindostanee and Persic,
and was able to confirm the opinion of Sir William Jones as
to the ancient affinity of the Greek, Teutonic, Persic, and
Sanskrit. But although I knew the alphabet, and had some
specimens of the Sanskrita, I could not explain any passage
of it. I received this book with the pleasure felt in gratifying
a favourite passion ; and I am now happy in being able to
identify the languages of the Edda and the ^"edas. It will
amuse you to hear that Oeda, in Islandic, and Veda, in
Sanskrit, are not only in the main the same word, but that
they are actually the same as our own term wit, or wita, which,
as you know, in old times signified knowledge. By means of
the Sanskrit I have detected, the ancient form of many Persic
words, and the history of the several parts of the verb.. I have
ascertained the identity of the Sarmatee and Slavi, and traced
their affinity with the Medes ; of course, I have made the tour
of Asia and Europe, and I hope with some advantage to a
study which is rather too much despised, but which occupies
a considerable portion of the time of every man who reads fo-
reign or ancient books."

His attention, as this extract shows, was not c(mfined to

2o!2 THE LITEUAUY HISTOUY

words merely, or satisfied with the l)arc capacity of translating
the several dialects which I'ornietl the ohject of his inquiries.
He studied antiquities, and the philosophy of grammar. He
was aware that it is impossible to investigate the filiation of
any one language, without a competent knowledge of those
which are either historically or geographically connected with
it. By researches conducted into the ancient languages of
Europe, he discovered the source and basis of all the modern
dialects of that quarter of the globe ; and was thus enabled to
ascertain the origin and early history of the several people that
inhabit Kurope, and the affinity that obtains among them.
" I have been gratified,"' says Dr. Murray, " to find what
has often been vaguely asserted, that the Greek and Latin are
only dialects of a language much more simple, elegant, and
ancient, which forms the basis of almost all the tongues of
Europe, and, as I hope to demonstrate on some future occa-
sion, of Sanskrit itself"

While he was thus dedicating every hour he could com-
mand to study and research, he was not known beyond the
circle of a few select friends ; of whom the most eminent was
Dr. Lcyden, a man of exactly the same age, and of congenial-
ity of mind and pursuits. " Murray,"" says the Rev. Mr.
Morton, " once observed to Dr. Anderson, that there was no-
body in Edinburgh whom he should be so much afraid to con-
tend with in languages and philology as Leyden ; and it is
remarkable that the latter, without knowing this, once ex-
pressed himself to the same person in the same terms in com-
mendation of Murray's learning."* Leyden closed " his
bright and brief career" in the island of Java, in August 1811.
Lamented as he was by all who take any interest in the fate
of genius, he was regretted by none more deeply than by his
friend, to whose memory these pages are dedicated. The fol-
lowing extract relative to this melancholy event, from a letter
written by Dr. Murray to Dr. Anderson, does equal honour to
the memory of both : — " Our indefatigable and invaluable
friend, than whose a more ardent spirit never comprehended

" Poetical liemainx (f Dr. Leyden, by the Rev. James Mortvn, y. 17.

OF GALLOWAY. 253

whatever is vast, nor surmounted whatever is difficult in literary
pin-suit, has prematurely closed his brilliant day, and is <Tone !
When recently engaged in researches into the several affini-
ties of certain languages in which he was extremely conver-
sant, I felt an anticipation of pleasure from the thought that
my inquiries would in due time come under his eye, and un-
dergo the friendly correction of his learned judgment. Alas I
this expectation was utterly vain, for the possibility of its being
accomplished was already past."

Dr. Murray, soon after his arrival in town, supported himself,
as has been previously hinted, as a private teacher of languages.
But he at length obtained a more congenial species of employ-
ment. He had long been an occasional writer in The Scots
Magazine ; and acted, at length, for some time, as editor of
that work. He contributed also several able articles to the
Edinburgh Review. In his youth, as we have already seen,
he had attained some knowledge of the Abyssinian. The
study of this language, on his coming to college, he prosecuted
with the happiest success, by the help of Ludolph's Diction-
ary and the Polyglot Bible. He made himself completely
master of the Geez or Tygre, and the Amharic, the two dia-
lects of which the Abyssinian consists, as also of the dialects
spoken by the subjects and neighbours of the Abyssinian mon-
archy. With these rare attainments, he was engaged, by Mr.
Constable, as editor of a new impression of Bruce''s Travels to
Discover the Source of the Nile. This undertaking he com-
menced in the month of September 1802, and it v^as continu-
ed with unremitting application for nearly three years ; for the
work did not appear until the month of July 1805. The
time he was employed in preparing it, he resided chiefly at
Kinnaird House, where he had access to the papers and MSS.
which Mr. Bruce had collected or composed. To this produc-
tion, which consists of seven large octavo volumes, he prefixed
a Life of the author, and contributed notes and an appendix,
containing the most curious and learned discussions on philo-
logy, antiquities, and a manifold variety of subjects illustrative
of Bruce's narrative. The Life of the traveller, considerably

:254 THE LITERAKV HISTORY

enlarged and improved, lie published separately in one volume
quarto, extending to 504> pages ; to which is added an appen-
dix, consisting of" selections from Bruce*'s correspondence, an
account of his various INISS. and other cognate illustrations.

Dr. Murray had meanwhile been licensed a preacher of the
gospel ; but had no prospect of obtaining a living in the
church. Having been employed, however, to give private les-
sons to the late William Douglas of Orchardton, that gentle-
man, himself a man of genius, took an interest in his views in
this respect ; and having understood that the Rev. Dr. James
Muirhead, minister of Urr, wished to have a helper and succes-
sor appointed to him in that charge, recommended his learned
tutor as a fit person for that situation. Murray having been
accordingly introduced to that clergyman, and several other
friends, among whom we cannot resist mentioning William
Muirhead Herries of Spottes,* son of Dr. Muirhead, he was,
much to the satisfaction of the people, appointed to this charge
in 180G.

Dr. Muirhead, descended of a family that had been settled in
Galloway so early as 1517, was born at Logan (of which his
father was proprietor,) in 1742. He commenced the study
of law, but soon abandoned it for theology. He was settled
in Urr in 1769- He was a man of learning and talents :
mathematics was at one time his favourite study. He was
given to wit and punning, but was possessed of too much
politeness and benevolence to wound by these the feelings of
any one. He was, moreover, a poet, and is advantageously
known as the author of an excellent song, entitled Bess the
Gnitkie. He died in 1808, two years after Dr. Murray had
been appointed his colleague. -f*

• AppenfltT, Note //.

■) Allan Cunningliaiii, in his Son(/s of Scotland, a useless work, which de-
servedly fell dead from the press, igiionmtly terms this clergymHii " the
Rev. William i"\Iorolicad," instead of tlie Hov. Dr. James Muirhead !
The same author converts the surname of Xathaniel IM'Kie of Crossmichael
into " Mackay." His work, indeed, is full of blunders, though it were
well for his character if mere hlunders constituted its only fault. For an
eminent instance of iiis modesty and veracity, consult the liife of Lowe in
this volume.

OF GALLOWAY. 255

Dr. Murray, on his first going to Urr, resided, till the
death of Dr. Muirhcad, in the house of his maternal uncle Mr.
William Cochrane, a respcctahle farmer ; and soon became
acquainted with the neighbouring family of Mr. James Af-
fleck, in Cxrangc. Henrietta Alileck soon became the object
of his attachment. His addresses were not unwelcome ; and
their marriage took place on Friday the 9th of December 1808.

In 1808, he published The Life of James Bruce, of which
we have formerly spoken. This work, with the edition of
Bruce^s Travels, had so established his character as a linguist,
and particularly as acquainted with the Abyssinian language,
that, in 1811, at the suggestion of the late Mr. Henry Salt,
envoy to that country, he w^as applied to, to use Mr. Salt''s
own words, " as the only person in the British dominions"
adequate to the task, to translate a letter written in Geez, from
the governor of Tygre to our king. Though, as Dr. Murray
himself states, some passages in the original were a little ob-
scure, he performed the task in the most satisfactory manner.

He continued faithfully to perform his clerical duties, and
w^as unwearied in his literary pursuits, till an event took place
which altered his prospects in life. In June 1812 the chair
of Oriental languages in the university of Edinburgh became
vacant by the death of Dr. IMoodie. For this situation Dr.
Murray was proposed a candidate by his friends in town, ere
an account of the vacancy had reached him in the countiy ;
and he afterwards himself solicited the support of the patrons
of the university to obtain the vacant office. Three other re-
spectable candidates appeared in the field.* The subject of
this memoir, however, after a very keen contest, was elected by
a majority of two voices. Had Dr. Murray died in the re-
mote parish of Urr, to use an expression of the late Professor
Christison, " the patrons of learning in Scotland might re-
gret that he was not promoted ; but such regret would not re-
pair the loss."

* These were Dr. Alexander Eruriton, (the present learned Professor,)
Dr. David Dickson, and Dr. David scot. For an account of this election,
see Scots Magazine for April 181?.

"256 THE LITERARY HISTORY

In consequence of this appointment, he removed to Edin-
burgh in the month of November 1812. He left his family
behind hi»n in l^-r, as he did not mean, till after the subse-
quent summer, which he expected to spend in the country, to
reside permanently in town. Before he commenced his class,
he published, for their use, Outlines of Oriental Philology, —
a small work which he had composed many years before this
date, and which is regarded as containing a remarkably simple,
and, in many respects, an original epitome of the grammati-
cal principles of the Hebrew and its cognate dialects. His
class Mas composed not only of theological students, who are
all, from the course of study prescribed them by the laws of
our church, obliged to be acquainted with the Hebrew lan-
guage, but of many aged and literary gentlemen, whose at-
tendance could only be gained and secured by such an illustri-
ous professor.

But Dr. ^luiTay was not doomed long to enjoy his new situ-
ation. His constitution was not naturally athletic. He had
long been threatened with complaints of a pulmonary nature.
Previously to his cominij to Kdinburij;h, he had been for two
winters so afflicted with a violent cough, accompanied with de-
bility and slight fever, that for several successive weeks, he had
been unable to discharge his public duties. In February
1813, this fatal complaint having, in consequence of his great
exertions in preparing his academical lectures, (all of which
he composed after his arrival in town,) settled upon him more
severely than usual, he was prevented from attending his
class ; and it was evident to all, that his life was in imminent
danger. He himself entertained hopes of his recovery, and
Mas flattering himself with the prospect of being able to re-
move to the country ; but his complaints daily assumed a
more alarming aspect. On the day before his death, he was
out of bed for twelve hours. He arranged several of his pa-
pers, spoke freshly, and appeared in good spirits. He alluded
to his ap])roaching dissolution, which he now himself began to
ap])rehend ; but Mrs. Murray, (who had come to town in the
preceding evening,) was too agitated to admit of the subject

OF GALLOWAY. 257

being minutely adverted to. He retired to bed at eleven o"'clock ;
he dozed a little ; and every moment he Avas awake, he spent
in prayer. In the true spirit of genius, he said that he had
once expected to attain to old age, and that he Avould be en-
abled to perform something of a more eminent nature, and of
greater importance to society, than he had yet accomplished ;
but not a murmur escaped his lips ; he was, at all times,
perfectly resigned to the will of the Eternal. The following
verse of the hundred and eighteenth psalm he repeated a few
hours before his death :

O set ye open unto me

The gates o<" righteousness ;
Then will I cuter into them.

And 1 the Lord will bless.

At the end of these lines he made a pause, and Mrs. Murray
having proceeded with the subsecjuent verse,

This is the gate of God, by it

The just shall enter in ;
Thee will I praise, for thou me hcardst.

And hast my safety been,

he looked wistfully and tenderly in her countenance, — he put
his hand on his breast, — and said it gave him relief and con-
solation. He now became suddenly worse, — his speech failed
him, — and having lingered in this state for a short time, he
breathed his last in the arms of his wife. This melancholy
event took place at a quarter past six o'clock on the morning
of Thursday the 15th of April 1813, in the thirty-seventh
year of his age. The last words he was heard to utter were,
" Take clear burial ground," meaning, no doubt, to intimate
his desire that his remains might be placed in a grave which
had not been previously occupied.

His body was interred in the Greyfriars' church-yard, up-
on the north-west corner of the church, close to the wall of
it. His funeral was attended by the Magistrates of the city,
by the Professors of the University in their robes, by the The-
ological Society, of which he had been a member, and by

258 THE LITERARY HISTORY

some private litcraiy friends. There is not a stone to point
out wliere his remains are reposited.

His stature was rather hch)w the middle size. He bent a
littk' in his gait ; and Avhen he walked, generally kept his left
hand upon his breast, a habit originating, it is probable, in his
pectoral complaints. The colour of his hair was black ; of his
eyes, which were sharp and sparkling, a beautiful hazel brown.
On the right side of his face was a large mark of a pretty dark
hue, extending upwards fully three inches, from a line drawn,
as it were, from the lower extremity of the nose and ear. He
constantly wore spectacles. His dress was neat and becoming.

His character, in every point of view, is deserving of praise.
Born in a iuimble station, his advancement in life was owing
not less to the strictest propriety of conduct, than to the splen-
dour of his talents. As a companion and a friend, he was
frai\k, constant, imsuspicious, and affectionate. In the com-
pany of his intimate associates, he Avas playful and humorous,
and had ahvays at command a variety of witty and amusing
anecdotes, which he introduced with propriety, and told with
spirit and animation. His temper was rather irritable. Of
pcdantr)^ and ostentation he was perfectly devoid. As a cler-
gyman he was faithful and laborious, and much esteemed by his
people. His pulpit di.scourses were striking and edifying.

He left behind him in manuscript a learned work ; which,
under the auspices of the late Sir Henry INIoncreiff, was pub-
lished in two volumes in 1823. Of this work, entitled His-
tory of the European, Layiguages ; or, Researches into the Af-
Jinities of the Teulonicy Greek, Celtic, Sclavonic, and Indian
Nations, Dr. Scot was the editor ; and to it is prefixed a
Life of the Author, written by Sir Henry Moncreiff. This
undertaking is evidently no mean one. J3r. Murray in con-
ducting it endeavours to prove, as tlie result of his researches,
that the languages of Kurope can be traced to a single dialect ;
and that this dialect consisted of a few monosyllables, nine in
number, some of which may be considered a variation of the
other Of these he thinks that ag and wag were probably the
first articulate sounds. " We do not say,"" to use the words of

OF GALLOWAY. 259

his learned editor, " that Dr. Murray's system may not af-
ford room for discussion ; but if it is not demonstrated truth,
it looks very like it. In support of his account of the rise of
the European languages, he has resorted to the inductive me-
thod of reasoning ; and the reader will have cause to admire
his ingenuity of analysis, if he cannot always subscribe to his
conclusions." " Dr. Murray," to quote again from Dr. Scot's
preface, " does not form a theory, and then look about for ar-
guments to support it. But he was led to the conclusions,
detailed in this work, by his attempt to analyze the words of
which the European languages consist."

He left behind him a widow with two children, a daughter
and a son. The former, Agnes, fell a victim to consumption
in 1821 ; the latter, James, has recently finished his academical
studies as a surgeon. Mrs. IMurray died also of consumption
in April 1824. On her husband's death, government grant-
ed her an annual pension of L.80.

The Rev. James M'Ray or M'Crae,* was born at Knock-
reoch, in the parish of Kells in 1746. His parents were
Thomas M-Crae and Jean Robb. His father rented a part of
the farm of Knockreoch. He afterwards possessed the farm of
Woodhead in the parish of Carsphairn, which he held for
thirty years previously to his death. James M'Ray was the
youngest of live children. He attended the parish school of
Carsphairn, then taught by Mr. M'Kay, an able classical
scholar. He studied at the university of Edinburgh ; and

• The subject of tliis sketch did not ultimately spell his name in either]of
these ways ; but thns, — James M. Ray.

To 3Ir. Thomas M'Gill, Damcroft, parish of Kells, nephew of Mr.
M'Kay, I am indebted for the materials of which this sketch is composed.
To Mr. Gordon Barbour, author of various ingenious works, and to my
much respected friend Mr. William Andrew, 1 lie under oblifjations, both
in regard to this article and to the life of Mr. Antluiny Macmillan.

3()0

THE LITERARY HISTORY

having become a preacher, was ordained in 177^' ^7 *^^ Pres-
byter)^ of the North West of England, minister of a chapel
in jMarjport. How long he continued in this situation is not
known ; but, as on leavinsf it, he sot from the heads of families
belonging to his congregation, a testimonial expressive of their
approbation of his labours, it is evident that these had not been
entirely unsuccessful. Bad health having been the cause of
his resigning his charge in jSIaryport, he returned to the Glen-
kens, and continued an invalid, for several years, under his
father's roof, at Woodhead. His health having at length been
restored, he was employed as assistant to the Rev. John
M'Naught, minister of Buittle, on whose death, in 1792,
he removed to Edinburgh, and gained employment in that city
as a teacher of Hebrew.

The most important event of I\Ir. M'Ray's life was his in-
troduction to the acquaintance of the late Mr. James Gillespie,
a gentleman, who, as a tobacconist, realized a large fortune,
and founded an hospital and school, (which bear his name), in
the neighbourhood of Edinburgh. Mr. M'Ray lived in Mr.
Gillespie's house as his chaplain and companion ; and in com-
pany with him, he made the tour of Europe ; and I have reason
to think that they also visited America. Mr. M'Ray himself, at
least, had been in the New World, where he delivered what he
terms " a course of philosophical-medical lectures,"" and where
one of his numerous publications was first given to the world.
The subject of this sketch was nominated by Mr. Gillespie
chaplain of his hospital ; an appointment which was to be per-
manent. On its institution in 1801, he accordingly remoT'« d to
it, and entered on his official duties. These he continued to
discharge about twelve years ; but some misunderstanding hav-
ing, I believe, arisen between him and the governors of the
hospital, he was induced to resign his situation on condition of
a certain annuity (L.50) being guaranteed to him for life. He
now removed to Glasgow, where lie carried on his favourite
studies till his death, which took place in November 1816.

Some of the most important events of his life remain yet to
be told. He had early become distingiiished for his know-

OF GALLOWAY.

261

l(xlgc of Hebrew, and its cognate dialects, and for his biblical
learning. Soon after his settlement in Maryport, he pub-
lished a small work entitled The Hebrew Instructor. In IJSO
The Design of Creation ; a Dissertation on the chief end
and chief good of Man appeared ; a small volume containing
63 pages. He was the author of a pamphlet still smaller, but
without a date, on The Philosophy of the Languages of Men ^
Beasts, Birds, Sfc. and on innumerable other sul)jects, such as
The 'Theories of the Origin of the Universe ; the Properties of
Matter and Spirit ; the Nature, Causes, and Kinds of Dream-
ing. When in America, he published Synopsis, or a compre-
hensive View of Philosophical, Political, and Theological Si/s-
terns, from the Creation to the Present Time; a volume extend-
ing to 320 octavo pages. In 1805, he gave to the world A
View of the Old and New Way of Doctrines, Discipline and
Government in the Church of Christ. These works, and others
which he printed of a similar tendency, display learning and
extensive reading ; but are characterised by no powers of
thought or arrangement, and no correctness of taste, containing
masses of matter capriciously huddled together. He announced as
preparing for publication various treatises which never appeared.
But his greatest work, and that by which alone he is known,
is A Revised Translation and Interpretation of the Sacred
Scriptures, after the Eastern Manner, from the concurrent
authorities of the Crifics, Interpreters, and Commentators^
Copies and Versions. This publication first appeared in Lon-
don in an octavo form in 1799. Another impression, in quarto,
issued from the Glasgow press in 1815, the year before his
death. This edition contains extensive miscellaneous notes and
illustrations appended to each chapter, not given in the former
impression. He regarded the Bible as the worst translated
work extant, and quite unintelligible in many important places,
without the aid of commentators ; an advantage which the
greater portion of the people cannot be expected to command.
This difficulty, it was the object of the author of this transla-
tion to obviate. But his judgment, whatever was his learning,
was not equal to the purity of his motives, or the utility of his

'J()2 THE LITERARY HISTORY

design. He is, so far as I have traced, quite orthodox in his
views ; but he makes very short work with the difficulties of
Scripture ; (such as Jephtha's oblation, the witch of Endor, the
Song of Solomon,) and his version is in innumerable instances
rather an arbitrary paraphrase than a translation or interpreta-
tion. Of tliis work the following is a most favourable speci-
men. Ecclcsiastcs xii. 1 — 7-

" Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before
the days of affliction come, and the years of old age approach,
when thou shall say, I have no pleasure in them. 2. Before the
sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars become dark
to thee, and the clouds return after rain, or one trouble come
vpon another : 3. When (the arms) the keepers of the (cor-
poreal) house shall shake, and the strong ones (the limbs) be
feeble, and (the teeth) the grinders shall cease, as being few,
(and unfit for use) ; and they that look out at the windows (the
optic nerves of the eyes) become dim ; 4. And the doors be shut
in the streets, (the lips fall in, the teeth being gone,) and the
sound of the grinding (in eating) be low ; and they shall rise
up at the sound of the bird, (sleep being diminished and
easily broken,) and all the daughters of music (the accents of
the voice, and acuteness of the ear,) fail : 5. They shall also
be afraid of (ascending) the place which is high, (being weak
and breathless) ; and fears (of stumbling) shall be in the way ;
and (gray hairs like) the almond-tree's leaves shall flourish ;
and the grasshopper shall be a burden, (small matters being
troublesome, as being crooked and fretful) ; and the desire of
enjoyment shall fail ; for man goeth to his long home, and the
mourners go about the streets. 6. Before the silver cord (the
marrow of the back-bone, with its root and branches) be con-
tracted ; or the golden vial (the brain's membranes) be cracked;
or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, (the cavities and con-
veyers of the blood from the heart,) or the wheel be broken at
the cistern, (the returners of it from the lungs, liver, head,
hands, and feet ; the double, yea, quadruple circulation
(galal and ruts) being repeated, be interrupted and cease,
3 Kings iv. 33.)"

OF GALLOWAY. 263

There was another object, which he reckoned of unspeaka-
ble importance, that his version was designed to accomplish,
namely, to shew that " the Inspired Writings contai)i the
seeds of the valuable sciences, being the source whence the
ancient philosophers derived them, also the most ancient his-
tories and greatest antiquities ; and are the most entertaining
as well as instructive to both the curious and serious." This
opinion, whether fanciful or not, was one of his favourite spe-
culations.

Nor did he inculcate his opinions merely in his published
writings. We have already mentioned that he had given pub-
lic lectures in America. He did so also in Scotland. The
subjects of his lectures seem to have been multifarious. At
one time he prelected on Biblical criticism ; and 1 have been
informed by a competent judge, who was one of his hearers,
that in these compositions he displayed no ordinary degree of
learning and talent.

He was a man of primitive simplicity, both in appearance
and habits. He continued till his death to use the same
fashion of dress that prevailed in his youth. A veiy small
income was sufficient to supply all his wants. Luxury and
effeminacy of all kinds he held in utter detestation. He was
an incessant talker ; and his subjects of conversation were ge-
nerally connected with his Biblical studies or his peculiar
views. His speech was extravagant. During the French
revolution he had been a great Jacobin ; and his political
creed belonged to that party that has since been deiiominated
radical. But notwithstanding his many eccentricities, he was
a good and learned man, of pious and literary habits, and is
not known ever to have had a personal enemy.

2()1

THE LITERARY HISTORY

CHAPTER XIX.

LIFE OF THE REV. JOHN JOHNSTONE. ^ (^l

The family, from which the Rev. John Johnstone was
descciuletl, had long been proprietors of a small estate lying
Avithiii the royalty of Annan, county of Dumfries. They
had held this property at least from the year 16G1 ; and it is
supposed that the individual, who was then in possession of
it, was a cadet of the house of Milnfield, an ancient branch
of the family of Johnstone.

Mr. Johnstone was the son of Mr. Alexander Johnstone,
surgeon, Edinburgh, and Christian, daughter of Mr. Tod,
merchant in Edinburgh, and one of the magistrates of that
city, and was born on the 20th of February 1757- His
father died at the early age of thirty-four, leaving a numerous
family, the direction of whose education devolved chiefly on
his eldest brother Dr. Brycc Johnstone, minister of Holy-
wood. Speaking afterwards of the paternal uncle, under whose
kind superintendence his youth had been spent, " He was,"
says Mr. Johnstone, " the protector of my father's or])han
house, and a willing instrument of our deliverance from pe-
nury and want. He was the faithful guardian of our hcl})less
years, the director of my studies, and active in promoting my
successful introduction into public life. His counsels in con-
versation and correspondence, his example and his prayers,
were directed to excite me to act with credit to myself and
usefulness to others.""'

OF GALLOWAY. 265

Mr. Johnstone, though early deprived of his father, thus
enjoyed advantages very uncommon in the circumstances un-
der which his family was placed. He received his juvenile
education in the High School ; and in due time entered the
University of Edinburgh. When a student at College, he
became a member of the Speculative Society ; and though his
contemporaries in this institution were persons of abilities,
many of whom afterwards attained to distinction, he made no
inconsiderable figure as a speaker. Kveu at this early age, he
was remarkable for those very qualities by which he was after-
wards distinguished as a member of our ecclesiastical courts ;
felicity of speech, complete self-possession, a considerable ta-
lent for wit and humour, and acute reasoning faculties.

Havino; studied for the church, he obtained licence as a
preacher from the presbytery of Dumfries, of which his uncle
was a member, in the spring of 17^1. He did not con-
tinue long without a pastoral charge ; for he was ordained
minister of the parish of Crossmichael on the 18th of Septem-
ber 1783.

His predecessor in this living was the Rev. Nathaniel
M'Kie, the son of the Rev. William M'Kie of Balmaghie,
and maternal uncle of the heroine of Marys dream. Mr.
Nathaniel M'Kie was a man of simplicity of character, of
plain uncultivated m.anners, of superstitious credulity, and al-
together of great eccentricity. But he was a respectable
clergyman ; and is known as the author of a song, entitled,
jVo dominies for me, laddie. He was also the writer of
various doggrcl verses composed on different occasions ; but
the song in question is the only composition of merit that
bears his name. He died unmarried on the 10th of January
I78I ; and though it has been supposed that he was himself
the hero of the song of which we are speaking, he was never
known, at any future period of life, to have been under the in-
fluence of the tender passion.

Dr. Bryce Johnstone having long directed his attention to
the study of church law, and to the mode of proccd ure in the
ecclesiastical courts, his nephcAv, now minister of Crossmichael,

2()6 IHK HTKIIARY HISTORY

most successfully imitated his example. His acquirements in
tliis department soon became eminent ; and his brethren re-
jrarded him with deference on all such subjects. He guided
the deliberations of the local courts on all important occasions ;
and when he was a memlicr of the General Assembly, he
showed iircat knowledije of business ; and held a most re-
spoctable place as a speaker and church-lawyer in that court.

He remained a bachelor for upwards of eleven years after his
settlement in Crossmichael. At length, on the 11th of No-
vember 1794, he married Miss Mary English, a lady of re-
spectability and accomplishments. The result of this union
was a very interesting family, particularly of daughters, — the
eldest of whom, INIiss Johnstone, celebrated for beauty, as well
as for every amiable quality, was laid in an early grave in
1818.

Of Sir John Sinclair's patriotic intention of drawing up a
Statistical Account of Scotland, compiled by the clergymen of
the Established Church, Mr. Johnstone highly approved ; and
in the first volume of that work his account of his own parish
appeared.

Of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright Agi'icultural Society, es-
tablished in March 1809, Mr. Johnstone was one of the ori-
ginal members, and one of the committee of management first
appointed. He was, at a subsequent period, one of the four
presidents of the society. He read an essay before that body,
containing A view of the defects in our si/stem of farm man-
agcmctit, and of the obstacles to its improvement, both as re-
spects proprietors and tenants.

Before this time, Mr. Johnstone had lost his distinguished
uncle, who died on the 27th of April 1805, and ho preached
his funeral sermon in the Church of Holy wood. " Many
peaceful, and profitable, and happy days,"" says he, in his ap-
peal to the people, towards the end of his discourse, " have I
spent among you. In this pulj)it I began my labours as a
preacher of the gospel. To you J have s])oken more frequent-
ly than to any other congregation, except that which is my
dear peculiar charge. On twenty-two solemn occasions, 1 have

OF GALLOWAY. 267

assisted here, in the ministry of holy things, and joined with
you in commemorating our Saviour''s dying love, over the
symbols of his broken body and shed blood."

In I8O7, he published a posthumous volume of his uncle's
sermons, and prefixed to them a Memoir of the Life^ Charac-
teVi and Writings of the Author. This sketch is most ably
compiled, and conveys to us a most favourable impression of
the character of the writer.

Mr. Johnstone did not live to advanced years ; for, after a
lingering illness, he died on the 20th of June 1820, in the
sixty-fourth year of his age, and thirty-seventh of his ministry.
His funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Brown, now
of Glasgow. Mrs. Johnstone survives him.

In stature he was rather above the middle size, of firm make,
of prepossessing appearance, of frank and polished manners, of
lively conversation, given to punning, a species of wit in which
he excelled. The painting of him by Mr. John Allan, from
which an engraving by Walker is prefixed to his posthumous
volume of sermons, is a striking likeness.

The Sermons, just referred to, were published by his family
in 1825 ; and though they labour under all the imperfections
incident to a posthumous work, they are honourable to his me-
mory, as useful, practical, and able discourses. They are all
on important subjects, and bring forward the peculiar doctrines
of the gospel with equal judgment and effect. Two of them
had before appeared in The Scotch Preacher.

2()8 THi: LITERARV HISTORY

CHAPTER XX.

LIVES OF PATRICK IIANNAY, JOHN LOWE, AND THE
REV. WILLIAM GILLESPIE.

We have not yet given an account of any poet, if we except
Mr. Andrew Symson of Kirkinner. Galloway, in truth, can-
not boast of any writer of great celebrity in this department ;
but of such as she has produced we now proceed to treat. For
the following short account of Patrick Hannay, I am indebted
to the kindness of Dr. David Irving, the learned biographer
of Buchanan.

Patrick Hannay was a younger son of Donald Hannay
of Sorbie. (Nisbet's System of Heraldry, vol. i. p. 385.) It
may be inferred that he had received an academical education ;
for in the title-page of his Elegies, he styles himself A. M.
He appears, as Mr. Ellis remarks, to have served in a military
capacity under Sir Andrew Gray, a colonel of foot, and gene-
ral of artillery to the king of Bohemia. One of his publica-
tions bears the following title : " Two Elegies on the late
Death of our Soueraigne Qucene Anne : with Epitaphes.
Written by Patrick Hannay, M'.' of Arts." Lond. 1619, 8vo.
Another is entitled " A happy Husband ; or Directions for a
JNIaid to choose her Mate; together with a Wives Behaviour
after Man-iage. By Patrick Hannay, Gent."" Lond. 1819,
8vo. This composition, with a distinct title-page, is append-
ed to Brathwait's Description of a Good Wife. After an in-

OF GALLOWAY. 269

terval of three years, he published a collection of his poems,
which is now a book of great pecuniary value. " The Night-
ingale, Sheretine, and Mariana : a Happy Husband : Elegies
on the Death of Queen Anne : Songs and Sonnets. By Pa-
trick Hanay, Gent." Lond. 1622, 8vo. The engraved
title includes a portrait of the author. At Mr. Bindley's sale
this rare volume produced L.35, 14s., at Mr. Perry's, L.38,
Cs., and at Sir Mark Sykes's L.42, 10s. 6d. The latter copy
had belonged to Mr. Bindley. Some specimens of Hannay's
poetry may be found in Kllis's Specimens of the Earli/ Eng-
lish Poets, vol. iii. p. 135. — Beloe's Anecdotes of Literature,
vol. vi. p. 191, — and Davis''s Second Journey round the Li-
brary of a Bibliomaniac, p. 7^. Lond. 1825, 8vo. The
following verses are transcribed from the first edition of the
Elegies.

ON THE QUEEN.

Tlie world's a sea of errors all must passe,

Where slielues and sands the purling billow blinds ;
Men's bodies are fraile barks of brittle giasse,

Which still are toss'd with aduerse tytls and winds ;
Reason's the pylot that the course directs,

Which makes the vessell (as its hieglit) holde out ;

Passions are partners, a still-iarring rout ;
Succumbing thoughts are life-inuading leaks.
How built her body, such a voyage made !
How great her reason, which so rightly swayed !
How pjyant passions, which so well obayd !
How dantlessc thoughts, vaine doubts durst nere inuadc !

Her body, reason, passions, thouglits did gree

To make her life the art to saile this sea.

John Lo^yE* was born at Kenmure, parish of Kells, in the
year 1750. His father was gardener to Mr. Gordon of Ken-

• Life of Lowe, written by the late Mr. Gillespie, in Cromek's Bomins
of Nithsdale and Gdllotcaj/ Sonci, 342.

270 THE LITERARY HISTORY

iniirc, son to that unfortunate nobleman, who, in the rebellion
of 1715, forfeited his life in the cause of the exiled House of
Stuart. Having, at the parish school, acquired the rudi-
ments of classical learning, he early betrayed a wish to become
a scholar ; but the narrowness of his father"'s circumstances did
not enable him to carry this laudable desire into effect ; and,
at the age of fourteen, he was put as an apprentice to John
Heron, a weaver in the burgh of New Galloway, and father to
the historian of whom we have already spoken.

But genius cannot remain long concealed. Its native and
inherent energy and aspirings, no circumstances, however dis-
astrous, can subdue or annihilate. Lowe''s ignoble employment,
instead of quenching the native vigour of his mind, constituted
the ver)' thing that roused it and brought it into action. The
scanty funds with which his labour supplied him, and which
he improved by employing his evenings in teaching church-
music, he devoted to his own improvement in education. And
having at length become sufficiently qualified to enter upon an
academical course, he removed to the university of Edinburgh
in the year 1771-

Amid his severer studies, Mr. Lowe did not fail to cultivate
poetr}', to which the natural bent of his genius had early in-
clined him. The following letter, (written from college,) dis-
closes a mind delicately alive to one of the most striking fea-
tures of nature, and imbued with the finest sensibilities.

" We have had a long and severe winter here, but now we
have a very agreeable spring — the time of the singing of
birds is come, and tlie song of joy is already heard in our land.
How sweet now to leave tlie noise of tlie busy world, and, with
frequent footsteps, to gather h(!altli from the gale of the morn-
ing — to raise the soul to heaven in pious ardour, and hail the
new-bom day ; — to bask in the cheerful beams of the sun, the
image of its Great Original ! — In short, we are like people
transported in an instant from the terrible icy shore of Zembla,
where eternal tempests madden, and dreadful whirlwinds roar
amid the frozen mountains, to the banks of the Nile, where a
lasting verdure clothes the fertile plains, where wintry blasts,

OF GALLOWAY. 271

and the storms of dark December are never known. Pardon a
comparison so bold — but I am enraptured with the agreeable
chantje.'" * * * *

But the most important event of Lowe's life was his intro-
duction, in the capacity of tutor, to the family of Mr. M'Ghie
of Airds. The house of Airds, situated on the declivity of a
wooded hill, which is washed on opposite sides by the ])ee and
Ken, two rivers, whose streams unite at its base, commands an
extensive view of a beautiful and varied landscape. The hand
of nature has shut it out from almost all communication with
the living world ; it seems, indeed, intended as the nursery or
dwelling of a poet. Lowe coidd not but appreciate the happi-
ness of his lot. He delighted to " muse o'er nature with a
poet's ej'^e;" and the sweet and poetic charms of Airds he did
not cease to remember with melancholy pleasure, Avhen he was
far removed from them. " The beautiful banks of the river
Rappahannock,"" says he, in a letter to a friend, " where the
town in which I now reside is situated, with all their luxuri-
ance and fragrance, have never to me had channs equal to
smooth Ken, or murmuring Dee.*' " Thou wood of Airds !
balmy retreat of peace, innocence, harmony and love, with what
raptures do I still reflect on thee !"

While he did not, I believe, neglect the education of those
placed imder his care, he devoted his vacant hours to the con-
templation of the beauties of external nature, and to the cviltiva-
tion of those poetical talents Avith which he was endowed. To de-
rive his happiness more directly from his own mind, he used to
retire to an elevated cliff in a sequestered part of the wood, " to
view the beauties of the rising day," and to hold sweet converse
with the genii of the mountains and the streams. On this
spot, he erected a rural seat, and environed it with a sweet ar-
bour entwined with honeysuckle, woodbine, and other shrubs.
It is still dignified with the name of Lowe's Seat, and has been
denominated by Burns, classic ground. " When were you at
Airds," says the poet, in a letter written many years after he
had left his native shore ; " and does my arbour still remain,
or is there now any vestige of my favourite walk ?"'

272 THE LITERARY HISTORY

It was on this spot that he composcxl those verses that have
coiiierred hiimortality on his name. His two most distinguish-
ed effusions were, A Morning Poem, of a descriptive and pas-
toral kind, and, Mary, weep no more for me, a song familiarly
known to every admirer of poetic excellence. The story of
Mari/s Dream was founded in truth. Mary, of the family of
Airds, had been promised in marriage to a gentleman of the
name of Alexander Miller, a surgeon, who was drowned at
sea. The impression which such an event must, in any case,
have made upon the mind of a poet, was, in the instance be-
fore us, rendered deeper, from the circumstance that the sister of
Mary had inspired Lowe with feelings of a tender kind. The
subject, therefore, was one which could not fail to call forth all
the energy of which he was capable. And, accordingly, the
poem is regarded as one of the happiest efforts. There is a
simplicity, a pathos, and sublimity about it, to which there are
few parallels in the class of compositions to which it belongs.*

The views of Mr. Lowe were directed to our national church,
and he had commenced at college the study of theology. But
the happiest period of his life — " the sabbath of his days,""
was past. Having been engaged as tutor to the family of a
brother of the illustrious Washington, he crossed the Atlantic
and settled in America ; and though he flattered himself that
he miijht be enabled to be more useful to his asjed mother
in his new situation than he could otherwise have been, the
New World soon proved the grave of all his hopes, and yielded
to him nothing but disappointment and distress. After re-
maining for some time in the family to which he went, he es-
tablished an academy in Frederick sburgh, a town situated on
the river Kappahannock, A^irginia ; and, at a subsequent pe-
riod, became a minister of the episcopal church of that place,
and was for a while prosperous, respectable, and happy. But
his evil star was now in the ascendant. His academy declined,
on account, he says, of the severity of the seasons ; and the
evening of his days was clouded, and his death accelerated by

• Tl)c licroinc of this song, afterwards married to a iMr. AJ'I.ellan, died
at Manchester on ttie 30tli of November 1817, nged seventy.

OF GALLOWAY. 273

an event, whicli may be said to have proceeded from his own
imprudence.

One of the young ladies of Airds, as has already been men-
tioned, had early become the object of Lowe''s affection.
His addresses, it is believed, were not unwelcome ; and before
he left his native shore, they had pledged their mutual vows
of inviolable faithfulness, until fate should smile upon their
re-union. In such interesting circumstances, he bid her fare-
well ; and two years after they parted, he renewed his vows in
a poem, addressed to her.

" What hindered me, when first thy fondest slave,
I\!y hand to give tliee — as my heart I gave ? *

A\'edlock itself would need no grave Divine
To fix Ills stamp ui)on sueh love as mine;
A love so pure, so tender, and so strong.

Might last for ages, could we live so long.

■ • • • •

Fair faces here I meet, and forms divine*
Enough to shake all constancy but mine."

But his constancy was not so firm as he seems to have
believed ; for the truth is, he became enamoured of a beau-
tiful Virginian lady, and forgot his first love on the banks of
the Ken.* This lady, however, mortified him by a refusal ;
but her sister having professed a violent attachment to him,
he consented to be united to her from no loftier feeling than
" a sentiment of gratitude." This imprudent step was the
source of all the miseries with which his subsequent life was
embittered. The woman to whom he gave his hand was dis-
tinguished by every abandoned quality. Her infidelity to
him drove him to distraction and despair. Recourse was had
to the bottle to obviate those feelings with which he was over-
whelmed ; and intemperance and anguish combined, under-
mined a constitution naturally good, and brought him to an
untimely grave.

The circumstances of his death must not be passed over in

" This lady was afterwards happily married to the late David Blair, Esq.
of Borgue. bhc died lately, without having had children.

274 THE LITERAUY HISTORY

silence. " Perceiving," says his elegant biographer, " his
end drawing near, and wishing to die in peace, away from his
owni wretched walls, he mounted a sorry palfrey, and rode some
distance to the house of a friend. So much was he debilitated,
that scarcely could he alight in the court and walk into the
house. Afterwards, however, he revived a little, and enjoyed
some hours of that vivacity which was peculiar to him. But
this was but tlie last faint gleams of a setting sun ; for, on the
third day after his arrival at the house of his friend, he breath-
ed his last. lie now lies buried near Fredericksburijh, Vir-
ginia, under the shade of two palm-trees, but not a stone is
there on which to write, " Mary, weep no more for me."" He
died in 1798, in the 48th year of his age.

His character, with the exception of which we have just
s))oken, and the ills to which it gave rise, was respectable.
His figure, which was rather above the middle size, was hand-
some ; his hair was of an auburn hue ; his eyes were blue and
penetrating ; his nose aquiline ; and the expression of his
countenance open and benevolent.

His poetical endowments were of a high order, and cause us
to regret that his fate was so unpropitious as not to enable him
to cultivate them. Only one of his productions has been of-
fered to the public ; while his other pieces are fast dying away
on the lips of tradition. The Morning Poem, composed while
the author resided at Airds, abounds with many instances of
beautiful descri])tion ; and Lotvcs Lines, addressed by our poet
from A'irginia, to the lady who should afterwards have been
his wife, has been justly character i.scd by Mr. Gillespie as
*' manifesting at once the tenderness of the lover, and the
imagination of the poet."

A version of Man/s Dream is given by Mr. Cromek in the
Scottish dialect, which he regards as the genuine and original
form. This opinion is erroneous. The Scottish version was
never heard of, until it appeared in Cromek''s work ; and it is
well known to have been the composition of Allan Cunning-
ham, who took advantage of the credulity and enthusiasm of
a stranger, and dishonourably palmed it on him as genuine.

OF GALLOWAY.

275

No small proportion of the pieces in Crompk'fi work, (none of
them possessed of merit,) have no higher origin. This nnposi-
tion constitutes an instance of literary dishonesty, of which m
this country I know no example so flagrant. Yet it admits of
douht whether the original fraud, disgracefiil as it is, be more
detestable than the effrontery with which Cunningham affects
to brave it.*

Mr. Lowe, while at Airds, attempted also to write a tra-
gedy, the scenes of which, according to jNIr. Gillespie, he used
tj read to his companions, as he successively composed them.
It has now been lost — a thing not to be regretted, as dramatic
CDmposition was, it is likely, at that time, and perhaps at any
period, above his capacity.

The Rev. William Gillespie, (whose life naturally fol-
1 )ws that of Lowe,) tlie eldest son of the Rev. John Gillespie,
minister of Kells, and Dorothea M*Ewen, was born in the
manse of Kells, and baptized in the church of that parish,
on the 18th of February 1776- He received his education at
the parish school, then taught by Mr. William Gordon, a per-
son of respectable learning. Gordon generally resided in the
manse ; and thus in addition to the instruction he received St
school, the subject of this sketch enjoyed the benefit of private
tuition. In the life of Dr. Murray, the names of some of Mr.
Gillespie's school-fellows have been mentioned ; those of Dr.
Alexander JNIanson, physician in Nottingham, and the Rev.
Dr. David Cannan of Mains, may now be added.

Young Gillespie, though a gay active boy, made^rapid pro-
gress in the several branches to which his attention was direct-
ed. He early, also, showed a decided taste for music, poetry,
and painting. It is a remarkable fact, for example, that the
view of Kenmure castle, commonly sold in the print-shops,

• See page 2j4 in tliis work.

SyC THE LITERAKY HISTORY

was engraved from a drawing of his, executed wlicn he was
about fourteen years of age.

He entered the college of Kdinburgh in the year 1792. On
his arrival in that city, he lived for some time in private lodg-
ings with a companion, but was afterwards placed under Mr.
Fcrrier, once a clergyman of the established church, who re-
ceived young gentlemen under his care as boarders. By his
general behaviour and attention to his education, he gained
the esteem of Mr. Ferrier, as also of the various professors un-
der whom he studied. Owinij to the recommendation of Pro-
fessor Dalziel, he was appointed tutor to Mr. Don, afterwards
Sir Alexander Don, Bart. This situation was attended with
many advantages. It was the means of introducing him to
many young men both of high birth and brilliant talents,
and of communicating to him a knowledge of life ; and
in company with his pupil, he made the tour of the Western
Highlands, which to a person given to poetry, and suscepti-
ble of strong emotions, must have afforded much excitement
and delight. His Ode to Beniglow, written on this tour,
while it has been regarded as one of his best productions,
is a proof how well he could appreciate romantic scenery,
and the associations to which such scenery is calculated to give
birth.

During the time he officiated as tutor to INIr. Don, he re-
gularly prosecuted his theological studies at college. While
he neclected no branch of education in which he was called
upon to engage, he cultivated the muse, and was known among
his particular friends as a poet of no ordinary promise. It was
at this time that he began The Progress of Refinement, a
poem, which, however, was not published till many years after
this period. In the list of his acquaintances he could boast of
the names of many young men who afterwards attained to dis-
tinction. He was connected with several debating societies, —
associations that have long been common among the students
of our metropolitan university. Of the Academy of Physics,
which was instituted by Mr. Brougham, Dr. Birbick, and

OF GALLOWAY. 277

Other young men of genius, and which lasted for three years,
from January 1797? he had the honour to he a member.

While prosecuting his professional studies, he attended se-
veral of the medical classes ; a circumstance which he found of
some importance when afterwards settled in the country.
Having finished his college education, and his young friend
and pupil having entered the army, he returned to the bosom
of his father's family, and after undergoing the necessary trials,
obtained licence as a preacher from the presbytery of Kirkcud-
bright. Residing under his native roof, both his parents be-
ing still alive, and the family as yet unseparated, he enjoyed
in a remarkable manner the interchange of those domestic af-
fections so congenial to his mind. But this felicity was not
always to last. The first occurrence that encroached upon it
was the departure of a younger brother for America ; he ac-
companied him to Liverpool, where he bade him farewell.
Soon after his return, he was called upon to engage in the du-
ties of the profession in which he had been educated ; for in
1801, he was ordained helper and successor to his father in the
ministry of Kells : a settlement that met with the unanimous
consent of the people of that parish.

His excellent parent, however, though advanced in years,
was not unable to discharge his clerical duties ; a circumstance
that allowed his son leisure to pursue, with little inter-
ruption, his favourite studies. He continued, as before, to
contribute essays or poems, chiefly the latter, to the Scots Ma-
gazine^ and other periodical works. And in 1805, The Pro-
gress of Rr/incmenf, an Allegorical Poem, with other Poems,
appeared. He had meanwhile visited, in company with differ-
ent friends, many of the most celebrated or interesting spots in
his native land ; and from the various poetical eiiusions to
which they gave rise, it is evident that he surveyed them with
all the emotion of a poet. His young friend, Mr. Don, hav-
ing set out on his travels, invited Mr. Gillespie to accompany
him in making the tour of Europe ; an invitation which he
prized too highly to decline. He had actually left home for

27^ THE LITERARY HISTORY

this purj)osc ; but was prevented from carrying his wishes into
effect, as Bonaparte at that time issued a mandate for detain-
ing in France all the English then resident in that kingdom.

This disappointment he felt deeply ; but he had afterwards
cause to view it in a different light. It occasioned his return
to Kells, and afforded him the satisfaction, (which he could not
have known had he gone to the Continent,) of performing the
last duties to his venerable father, who died on the 29th of
April 180(). Mr. Gillespie has characterised him as " a man
distinguished for the disinterested benevolence of his character,
for his sublime and vmaff'ected piety, and his cheerful and
amiable manners."" He had been minister of Kells for forty-
two years. He left behind him a widow with seven children,
three sons and four daughters. His widow survived him above
three years. She was a person of such extreme delicacy of
constitution, that, for many years, she had been obliged to
confine herself almost entirely to her bed-room, and life could
have afforded her little enjoyment.

Notwithstanding the death of the head of the family, no
alteration otherwise took place in their domestic circumstances ;
and the subject of this brief sketch regarded it as one of the
happiest events of his life, that, having been appointed his
father's successor, his house could still continue the home of
his mother and family. It was indeed a happy home. Never
was filial or fraternal affection more eminently displayed.

From this time there are few incidents in his life calculated
to engage the attention of the biographer. Living, as he did,
in a strikingly romantic country, and alive to the beauties of
•nature, poetry continued to be his favourite pursuit. He at-
tended the church courts regularly : he paid occasional visits
to Kdinbur-di : he made an excursion to the Lakes of Cum-
berland ; he twice visited London, on one of which occasions
he extended his journey to I*aris. He was chaplain to the
Stewarty of Kirkcudljright Yeomanry Cavalry. He was a
member of the Highland Society; the thanks of which body
he had the honour to receive for some communications he had

OF GALLOWAY. 279

made to tlicm. The anniversary of Burns, celebrated at
Dumfries, he regularly attended ; and several of his addresses
delivered on these occasions were distinguished for that ar-
dour and that admiration of genius which marked his character.

Though The Progress of Refinement had not experienced
that success which it deserves, he ventured, in 1815, to pub-
lish another large work, entitled Consolation, with other Poems;
which, I regret to state, did not experience a more favourable
reception. In 1820, circumstances of a political nature, but
involving neither disloyalty nor faction in any quarter, ren-
dered it expedient for him to give to the world I'he Rebellion
of Absalom ; a discourse preached at Kirkcudbright on the
80th July of that year, before the Stewartry Gentlemen Yeo-
manry Cavalry.

He had hitherto remained a bachelor ; a circumstance the
more remarkable, as he was very partial to the company of
ladies, and was regarded as not unsusceptible of the tender
passion. At length, on the 26th of July 1825, he was united
to a lady whom he had long known ; Charlotte, third daughter
of the late INIajor Hoggan of Waterside, county of Dumfries.
His health had never been very vigorous. His amiable bride
and himself, immediately on their marriage, set out on a
jaunt to the western highlands. But he had not proceeded
many miles, when he was seized with indisposition. He be-
came at lenjith so ill that he was obliired to confhie himself
several days on his journey ; and on his return home, his
complaints turned out to be ill-formed Erysipelas, which soon
terminated in general inflammation. Of the result of this
trouble, Mr. Gillespie himself never augured favourably. He
feared the worst ; a circumstance, which, coming so close on
his marriage, must have au lamented his suffering and lacerated
the finest feelings of his soul. He bore his illness, however,
with great fortitude, and while he acquiesced in all the means
which his medical attendants recommended, he left, as he ex-
pressed it, " the issue with God." When allowed to converse,
for speaking was regarded as unfavourable to his complaint,
he expressed his hope and confidence in a Saviour. He gra-

280 THE LITERARY HISTORY

dually became worse ; and he died on the 15th of October, in
the fiftieth year of his age, and twentieth of his ministry,
within less than three months from the day of his marriage.

Never did any individual die more regretted. To describe
the sorrow of his widow and relations would be impossible.
His flock felt as if they had lost, not merely a faithful pastor,
but a venerated parent or a beloved brother. His death
struck a damp upon the public in general, particularly from
the interesting circumstances under which it had taken place ;
and many public tributes, both in prose and verse, were paid
to his memory. At the grave, on the day of his interment,
scarcely a dry eye was to be seen : even the sexton, — a charac-
ter not in general remarkable for soft feelings, — when covering
the remains of his departed pastor with kindred dust, sobbed
and wept to such a degree that he was hardly able to proceed
with his trying duty.

Mr. Gillespie was in person rather above the middle size,
his height being above five feet, ten inches. His hair was a
light auburn ; his eyes blue ; hus face, marked by the small-
pox, but expressive of frankness and intelligence ; his step light
and active ; his speech fluent ; his conversation witty, spright-
ly, enthusiastic, and intelligent ; his manners mild and po-
lished.

Mr. Gillespie's character is, in every respect, amiable. He
was a dutiful and affectionate son and brother. " His soul,"
to use the words of the Kev. Alexander M'Gowan, who had
known him from his infancy,* " was knit with the souls of his

" Mr. M'fiowan, miiiisttT of the iieigliboiiriiif^ parish of Dairy, jircachcd
Mr. Gillespie's funeral sermon, i'.s he iiad done that of his father. Uoth
discourses were published soon after they were n spectively delivered. Mr.
JM'Gowan was a man of Iwirniiif; and of talents, hut of extremely reccntric
manners, and of great ignoranee of life. Ho was horn of iiunil)l( [)aients,
in the parish of which lie was afterwards minister. He supported himself
by teaching. In 1707, he was engaged as tutor in the family of John
Newall ot I'.arlston. He was afterwards appointed to the parish-school of
Dairy; and in July 1783, was ordained minister of that parish, Mr. Newall
being patron of it. JMiss Mary Neuall, the daughter of this gentleman, he
»oon alterwar'N mrirrind. He was the falher of se\entcen cliildren; and

OF GALLOWAY.

281

own household, and he loved them as his own soul." He was
a warm friend ; and a man of" sound principle and integrity in
all the relations of life. As a pastor, he was most laithful.
Havin*^ heen born among the people of whom he afterwards
had the spiritual care, he regarded them with a feeling of in-
terest and affection, which, in other circumstances, could hard-
ly have been experienced. He declined the presentation to
the church of Dalton, which, before his father's death, had
been offered to him, unsolicited on his part. His pulpit dis-
courses, particularly his written ones, were eloquent and im-
pressive. In pathos lay his excellence. He was attentive in
visitinir the sick. Ministerial examinations he never neglect-
ed. To the management of the poor-funds he paid particular
attention ; and, while by this means he was really conferring
an important blessing on the poor themselves, he repeatedly
received the thanks of the heritors. He instituted a sabbath-
school in his parish. In short, he took a deep interest in
every thing calculated to promote the real interests of his
people.

His mind was naturally of a superior order, and had been
highly improved by reading and study. His genius was alto-
gether of a poetical turn. His sermons, his whole character
displayed this. Yet his own compositions have not been suc-
cessful productions. The Progress of Refinement, written in
the Spenserian stanza, is a poem possessed of many beauties.
" In tracing mankind," says Mr. Barbour, " from a state of
rudeness to a progressive &tate of refinement, the ingenious
author finds many opportunities of displaying all the powers of
poesy, and all the graces of the descriptive muse." * Consola-
tion, "f his other large work, the object of which, as he states

(lied at tlie sigo of eighty-two, on the 12tli of Octohcr 1826. Tic printed
the prospectus of a hirge work on Elocution, a suiiject wiiicli he had studied
with great care ; but tiic work itself never appeared.

" Tributes to Scotlis/i Geiiius.

I Dedicated to his ijrotiier, Robert Gillespie, Esq. nierciiaiit, New- York,
a most resjiectahle, accomjdished, and kind-hearted man, wito did not long
survive liis hrothcr ; lie diid on the 20tli of Sepf.niber 18S9.

282 THE LITERARY HISTORY

in his preface, is " to illustrate the influence of religion in
supporting the mind amid the trials of life, — in sickness, in
misfortune, in exile, in soitow, in old age, and at death," con-
sists of a series of poetical pictures, well conceived, and skill-
fully painted. It is written in hlank verse, which he manages
with great felicity. His ballads and lyrical pieces are possessed
of higher merit than his larger poems. Indeed, of the former,
some are exquisitely beautiful, and will preserve his name when
his other compositions are forgotten. Biiin, an ode, is a pro-
duction of high poetic excellence. The prevailing defect of his
poetry is uniformity, and a want of originality and vigour.
The chief beauty of his verses consists in the purity of moral
feeling and the ardour of piety, by -which they are distin-r
guished. l^v.

OF GALLOWAY.

283

CHAPTER XXI.

LIFE OF MAJOR STEWART MAXWELL.

Major Stewart Maxwell,* (author of an excellent poem
called The Battle of the Bridge), was born at New- Abbey, in
the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, on the 23d of January 17B3.
His father, Captain James Maxwell, was the youngest son of
Sir William Maxwell of Monrcith, Baronet, and of Lady Jane
Montgomery, daughter of the ninth earl of Eglinton : his
mother, Elizabeth Maxwell, was daughter of William Max-
well of Ardwell, Wigtonshire. Captain James Maxwell was
uncle to Jane, Duchess of Gordon. Stewart Maxwell, the
subject of this memoir, was the youngest of eight sons, whq
arrived at maturity, of whom not fewer than seven entered the
army or navy. When he had hardly begun his letters, his
family removed to Newton-Stewart ; at the public school of
which place he received his elementary education. Having
lost both his parents by death, he was removed from Newton-
Stewart and sent to London, when only eleven years of age,
along with his brother John, who was a year older than him-

" For the interesting communication, from tlie particulars of which this
sketch is composed, I am indehted to the Rev. William Rose, the respect-
able minister of Kirkcolm, Wigtonshire, brotlicr-in-law of the eminent
person whose life we are about to trace. Some information relative to
Major IMaxwcll's last moments, I owe to the Rc\-. Kicliard Shannon of
Edinburgh.

284 THE LITERARY HISTORY

self, ami afterwards a captain in the Royal Navy. Being
destined for tlie army, he entered the military academy of
A\'oohvleh as a cadet. But his studies were soon interrupted,
lor he ohtained his first commission, that of second lieutenant
of artillery, on the 21st of Novemher 179^)? when in the
fourteenth year of his age : a time of life at which his educa-
tion cannot be supposed to have been very liberal.

His first military station was at the fort of Leith, where he
remained till he got his commission as first lieutenant of artil-
lery, (13th July 1799), when he was removed to Canterbury.
It was soon after this period that he went, for the first time,
on foreign service, and it was not his lot, or rather not his
wish, to be again placed on a home-station. He went in the
armament under Sir Eyre Coote, which proceeded first to Vigo
Bay, and afterwards to Malta; which surrendered to the British,
after a desperate siege, in 1800. After this event, while the
greater part of that armament proceeded to Egypt under Sir
Kalph Abercromby, the company to which he belonged remained
in the garrison at JSIalta. ])urin<T his residence on this island,
he became acquainted with Mr. Coleridge, the poet, secretary to
the governor, and with several other gentlemen of literary pur-
.suits ; a circumstance calculated, if he had any genius about
him, to arouse it and call it into action. Excitement is the
great nurse of talent ; and many a man of original powers has
sunk into an inglorious grave, who, had circumstances occurred
to develop these powers, might have risen to distinction.
Major MaxwelPs early education had not been very general or
liberal ; his habits, idle, like those of other boys, and of most
young officers ; his attention at least had been mainly directed
to those branches of knowledge, chieHy mathematical science,
that had a reference to his profession. And it was now for
the first time that he turned iiis thoughts to literature, or felt
any desire to cultivate the muse. His first poetical attempts
were made in a war-of-wit with some of the junior officers in
the garrison. It is likely, that even at this period he made
bolder efforts ; but of these, if he did make them, no memorial

OF GALLOWAY. 285

has been left. From this date, however, he amused himself
by writing verses occasionally so long as he lived.

Under such favourable circumstances for exciting and culti-
vating a love for letters, did he remain at Malta till 180,'i,
when his health having suffered from the climate, he obtained
leave of absence and returned to Scotland. After spending
some time with his friends and relations, his health recovered,
and he made a pedestrian tour through part of the Highlands ;
an excursion, which, to a man of poetic or romantic taste, could
not fail to be interesting.

Having received his commission as second captain of artil-
lery, on the 24th of July 1804, he returned to the Mediter-
ranean, and joined the com])any to which he was appointed,
then stationed in Sicily. His services on this island and
throughout the MediteiTanean, extended to nearly six years.
He accompanied the successful expedition against the island of
Ischia. under Sir John Stewart. He made a tour through the
Morea, and the adjacent parts of Greece, visiting every spot
celebrated in ancient history, or important from classical asso-
ciations. While in Sicily, he ascended jMount iEtna, and had
the good fortune to witness one of its grandest eruptions ; so
that his description of that phenomenon in his poem of The
Battle of the Bridge was the result of his own observation.

Thus advantageously did his time pass while on the INIedi-
terranean station. But being promoted to be first captain of
artillery on the 22d January 1810, this appointment changed
his destination, and recalled him to Engla)id, where the com-
pany to which he was nominated was stationed. But the pen-
insular war was raging ; and to return ingloriously to England
at such a conjuncture, was a step inconsistent with his mili-
tary enthusiasm. And circumstances happily occurred that
enabled him to gratify his ardent desire in this respect. Hav-
ing on his way homeward accompanied Sir John Stewart to
Gibraltar, he was sent with despatclies to Cadiz. From Cadiz
he proceeded to Lisbon, where he obtained leave to visit the
British army. When he reached head-quarters, he realized
his fondest wishes, by accomplishing an exchange of companies

-HG THE LITERARY HISTORY

with a captain of artillery, whose private affairs required his
presence in Kngland. He now joined the British army lying
before Badajos, and continued honourably to serve with it till
the end of the war. He connnanded a brigade of artillery,
and acted a distinguished part in many important military
operations. J3uring a great part of this time he served
under the immediate orders of the late lieutenant-jreneral the
honourable Sir William Stewart, in the division of the army
commanded by Lord Hill : to both of these distinguished
characters he was well known, and by both of them his merits
as an officer were highly appreciated. For his bravery in three
of the battles, in which he was engaged, he received me-
dals. He got a pension from the board of ordnance for hav-
ing commanded a brigade of artillery in the battle of A^it-
tjria ; as also one from government for the loss of the sight
of an eye. He was made companion of the military order
of the bath ; and to the rank of brevet-major in the army he
was raised on the 4th of June 1814.

His health, in the mean time, had suffered severely, and his
constitution had become impaired, in consequence of the inces-
sant fatigue to which he had been exposed. On this account
he obtained leave of absence immediately after the battle of
Toulouse, which was renewed afterwards from time to time, for
the same reason for which it had been originally granted. At
this period he returned to Scotland, where he continued for
nearly two years. But his health was not, during that inter-
val, sensibly improved.

The climate of Italy having been recommended to him, he
went to the continent in IBIG, accompanied by his sister Miss
Susan Maxwell. He arrived in Italy towards the end of that
year, and fixed his residence at Pisa. It was here he began
his celebrated work, 'I'lic Hal lie of the Bridse. which will Xowr
constitute an honourable memorial of his genius. " The
.subject of the following poem," says he in the preface, " is
taken from the histoiy of the Pisan republic. About the year
lOOo, tliat state, then free and prosperous, was, by foreign in-
vasion, suddenly involved in calamities, and brought to the

OP GALLOWAY, 287

verge of ruin. Its deliverance was effecteil by the energy- of
a few patriots. Among these the most distinguished was
Chinzica, the heroine of this poem. She was of the house of
Sismondi, a fomily of (lerman origin, and of high consideration
during part of the middle; ages in the Pisan republic. Ac-
cording to tradition, the state expressed its gratitude for its
deliverance, and consecrated the patriotism of its deliverers by
the establishment of a triennial festival, the celebration of
which was finally discontinued near the end of the last century.
This festival, called, from the event it commemorates, La
Batlaglia del Ponte, gives its name to the present poem, of
which that event is the basis."

Having spent six months at Pisa, forming the plot, or en-
gaged in the composition of this poem, he removed to the baths
at Lucca ; where, having staid six months, he left Italy, and
went to Paris in the end of the year 1817- In the ensuing
spring he again travelled southward, and spent the summer
chiefly at Rome and Naples. In autumn he returned to
Palis, where he spent the winter ; and in May of the follow-
ing year he arrived in England, accompanied by Miss Max-
well, the companion of his travels.

During these visits to Italy he availed himself of the oppor-
tunity of seeing whatever was most interesting in that classical
country. His knowledge of the dead languages was trifling,
but his acquaintance with Greek and Roman history was
minute ; and fi'om his poetical taste and elegant character of
mind, he was well qualified to appreciate all the important
objects with which that country so largely abounds, and the
elevated emotions which they are calculated to inspire. It
was his practice, during this continental tour, to wTite in the
evening a journal, in Hudibrastic verse, of what he had seen
during the day. This composition extended to several thou-
sand lines, and contained many spirited and characteristic
sketches. When describing objects and feelings of dignity and
importance, he must, it is supposed, have employed a measure
more suited to the subject.

On his return from the continent in 18I9> he continued

\liVll THE LITERATIY HISTORY

fully four yt'urs in IJritain. He had no fixed residence, livintj
respeetively in (Jalloway, at Kdinbun^li, London, or visitinjr
some of the wells. During tliis time he became acquainted
with several of the most celebrated living poets, — Scott,
M'oodsworth, Southey, Hogg. He finished The Battle of the
Jiridiic, or Pisa Defended^ a Poem, in ten cantos ; of which
the first edition appeared, under the title of Chinzica, m
1821 ; the second in 1823, under the more ajjpropriate title
which it now bears.

In November 1823, lie again went to the contiiient, chiefly
with the intention of revisiting the scenes of the cami>aigns he
had made in the peninsular war. I'he ensuing winter and
spring he spent at Tours, then the residence of a brother and
sister-in-law.* At this time he suffered severely from inflam-
mation in his eyes, — a complaint for which a course of mer-
cury was thought necessary ; and by the use of this powerful
medicine for two months, the inflammation was subdued, and
the appearance of his eyes much improved, while his general
V.ealth did not seem to have suffered. On the third of May
his health was so good, that he parted, though with extremely
agitated feelings, as if from a ])rese)itiment that tlic parting
was for ever, with his relations at Tours, and proceeded on his
inteiided journey to Nantes. From this latter ])lace he went,
with a party of friends, to visit the Abbaye de la Trappe, dis-
tant about thirty miles. The day was chill and wet ; and he
contracted a violent cold, from which he dated the commence-
ment of an illness, which soon brought him to a premature
grave. He ventured, however, to proceed to Bourdeaux ; but
on his arrival at that place he was confined six days to bed.
While there he wrote a long letter to his sister-in law at Tours,
executed apparently in excellent spirits, and containing not the
most distant allusion to the state of his health. On the 11th
of June he ai rived at Pau from J»ourdeaux, accompanied by
his friends Captain Robertson, R. N., and Mr. Charles Blair.

• I/ioiitcnaiit-Coloiiel Arcliibalil iMoiifgmncry I\Iaxwtll, of tlic artilliry,
and his lady '\lv». Maxwell.

OF GALLOWAY. 289

Though on his arrival he appeared well, and in good spirits,
he remained in bed next day, complaining of fatigue. As he
was not better on the tbllowing day, a medical gentleinan was
sent for, who pronounced his complaints to be merely a slight
cold, and said that he would be well in a short time. Kut
this o])inion held out hopes which were not realiz.ed. On the
16th, he was seized with shivering, and with such debility that
he was quite unable to walk. 'J\vo other physicians were im-
mediately called, who pronounced his disorder not to be a
cold, but deep-rooted consum])tion. On the day following he
slept constantly, speaking incoherently in his sleej). On the
morning of the 18th he was calm and collected ; but his ap-
pearance had completely changed : a cold sweat came over him ;
his ))ulse was faint and irregular ; and it was evident that his
death could not be far distant. Under these melancholy cir-
cumstances, his friends having thought it their duty to inform
him of his real situation, he expressed a wish to see the doctor
who had originally attended him ; and on his arrival, he took
him by the hand and said, " When you first saw me, you
said you did not think my case dangerous, but that I should
recover in a few days. Now I understand you say it is all
over with me." The doctor replied that he hoped all was not
yet over, and that something might be done. " Tell me,"
.says he, " the truth, and all that you think." The medical
gentleman having given his opinion. Major Maxwell, aware
that he had not long to live, said to his friend Cajjtain Ro-
bertson ; " Robertson, I wish you would give me pen, ink,
and paper : I wish to write to my brother Montgomery."
The request was instantly obeyed. He was raised up, and
supported in bed. He dated the letter ; but after some inef-
fectual attempts, found himself unable to proceed. He then
said, " Robertson, you will write for me, and 1 shall dictate."
He accordingly dictated a few brief sentences, expressing his
last wish in regard to his affairs. It was an expiring effort ;
for he died in about a quarter of an hour, without a struggle.
This event took place on the 18th of June 1824, at the early
age of fortv-onc.

290 THE LITERARY HISTORY

His remains were inten-cd on the following day, in the bu-
rial ground at Pau, in a small corner allotted for the reception
of Protestants. His funeral was attended by all the gentry
resident in that town and neighbourhood ; and the service was
read by the Rev. Richard Q. Shannon, of Edinburgh, who
then happened to be at Pau. The place, where his body is
repo.xitcd, which is near Orthes, the scene of one of those bril-
liant achievements of the British army, in which his bravery
had 1iecn signally displayed, was afterwards purchased and
enclosed, and a monument, with a suitable inscription, erected
on the spot to his memory, by liis brother, Lieutenant-Colonel
Archibald jMontgomcry Maxwell.

He died unmarried. Several of his brothers, particularly
Sir IMurray INIaxwell, distinguished themselves in the public
service.*

In stature he was above six feet ; of slender but handsome
figure ; and of great muscular strength. His countenance was
pleasing and manly, expressive of vivacity and mildness.

From what has already been said, it may be inferred that
his character was ainiable. It was, indeed, peculiarly so. His
dispositions were checrfid and social ; his manners polite and
gentle. He was a man of great simplicity of heart ; unaffect-
ed, unresened, singularly free from selfishness, upright in
his principles, of warm affection, steady attachment, and en-
thusiasm in his pursuits. In his habits, he was temperate ;
in his expenses, moderate. His generosity was bounded only
by his means. His reverence for Christianity was great.

Though in his youth he was not a severe student, he after-
wards became capable of close application. He was partial to
metaphysical researches ; in which department Dr. Reid was
his favourite author. He acquired the knowledge of languages
with great facility. In any place, in which he remained
for a few months, he became master of its provincial dialect.
With the French, Spanish, and Italian lang^lages he was in-
timately acquainted, and spoke them fluently. Some time

• Appenrlij, iidtc /.

OF GALLOWAY. 291

"before his death, he had resolved on commencing, if he did
not commence, the study of Greek and Latin ; of the former of
which he knew nothing, of the latter not much. He was
possessed of gi'eat power i)i concentrating his faculties on any
subject in which he took a deep interest. He composed fifty
or sixty verses of the Battle of the. Brid(je, one forenoon, on his
way from London, on the top of the mail-coach. He wrote a
great numl^er of small pieces, and some short dramatic sketches.
In the Peninsula, even amid tlie iioise of a camp, he com-
posed a poem of as great length as the one he afterwards pub-
lished ; but having lost the maniisci-ipt, he did not submit to
the drudsTcrv of re-writing it.

The Buttle nf the Bridge, his only pxiblished work, is a per-
formance of extraordinary merit, particularly when we take
into account the disadvantages under which, from the limited
nature of his early educatio)\ and his being so long engaged in
active service, the author laboured. In a fictitious narrative,
constrvicted on a remote historical lact, he has combined with
the deliverance of Pisa, not only the story of the heroine,
through whose instrumentality this event was accomplished,
but the portraiture of Viirious persons of opposite and conflict-
ing characters, all of tliem well conceived and admirably drawn.
The principal conspirator, and the illustrious female who saved
her countrj'^, are fully and strikingly delineated. The reck-
less ambition, the daring villany, the appalling vices of the one,
form a striking contrast to the unobtrusive bvxt unbending pa-
triotism, the ccilm loveliness and devoted attachment of the
other. The poem embraces strong but natural representation
of deep and tender feeling : while the perturbed fancies of in-
sanity, as well as the exhibition of the darker passions, are ner-
vously portrayed. There is sometimes an appearance of su-
pernatural machiner)'^ ; yet no such agency is really introduced ;
and it turns out that every thing, hov.-ever intricate the plot
may appear, has been effected by mere human means. Love,
friendship, patriotism, after a long and doubtful conflict with
lust, envy, revenge, and treason, are finally triumphant.

" The places and objects, the natural sceneiy and pheno-

292 THE LITERARY HISTORY

iiiena to whidi the poem bears reference," says Major Max-
well in his preface, " are in general described from the au-
thor's own observation ; and some other occurrences which he
has taken occasion to introduce, are such as he himself has had
an opportunity to witness." He has in truth availed him of
the advantages he had enjoyed. His powers of description are
eminent ; and the invariable impression on the mind of the
reader is, that, while the author could be no stranger to the
scenes and objects which he so luminously places before him,
he had viewed their features with a poet''s eye, and felt their
influence with a poet's heart.

The author informs us that " he attempted a medium between
the stately regularity of the ancient epic, and the grotesque
wildness of the modern dramatic tale." The verse of eight
syllables is adopted ; but it is occasionally changed with the
varying nature of the subject ; and some lyrical measures are
introduced. There are, it must not be denied, some faulty
rhymes, some unmusical stanzas, and instances of inelegant or
inaccurate diction. But the versification is in general harmo-
nious, and the language felicitous. The moral tendency of the
])ocm is excellent. There is no indelicacy, no profanity, no
irreligion. Every line bears the stamp of pure principles and
amiable feeling. The following lines I quote, chiefly on ac-
count of the excellent truth they so beautifully express : —

'Tis not for Faitli to mge a claim

To wealth or beauty, power or tame ;

But humbly ask, nor dread denial,

Strcri}i;tl> to SMi)])nrt each earthly trial.

'J'hc apathy that hardly lives,

'J'lie reckless fiercencs.s passion gives,

'J'he bravery honour bids us wear.

The wretched cour<".ge of despair ; —

What are all these, amid life's woes,

'I'he field ; the scaffold ; dungeon; stake j

The bodily, the mental ache, —

Oh what to eon.-,taney that flows

From licaven ! — to strength that Faith bestows !

OF GALLOWAY.

293

CHAPTER XXII.

LIFE OF DR THOMAS BROWN.

This distinguished individual was born in the manse of Kirk-
mabreck, stewartiy of Kirkcudbright, on the 9th of January
1778. Of this parish, his father, the Rev. Samuel Brown,
was minister : his mother was Mary, daughter of John Smith,
Esq., of the customs, Wigton. Mrs. Smith was daughter of
a younger son of M'Dowall of Logan, and of Miss Hamilton
of Dalziel. The Rev. Mr. Brown's father, who was proprie-
tor of Barharrow, was his immediate predecessor in the charge
of Kirkmabreck. He was mamed to a daughter of Murdoch
of Comloddan ; a family that had been in possession of that
estate from the time of Robert Bruce.

Dr. Thomas Brown, whose history we now profess to trace,
was the youngest of thirteen children. His excellent father,
who had not attained to old age, died about eighteen months
after the birth of his son ; but his mother, a lady of great
worth and mildness of character, survived her husband nearly
forty years, and had the happiness of seeing her son attain to
honour and fame. She did not leave the manse till about a
year after her widowhood ; at which time she removed with
her family to Edinburgh, where she afterwards continued to
reside. Dr. Brown afforded early symptoms of that activity of
mind and desire of knowledge for which he was afterwards re-
markable. At the age of seven, he was removed from his mater-
nal roof by his uncle, Captain Smith, of the 37th regiment, and

29-Jt THE LITERARY HISTORY

placed in a scliool at Camberwell, in tlic nciglibourhood of Lon-
don. His mother had before this time been his only instruc-
tor ; a circimiatance that may, in part, account for the romantic
and altogether extraordinary love and veneration which he ever
manife>ted for that amiable parent. From Camberwell he was
in a short time removed to Chiswicli, where he continued
several years. He w-as afterwards successively placed at Brom-
ley and Kensington ; at the latter of whicli schools he was,
in 1702, deprived by death of his kind patron and friend
Captain Smitli. A few months after this event he bade adieu
to ]<]ngland, and returned to his mother''s house in Edinburgh.
He travelled thither by land, but his books, which formed a
considerable little library, were lost at sea, the ship in Avhich
they ivcre conveyed liaving been w-rccked in Yarmouth Roads.
This circumstance affected liira w'itJi great grief, and he never
spoke of it ])ut Avith regret.
M He ^vas now sixteen years of age, and few young men at
that period of life had ever made equal progress in study. On
entering the ('ollege of Edinburgh, he attended the class of
logic, then ably taught by 13r. Finlaysoii, Arhose approbation
he was so happy as to gain, llaving, during the succeeding
summer, paid a visit to Jjiverpool, he had the pleasure of being
introduced to Dr. Currie, also the son of a Scots clergyman,
who treated him with m'cai kind)iess. Discovering no doubt,
the natural character of his rai)id, this distinguished man put
into his hand a copy of Stewart's Elements of the Philosophy of
the Hitman Mind, with a stroiig desire that he should peruse it.
With thiff recommendation he did not decline to comply ; and
his aC(|uai)itance with this work fitted him to attend Mr. Stew-
art's course of lectures next season with uncommon advantage.
These prelections he heard ^vith great delight ; few were more
capable of appreciating the eloquence and ingenuity which
pervaded them. But he was not a blind and indiscriminating
admirer. One of jNIr. Stewart''s theories, as unfolded in the
class, he did not regard as correct ; and having written some
remarks on it, ventured to submit them to the professor, who
received him with kindness; and this circumstance formed

OF GALLOWAY. 29o

the commencement of an intimacy which continued through
life.

With such display of rising talent, did he attend several of
the literary and philosophic classes in the university. Mean-
while Dr. Darwin"'s Zoovomia, published at this time, was
deeply exciting the interest of the learned, and was enjoying
a degree of celebrity which has long since ceased. IJi: Brown
perused the 'jvork with deep attention, and made on it such
marginal annotations as occurred to him. These he afterwards
began to draw out in a consecutive manner, with the view of
their forming an article in some periodical publication. But
the length to which they swelled, and the importance of the
subject, suggested to him the propriety of forming them into a
separate volume. This he accordingly did ; but his work,
entitled Observations on Dr. Darwin s Zoonnmia, whicl) was
written in 1796, before he had completed his nineteenth year,
was not published till 1798, when he had only reached the age
of twenty. It was, however, far from being a juvenile perform-
ance ; on the contrary, it has been very justly characterised
" as the answer of a philosopher to a philosopher ;" and it is
questionable whether, in the whole history of philosophical
writings, there occurs another instance of equal precocity of
talents and attainments.

At the age of nineteen he took a part, M'ith others, some
of whom have become the most distinguished men of their
time, in the institution, first of the Literary Society, which
lasted only for a year, and then of the Academy of Physics,
which terminated at the end of three years. This latter
association is memorable chiefly on account of its having given
birth to The Edinburgh Review. To this work, which be-
gan in 1802, several articles were contributed by Dr. Brown,
worthy of the high character he had gained. But from cir-
cumstances, which involved blame nowhere, but perhaps
evinced an over-delicacy on his part, his connexion with this
journal ceased with the third number.

Of the profession which he meant to follow he had before
this time made choice. In 1796, he commenced the study

296 THE LITERARY HISTORY

ot" law, with ilio view of becoming a nicnibcr of the Scots bar.
But at the eiul of a single year, he intorniittcd this study, and
commenced that of medicine. He went through the usual
course of study preparatoiy to graduation from 1798 till 1803;
in which latter year he obtained the degree of INI. D. His
thesis on this occasion was entitled De Somiin, and dedicated
to Dr. (iregory.

We have hitherto neglected to mention, that from his ear-
liest youth he had been a votary of the muse. Amid his
severer pursuits, he never neglected the study of poetiy. In
IHOi he gave to the world the first specimen of his poetical
compositions, in two volumes, inscribed in most affectionate
terms to his mother. They were of a miscellaneous and lyri-
cal kind; and though characterised by real poetic feeling
and imagery, their reception, like that of his subsequent poeti-
cal ])roductions, was not flattering, and they are now nearly
forgotten. W^ant of simplicity of language, over-refinement
Tn all his conceptions, and the occasional predominance of
abstruse thought, constitute the causes of his failure in what
was ultimately his favourite study.

I»ut he was soon engaged in works of a more lasting de-
scription. ^V^e refer in particular to the share he took in the
controversy in regard to the appointment of Mr. Leslie to the
chair of Mathematics in the University of Edinburgh. An
attempt was made by the church to prevent the election of
this distinguished person in consequence of the approbation
which, in a note in his Essai/ on Heal, he had bestowed on
Humc^s doctrine respecting causation. Dr. Brown^s work,
entitled, Ohstrvuiions on the nalure and tcndenci/ of the doc-
trine of Mr. Hume concerning the relation of Ceui.se and
Kffcctf was published in 1H05, and reprinted in the ensuing
year, and the third edition of it, much enlarged and improved,
appeared in 1818, under the name of An Inquiry into the
Relation of Cause and Ejfecl. Sir James Mackintosh has
characterised this treatise as constituting " the finest model of
discussion in mental philosophy since Berkeley and Hume.''**
Dr. I3rowTi ])ublishcd two other pamphlets on this occasion :

OF GALLOWAY. 297

the one, A short criticism of the Terms of the charge against
Mr. Leslie, in the protest of the Ministers of Edinburgh ;
tlie other, An Examination of some Remarks in the reply of
Dr. Inglis to Professor PUujfair.

From the time of receiving his diploma in 1803, he had
practised as a physician, notwithstanding the philosophical
studies in which he so largely engaged ; and in 180G, he was
associated in partnership with Dr. Gregory ; a connexion
highly honourable to him, particularly when we consider the
character of the gentleman with whom it was formed.

But eminence as a physician was not the object towards
which his ambition was most anxiously directed. Literary
leisure, with a moderate competence, and literary distinction,
were far dearer to him. An academic life he had hoped be-
fore this time to enjoy ; and his peculiar qualifications and
habits long pointed him out to his friends as fitted to adorn
it. So early as 1799, when the chair of Rhetoric was vacant,
he was a candidate for that office. But, though supported
by the first literary men of the metropolis, he had the misfor-
tune to suffer a defeat.

Thou.ch he had missed the chair of Rhetoric, he was not

deterred by this circumstance from being a candidate for that
of Lofic, when it became vacant in 1808, on the death of
Dr. Finlayson. But the same result, however undeservedly,
followed.

Brighter views, however, even as to academical preferment,
soon opened up to him. During the session of 1808-9, iMr.
Stewart, in consequence of the gradual decline of his health,
being unable to attend to the duties of his class, applied to his
friend, the subject of this memoir, to fill his chair during
his absence. Dr. Brown undertook the task ; and for a short
time supplied Mr. Stewart's place with original lectures writ-
ten for the purpose. In the following year Mr. Stewart''s
state of health required his assistance for a much longer
period ; and Dr. Brown must have felt proud to afford it.
He confined his lectures to three weekly ; and these, he com-
posed from day to day to answer the occasion : And yet they

298 THE LITERARY HISTORY

were eminentlv distinguished for polish, ingenuity and elo-
quence. His mode of reading too, chaste and graceful to a
degree unknown till his time in the University, added force to
the delight with which his audience listened to his disquisi-
tions. The lecture-room was crowded, not only with the or-
dinary students who were attending the class, but by men of
advanced years and distinguisl^ed abilities, attracted thither by
the fame of the rising philosopher.

Dr. Brown occupied the ethical chair for eight Aveeks pre-
viously to the 1st of INIarch 1810 ; at which time Mr. Stewart
resumed his lectures. And on its being announced that the
former was to retire from the duties he had so admirably dis-
charjjed, the class held a meetinjj, at which a committee w'as
appointed to draw up and present an address to Mr. Stewart,
conijratulatinfT him on his return to his official station, and
requesting him to convey to Dr. Brown their high sense of
the manner in which he had filled the chair as his substitute.
The committee was composed of seven ; among whose names
we find those of Lord John Russell, Lord Calthorpe, and
T. F. Kennedy of Dunure.

This success on the part of Dr. Brown, was but the earnest
of higher triumphs. At the end of the session of which wc
have been speaking, ]\Ir. Stewart, from the declining and pre-
carious state of his health, intimated to the town-council of
Edinburgh, the patrons of the chair, his desire to have Dr.
Brown elected his colleague in the professorship of moral phi-
losophy. Of this application, so honourable both to Mr.
Stewart and his distinguished friend, the result is well known.
In jNIay 1810, Dr. Brown was elected joint professor of moral
philosophy.

On his appointment he retired to the country, where he
continued for the benefit of his health, and without engaging
in study, till within six weeks of the meeting of his class.
When the college opened, he had made no addition to the
number of lectures he had prepared during the preceding win-
ter. Great exertions, therefore, were now required to be made.
During the ensuing winter he was seldom in bed before two or

OF GALLOWAY. 209

three o'clock in the morning ; and some nights he did not re-
tire to rest at all. He often continued writing till the hour
arrived at which he had to appear before his class, with the pa-
per in the composition of which he was engaged. Under
these circumstances were about seventy lectures composed dur-
ing the first year : the whole of the remaining ones, a hundred
in all, were written either before the beginjiing of next course,
or during its continuance. In revising lectures which had
been prepared so hastily, he was surprised to find how unex-
ceptionable they were, and what little improvement could be
made vipon them. Tlicse prelections he continued to read till
his death, often improved, indeed, and enlarged, but still the
original manuscript was retained ; and when afterwards pub-
lished to the world, they were printed from this copy.

Dr. Brown''s views on many subjects involved in his lectures,
were essentially different fi-om those entertained by his col-
league, — a circumstance which he confesses gave him great
uneasiness. This was perhaps the cause of his henceforth de-
voting his time more to poetical composition than to philoso-
phical studies. From the date of his appointment to the
ethical chair, his publications, with the exception of his Phy-
siology, were poetical, consisting of The Paradise of Coquettes,
by far his best production as a poet ; The Wanderer in Nor-
way ; The War Fiend; The Bower of Spring ; Agnes, in-
scribed to the memory of his mother; andEmih/. The Paradise
of Coquettes, and The Restoration of' India, have each under-
gone a second impression.

From an allusion in the foregoing paragraph, it is evident
that Dr. Brown had meanwhile lost his mother. She died on
the 3d of January 1817- He had ever regarded her with re-,
marlcable love and reverence : he watched over her in her last
illness with extreme anxiety and sorrow ; and the remembrance
of all that she had been he cherished till the moment of his
death with melancholy fondness. Her remains were first
placed in a vault in Edinburgh ; and, at the close of his col-
leo-e course, conveyed to the family burial-ground in the
church-yard of Kirkmabreck, one of the most romantic and

300 THE LITERARY HISTORY

secKuleil spots that can possibly be imagined, and, so far as I
know, without a parallel in this country.

It was at this time that he paid a visit to the Rev. John
Sibbald, the present minister of Kirkmabreck, who inhabits
the very house, with some additions, in which Dr. Brown first
saw the light. When he entered the chamber in which he
was born, he covered his eyes with his handkerchief, and shed
tears. At this period also he resided for some months at the
manse of Balmaclellan, with Mr. and Mrs. Thomson, his sis-
ter and brother-in-law.

As this summer was happily spent at Balmaclellan, he was
in the habit of retiring during the same season to the country
for the benefit of his health, which had never been good. But
few summers more it was his lot to enjoy : his brief but bright
career was near a close. In the end of autumn 1819 he re-
turned to town in apparently high health. In the country he
had begun the composition and printing of his PJiysiolop^y,
which was meant for a text book ; and as he was anxious that
the work should appear as early as possible, he laboured at it
on his return with such assiduity, that the exertion seems to
have hastened his days. During the Christmas holidays, be-
fore which he had been complaining, he confined himself to
the house, under the expectation that he should be enabled
aijain to meet his class with his usual share of health. But
his expectations were vain. He was unable to lecture till the
loth of January; on which occasion his subject unfortunately
happened to be one which had always excited in him a great
deal of emotion. The lecture to \vhich I refer is No. xxxv ;
and " those,"" says the Rev. Dr. ^Velsh, his ingenious and ele-
gant biographer, " who recollect the manner in which he al-
ways recited the ver)' affecting lines from Beattie's Hermit, will
not wonder that some who attended his last course should con-
ceive that the emotion he displayed arose from a foreboding of
his own approaching dissolution."

'Tis night, and the landscape is lovely no more:
I mourn, but ye woodlands, I mourn not for you ;
I'or morn is approacliinjf, your charnis to restoie,
I'l'i I'liurd wi(h iVc^li frug'iaiicr, and yliUeiiiig willi dew ;

OF GALLOWAY.

301

Nor yet for the ravage of winter T mourn ;
Kind Nature tlie embryo blossom will save.
But when shall Spring visit the movldering urn ?
O ! when shall it dawn on the night of the grave ?

This was the last lecture he ever delivered. Dr. Gregory,
who was now for the first time sent for, interdicted him from
continuing his official duties. The late Mr. Stewart, lecturer
on botany, officiated for him during the remainder of the ses-
sion. His medical friends at length urged him to try the be-
nefit of a voyage to London, and so soon as the season per-
mitted, to remove to a milder climate. With this advice he
seems reluctantly to have complied. " 'Tis very difficult,""
says he, " to convince my medical friends that there is such
a disease as the love of one*'s country : many people really can-
not be made to comprehend it. But,"" continued he, with a
languid and melancholy smile, " there is such a disease —

' Nescio qua natale solum dulcedine captos
Ducit, et immeniores non sinit esse sui."

JVon shut ; how simply and beautifully expressive ; it will not
let us forget it.'"

He sailed for London on the 5th of March, accompanied by
his brother Major Brown, who never afterwards left him ; and
Dr. Gregory, his never-failing friend, saw him on board at
Leith. Soon after his arrival in London, his medical advisers
there recommended him to go to Brompton, in the near neigh-
bourhood of the city. The change seemed at first to revive
him. But nothing could now arrest the progress of his dis-
ease. He lingered on, gradually becoming weaker, but still
exhibiting his usual mildness and gentle resignation, till the
2d of April, when he breathed his last, without a sigh or a
struggle. This event took place in the year 1820, in the
forty-third year of his age. His remains were put in a leaden
coffin, and laid, as he had directed, beside those of his father
and mother, in his native parish.

As to his personal appearance, he was about the middle size,
and of round make ; but his step did not show that firmness of

302 THE LITKRARY HISTORY

constitution which his ligurc otherwise might be supposed to in-
dicate. His complexion, too, particularly during his last years,
was pale and feminine ; his features were full and regular ; his
eyes dark grey ; his eye-lashes long ; his nose a mixture of the
Grecian and Roman ; his forehead large, and his hair brown.
The cxpressioii of his countenance did not convey the idea
either of bodily strength or mental vigour ; but was that of
mildness and delicacy.

He died unmarried. He lived with his mother till her
death in IHI7 ; after which he and two unmarried sisters, (who
had formerly also resided under their maternal roof), continued
as before to live together.*

" The character of Dr. Brown,"" to use the words of Sir
James ^Mackintosh i)i his admirable Dissertation on the History
of INIetaphysical Science, prefixed to the first volume of the
Enci/dopcdia Britannica, — " The character of J.)r. Brown is
very attractive, as an example of one in wliom the utmost ten-
derness of affection, and the indulgence of a flowery fancy,
were not repressed by the highest cultivation, and by a per-
haps excessive refiiicment of intellect. 11 is mind soared and
roamed through ever)"- regioi\ of pl^.ilosophy and poetry ; but
his untravelled heart clung to the hearth of his fathers, to the
children who shared it witli him ; and, after them, first to the
other partners of his childish sports, and then ahnost solely to
those companions of his youthful studies w]\o continvied to be
the friends of his life. Speculation seemed to keep his kind-
ness at home. It is observable that, thovigh sparkling with
fancy, he does not seem to have been deeply or durably touch-
ed by those affections which are lighted at its torch, or at least
tin-'cd with its colours. His heart souijht little abroad, but

* Of tlie numerous family to wliidi Dr. Brown belonged, only two were mar-
ricil, namely. Dr. James ."Murray Urown, who settled in America, and died
llicrc, leaving a family beliind liim ; and his oldest sister Dorothea, now the
widow of tlie late Kcv. James 'rhom&on, minister of Balmaclellan. Mr.
'J'homson, descended of respectable parents in ^^'■if(tOllshirc, died on tlie
lOlh of .March 1825, after having been minister of Balmaclellan iijnvards
of thirty-three years. He was a man of the p^rcatcst respectability and worth
of character, and deservedly held in high regard.

OF GALLOWAY. 303

contentedly ihvelt in his family and in his study. He was one
of those men of genius who repaid the tender care of a mother
by rocking the cradle of her reposing age. He ended a life
spent in searching for truth, and exercising love, by desiring
that he should be buried in his native parish with his " dear
father and mother." Some of these delightful qualities were
perhaps hidden from the casual observer in general society,
by the want of that perfect simplicity of manners which is
doubtless their natural representative.'"

His Leclures were published immediately after his death,
extending to four octavo volumes. In this shape they under-
went two impressions. They have since been stereotyped, and
compressed in one dense volume ; in which form they have
gone through various editions. The favourable reception which
this work has obtained, and the proud place among metaphy-
sical writiiigs which has been assigned to it, could the author
have foreseen it, would have afforded him unspeiikable delight ;
for he was passionately fond' of literary glory. He was per-
haps, indeed, over-jealous on this svibject, — a feeling, for ex-
ample, which led him to ascribe his want of success as a poet
to causes which had no connexion with it.

Of the character of his philosophical views Ave have not time
to speak ; nor, in a work like the present, is it necessary. The
subject, as may easily be conceived, has given rise to variety
of opinion ; and in the consideration of it due candour and im-
partiality have not always, perhaps, been displayed. For an ana-
lysis of his views, the reader is referred to his Life, admirably
written by Dr. Welsh ; but particularl}'' to that part of Sir James
Mackintosh's Dissertation which treats of Dr. Brown. This
article, were it not for its length, w^e would have presented
to our readers ; for, so far as it goes, it is undoubtedly one of
the most dignified and masterly pieces of composition connected
with the science to which it refers.

But these Lectures, though, both as to language and mat-
ter, they labour under all the disadvantages incident to a
posthumous work, so candidly pointed out by Sir James jMack-
intosh, are distinguished by the highest merits. " For mcta-

304 THE UTERAUY HISTORY

physical acutcuoss," says Dr. Welsh, " protbuiul and liberal
views, refhiod taste, varied learning, and philosophical elo-
quence, all under the guidance of a spirit breathing the purest
philanthropy and piety, they may challenge comparison with
any work that ever was published ; and though the admirers
of ]^r. Brown may regret that they should not have received
his last corrections, the circumstance is of little real import-
ance, either to their value or his fainc ; for it may safely be
predicted that, even in their present form, they will always
continue a splendid monument of his academical exertions,
and be considered one of the most valuable accessions that ever
was made to the philosophy of mind,"" K,

OF GALLOMAY. '305

CHAPTER XXIII.

LIFE OF THOMAS, EARL OF SELKIRK.

Of the family from which Thomas Douglas, Earl of Sel-
kirk, was descended, Lord Basil Hamilton, sixth son of the
Duke of Hamilton, was the first connected with Galloway.
He married IMaiy, heiress of Sir David Dunbar of Baldoon,
by which union he beame possessed of large estates both in
Wigtonshire and in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. This
amiable and accomplished young man came to an untimely
end at the early age of thirty. His brother the Earl of Sel-
kirk and himself, with a servant, were crossing the INIinnoch,
a small stream in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, which at
that time was much swollen ; when the servant having become
entangled in the river, Lord Basil, who had previously
gained the opposite bank, rushed in to rescue his attendant
from his perilous situation. The unhappy result was that both
master and servant were drowned. This took place in August
1701. In the Advocates Library are preserved three doggerel
poems occasioned by his death ; from which, as well as from
more authentic sources, we learn the respectability of his charac-
ter, and the deep interest he had taken in the unfortunate Scots
settlement at Darien.

lie laid his projects still to raise our trade.
In foreign colonies our fame to spread.

For Caledonia's injured settlement
With jmt rebcutmeut to tlie court lie went,
X

30G THE LITERARY HISTORY

And that with great expense, yet did derline
To be repaid for either cost or time.
Thus brave and generous did he Hve and die,
And shrunk away in boundless charity.

His widow survived him nearly sixty years, having
died in I76O, at the age of eighty-four. Of their children,
four in nunihcr, the oldest dying young, the family was long
represented by Basil Hamilton the second son. On his death
in 17-i-> he was succeeded by his son Dunbar Hamilton, who,
in ly-i-l*, became heir to his grand-uncle the Earl of Selkirk ;
on which occasion he assumed the name of Douglas.* He
was father of the distinguished nobleman, whose life we now
purpose shortly to trace.

Thomas Douglas, though he afterwards succeeded his
father as Earl of Selkirk, was the youngest of seven sons,
of whom only two died in infancy : five reached the age of
manhood. The name of one of these, Basil William,
(the second Lord Daer,) must not be passed over in si-
lence. He has been celebrated by Burns, but there are traits
and excellencies in his character, of which the poet was not
aware. Having visited the Continent, he became an admirer
of the principles which led to the French Revolution. He
enjoyed the acquaintance of Rochefoucault, Condorcet, La-
vosier, and other distinguished men abroad. At home, he be-
came a member of the Society of the Friends of the People,
and was a zealous and persevering advocate for parliamentary
reform. These sentiments indeed were, in a greater or less
degree, those of his father and brothers ; biit from the energy
of his character and his distinguished talents, he occupied a
space in pulilic attention to which none of his family attained.
According to tlic law as it then existed, and still obtains, the

» The first Earl of Selkirk was a younger .'^on of tlie first Marquis of
Douglas; who, having married the lieircss of the Dukedom of Hiimilton,
and having been elevated for life to that title, resigned liis Karldom into the
hands of tlic king. This latter peerage was, in 1G88, revived in the person
of hi« third son with the precedence of the original creation. (IGUi.) I'uii-
bar Hamilton of Baldoon. who, as stated in the text, succeeded to the title
of i?ilkiik. w;i^ iivciit LTundson of the Uuke of Hamilton first refcried to.

OF OALI.O\VAV. .307

olcle^ son of a Scots peer cannot, like those of the Knglish or
Irish nobility, have a scat in the Commons House of paliamcnt.
This disability he re^:;ardecl as absurd and unjust ; and he
made an attempt to get it removed. He formally claimed his
right to be put on the roll of freeholders in the Stewartry of
Kirkcudbright, and a majority of the electors having supported
that claim, the minority, instead of acquiescing, carried the
question before the Court of Session. That judicatory, and
subsequently the House of Lords, reversed the decision to which
the electors had come, and continued the disability of which he
so justly complained.

But however enlightened, or superior to his age, were
the political views of this eminent person, his name is better
known to us in a department of less publicity perhaps,
but of not less importance. We refer to his public-spirited
exertions as an agricultural improver. In I786, his father
transferred to him the uncontrolled management of his estates;*

* Lord Daer was aware that even the best cultivated lands were suscep-
tible of great amelioration, and afforded ample scojje for the exercise of
agricultural skill. Having made himself master of the state of his father's
affiirs, and having resolved to dispose of the barony of Baldoon, the nature
of this sale is so honourable to his Lordship's abilities, that we cannot re-
sist menticming it. The lands were sold to the late Earl of Galloway for a
price founded on a rental of I, .5000 ; and it was farther stipulated that
Lord Daer should retain a lease of the estate for ten years, at a rent of
L.7000 per annum ; that at the expiration of that time, tiie lands were to be
valued by arbiters mutually chosen ; and that Lord Galloway should pay
twenty-five years purchase of the full surplus valued rent above L.5000.
This negociation was concluded about the year 1793. Unfortunately, the
enlightened improvements and experiments which Lord Daer contemplated,
he was not destined to live to superintend. But every thing he had sug-
gested was, so far as was possible, carried into effect. Not only was the
sum, realized from the estate by skilful management, soon found sufficient to
meet the payment of rent ; but on the termination of the lease, the value of
the property was ascertained to have been enhanced in so surprising a degree,
that Lord Galloway had to pay an'additional sum of no less than L.12.5,000 !
This result was not more honourable to the penetration and talents of Lord
Daer, than the mode in which the money was disposed of is honourable to
the betievolence and liberality of his brother, Thomas, Earl of Selkirk, the
subject of this sketch. It was not till a'.oii;, i.he year 180G that the trans-
action in question was finally adji;sted. At that time Lord Selkirk had four

308 THE LITERARY HISTORY

and " the ardour with which he turned his powerful mind to
the investigation of every subject connected with rural economy,
was only equalled by the perseverance and ability which he
displayed in the practical execution of his plans. In the
management of his father ""s estates, he set an example of en-
lightened liberality ; and his influence was most zealously ex-
tended in promoting every public measure of utility. Roads and
bridges, as the great ground-work of other improvements, were
early the objects of his most anxious attention. The unex-
ampled success with which he applied himself to this branch
of rural economy, and the spirit and judgment which he dis-
plaved ^^•ith regard to farms, houses, and useful and ornamen-
tal plantations," were quite extraordinary, if not altogether unpre-
cedented in Scotland.* Had his valuable life been prolonged, he
would undoubtedly have become one of the most distinguished
)ioblemen of whom this country ever could boast. But his
days were doomed to be few. Amid his public-spirited exer-
tions as a landholder, and his speculations as a politician, he was
carr\'inir about with him the seeds of that disease which, as has
been beautifully .said, "indulges hopes of life atthemomentwhen
it destroys it." The melancholy truth is, he died of consump-
tion, deeply and universally regretted, on the 5th November
1794, at the early age of thirty-two. This event took place
at Ivy Bridge, Devonshire, whither he had gone for the bene-
fit of his health ; and his rem.ains were intened at Exeter.

He was succeeded, as Lord Daer, by his younger brother,
John, a member of the Scots bar ; and he also having died in
early life — Thomas, the subject of this brief sketch, the seventh
and only surviving son, became, in 17975 heir-apparent to the
honours of his family ; at which, on the death of his venerable
father, he arrived in the month of May 1799

This nobleman was born in the month of June 1771- Hav-

sistcrs alive, to uiiom lie was warmly attacliod ; an-.i instead of appropriating
the large ciiiti in question to liis own use, dividing it into five share."?, he
presented a share to each of his sisters, and only retained the remaining
one for himself.

• The IJcv. y\r. Smith's Agricd. Survnj nf Galloway.

OF GALLOWAY. 309

ing received in England an education becoming his rank, he
finished his studies at the university of Edinburgh. He af-
terwards travelled for two years on the continent ; and on his
return, being meant for a country life, and having perhaps im-
bibed a love for rural pursuits from his brother, of whom
we have already spoken, he studied agriculture under Mr.
Culley, an eminent farmer in Northumberland. Nor was it
long till he had an opportunity of carrying into effect the
knowledge which he had acquired. He received from his
father one of his best farms ; Kirkchrist in the vicinity of
Kirkcudbright. He lived on it in a house built for himself,
of a kind not superior to the more respectable class of such
buildings. He entered with enthusiasm on the duties of a
farmer : he was distinguished by that energy and ardour of
character for which his brother Basil William had been so re-
markable : and he afforded an example of enlightened manage-
ment and enterprising improvements at that time uncommon
at least, if not entirely unknown in that part of the country.
But having succeeded his father as Earl of Selkirk in 1799, a
new and more enlarged sphere of action was opened up to him,
of which he did not fail very soon to avail himself. Instead of
spending his time or dissipating his means in inglorious ease
or giddy pleasure, in imitation of too many persons of his
station in society, he on the contrary devoted all his resources
and energies to the good of his species, and to the promotion
of laudable objects.

Soon after his succession to the peerage, he took an active
interest in the state of the highlands of Scotland, (a district of
country, which, during the course of his academical studies, he
had frequently visited ; and he had thus acquired a thorough
knowledije of the interestinfj character of its inhabitants, and had
even made some progress in learning their language,) particularly
in regard to the extensive emigrations which were taking place
from that quarter of the kingdom. The feudal system in the
highlands had gradually been giving way since the rebellion of
17-t5. l^he object of landlords in these rude regions soon
became, not the number of dependants they could support on

310 THE LITERARY HISTORY *

tlicir estates, but how to turn these estates, in a pecuniary point
of view, to the best advantage ; not to multiply iamilies, but to
increase the produce of their lands. The system of large
farms having been introduced, the small occupiers were dis-
possessed. These persons, attached by birth to the possession
of land, almost invariably, in their unhappy circumstances,
preferred emigrating to America, where land could be got in
abundance, to remaining at home, and dwindling down into
the rank, degraded in their eyes, of day-labourers or mechanics.
The States of America was their usual destination : British
America Avas seldom their choice. Lord Selkirk, perceiving
this, and learning that, while persons of the hardy nature and
industrious habits of the highlanders, were settling in a foreign
country, which might one day become hostile to us, our own
colonies were not unfrequently the resort of individuals of de-
praved characters or of dangerous political sentiments, stept for-
ward to check this evil, and to turn the tide of emigration into
a different channel. It was his decided opinion, as stated in
his work on Emigration, that " our own colonies should be
peopled by men whose manners and principles are consonant to
our own government." His object was not so much to encourage
emigration ; but since this step was necessary, to give it that
turn which might render it advantageous alike to our colonies
and the mother country ; for he was fully aware of the princi-
ple, that emigration has no tendency ultimately to decrease po-
pulation, as the void it occasions constitutes a stimulus to the
remaining inhabitants, (of which they never fail to avail them-
selves,) speedily to fill it up.

He was not a man to form a resolution, and not to carry
it into effect. Having purchased a large tract of waste
land on Prince Edward's Island, in the gulf of St. Law-
rence, he undertook to occupy it with emigrants from the
highlands, who had been previously destined for the United
States. This he at length accomplished. Three .ships, con-
taining altogether about 800 persons, reached the island in
August 180J^. He himself arrived a few days after them.
He directed and superintended, in person, the steps necessary

* OF r.ALLOU'AY. 311

to be taken by the infant colony, namely, examining the
lands, laying them out in small lots, building cottages,
and other such operations. " The settlers," says he in his
excellent work already referred to, " had every incitement to vig-
orous exertion from the nature of their tenures. They were
allowed to purchase in fee-simple, and to a certain extent, on
credit : from fifty to an hundred acres were allowed to each fa-
mily at a very moderate price, but none was given gratuitously.
I'o accommodate those who had no super^uity of capital, they
were not required to pay the price in full till the third or
fourth year of their possession ; and, in this time, an industri-
ous man might have it in his power to discharge the debt out
of the produce of the land itself." The same principle was
adopted in the distribution of provisions. Nothing was given
in charity. " And thus," says his lordship, " the proud spi-
rit that characterised the ancient highlander was carefully
cherished among them : the near prospect of independence was
kept constantly within their view, to stimulate their exertions,
and support them in every difficulty."

Lord Selkirk, having left his colony to the charge of a con-
fidential agent, visited the continent of America ; and having
made an extensive tour there, returned at the end of a tvs'elve-
month, to the island, where he found every thing, with little
exception, satisfactory and prosperous. He soon after sailed for
England, where he arrived in the spring of 1805.

Soon after his return, he published Observations on the Pre-
sent State of the Highlands of Scotland., with a view to the
causes and probable consequences of Emigration. This work,
though written to serve a temporary object, is composed with
such ability and science as to be of a permanent character ;
and it will ever constitute a favourable memorial of the expan-
sive and patriotic views of its author. He seems to have been
intimately acquainted with the works of Adam Smith, Mal-
thus, and other eminent political economists ; and though a
very ingenious pamphlet, under the title of Strictures and Re-
marks on the Earl of Selkirlis Observations, <Sj-c., was publish-
ed by Mr. Robert Brown, yet it may be safely pronounced

312 THE LITERARY HISTORY

that none of his lorclship''s views have been repelled, and that
thev are unanswerable.

Lord Selkirk, ibr some time after this date, was not engag-
ed in any public enterprise. But he was not a man to remain
idle. By his influence and example, he was, in his native
county, teaching sound principles of agriculture. He was
One of the presidents of the Stewartry Agricultural Society, es-
tablished in 1809 ; and it was on his suggestion, that the late
Kev. Samuel Smith of Borgue, undertook to draw up The
Agricultural Survey of Gallowaj/.

In 1808, he was nominated one of the sixteen representa-
tive peers of Scotland ; and in the same year, was elected a
member of the Royal Society of London. In the House of
Lords, he made several respectable appearances as a speaker ;
and on one occasion he published a speech On the defence
of the countri/, delivered by him in that assembly. But he
was not fitted to become an eminent parliamentary orator.
His knowledge Avas coiTcct and minute, and his view's were
sound. But he was distinguished by uncommon diffidence,
and laboured under a slight defect in his utterance : circum-
stances that imparted considerable hesitation to his speech in
public assemblies. In the same year, he gave to the world
a pamphlet on the subject that his published speech had
embraced, namely, the establishment of a permanent local mi-
litia ; a project which was afterwards carried into effect. Of
this pamphlet the title was The Necessiti/ of a more effectual
system of :^I Hilary Defence^ and the means of csletblishing the
jurmanent security of the kin i;;dom. He also printed a tract
On the Scottish Pcerai^e ; but this production I have not had
an opportunity of seeing.

Lord Selkirk had been educated in the Whig school of poli-
tics ; and the attachment which he must have felt for the
hereditary' principles of his family, must have been not a little
enhanced in his eyes by the part which his brother Basil Wil-
liam had taken in public affairs. These sentiments, however
sacred they may have a])peared to him from this view, he was
induced to abandon, and to adopt those of a contrary tendency.

OF GALLOWAY. j 313

But it must not be forgotten that, though he laid aside the
principles of his family and his youth, and attached himself
to that party which, till of late, has long guided the coun-
cils of the nation, he never became a violent party-politician,
or showed any wish, as is too often the case in similar circum-
stances, to expose or slander the iriends from whom he had
withdrawn. In 1809, he published A Letter to John Cart-
wright^ Esq. recalling his sentiments on Parliamentary Re-
form ; and whether the reasons he assigns for his change of
views be considered as the result of prejudice, or of sound in-
duction, we cannot but admit the candid manner in which
they are stated. " I have had an opportunity," says he,
" which my honoured relations never had, of seeing [in the
United States,] the practical application of those principles
from which we expected consequences so beneficial. With
grief and mortification I perceived that no such advantages
had resulted as from theory I had been led to anticipate."

He remained a bachelor till I8O7 ; on the 24th day of No-
vember of which year he was most happily married to Jane,
only daughter of James Wedderburn Colville, Esq., brother
of the late Sir John Wedderburn of Ballindean, Bart.

But Lord Selkirk, notwithstanding his important engage-
ments in his native country, and the part he took in public
affairs, had not withdrawn his views entirely from the New
World, or ceased to take an interest in colonization. His set-
tlement on Prince Edward's Island was prospering as well as
he could reasonably have expected. But he aimed at some-
thing still higher, as the founder of a colony, than he had yet
reached ; and from the time he arrived from America, he had
undoubtedly been laying and maturing his plans for this pur-
pose. In 1811, he obtained from the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany (of whose stock he had previously purchased cne-third,)
an extensive grant of land within their territories, for the pur-
pose of establishing an agricultural colony upon the same
principles as those he had adopted in his former settlement.
The validity of this grant was guaranteed by the opinion of
the most able English counsel. The situation selected for

•>

14 THE LITERARY HISTORY

his settlement was on tlie banks of the Red River, at fifty
degrees of north latitude, and ninety-seven west longitude,
about fifty miles from the entrance of that stream into Lake
Winnipeg. The land is level, fertile, and comparatively free
of wood. The river abounds with Hsh ; the extensive plains
with buffalo ; and the woods with elk, deer, and game. In
summer the climate, which is undoubtedly salubrious, is hot,
insomuch that melons thrive in the open air ; but in winter
the thermometer has been known to sink 50^ below zero.
The place, besides, whatever its productiveness, was regarded
by some as not well fitted for an infant colony. It is sur-
rounded by native Indians, and docs not enjoy the command
of a market, boing distant 7OO miles from the nearest fort on
Hudson's Bay, and not less than 1500 from any inhabited
spot in Upper Canada. Of the-je circumstances his Lordship
was fully aware, and in his calculations he allowed them all the
weight to which they were entitled. But he was also aware
that the Red River was the head-quarters of the numerous in-
land traders employed by the Hudson"'s Bay Company ; and
that the provisions and other articles required for their support
had to be brought from a great distance, even. In many in-
stances, from the mother country. This, therefore, he regard-
ed as a market already prepared for the di.sposable produce of
his contemplated colony ; and he hoped that the settlers would
ere long be able, not only to secure to themselves all the ne-
cessaries of life, but to supply the demand, on the part of that
great company, to which I have referred.

Such was the nature of the place chosen by Lord Selkirk forhis
new colony. In the autumn of 1812, the year after he had ob-
tained the grant, the Hudson's Bay Company appointed Mr. Miles
Macdonell governor of Ossiniboia, the district in which the
settlement was to be formed ; and his lordship nominated the
same gentleman to superintend the colony, and take charge of
the settlers. In the beginning of 1813, the colony could boast
of a hundred persons ; and in the end of the following year,
that number was doubled. Other emigrants, chiefly, like the
rest, from the higlilands of Scotland, were on their way to join

OF GALLOWAY. 315

their countrymen ; and the settlers, having surmounted most of
the difficulties incident to a new colony, were flattering them--
selves with the near prospect of prosperity and happiness. But
never were expectations so miserably disappointed. The cir-
cumstances, however, which led to this unhappy result, as they
belong rather to the many-coloured history of America, than to
that of the founder of the Red River colony, can here merely
be adverted to, not detailed.

The north-west fur traders of INIontreal, proceeding on the
belief that colonization, under any circumstances, would be fa-
tal to their monoply, resolved, the instant they heard of Lord Sel-
kirk's intended settlement, not only that it should not succeed,
but that it should be destroyed. So soon as they were inform-
ed of its successful establishment, they took the most violent
and unwarrantable means to carry their determination into ef-
fect. They stationed representatives, worthy of their mission,
in the immediate vicinity of the infant colony. These gained
over to their purposes the native Indians and the Brules or
half-breeds, both of whom were at first favourably disposed to
their new neighbours ; and 'So unwearied were they in the dis-
charge of the wretched duties assigned to them, that, in 1815,
by threats, misrepresentations, and bloodshed, they dispersed
the settlers, and seized upon or destroyed their effects.

The emissaries of the north-west company, flattering them-
selves that the obnoxious colony was for ever destroyed, return-
ed to Upper Canada, carrying with them no fewer than a hun-
dred and thirty-four of the settlers from the Red River ; and
on their arrival, were received with great respect and gratitude
by the Company, whose undisguised wishes they had been car-
rying into effect. But unfortunately for the character of that
body, the expectations they had entertained respecting the final
overthrow of the settlement were frustrated. The unhappy in-
dividuals, who had escaped, and taken refuge at the north of
Lake Winnipeg, at a station belonging to the Hudson's Bay
Company, ventured to return in the ensuing spring, and were
soon joined by a new detachment of emigrants, chiefly from
the highlands of Scotland ; so th?.^, in 1816, the colony con-

318 THE LITERARY HISTORY

taineil upwards of two hundred settlers. The north-west
Company, having re-appointod the same representatives again
to repair to their former station in the near vicinity of the in-
fant settlement, showed their unaltered determination to extir-
pate it. Nor were their sanguinary intentions long in being
carried into execution. In the month of June 1816, the co-
lony was attacked by the agents of the north-west company ;
and Mr. Semple, (who had succeeded Mr. Macdonell as go-
vernor of the district,) with twenty-one of the settlers, were
slain ; while only one on the side of the aggressors was killed ;
and the colony was thus a second time destroyed. Kven in the
history of the Spanish colonization of the New World, there
occurs no event of a more treacherous and sanguinary kind than
the destruction of the Red River settlement, and the murder
of the persons who composed it.

Lord Selkirk, meanwhile, was not idle. He was not in
America when the new colony was planted ; but on being in-
formed that its prosperity was endangered, or its existence threat-
ened, he lost no time in repairing to that continent. But it
was too late, as on his arrival at New York, towards the end of
the year 1815, he was told of its destruction. He instantly
repaired to Canada to stimulate the provincial government to
institute judicial proceedings. He was engaged in prosecuting
this object, when information reached him that the settlers who
had escaped, had returned to the colony, and had been joined
by a fresh body of emigrants from Scotland. His lordship
thought it his duty to hasten to the spot, to afford them that
countenance and protection which they had reason to expect at
his hands. Taking with him a party of new sellers, he was
])roceeding to the Red River, when he received the account of
the murder of Governor Semple, and the extirpation of the co-
lony. Never was any individual placed in more trying circum-
stances. But every obstacle, however unexpected or melancho-
ly, instead of discouraging him in the prosecution of his design,
ap})ears to have had the very contrary tendency. Having spent
the winter at Fort William, where h.e arrested several of the
partners or servants of the north-west Company, that had been

OK GALLOWAY. .317

concerned in the death of Mr. Sample, and in the destruction
of the new settlement, he pursued his journey into the interior in
sprint^, and arrived at the Red River in June 1817- Several
of the old settlers, hearing that his lordship was in America, had
ventured to return ; he had sent a few emigrants before him,
and had taken with him an additional small party ; and fresh
detachments soon after arrived. The colony resumed with re-
newed vigour their agricultural labours, under better auspices
than before : his Lordship, making every needful arrangement,
and affording them every encouragement in his power, continued
with them for a few months, when he bade them adieu, and
returned to Canada. While in this latter colony, he again ex-
erted himself to force the government to institute the necessary
investigations, both into his own conduct, which had been gross-
ly misrepresented, and into the crimes and murders that had
twice led to the destruction of the settlement. But in this
laudable object he was lamentably unsuccessful. No represen-
tation, no application on his part was treated with becoming
respect. His motives, his conduct, his intentions, as well as
those of his friends and adherents, were suspected or calumni-
ated. Garbled statements were despatched home to the parent
government ; and though his lordship during the whole time
he was in America courted or demanded investiiration ; and
though, both during that period and afterwards, he made the
same application to the British government, yet obstacles seem
voluntarily to have been thrown in the way. Some prelimina-
ry or superficial steps indeed were taken in Canada ; and no
fewer than thirty-eight individuals connected with the north-
west ComparLj had been indicted by the grand juries of Montreal
for murder. Yet fev/ of these were ultimately brought to trial ;
and the legal steps that should have been taken, pursuant to the
verdict of the gi-and juries, were studiously, and against every re-
monstrance on the part of Lord Selkirk, avoided by the colo-
nial government. And the result is, that the important ques-
tion respecting the two successive outrages committed at the
Red River, and the proceedings of his lordship consequent on
these, so far as judicial investigation is concerned, either at

318 THE LITERARY IIISTORV

home or in C anada, is yet undcterniinccl. Now that this dis-
tinguished nobleman is no more, History is beginning to step
forward, and to perform to his memory that duty which the
British and Canadian governments ought to have discharged
during his life.

Havin ^ left America, after a distracted and bu&y residence
there of three years, he landed in England about the beginning
of 1819- During his absence, namely in 1816, he had pub-
lished a S'hetch of the British fur trade in North America,
with observations relative to the north-west company of Mon-
treal ; a pamphlet containing a severe exposure of the proceed-
ings and character of that body. That this exposure was not
unmerited is evident from the fact that no reply was attempted
to be made to it, either by the company or any person in their
name. In 1817? his friends in Britain gave to the world a
Statement respecting the Earl of Selkirlcs Settlement upon the
Red River, in North America ; its destruction in 1815 and
181 G, Sf-c. This Statement was partly occasioned by a pamphlet
published in the same year, on the part of the Montreal Com-
pany, entitled A Narrative of Occurrences in the Indian coun-
tries of North America, since the connexion of the Right Hon-
ourable the Earl of Selkirk with the Hudson'' s Bay Company,
^•c. In that year also, Mr. John Halkett, brother-in-law to
Lord Selkirk,* transmitted a copy of the Statement to Earl Ba-
thurst, at the head of the Colonial Department ; and at the
same time commenced a correspondence with the colonial of-
fice, respecting his celebrated friend, and his enterprises in
America, which continued at intervals for nearly two years,
and which is highly honourable to the character, judgment,
and talents of the writer. Lord Selkirk himself, soon after his
return to England, stept forward in his own cause. He ad-
dressed A Letter to the Earl of Liverpool, dated 19th March,
1819, aiid accompanied by Mr Halkett's correspondence with
Lord Bathurst. " The subject,'' says the author, " properly

• Mr. I'alkett and Lord .'^dkirk wcro hIso t-ousins, thpir mothers having
been sijitcrs ; tianicly, dan^litcrs of tlic Hon. .lolin Hamilton, second son of
Tiiomas, Earl of Iladdingtoti.

OF GALLOWAY. 31 9

belongs to the Colonial Department ; but the conduct of that
Department, with respect to the matters in question, for more
than three years past, while I was absent in America, has
been such that I can have liltle expectation of redress from
that quarter ; and I Icel it neccosary, therefore, to appeal to
your lordship, at the head of his majesty's government.''" To
this Letter was added an appendix, consisting of informations,
affidavits, and official letters, addressed by Lord Selkirk to the
governor-general of Canada.*

Amid the harassing and laborious duties to which he had
been so long exposed, his health had begun to fail ; and symp-
toms of that disease, which had already proved fatal to severa.
of his family, appeared. Owing to the advice of his medica
attendants, he resolved to spend the winter of 1819-20, on the
continent ; whither he went at the end of harvest, accompa-
.nied by Lady Selkirk, who had also been his constant compa-
nion during his residence in America. He spent the winter
at Pau, in the south of France. But nothing could arrest the
progress of his disease. He breathed his last on the 8th of
April 1820 before he had completed the forty-ninth year of
his age. His remains were interred in the Protestant burial-
ground at Pau. He left behind him three children, a son and
two daughters. The character of Lady Selkirk, as a wife and
a mother, is above all praise.

As to stature. Lord Selkirk was fully six feet in height,
rather of slender form, with a gentle stoop in 'i:':; gait. His
hair was of an auburn colour, approaching to vCi ; his face ra-
ther long ; his forehead high ; his countenance mild and be-
nignant. Though he was capable of undergoing great fatigue,
he never was very athletic. In his social intercourse with the

* To the publications mentioned in the text, as also to A Letter to the
Earl of Selkirk, on his Settlement at the Fed Hirer, near Hudsoit's Bai/, b>/
John Strackan, D. D Rector of York, Upper Canada, wliicli appeared in
London in 1816, and to Narratives of John Prttchard, Pierre Chri/solocpte
Pambrun, and Frederick JDamien Heuster, respecting the a(/(/ressors of the North
West Compani/, against the Earl of Selkirk's Settlement upon Red River, puli-
'ishi'd in London in 18 1 J), we are indebted for tiie information on which
lord Selkirk's American historv is founded.

320 THE LITERAKY HISTORV

world, he was distinguished by conipUiisance and courteous-
ness of" manners ; wliich were always marked by a modesty,
not nntVc(|uently bordering on diffidence, most amiable under
any circumstances, but not usual and perhaps more ami-
able in his Lordship^s rank of life.

Lord Selkirk's character is of the highest kind. He may
be denominated a projector ; but that term is applicable to
him only in its best sense. His plans of colonization, instead
of being rashly adopted, were the result of reflection and judg-
ment, as well as of an ardent imajxination and a benevolent
heart ; and though of great magnitude, involving much ex-
pense, were so admirably formed that, so far as he was con-
cerned, they met with no interruption, but, on the contrary, he
was prepared, at every step, to meet the demands that might
be made on him. The interruption to which unfortunately they
were exposed, was attributable, not to any miscalculation or impru-
dence on his part, but to the illegal and disgraceful opposition
he experienced at the hands of a grasj^ing and interested com-
pany. His ardour and perseverance in the pursuit of any ob-
ject on which he had fixed his heart, were altogether uncom-
mon, and seem to have increased in proportion to the extent
of the obstacles with which he had to contend. His conduct
in Canada was finn, considerate, dignified, independent, busi-
ness-like ; of which his letters to the governor of Upper Ca-
nada, and to the governor-general of Canada, afford admirable
specimens. He may, we confess, have adopted some hasty and ap-
parently equivocal steps ; but the circumstances in which the
conduct of his enemies had placed him, not only warranted
them, but loudly called for them.

He was himself not only a man of genius, but an enthusias-
tic admirer of genius in others. The lute Professor Du"-ald
Stewart was, during his lordship's life, his intimate and affec-
tionate friend. Of learning and merit he was disposed to be
the patron. His habits were literary. His acquirements in
mathematical science were great : his reading in every depart-
ment exten.sive : his knowledge of the fine arts minute and
correct : his taste fine : his compositions logical, ingenious,

OF GALLOWAY. 321

and elegant. He was, on the whole, a man of a gentle nature,
distinguished, not merely by his talents, but by benevolence
and liberality : and he enjoyed the respect, the confidence, or
admiration of all within the extensive sphere, either of his per-
sonal ac(]^uaintance, or of his influence.

I cannot close this memoir without mentioning, what must
be agreeable to every reader, that the two rival companies in the
fur trade, namely, those of Hudson''s Bay and JNIontrcal, have,
since the death of Lord Selkirk, been united ; that the colony
of the Red River consists of upwards of 4000 settlers, provided
with resident magistrates, a clergyman, and a surgeon ; that
it is happy and prosperous, answering the most sanguine ex-
pectations which its enlightened founder ever ventured to form
of it ; and that I have reason to believe that his Lordship''s
speculations in the Hudson's Bay Stock, combined with the
revenues derived from his settlements in North America, ^hile
his name will be honourably perpetuated there in connexion
with the history of colonization and the progress of society, are
affording ample proofs of his foresight, penetration, and wis-
dom. A

32-2

THK LITERARY )ll!<TORY

CHAPTER XXIV.

LIFE OF JOHN MACTAGGART.

John Mactaggart, or M'Taggart, was born at Lennox-
Plunton, in the parish of Borguc, on the 26th of June 1797"
His father, jNIr. James M'Taggart, was tenant of that farm ;
his mother was IMary Sproat, both parents being connected
with the oldest families in their rank of life in Galloway.
" My father," says INIr. Mactaggart in his Gallovidian Kncij-
clopedia^ where he gives an account of his early life, " is a
farmer, and throughout my pilgrimage on earth, from the
cradle till this moment, I have never met with any whom I
considered had so much native strength of intellect." This
respectable person is still alive, and highly merits, I believe,
the character given of him by his son. But his wife died in
1829, after having been the parent of eleven children, of whom
John was the third.

Being at a considerable distance from the parish school, the
subject of this sketch received his elementary education at
home from a young man who was employed as domestic tutor.
Mr. M'l^iggart and a neighbouring farmer engaged this ju-
venile teacher in common, and he remained half of his time
with one of his employers and the remainder with the other ;
" so," says John, " my sisters and I went to this farmer's
house, and were taught along with his family, and they came
to us in return." He complained ;it this time, as he did ever

OF fiALL!»\r.VY.

323

attervvards, of the severe corporal punishment arbitrarily in-
Hicted by his successive teachers on their pupils. I regard
the practice on which this just complaint is founded, as equally
cruel, inexpedient, and unwarrantable. This is not a place for
entering on the discussion of this subject ; but 1 cannot re-
sist the opportunity, now afforded me, of referring the reader
to a most interesting and important work, entitled, Priiiciplcs
of Elanenlary Education, c/iiefi/ in rcjcrmct to the Purocliial
Schools of Scotland, by Professor Pillans ; a gentleman to
whom the cause of education in Scotland is more Indebted than
perhaps to any other individual.

He ai'terwards attended Borgue academy for some time pre-
viously to 1805, at which date his father removed from Plun-
ton to Torrs, a farm in the parish of Kirkcudbright. Being
four miles from the excellent seminaries in the burgh of that
name, he attended a small school in the neighbourhood of
Torrs, taught by Mr. Caig ; " and if," says he, " I have any
learning or any genius about me, to this man am I indebted
for their improvement."" He was afterwards sent to the academy
of Kirkcudbright, where he studied mathematics ; and though
he was often prevented from regular attendance owing to the
nature of the weather and other circumstances, yet, at the exa-
mination, " he laid all the school below him, and so obtained the
premium." He afterwards commenced the study of French.
He was, even at this early age, fond of desultory reading, and
entertained an absurd aversion to tasks.

He now, being in his thirteenth year, left school " with
disgust." Many occupations he contemplated ; but being par-
tial to that of a printer, he wrote successively to three different
persons in that line, offering himself as an apprentice ; but none
of them deigned to take notice of his application. He now
began to feel " a melancholy working in him, which he often
thought was going to overset his mind altogether," but of
which, as he advanced in life, he got comparatively free. Not-
withstanding his having left school so early and abruptly, he
still entertained an Invincible love for books. A friend lent
him a copy of the Encj/lopcvdia Britannica; and " I gathered,"

324

THE MTERAUY Hi5>iCRV

says he, " ten times more (nit of" that book tluin i clid at the
College of Kilinhurgh."

Tired ot" rural occupations, lie entered the university of
Edinburgh in 1{517. He had as yet no decided plan of life ;
but as math.ematics and physical science were his favourite
pursuits, he studial these branches. He returned to Edin-
burgh during the subsequent session of College. But he
states, that he " never received any good from attending the
university. I was there told nothing but what 1 had before
gathered.""

He did not, in consequence, again enter the university or
repeat his visit to Edinburgh, but remained at home, for a few
years, employed in agricultural pursuits. His habits still con-
tinued to be literary, and it was at this time that he composed
his Encyclopedia. He resolved at length to set out for Lon-
don to endeavour to find some occupation by which he might
gain a livelihood. Owing to recommendations and letters oi
introduction, he soon obtained, on his arrival in that city, em-
ployment in giving private lessons to young gentlemen in ma-
thematics ; a mode of life in which he was very successful.

It was at this time, (1824), that he published The Scotlinh
Gallovidian Encyclopedia, or the Original, Antiquated, and
Natural Curiosilies of the South of Scotland ; containing
Sketches of Eccentric Characters and Curious Places, with ex-
planations of singular Words, Terms, and Phrases ; inter-
spersed with Poems, Tales, Anecdotes, S^c. and various other
strange matters ; the whole illustrative of the ways of the Pea-
santry and manners of Caledonia. This is one of the most
singular works that ever issued from any press. It is unlike
the production of a person of reading and education. The lan-
guage in which it is written is of a most capricious description,
being more Scotch than English, and richly bcstudded with all
the provincial words and phrases of which he could avail himself.
No character, nomaxim, nocustom peculiar tohisnativeprovince,
has he left unexplored or unexplained. In this book, however,
there are many things of a personal nature which the author, it
is- supposed, afterwards regretted. He seems to have stated his

OF GALLOM AY .'Jl?;j

opinions in the most reckless way, unonccrned whether the
feelings of the individuals to M'hom they referred, or of their
friends, were injured. In one or two instances this is the case
in a lamentable degree. Yet there is in this work much to
praise. The object, which the author had in view in composing
it, is laudable ; and it contains much information not elsewhere
to be found. " This work," says he, " will be found in many
a rustic library of tho south of Scotland, scores of years after I
am in the grave. It will be a book that will never create
much noise, yet still it will not be in a hurry forgotten." It is
dedicated " to all honest and warm-hearted Gallovidians."

About this time he, in company with a friend from Scot-
land, started a weekly newspaper, under the name of The Lon-
don Scotsman. What character this paper promised to assume
I have not learned. But in the course of four or five weeks
after the undertaking was begun, the printer of it having his
press and materials arrested for debts which had been previ-
ously contracted, it was stopt, and never resumed.

But he soon obtained employment more congenial to his
mind than he had yet experienced. He was employed in the
capacity of engineer to a gas company ; in which capacity he
was sent to France to make observations in that line through-
out the largest towns of that country. And early in the year
1826, Mr. Rennie, the engineer, having been applied to by go-
vernment to furnish a clerk of works to the Rideau canal, in
Upper Canada, then about to be commenced, Mr. Mactaggart
was selected as a proper person to fill this situation. Having
undertaken the arduous duties attached to it, he left England
in the month of June of the same year, and proceeded to the
scene of his important operations.

The Rideau canal is meant to connect the river Ottawa and
Lake Ontario, and is to extend over a space of one hundred and
sixty miles through an uncleared wilderness. In time of war,
it was found extremely dangerous, if not impossible, to get
stores dragged up the St. Lawrence, to supply our forces on
the lakes. That river forming the boundary between the
United States and Canada, our transports suffered no more

32() Tilt; LITKUAKY HISTORY

irciu tlio rapiils than from the enemy. 1\) roniove this ohsta-
cle, the Kideau canal Avas proposed to be constructed. Imme-
diately on his arrival, Mr. Mactairtjart was ordered to make a
survey of the line alonij which the canal was to extend ; a
conunission which, after great fatigue, he executed to the per-
fect satisfaction of Lieutenant-Colonel By, his commanding offi-
cer. He was also busily employed in treating with contractors,
giving instructions to the workmen, and superintending the
operations. "While he discharged his professional duties with
exemplary care, he ventured occasionally to extend his re-
searches beyond the limits within which his official labours
confined him : he made various excursions into the interior of
the country ; and at one time he went so far as to visit the
r alls of Niagara. But amid his great exertions, both official
and otherwise, he was seized with a danoerous fever in the
summer of 1[{28, and his health in other respects had suffer-
ed from the malaria of the swampy wastes, to which he had
necessarily been exposed. M'ith a view of deriving benefit from
the change of climate and his native air, he obtained leave to
return to England ; and the following letter, dated 5th Au-
gust 1J528, addressed by his commanding officer to general
Mann of the Board of Ordnance, shews how highly his offi-
cial character was appreciated, and in what estimation he was
held.

" I have the honour to state, that Mr. Mactaggart, clerk
of works at the Kideau canal, is so much recovered of a dan-
gerous fever as to enable him to return to England according
to order. And I beg leave to report, that I have found him
a man of strong natural abilities, well-grounded in the practical
part of his profession, and a zealous, hard-working man in
the field.

" I most respectfully recommend him to your protection, and
that of the honourable board. He is fond of research, and of
exploring this untracked country ; his reports are faithful, and
I have always found him a man of honour and integrity."

Ill an iiitHKluctory letter given him at the same time, by the
Right Reverend Alexander Macdonell, catholic bishop of Up-

OK GALLOWAY. 327

per Canada, to Sir Georges Murray, colonial secretary, it is
stated that " Mr Mactaggart is, perhaps, the ablest practical
engineer and geologist, and the properest person that has ever
been in these provinces for exploring the natural productions
and latent resources of the country."

\Y' ith a character so high, but with a broken constitution,
Mr. Mactaggart returned to London towards the end of the
year 1828. On his arrival, his first care was to publish
Three ijears in Canada : an aecounl of the actual state of' the
counlrj/ in 182G-7-8, comprehending its resources, productions,
improvements, and capabilities, and including sketches of the
state of societij, advice to emigrants, <Sfc. This work, which
extends to two volumes, contains his official reports, and a
great quantity of scientific details, relative to the department
in which he was employed. It teems also with information
regarding the state of society and natural history of these colo-
nies. It is, however, devoid of that warm interest which a
travelling journal, howe\-er ill written, would possess. It is a
work of science and intelligence, and will be consulted with
advantage in regard to the important colony to which it re-
lates, long after a mere ordinary book of travels would have
passed into oblivion.

He had not, since his arrival in England, visited his pa-
rents. His father had solicited him to return to see his mo-
ther, who seemed to be rapidly dying of con.sumption. He
hastened home so soon as circumstances would permit. But
he was too late to see his dying parent, as she was buried three
days before his arrival.

On his return home, in June 1829, though he made no
complaints as to want of health, it was evident to all that his
constitution was much impaired. He grew worse as winter
approached. In the month of December, though he had
caught a severe cold, and was otherwise complaining, he in-
sisted on going a few miles to visit a young friend, Mr. George
Wishart, who had gone out to Canada to him, and who had
recently returned, labouring under a pulmonary disease, which
soon ended his days. He had not arrived above two or three

3:28 THE LITERARY HISTORY, ScC.

hours at the house of his friend, when he was attacked with the
most violent pain in his head, which no medical aid could re-
lieve. He lingered on for a fortnight, labouring under the
most excruciating agony ; and on the morning of the 8th of
January 1830, he was relieved from his suffering, and resign-
ed his spirit into the hands of his Creator. His remains were
reposited in the church-yard of Senwick : a parish united to
that of Borirue.

He was a person of stout figure, of great bodily strength,
and majestic size, being six feet tw-o inches in height. His
hair was jet black ; his complexion red.

His character was enthusiastic, generous, disinterested. Of
books he was very fond. His taste was not naturally good ;
and he seems never to have exerted himself to cultivate or im-
prove it. His friendships were warm and lasting. He hated
duplicity or dishonour. Pie was regardless of the impression
his opinions might make on others, provided they were the
real convictions of his own heart.

Poetry was one of his earliest studies ; and many specimens
of his compositions in this department maybe found in his
Encyclopedia. He left behind him a long unfinished poem in
blank verse, entitled The Eni^ineer, amounting to upwards of
two thousand lines. This production, which, among other
things, includes the history of science from the earliest period,
is not devoid of poetic merit. But it is not in a fit state to meet
the pu])lic eye. His Three Years in Canada^ however, not to
speak of his former work, will not allow his name soon to be
forgotten.

APPENDIX.

Note A — p. 1.

The word Galloway is comparatively of recent application. The dis-
trict which it now designates was orijfinally inhabited by the Selgovae
and Novantes. The former possessed that part of it which lies west of
the Dee, while that on the east of the river was inhabited by the Sel-
govie, whose boundaries included also part of Dumfries-shire. (Chalm-
ers' Caledonia, i. 60, 61.) In the days of Bede, this province was not
known by the name of Galloway ; it then formed part of tlie Berniciau
or Northumbrian kingdom. (Bede, iv. 20.) The term (ialhvef,na is first
applied to it in 1124', in a charter granted by Earl David, (afterwards
David I.) to the Monks of Selkirk. (Sir James Dalrymple's Collec-
tions, 171.) It has, since that date, been known by a name of a slight
shade of difference, Gallwegia, Gallweia, Gallwallia, Galway, Galdia,
Galloway. Respecting the origin of Ihis appellation, there have been
various opinions : Nor can the point now be determined. Some have
supposed that the district received its name from Galdus, king of Scots,
Avho gained it from the Romans, and was killed in battle at Torhouse,
near Wigton, where his tomb is still shown. (First ed- of this History,
p. 330.) " It may merely," says Mr. Chalmers, on the contrary, " be
Galliway and Gaelway, the bay of the Gael or Irish, the Anglo-Saxon
wneg signifying /fwc^MS, unda, iter, via." — ( Caledonia, i. 3G0.)

With regaid to the extent of ancient Galloway, there have been
conflicting conjectures. Without entering on this discussion, it need
merely be mentioned, in the words of Mr. Chalmers, that, " as early in-
deed, if not earlier than the age of David I. the boundaries of Gallo-
way were confined within the narrow limits which have been assigned
to that Celtic region in modern times." In the present work, we use
the term as comprehending Wigtonshire, and the Stew artry of Kirk-
cudbright

330

APPENDIX.

NOTK B. — p. 1.

Tho Seljrovao and .Vovantf>s, avIio, on the arrival of tlio Romans, in-
liabitol (ialIo^\ay, woro of Celtic origin, and not, as somo have snppos-
ed, of Gothic descent, f Caledonia, \. passim.) Celtic tribes, tbongh
thev s|)oke a comnion lanj^wajfe, and in their jreneral character were
similar, -were connected hut by sliglit tics. Jvach tribe felt independent
of the rest : and thev united only when common danofer threatened, or
a common enemy invaded them. Such was the state of Galloway at
tlie time when the Romans invaded Scotland.

This civilized and ingenious people penetrated into this province;
but no Roman colony seems to have been established there ; nor were
the oriyfinal inhal/itants driven awav. On the abdication of the Ro-
mans in 418, (ialloway was overrun by the Anj^lo-Saxons of Northum-
bria ; to ^vhom it remained ])artially subject till the beginnin<f of the
ninth century. To this latter people, the Gallwegians, so far as
we know, were under greater oblig-ations than to the Romans. They
introduced a rude species of architecture: they founded the burj^h of
Kirkcudbright; they revived, for a while, the bishoprick of St. Ninian
at Candida Casa. The Gallwegians, owing- to the extinction of the
Northumbrian dynasty in 820, having gained their independence, fell a
prey to the Picts; a race of men, whatever was their origin, that
flourished and became eminent in Galloway, after their name iiad been
forgotten in other districts. But notwithstanding of their successively
falling under the dominion of various tril»es, the original Celtic inha-
bitants of (ialloAAay were never entirely displaced : their customs and
habits continued to predominate; and remains of such may he traced
even at this day. They were distinguished for daring heroism and in-
trepidity ; insomiuih that they obtained the appellation of The Wild
Scots of (ialloway, and were cfranted, by the Scottish kings, the privi-
lege of forming tlie van in every battle at M'hich they were present.
Of their leaders or rulers we have, for a long time, but little account.
Jacobus, " the ruler of Galloway," is mentioned as one of the eight re-
guli who met at Cliester in 073. Ulrig and Dovenald, (M'Dowall)
tlie leaders of the (iallwegians, acted a conspicuous part, with their fol-
lowers, at the battle of the Standard in 1138, in which they were
slain. But the first leader or lord of (ialloway, as he is called, of whom
we have a full accoiuit, was Fergus, of whose parentage nothing is
kiiown. He seems to have succeeded Ulrig and Dovenald. Heat
first professed obedience to the Scottish king; but he afterwards raised
the standard of rel»ellion. In two attempts to reduce him, Malcolm
IV. wa.s repulsed: in tlie third he was successful. Fergus gave his
son Uchtred as a hostage, and died in 1 IGi, in the abbey of Holyrood.

AVl'KNblX. 331

He fowiiilt'd monasteries at Toii;^li(ii(l, Wliithoni, Situlseat, Duiulreu-
jiai), ami St. M;u\v s Isle.

l$y his wife, Elizabeth, illegitimate dauj^hter of Henry I. of En;j;land,
he left two sons, Uehtredand (iilbcrt, who, according' to the Celtic law,
divided the lands of tlieir father between them. They rebelled against
their kin";-: they then <jnarrelled w itii each otiier; and Uchtred was
slain by his brother. Uchtred had established a convent at LincUiden.
On the death of Gilbert, in 1185, Roland, son of Uchtred, after defeat-
ing the adherents of his uncle, succeeded to the lordship of (nilloway.
Roland, having married Elena, daughter of Richard de Moreville, con-
stable of Scotland, was invested with that high office, as the male line
of that family failed. lie founded a monastery at Glenluce. lie had
one sou, Allan, the last of the ancient princes of Gallouay. Allan,
after leading a pacitic life, died in 1234, leaving behind him three daugh-
ters. He had been thrice mamed : his second wife was Mar'^iret,
daughter of David, Earl of Huntingdon. His oldest daughter, Elena»
was married to Roger de Quinci, earl of Winchester; Christian, mar-
ried to William de Fortibns, son to the Earl of Albemarle; and Dei'-
TOfffille, to John Baliol of Bernard Castle. The two last dauirhters
were born to him by his second wife, the daughter of the Earl of Hun-
tingdon. Dervorgille's mariiage was productive of five children; a
daughter married to John (Jumyn of Badenoch, and four sons, one of
whom, John Baliol, succeeded to the Scottish throne, as the descendant
of David of Huntingdon. Dervorgille survived her husband ; and
founded Baliol college at Oxford, and monasteries at Newabbey or
Sweetheart, Wigton, Dumfries and Dundee.

By the marriage of Allan's daughters, a new race of men with new
customs and an unknown tongue, (for the language had previously
been Celtic, which however continued to prevail in some districts of
the province till within these two centuries,) were introduced anion*'-
the Gaelic inhabitants of Galloway. Of this, commotion and discon-
tent were at first the results ; but it ultimately exercised a liberalizin<r
and salutary influence on their character. The arts of peace began to
be cultivated ; civilization to prevail. The predominance of the ambi-
tious and tin-bulent family of Douglas checked for a while the progress
of knowledge and refinement. The first of the house of Dou'das
styled Lord of Galloway, obtained that title and dignity by his wife
Dervorgille Cumyn, grand-daugliter of Lady Dervorgille and John Ba-
liol, the male line of the Baliol fiunily having become extinct- The
family of Douglas having been attainted for rebellion in 14.53, their vast
possessions VAere forfeited, and bestoM ed on more worthy and loval
barons. This was the dearest boon ever confeired on Galloway; which
now laid aside turbulence and disloyalty, and began to cultivate the arts
both of social and domestic life. (See note B in first edition of this

33- APPENDIX-.

fliston/, ulicrc tiio siibjocts introduied in this note are treated at con-
siderable lengtJi.) /\

Note C — p. S.

There is not a saint in the Romish calendar whose memory was
more venerated, and whose tomb was oftener visited, than th(tse of
Niiiian. In Gallouay, until this day, his name is familiar as " house-
hold words," even witli the most illiterate of the people. A cave (on
the sea coast, about two miles from Whithorn,) to whicli, amid the in-
tervals of his holy labours, he occasionally retired, is still pointed out
M ith veneration ; and traditions respcctinf^ his supposed miracles and
his lioliness are told and cherished with a deforce of credulity very un-
common. Several places and parishes both in England and Scotland
bear his name. Ci<jwds of pilgrims, for many ages, annually resorted
to his shrine ; even some of our Scottish raonarchs have visited it.
The (jueen of James III. undertook this pilgrimage in 1474. The fol-
lowing article is in the accounts of the treasurer of Scotland. — " Item,
to Andro Balfour, 20th August 1474, for livery gowns to six ladies of
the Queen's (•halmer, at her parsing to Qnhytehorn, 21 ells of grey fra
David (iill, price L.IO, 10s. Scots." In l.!>07, (at M'hich period, ac-
cording to Mackenzie, this piece of devotibu was very common,) James
IV. made the same pilgrimage on foot to pray for the health and reco-
very of his queen, ^\ ho had Ijeen alarmingly ill in child-bed ; to te^stify
his resignation on the death of his t« o infant children ; and to express
his penitence for having rebelled against his father. The queen reco-
vered ; a result that was attributed to the miraculous influence of the
.saint ; and when her health m as re-established, she and her husband,
as a matter of gratitude, performed tlie same pions journey in circum-
stances of great pomp and magnifici'nce. Seventeen horses were em-
ployed in transporting the queen's baggage; three in carrying the
king's, and one in carrying the " chapel geir." James V. also paid
visits to St- Ninian's tomb ; and pilgrimages continued to be made thi-
ther till 1581, when, the Reformation being accomplished, they were
j)rohibited by act of parliament- (Mackenzie's Lives of Scottish
Authors, ii. .jJG. Wvher's Battle of Flodden Field, 153.)

APPKNDIX. 333

Note D — p. 3 j .

A Short Account of the Family of Dk Vaux, Vaus, or Vans,
(Lathie Da VALLiuuSy', now of Barnharroch.*

On the continent of Europe the De Vaux family liave been dukes
ot" Andrea, princes of Joinville, Taranto and Altamura, sovereign counts
of Orange and Provence, and kings of Vienne, Aries, &c. &c. as well
as Lords De Vaux iu Normandy, (See Moreri, Ar. Baux, Vaux, &'c.
&c.)

Members of the Norman family accompanied the Conqueror to Eng-
land iu 106G, and there their descendants became Lords De Vaux of
Pentney in Norfolk, of Gilsland in Cumberland, and Harrowdea iu
Nortliamptousliire. (See Dugdale, Collins, Banks, &c. &c.)

Nisbet saj's (Ar. Vaus of Barnbarroch,) that one of the English De
Vauxes came to Scotland in the reign of David I. (1124 to llo3), and
Sir James Dahymple (App. Col. Scots Hist.) says, " About the reigu
of King RIalcoim the Fourth, Willielmus de Vallibiis is to be found."
His descendants in the male line held the estates of Dirleton, Golyn,
Feuton, &c. &c. in East Lothiau until the reign of Robert the Second,
when two daughters, co-heiresses, married into the families of Hali-
burton and Hepburn. Tlie former became Lords Haliburton of Dirle-
ton, and the latter are but too well known from their descendant (the
Earl of Bothwell) unfortunately having become the husband of Queen
Mary.

Our public records shew, that iu 1 ITi John De Vaux was one of the
llfteeu barons given as hostages for the ransom of King William. (Sec
Prynne's Uec &c.) His grandson is mentioned as one of thg magnates
of Scotland in the Pope's ratification of the peace between England
and Scotland in 1244. He was one of tiie barons \a1io counselled, or
rather forced Alexander the Third to change his ministers. (See Rj-
mer's Fx. Vol. 1. p. 6G9, and Redpath's Border History, p. 14G.)
John De Vaux, grandson of the precedir.g John, appears to have been
the second husbaiid of the illustrious Dervorgille,the v.idowof Balioland
mother of King John Baliol, whose claim to the crown came to him
through her. This second marriage is not mentioned by Wyntoun or
others ; but the evidence of it is to be found in the Dryburgh Chariery,
where is given a charier by Alex, de Baliol of the \\ ood of Gieddis-
woode, " Qui quondam fuit cum Doniini JuJiunuis da Wullibus, et

• l'"oi- tills vahiablc document I um indebted to Henry J^ti wart ^'ans, L.sq.
advocate

33^

API'K.NDIX.

2)ua. Dtrvoryoill, spouse sue." The words are rcpoated in the Si'isine
>\Iiith follDWs, and another charter is <iivi'ii of Roger de Quiiiey's re-
l.iliiii;- to the t.;uue hiiuls. Roger de Quiiiey's lirst wife was Helen, the
♦■ider, hilt half sister of Dervorgille; and his then wife was Alyenor,
the widow of William De Vaux of Norfolk. (See Dugdale, &c. &c )
The original of the Dryburgh (^hartery is in the Advocates' Library.
John De Vaux sat in the Parliament of Brigham in l-29(). In 1:^91 he
swore fealty at Berwick to Edward 1. In 1298 he d^'fended his castle
of Dirleton against the famous Anthony Bek, JJishoj) of Durham. In
\:iO\ he \^as a iirinci})al party to the agreement hetueen Edward of
England and " John Comyn and his aydents;" and according to Ry-
ley's Placeta Par. folio 309, John Comyn, John de Graham, and John
de Vaux, sealed this agreement at Strathord, 9th Feb. 33d Edward I.

Thomas succeeded to John, and is mentioned by (Juthrie and Brady
as being one of tiu' sixty-live earls and lords \\ ho led the Scots army at
the battle of Ihilidon hill. Thomas was killed in 134G at the battle of
Neville's Cross, near Durham, where his successor, William, was taken
pri.><oner. After about a year's detention, William returned to Scot-
land, and his name ajjpears in many of the transactions of the period.
According to the Fued. new edition, vol. iii. pp. 133, 146, 372, 6, 7, he
was a party to the ransom of King David the Second, and to the truce
concluded in 13J7. These are but a few of tlie times that mention is
made of the Dirleton family in our public documents, and they are also
frequently mentioned in the chartularies of our ndigious houses, to
which they appear to have been considerable benefactors.

In his account ofthe Dirleton family, Chalmers' Caledonia, vol. ii. p. 43G,
omits several generations, and in vol. iii. p. 396, talking of Wigton-
shire, he makes a curious mistake, for l^e considers the Barubarroch
and Sheuchan families as distinct, whereas they are the same. On
the same pjige, however, he justly observes, " the name has been
changed from Vaus to Vans — a change pc(!uliar to this shire." And
although he does not dispute the Barnbarroch branch being descended
from a younger son of the Dirleton family, be thinks Alexander
Vaux, bishop of Calloway in 1426, was the lirst of his name in Wig-
tonshire.

Nisbet, vol. ii. Apj). p. 250, says positively, that the Barnbarroch
branch are the only remaining licirs-male ofthe Dirleton family, — that
they de.icended from a younger sou, and altiiough they have no char-
ter older than 1451, yet " that the Vanses of this house have subsist-
ed long before that." Nisbet also says that, " \ww since they repre-
sent the principal family, by the rules and maxims that are laid down
in heraldry, tliey may strike out tlie moUet, the brotherly diflerence,
mid wear and carry the bend-simple, as they have done for some cen-
turies." Tradition says the same, and tliat the first Vaux in Wigtou/-
shire married an h"iress tlierc.

APPENDIX. 335

In " I'Histoire des Matheiues lie la Friinco, sous le Itoi Jean," pub-
lie a I'aris, chcz Barde, IGll, vol. ii. |». 103, it is said, talking of the
battle of I'oiitiers, (A. D. 1 356,) and of tlie Scots of note who fell
there, " et Andre Vaus de Gallovay, le Irere d'arnies du Iseij^ueur
Archinibald," (Donjfliis).

Barnes, HoUingslied, Abercrombie, aud others, mention Sir Andrew
Vaux to have been killed at the battle of J'oictiers, and this Andrew
is believed to have been the younger brother of Willielmusof Dirleton,
to have settled in Galloway, aud to have been succeeded by another
Sir Andrew, whose name appears in the settlement of the Scots
crown made at Scone, 4th April 1373, although in liobertson's Re-
cords the name is erroneously given Andreas de Valoniis. His
younger son was Alexander, bishop of Galloway from 1426 to 1451,
and he was succeeded by his eldest son

John, who married E. Kennedy, and was sent along with Alexander
dominus de Gordon, Alexander dominus de Montgomery, and Johannis
Methven, Clericus, as ambassadors from James II. of Scotland to
Henry VI, of England. Along with these persons also, he con-
cluded a truce with England in 1438; see Ridpath's Border History,
p. 404. His younger sons were Ninian, who is believed to have
been bishop of Galloway, and Martin, who «as confessor to James
III., aud ambassador to Denmark in 1468.
Robert succeeded his father John, and married lady Euphemia Graham
of the house of Menteith ; he received the charter of 1451, and his
younger son was Thomas, ambassador to England, (Fa>d. vol. ii.
p. 398,) dean of Glasgow, and secretary to the king. Robert was
succeeded by his eldest sou.
Blaize, who married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Sir John Shaw

of IlailHe. They had a younger sou, George bishop of Galloway.
Patrick, their eldest son, succeeded, and married Margarot, daughter
of Gilbert, second lord Kennedy, by Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander
lord Montgomery.
Sir John, their son, su(;ceeded, and married Janet, daughter and heiress
of Sir Simon M'Cnlloch of Merton, by Marion, daughter of Gordon
of Lochinvar. Their sou
Alexander, succeeded, and married, lst,;lady Janet, daughter of David,
first earl of Ciissillis by Agnes, daughter of William lord Eoi'lhwick.
2dly, Euphemia, daughter and co-heiress of Sir John Dnnbar of
Mochrum, by Elizabeth, daughter of Mungo Muir of Rowallan ;
having no issue male, he was su(!ceeded by his brother
Sir Patrick, who married, 1st, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Hugh Ken-
nedy of Girvan-niains, by lady Janet Sttnvart, daughter of the second
earl of Athol. 2dly, Lady Katherine, daughter of Giii)ert, third eail
of Cassillis, by Margaret, daughter of Keiuiedy of Bargeny, Sir

336 ArrENDi.Y.

Patriik M'asof the privy counsel, an ambassador, and a judge; and
liavinu' lio sons by bis first niarriag'o, \vas succeeded by

Sir John, his son by the second niarriajje, who was of the privy coun-
cil, and had to wife Margaret, daughter of Uchtred M'Dowal of
Garthhmd, by ^hirgaret, daughter of Stewart, first lord Methven.
Tlu'ir son

Sir Patrick succeeded, and married Grissel, widow of Sir Robert Max-
well of Spotts and Orchardtown, and daughter of Johnston of Annan-
dale, by ^largiu'ct, daughter of Sir W. Scot of Eucclengh.

John, their eldest son, dissipated the greater part of the estate, and
having no issue male by his wife Grissel, daughter of Sir John
M'Culloch of Merton, was succeeded by his brother

Alexander, who married Margaret, daughter of Sir \N'illiam Maxwell
of Monreith, by Ag;nes, daughter of Sir John M'Cnlloch of Merton.
Their sou

Patrick succeeded, and married, 1st. , daughter of Sir James

Campbell of Lawers, by whom he had a son, who died without
issue ; and 2dly, Barbara, daughter of Patiick M'Dowal of Freugh,
by , daughter of llaltridge of Dromore, in Ireland; the

son of this second marriage,

John, succeeded, and married Margaret, only child of Robert Agnew of
Sheuchan, by Margaret, another daughter of Patrick M'Dowall of
Freugh ; and a mutual entail having' been executed, the name and
arms of Aguew of Sheuchau were added to those of Vans of Barn-
barroch.

Robert succeeded his father John, and married Frances, daughter of
.lohn Dunlop of that Ilk, by Frances, only surviving child of Sir
Thomas ^^'allace of Craigie, Bart. Their son,

John, succeeded, and having died unmarried, he was followed by

Patrick, — now living.

The arras of Vans of Barnbanoch are : Ar. a Bend Gules. See
Sir David Lindsay of the Mount's work, p. 59. " Wauss Lord
Dvrlton of Auld " Crest, a lion rampant holding scales in the
dexter j)aw. Motto, " Be faithful." Supporters, two savages
with clubs in their hands, and wreathed about the middle with
hmrel. See Nisbet, vol. i. p. 92, and vol. ii. p. 252.

The Barnbarroch family, also, rejiresent the M'Cullochs of
Merton, and the Shaws of Haillie, as well as the Agnews of
Shcuchan: and therefore may quarter their aims. x^

••

APPENDIX. 337

Note E—p. 168.

Letter from the late John Maxwell, Esq. of Munches, to W. M.
UicRiiiES, Esq. oi' 8i>ottes.

Munches, Feb. 8, 1811.
Dear Sir,

The last time that Mr. Young- of YounglicW was here, he signified
to me, as y<ni IiikI previously (lone, that John Christian Curwcn
of Workinoton Hall, Esq. had mentioned that he was very desirous to
know the state of agriculture in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, and
in Nithsdale, as far back as my remembrance goes.

I was born at Buittle, in this parish, which in old times Avas the
fortress and residence of JoJm Baliol, on the 7th day of Fcl)ruary, old
style, 1720, and do distinctly remember several circumstances that hap-
pened in the year 172.3 and 1724. Of these particulars, the falling of
the bridge of Buittle, which Avas built by John Fre\A', in 1722, and fell
in the succeeding summei-, while I was in Buittle garden, seeing- my
father's servants gathering nettles. That same year, many of the pro-
prietors enclosed their grounds, to stock them with black cattle; and,
by that means, turned out a vast number of tenants at the term of
Whitsunday 1723, whereby numbers of them became destitute, and,
in consequence, rose in a mob, when, Avith pitchfoi'ks, gavellocks, and
spades, they levelled the park-dikes of Barncailzie and Munches at
Dalbeaty, Avhich I saAV Avith my own eyes ; the mol) passed by Dal-
heaty and Buittle, and did the same on the estates of NetherlaAA'-, Dun-
rod, &c. ; and the Laird of Murdoch, then proprietor of Kilwhaneday,
who turned out sixteen families at that term. The proprietors rose
Avith their Servants and dependents, to quell this mob, but were not of
sufficient force to do it, and Avere obliged to send for tAvo troops of
dragoons from Edinburgh, Avho, upon their appearing, the mob dis-
persed. After that, Avarrants Avere granted for apprehending many of
the tenants and persons concerned in the said mob ; several of them
Avere tried, those Avho had any funds were fined, some Avere banished
to the plantations, Avhilst others were imprisoned ; and it brought great
distress upon this part of the country. At that period, justice was not
very properly administered ; for, a respectable man, of the name of
M'Clacherty, avIio lived in Balmaghie parish, was concerned in the mob,
and, on his being brought to trial, one of the justices admired a hand-
some Galloway Avhich he rode, and the justice told him, if he Avould
give him the Galloway, he would effect his acquittal, Avhich he accord-
ino-ly did. This misfortune, Avith Avhat happened the Mississippi Com-
pany, in the year 1720, did most generally distress this quarter of the

^338 APPENDIX.

king^dom. 1 1 is not pleasant to represent the wretched state of indi-
viduals as times then went in Scotland. The tenants, in general, lived
very meanly on kail, groats, milk, <rraddon ground in querns, turned
by tlio iiand, and the grain dried in a pot, together Avith a crock ene ncv
and then about I\I;u-tiumas. They uere clothed very plainly, and their
habitations were most uncomfortable. Their general wear was of cloth,
made of Maull^ed plaiding, black and white ^^■ool mixed, verj'^ coarse,
and the cloth rarely dyed. Tiieir hose were made of white plaiding-
cloth, sewed together, with single soled shoes, and a black or blue bon-
net, none having hats but the lairds, — who thought themselves very
well dressed for going to church on Sunday with a black kelt-coat of
their wife's making. It is not proper for me here to narrate the dis-
tresses and poverty that were felt in the country during these times,
\\hich continued till about the year 1735. In 1725 potatoes were first
introduced into this stewartr}-, by William Hyland, from Ireland, who
carried tliem on horses' backs to Edinburgh, where he sold them by
pounds and oimces. During these times, when potatoes were not ge-
nerally raised in the country, there was for the most part a great
scarcity of food, bordering on famine ; for, in the stewartry of Kirk-
cudbright, and county of Dumfries, there was not as much victual pro-
duced as was necessary for supplying the inhabitants ; and the chief
part of what was required for that purpose, was brought from the Sand-
beds of Esk, in tumbling cars, on the Wednesdays, to Dumfries ; and
■when the Maters were high by reason of spates, and there being no
bridges, so that these cars could not come with the meal, I have seen
the tradesmen's wives in the streets of Dumfries, crying, because there
was none to be got. At that period, there was only one baker iu
Dumfries, and he made bawbee baps of coarse flour, ciiiefly bran, A\'hich
he occasionally carried in creels to the fairs of Urr and Kirkpatrick-.
The produce of the country, in general, was grey corn ; and you might
have travelled from Dumfries to Kirkcudbright, which is twenty-seven
miles, without seeing any other grain, except in a gentleman's croft,
Avhich, in general, produced bear or big, for one-third part, another
third in white oats, and the remaining third iu grey oats. At that pe-
riod, tiiere M'as no wheat raised in the country; what was used was
brought from Teviot ; and it was l)elieved, that the soil would not pro-
duce wheat. In the year 1735, there was no mill for grinding that
sort of grain, and the fir.^t flour mill that was constructed within these
bounds, was built by ohl Heron, at Clouden, in the parish of Irongray,
bome years after that date.

In these times, cattle were also very low. I remember of being pre-
sent at the Bridjre-end of Dumfries, in 1730, when Anthony M'Kie, of
>'ethcrlaw, sold live score of tivo-ycar-old Galloway cattle, in good con-
dition, to an Englishman, at L.2, I2s. 6d. each; and old Robert Halli-
day, who was tenant of a great part of the Preston estate, told me,

APPENDIX. 330

fliiit lie reckoned he could graze his cattle oa his farms for 2s. Gd.
a-head; that is to say, that his rent corresponded to that sum.

At this period, few of the proprietors frave themselves any concern
aneut the articles of husbandry, their chief one hein<r about black cat-
tie. William Craik, Esq. of Arbiy land's father, died in 17.3,5, and his
Son was a man of Uncommon accomplishments, who, in his younger
daj's, employed his tim«^ in gTazin<>- of cattle, and studying the shapes
of the best kinds, his father having given him the farm of Maxwell-
towne to live upon. The estate of Arbigland was then in its natural
state, very much covered with m bins and broom, and yielding little
rent, being only about .5000 nierks a-year. That young gentleman was
among the first that undertook to improve the soil ; and the practice
of husbandry which he pursued, together with the care and trouble he
took in ameliorating his fiirm, was very great. Some of it he brought
to such perfection, by clearing off all weeds and stones, and pulverised
it so completely, that I, on walking over the surface, sunk, as if I had
trodden on new fallen snow.

The estate of Arbigland was bought by his grandfather, iti 172-?,
from the Earl of Southesk, for 22,000 merks.

In 1735, there were only two carts for hire in the town of Dum-
fries, and one belonging to a private gentleman.

About the years 17.37 and 1738, there was almost no lime used for
building in Dumfries, except a little shell-lime, made of cockle-shells,
bnrned at Colvend, and brought to Dumfries in bags, a distance of
twenty miles; and, in 1740, when provost Bell built his house, the
under storey was built with clay, and the upper storeys with lime,
brought from Whitehaven, in dry-ware casks. There was then no
lime used for improving the land. In 1749, I had day-labourers at Gd.
per day, and the best masons, at Is. This was at the building of Mol-
lance House, the walls of which cost L.49 sterlin<r.

If you think that any thing mentioned here can be of any use or en-
tertainment to IVIr. Curwen, I give you full leave to make the same
known, with my best respects ; and, I am.

Dear Sir,

Your's sincerely,

JoH\ Maxwell.

To W. M. Herries, Esq. of Spottes.

340 APPENDIX.

Note G — p. J-^ii.

Tlio followinir is :i copy of tlie letter addrossoil by Heron, three
luontlis before bis death, to " Tiie Literary Fiuul :"

" Ever since I was eleven years of ;ige, I have niinf>led with my stu-
dies the hibour of teachiug-, or of writing, to support and educate
myself.

" During about twenty years, while I was in constant or occasional
attendance at the University of Edinburgh, I taught and assisted young-
persons, at all periods, in the course of education, from the alphabet to
the highest branches of science and literature.

" I read Lectures on the Law of Nature, the Law of Nations, the
Jewish, the Grecian, the Roman, and the Canon Law, and then on the
Feudal Law ; and on the several forms of Municipal Jurisprudence es-
tablished in modern Europe. I printed a syllabus of these lectures,
which Mas approved. They were intended as introductory to the pro-
fessional study of law, and to assist gentlemen who did not study it
professionally, in the understanding of history.

" I translated Fourcroy's Cliemistry twice, from both the second and
third editions of the original ; Fourcroy's Philosophy of Chemistry ;
Savary's Travels in Greece ; Dumourier's Letters ; Gesner's Idylls in
part; an abstract of Zimmerman on Solitude; and a great divereity of
smaller pieces.

" I wrote a Journey through the Western parts of Scotland, which
has past through two editions ; a History of Scotland, in six volumes,
8vo. ; a Topographical Account of Scotland, Mhich has been several
times reprinted ; a number of communications in the Edinburgh Maga-
zine ; many Prefaces and Critiques ; a Memoir of the Life of Burns the
Poet, which suggested and promoted the subscription for his family —
has been many times reprinted, and formed the basis of Dr. Curries
life of him, as I learned by a letter from the Doctor to one of his
friends; a variety oi jeux d" esprit, in verse and prose; and many
abridgments of large works.

" In the beginning of 1790, I was encouraged to come to Loudon,
Here I have written a great multiplicity of articles in almost every
branch of science and literature, my education in Edinburgh having
comprehended them all. The London Review, the Agricultural Ma-
gazine, the Anti-Jacobin Review, the ^lonthly Magazine, the Univer-
sal Magazine, the Public Characters, the Annual Necrology, with se-
veral other periodical works, contain many of my communications. In
such of those puljlications as have been reviewed, I can show, that my
anonymous pieces have been distinguished witli very high praise. I

ArrENDix. 341

liave written also a short system of Clieniistry, in one volume 8vo. ;
and I published, a few weeks since, a small Mork called " Comforts of
Life," of which the first edition was sold in one week, and the second
edition is now in nipidsale.

" In the newspapers — the Oracle, the Porcupine ^vhen it existed,
the General Evening- Post, the Morning- Post, tiie British Press, the
Cornier, &c. I have published many reports of debates in Parliament ;
and, I believe, a greater variety of liglit fugitive pieces, than I know to
have been written by any one other person.

" I have written also a variety of compositions in the Latin and
Frencii languages, in favour of which I have been honoured with the
testimonies of liberal approbation,

" I liave invariably \\'ritten to serve the cause of religion, morality,
pious Christian education, and good order, in the most direct manner.
I have considered what I have written as mere trifles; and have inces-
santly studied to qualify myself for something better. I can prove
that I have, for many years, read and written, one day ^\'ith the other,
from twelve to sixteen hours a-day. As a human being-, I have not
been free from follies and errors. But the tenor of my life has been
temperate, laborious, humble, quiet, and, to the utmost of my power,
beneficent, I can prove the general tenor of my M'ritings to have been
candid, and ever adapted to exhibit the most favourable views of the
abilities, dispositions, and exertions of others.

" For these last ten months, I have been brought to the very extre-
mity of bodily and pecuniary distress.

" I shudder at the thoughts of perishing in a gaol.

02, Chancery Lane, }

Feb. 2, 1807. 3 (In confinement,")

NoTK /f— p. 254.

William Muirhead Herries of Spottes, oldest son of the Rev. Dr.
James Muirhead of Logan, was a most respectable and accomplished
man. He was a member of the Scots bar ; and had he cultivated pro-
fessional employment, must havo risen to eminence in that capacity.
In politics he was a steady and consistent Whig, and Mas regarded as
the head of that party in his native county. In private life he was
distinguished for wit, great colloquial powers, and goodness of heart.
He is scarcely known as au author. In April 1810 he read an Essay
before the Stewartry Agricultural Society, On the Connexion of
Agriculture with the Political Interests of Great Britain. In 1809

342 APPENDIX.

lie j)ul)lislit>il an AJdrtss to (he Lnndhohlers anil Fanners of the Stew-
tiitn/ of Kirhcudbrighty delivered at their meeting, called by public ad-
vertisement, for the purpose of consider in y the giieoances sustained by
the Agricultural Interests of that County from the present mode of
Assessing the 2\t.v on Property. Residing at Spoltes, in the parish
of Urr, lie continued to be Dr. Murray's kindest friend till his
death. Ilis health having never been vigorous, he died unmarried, at
middle aL;e, in April 1822. His brother Ciiarles, who, had he survived
liiin, would have succeeded as proprietor ot" Spottos, died a few days
before him. The next heir of entail to this ])roperty Mas Mr. William
Young, only son of Alexander Young of llarburn, W. S., who, on his
accession to the estate, assumed the name of Merries. Michael Ilerries
of Spottes, having lost his only son, and having no other relations, en-
tailed his two properties, Greskine in Annandale, and 8pottes in Gal-
loway; the former on Sir Robert Herries, father to the present Right
iion. John Charles Ilerries, — tb.e hitter on the two oldest sons of Dr.
Muirliead successively, and, failing th«'m, on Mr. W. Young, the son
of his distant relation, and h»gal agent and adviser, Mr. Young of
Harburn.

Mr. Young Herries of Spottes, (I cannot resist this opportunity of
stating), is descended of a family, (the Youngs of Auchenskeoch,) that
!iad for several generations been settled in Galloway. The house of
Auchenskeoch was sprung from that of Leny in Linlithgowshire;
which latter fomily, as well as that of Anldbar, claimed descent from
the famous Sir Peter Young of Seton, sub-preceptor to James VI., and
afterwards ambassador on the part of his majesty at foreign courts.
The last of the family who held the estate of Auchenskeoch, (which
w as sold after the middle of last century), was Sir William Young,
<'overuor of Dominica; whose son, — the late Mr. Alexander Youuff,
was deputy-commissary for the Island of Mauritius.

■Sir. llerries's grandfather and great-grandfather, — the latter descend-
ed of the house of Auchenskeoch, were successively ministers of the
united parishes of Corrie and Hutton, in Annandale. They were both
eminent for worth and learning. The former, the Rev. George Young,
married Sojihia, daughter of tiie Rev. William Mein, minister of Wes-
terkirk. The latter, tin; Rev. William Young, married Agnes, daughter
of tlie Rev. Alexander Grr of Haselside, minister of Iloddom, by Agnes,
daushtor of John Dalrymple of Waterside, the representative of a very
old family, to whose estate Mrs. Orr succeeded, along with her two
v<)nnger sisters, Mrs. Murray of MurraytliMaite, and Mrs. Maxwell of
<'owhill. Miss Gopland of Collieston (whose mother was Agnes
Ilairstancs of Craigs), married to John Dalrymple of Waterside, was
<()U^in-<rennan to ElizabetJi Ilairstancs of Craigs, who became the wife
of William .Maxwell of I'reston. Mr. and Mrs. MaxucU had two
Uaughters; the oldest married to William, Karl of Sutherland (the only

APrENDIX. 313

child (if wliicli maiTia<;e is now Conntoss of .Siith<'rlau(l and iMarchio-
nessof Stafford ) J — the youn^a'st to Lord (ik'norcliy, and was tlie foun-
der of the church in Edinburgh that bears lier name.

The Rev. William Young, who died in 1761, had three children,
(iieorge, m ho predeceased his fathei- ; Agnes, married to the late Dr.
Hardy, professor of Church History in tlie University of Edinburgh ;
and Alexander Young of Ilarburn, father of Mr. Young Herries of
Spottes. A^ A

Note /—p. 200.

Of Sir Murray Maxwell, Knt- and C. B. I meant to give a full ac-
count. But I find his history so important, and his merits so great,
that I cannot think of undertaking the task in this place. A few no-
tices only can be given. He early entered the naval service. He was
engaged in many brilliant ai-tious, in various quarters of the world, —
in all of which he distinguished himself by that enterprise and decision
which marked his character. In 1815, when Lord Amherst was sent
as Ambassador to China, Captain INIaxwell was appointed to the Al-
ceste, which was ordered to convey his Excellency to that court.

" The Alceste sailed from Spithead 9th February 181G. The details
of the voyage to China ; the visit to the Loo Choo Islands, with the aid
afforded to science by her discoveries in the Yellow Sea and coast of
the Corea; the subsequent loss of the Alceste on the 18th February
1817, by striking on a sunken rock, about three miles from Pulo Leat,
in the Straits of Gaspar ; the sufferings of the ambassador, officers,
and crew, have heen so fully detailed by Capt. Basil Hall, who com-
manded the Lyra sloop, the consort of the Alceste, and vvhich that
scientitic and excellent officer dedicated to Capt. Maxwell, as to render
a repetition unnecessary. INIr. M'Leod, the sui-geon of the Alceste,
also publitihed a most interesting narrative of the cifcumstances. The
lustre of Capt. Maxwell's character received even an additional bril-
liancy from this misfortune ; for, to adopt the language of the Court
Martial by which he was subsequently tried, ' his coolness, self-col-
lectedness, and exertions were highly conspicuous, and every thing was
done by him and his officers within the power of man to execute.'

" The Chinese will never forget the chastisement they received when
the Alceste forced through the Bocca Tigris, or Canton river, to re-
ceive Lord i\n)herst on his return from Pekin. The officers and crew
were all animated with a similar feeling to that of their heroic Cap-
tain, and it is said that on one of the quarter-deck 32-pound shot, some
of the young gentlemen had A\ritten in chalk-, ' Tribute from the King

S-i-t APPENDtX.

of Eiiiihind to llu> Chinese,' and whicli was actujvlly fired against their
tlotillii of eiiiliteeu war junks, after which their batteries were silenced
by a broadside. Captain Maxwell fired the first gun, thus rendering
himself personally amenable to the consequences of the attack, as it is
Mell known that the Chinese attach responsibility to the individual
whose hand was immediately employed in the discharge." — United
Service Journal for Aiujust 1831.

Captain Maxwell, on his return, had an interview with Bonaparte
at St. Helena. In 181 j, he had been nominated a Companion of the
Bath : in 1818 he was honoured with knighthood. In the latter year
he stood a candidate for Westminster. During the contest, which was
of unexampled violence, an attack was made by the mob on his life.
Though he polled 4800 votes, he was unsuccessful. The expenses he
incurred on this occasion crippled his pecuniary resources during the
rest of his life. As a reward for his service, the East India Company,
in 1819, presented him witii L. 1.500. He again entered on active ser-
vice ; and was present at the surrender of Callao. After the accession
of his present majesty, William IV., he was nominated one of his naval
aidc-de-camps ; and during the present year (1831) appointed Gover-
nor of Prince Edward's Island. On this appointment, he left Scot-
land in a sailing-vessel for London ; but being seized with fever on the
Toyage, and no medical aid being on board, he died on the 19th of
June, soon after his arrival in London ; aiid left behind him a name
for professional merit, and general honour and integrity of character, in-
ferior to none. Lady Maxwell survives him. One of his sons is a
commander in the Royal Navy.

Captain Keith- Maxwell, another brother, recently dead, also distin-
guisl^ed himself in the naval service. He served under Commodore
Owen on the coast of France. He afterwards commanded the Nyphen
frigate in the North Sea, and formlH one of the expedition to the
Scheldt : But he had previously signalized himself, in 1801, by perform-
ing one of the most daring acts that occur in our naval annals, namely,
cutting out the Cheverette from Camerel's Bay. (James's Naval His-
tory, iii. 214.) Captain John Maxwell (mentioned in the Life of
Major Maxwell) died in 1826, while commanding the Aurora frigate.

INDEX.

Aiken, Bishop James, 57 — 9.
Arnot, Bishop David, 35.

Carstairs, John, 110, 11;?,
Chiesly, William 93—4.
Covvper, Bishop William, 44 — 53^
Craig, Alexander, Esq. 170.
Croniek, R. H, 274—5.
Cunningham, Allan, 254, 274 — 5.

Baillie, Cuthbert, 27.
Baird, Dr. George, 228, 250—1.
Banktou, Lord, 159—164.
Beaton, Archbishop James, 12 —

14.
Blair, Robert, 89, 97, 99.
Brown, Gilbert, 28—30, 64—5.
Brown, John of Wamphray, 109

—13.
Brown, Mr. Robert, 311.
Bro>vn, Dr. Thomas, 293—304.

Cameron, John, 24 — 5-
Candida Casa, 5 — 7.
Carpenter, John, 28.

Daer, Basil William, Lord, 234,

306—8.
Dalrymple, Sir James, of Stair.

See Stair, Viscount.
Dalrymple, various persons of that

name, chihiren, or descendants

of Viscount Stair, 156 — 8.
Donnan, Rev. Andrew, 197 — 201^

248.
Douglas, William of Orcliardton,

176.
Druidism, 1 — 2,
Dunbar, of Baldoon, 14, 118, 157,

305.
Dunbar, of Mochrum, 14, 128.
Dunbar, Archbishop Gavin, 1 4 — 1 7.
Dundrennan, Abbey of, 17 — 8.

346

INDEX, ^

Durie, Bishop Andrew, 35 — C.

En-art, Rov. John, 192—7.
Ewart, Dr. John", 196.
Ewart, Joseph, 196.
Ewart, ^Viliianl, 196.

Fleming, Robert, 112 — 11-i.
Forbes, John of AUord, 67 — 9.
Forbes. Dr. William, 55.

t^.

Ilalkett, Mr. John, 318.
Hamilton, Lord Basil, ^j — 6.
Hamilton, Bishop Gavin, 43 — 1-.
Hamilton, Bishop James, 56 — 7.
Hannay, Patrick, 268 — 9.
Hay, Thomas, 27-
Hepburn, Georg^e, 26.
Heron, Jbhn, 219, 242.
Heron, Robert, 219—27, 340-^1.
Herries, James, 21 — 2.
Herries, W. Muirhcad, 176,337,
. 341—2.

Herries, W. Young, 342—3.
Hill, James, 182—8.
Hog, John, 109, 112.
Home, David of Gfodscroft, 49.

Galloway, Bishoprick of, 31 —
60 ; name of, 329 ; history of,
330—2 ; agriculture of, 337—9,
■ Garthshore, Dr. Maxwell, 194.

Gilchrist, Dr. Ebeuezer, 18G — 7.

Gilchrist, Dr. John, 187, 195.

Gillespie, Robert, Esq. 281.

Gillespie, Rev. William, 233, 275
—82.

Glen^uce, Abbey of, 26 — 7.

Gordon of Earlston, 61.

Gordon of Lochinvar. See Ken-
mure.

Gordon, Bishop Alexander, 36 —
40.

Gordon, John, 41 — 2*

(iordon, Lawrence, 27,40.

(Jordon, Rev. Rob<?rt. 175 — 6.

Gordon, Thomas, 179—83.

Graham, Rev.^ohn, 200—1, 206,
212.

Grant, William, T-ord Preston-
(iranfje, 16).

Jameson, Dr. William, 188 — 91.
Johnstone, Dr. Bryce, 264 — 7.
JoJiostone, Rev. John, 264-

Kenmure, Lady, 83 — 6.
Kenmure, Lord, 77 — 85, 98.
Kinnear, Mr. James, 249 — 50.
Kirkcudbright, Priory of, 28.
Kirkton, James, 63, 112.

Lamb, Bishop Andrew, 53.
Lauderdale, Duke of, 140 — 1.
LinchKh'ii, Provostrv of, 24 — 6.

INDKX. ^ 347

Liviiijjstone, Jolin, 91, 96—106,

109.
Livingstone, Mrs. 103 — 4, N.

Lowe, John, 289 — 75.

Nevoy, John, 110 — 1.
Newahhey. See Sweetheart.
M. Newspaper, the first in Scotland^

56.
M'Briar or IM'Bray, John, 62—3. Ninian, St. 5—9, 332,
M'Cartney of Blaikct, 187. * _.

Maoartnej^, Rev. William, 214—

18. P.

M'Clill, Dr. William, 202—14.
M'Gowau, Rev. Alexander, 280— Panthct, David, 19—21.

1. • Panther, Patrick, 20.

M'Harg, James, 246—9. ' Parishes, when established, 7.

M'Kie, Rev. Nathaniel, 265. Paterson, Bislwp John, 57.

M'Lellan, John, 99—101. Petrie, Alexander, 109.

Macraillan, AnthonJ^ 164 — 6. Pillans, Professor, ^3.

M'Naught, Marion, 80, 82. Pitcairn, Robert, 69.

M'Crae, or INI'llay, Rev. James, Porter, William, Esq. and Mrs;

259—63. " Porter, 195—7.

Mactaggart, John, 322—7.
lil'U'ard, Robert, 91, 93, 107—14.
Maitland, Rev. J. G. 228, 250. R.

Mary's Isle, St. 18—21. ^

Maxwell, Colonel, A. M. 288— 90. Reformation, 61—2.
Maxwell, Edward, 18. Richardson, Robert, 21.

aiaxwell, John of Munshes, 337rRose, Rev. William, 283.

— 9. Ross, Bishop Arthur, 57.

Maxwell, Bishop John, 54, 91. Rutherford, Samuel, 76 — 95.
Maxwell, Captain Keith, 344. Rutherford, Mrs. 93.
Maxwell, Sir Murray, 290, 343

—4.
Maxwell, Robert <«" Arkland, 167 S.

—75.
Maxwell, Major Stewart, 283— Saulseat, Abbey of, 24.

92. Scot, Dr^ David, 255, 258— 9,

Melville, William, 23—4. Selkirk, Countess of, 313.319.

Monachism, 1 1—12. Selkirk, Earl of, 305— 2 L

Moncreiff, Sir Henry, 2^8. Semple, Governor, 316— 7.

Muirhead, Dr. James, 254. Smith, Rev. Samuel, 175 — 8

Miu-ray, Dr. Alexander, 228—59. Spence, Bishop Thomas, 33 — 4.

tip

.'M8 INDEX'.

Stair, Viscount, 1 24 — oS.

Stair, Viscountess, 128, 155. V.

Steven, Rev. William, 107.

Stewart, Andrew, 25 — 6. Vaux, Bishop, Alexander, 33.

Stewart, William, 26, Vaux, Bishop (Jeorn'e, 34- — 5.

Sweetheart, Abbey of, 28—30. Vans, family of, 33.3—0.

Sydsertf, Bishop Thomas, 53 — 6,

'sT. W.

Sydserff, Thomas, 56.

Syrasou, Rev. Andrew, 115 — 23. Wallace, Col. James, 109 — 13.

Wallace, William, 96—7.
Waugh, Georg^e, 1 1 6 — 7.
T Welsh, John, 63—75.

Welsh, John , (of Irongray), 75.
Telfcr, Rev. Alexander, 188. Welsh, Mrs. 70, 73.

Thomson, Rev. James, of Balma- Welsh, Josiah, 75, 99.

clellan, 214, 300, 302, AVliithorn, Priory of, 12—17.

Thomson, Rev. James, of Rer- Wickliffe, John, 61.

•wick, 188—91. Wigton, Priory of, 30.

Tongland, Lord. See Melville,

William. Y.

Tongland, Priory of, 21 — 4.

Traill, Robert, 111. Young, Alexander, of Harburn,

Trenchard, Mr. 179—82. 342—3.

FINIS.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY

Los Angeles
This book is DUE on the last date stamped below.

, ,;;- .-'11112' 112

r„riii T,rt — I.'(n-10,'48(B103'J)444

^JMTT^r

Ik. IkM-il^. ^.

UCSOUTHFRNRFnmiu^i .,ro-

AA 000 456 482