"This meanwhile, the Bishoppe of Clogher havinge but twoo children, and bothe marriageable, a Sonne and a Daughter. Sr James Areskin, by the Lord Balfoures advice, made a motion for marrynge a Sonne of the best collections of old manu- this character seem to have been scripts, which exist in this country. extremely successful. Our author It was collected by the industry of says: the late Lord Auchinleck; and we are happy to find, that the present intelligent possessor is disposed no longer to allow its treasures to remain buried, but has begun to present the world with curious specimens from it. The narrative now under our notice relates to a mem-his, a Master of Art, to the Bishber of a family, which made a distinguished figure in the history of Scotland, both civil and ecclesiastical. But its chief interest is derived from the very remarkable nature of his personal history, and from the light which it throws upon the state of Ireland during that age. James Spottiswood was born at Calder in Mid Lothian; was son to John Spottiswood, a leading actor in the reformation, and one of the first provincial superintendants. He was brother to Dr. Spottiswood, Archbishop of St. Andrews. Having rendered an important service to his king in the discovery of a conspiracy formed against that monarch's life, he was rewarded with promotion in the church, and was at length advanced to the see of Clogher in Ireland. This elevation however, instead of securing happiness to him, was only the commencement of his troubles. A deadly resentment was, for some reason or other, conceived against him by Sir James Balfour, second son of Sir James Balfour of Pettendreich and Monquhanny, in the county of Fife, who being a favourite of James, had been created Lord Balfour, and had received a grant of lands in Ireland. We scarce remember a parallel to the series of fierce and unremitting persecution, which this nobleman carried on a gainst the unfortunate bishop. He attacked him first under the guise of friendship; and his operations in opps Daughter, uppon whome he would bestowe the Lands of Agher: The Bishoppe, allthough he had farr better matches offered him, yet he was perswaded by the Deane, the Archdeacon, and manie other his countriemen, to hearken to Sr James, whose estate then was not knowne to be at so lowe an ebb. Sr James then brought his Sonne to the Bishopps howse, and brought the young Maide, by manie Golden promises, to a foolishe paradise. There rested nothinge nowe but Drawinge a contract, and so Solemnize the Marriage, wch Sr James hasted, for he longed to finger the Bishopps moneye: But when the Bishopps learned Councell was mett to putt the Contract in forme; Sr James made newe propositions, so unreasonable and so farr from the first Communing, that the Bishoppe brake of the meetinge, desyred his Daughter to estrange herselfe from their companie, and requested Sr James and his Sonne to forbeare his howse. The Lord Balfour, informed of these proceedings, he thought it highe tyme to act his part; so tooke occasion to speake wth the young people, assured them they would never have the Bishopps consent, who was nowe fullie informed of Sr James Areskins his decaied estate, and his inabilitie to performe what he had promised: He advysed them therefore to goe on and make up the matche betweene themselves, wherewth the Bishoppe Bishoppe would be doubtles of fended at first; but that he was a kinde man, and they woulde gett is goodwill afterward, when he sawe they could not be parted. It was concluded by Sr James and his three Sonnes, that this Councell should be followed; So one daye when the Bishoppe had much companie dyneinge wth him, and the Bishopps wyef was attending her only Sonne, who was periliously sick that same tyme, theye brybed a Serving woman of the howse to bring the Bishopps Daughter to the Streete, so entysed her to Sr James Areskins chamber, where the marriage was made up by some Deboysed Minister. The Bishoppe little suspected the Lord Balfour to have any hand in this busynes, who yet had a further fetch: ffor, soone after, seeing the Bishoppe much grieved, he made a proiect to him howe to defeat Sr James Areskin and his Sonnes of their evill intentions; He discoursed to the Bish oppe of Sr James Areskins povertie, and his intention to make up his decayed estate by the Bishopps meanes: He perceaveth yor sonne, sayd he, to be sicklie, and assureth himself to gett all you have in ende. But yf you will be adyysed by me, (sayd he,) I will teach you howe to defeat them of theire purpose, and howe to strengthen yorself wth a better friendshippe in this kingdome. There is, sayd he, a mayde, a niece to the Viscountess of Valencia, both wise and virtuous, and like to be a great match; ffor my neighbour Sr Stephen Butler (sayd he) was offered to have 1500lb. wth her, and greater matters in hope; I will fynde the waye, (sayd he,) to make Sr Stephen leave of the Suite; If yor Sonne, then, can compasse the Maydes goodwill, you maie make up a fayre estate for yor Sonne, let yor daughter drincke as shee hath brewed. The Bishoppe replyed, that he had allreadye consented to annother motion made unto him by Sr Stephen Butler himself for his brothers daughter, a beautiful Gentlewoman, and well bredd, wth whome he offered Securitie for 12001. portion; The Lord Balfour replyed, that that gentlewoman had confessed to himself shee was handfast before shee came out of England, and that Sr Stephen made this Offer onlie to hinder the match, and so renue his old suite; So never tooke rest till he made up the match betweene the Bishopps Sonne and the Ladye Valencia her Niece. Nowe had the Lord Balfour matched both the Bishopps Children, in no good intention to him nor Them neither." Balfour however soon after shew ed himself an open enemy, and upder pretences, which could only have been advanced in the then unsettled state of the country, endeavoured to deprive the Bishop of great part of his property. Spottiswood was obliged to come over to England in order to support his claim, but could scarcely maintain his ground against the intriguing activity of Balfour. About this time happened an incident, which gave a great advantage to the latter. The following is an account of the provocation which led to it. "There was one Sr John Wishard, sometyme Lord of Pittarro in Scotland, who havinge consumed his estate there, begged some escheated Landes in the County of ffermannagh, and was possessed of 24 Townes or Tates of the Bishopp of Cloghers lands, next adiacent to the Temporall Landes, ffor wch he was to paye the Bishopp 361b. per annum. The Bishopp of Clogher sent to him manye tymes for his Rent, But he did onlye defer to pay it, but returned the Bishopps Mes- of Sr John Wishards servants was senger win a disdainful and uncivil too fforwarde to offer vyolence,, Letter. The Bishopps servants com- They gave him a little knock on the inge into the knowledge of the con- head; But the verie next daye aftents of This Letter, desyred the ter came Sr John Wimbes, highe Bishop to give them leave and they Sheriff, wth 30 or 40 of Balfours would take a distresse for his Rent; Tenaunts and servants, and did drive So, by his direction, they went to awaye all the goods about the Bishhis dwelling place at Clanteverin, opps howse, and thoughe there was and brought awaie 16 poore beastes, good suretie offered him that the Cowes and heyfers, prised at Nyne goods should be foorthcominge, and pounds. Sr John tooke this in great the Bishopp should aunsweare what snuffe, and, by Balfours advyse, could be iustlye demaunded of him, tooke out from the Sheriff of the yet the Sheriff would not render Countye a Writt of Repleven to Three fayre Stood Mares and theire fetche back the goods uppon secu- Coltes: They were so lovelye beasts ritie. There was no formalitie kept He tooke them awaye wth hym.” in takeinge out the writt, nor in the execution thereof, and Sr John Wishard scorned to redeeme his goods; the Bishopps Bailey there fore sold the Cattell. Balfour heareinge of these proceedings, was gladd to fynd so fytt occasion for his purpose; He sent therefore for Sr John Wishard and St John Wimbes, his sonne in law, who by his meanes had byn Highe Sheriff Twoo yeares Togither; So perswaded the Sheriffe to graunt Sr Johna Writt of Withernam, to take as much of the Bishopps good as the Bishopps servants had taken of his. It was done accordinglie. So the Bishopp being at Dublyn, called up for his Maties service, sixe or seaven of Balfours, and Sr John Wimbes, and Sr John Wishards servants came to Portora, the Bishopps dwelling place, Inniskilling, and drave awaie betweene 40 & 50 English Cowes, worthe three pownds a piece, wch Cowes belonged to Sr Henrye Spottiswood, the Bishopps sonne. Sr Henryes servants and some of the Bishopps servants that were left at home, informed heereof, they followed the. Cattell, and overtakinge them at the Bridge of Inniskilling, when they would not shewe theire warrant for taking away the Cattell, they rescued them; and when one The Bishop having in vain attempted to obtain redness by fair retaliation of the injury. means, determined to seek it by a "Some Twoo Dayes after the 2d of December, The Bishopps servants went out againe, some ffyve in number, to take a Distresse for Sr John Wishards Rent, who, as they were passinge by the Lord Balfours Towne, perceaved the Lord Balfours stood of Mares to be pasturinge on the Bishopps land, ffor wch Balfour refused to paie Rent: They resolved, therefore, to goe no further, so severed a parte of the stood, and drove them towards Inniskilling, and were gone neere seaven myles from the place before Sr John Wimbes & above Threescore of the Lord Balfours Tenaunts and servants overtooke them. Sr John incensed wth the indignitie he thoughte done him so latelie, He wthout any woords, at the verie first, thrust William Galbreth through the showlder wth a pyke, Then twoo or three of his Companie gave him divers other woundes. Humphrye Galbrieth seeing his Brother in this case, he called to Sr John to forbeare, and he should have all content, to whome Sr John aunsweared, unsweared, as the Bishopps servants affirmed, Devill have my Soule yf wee part so, whereuppon Humphrye grasled wth Sir John; and while they were wrestlinge in a dirtye Bogg, one Davyd Balfour wounded Humphrye in divers places. Humphrye layeing his accompt his Brother was killed and himself could not escape, He tooke hould of a long Skeane was about Sr John Wimbes, and therewth did give him a deadlie wound; So they parted; ffor Sr Johns Companie gathered all about Sr John himself, and pursued the Bishopps servants no further. The Bishopps men had lost muche blood, and were all sore wounded, so had muche adoe to gett home. They did not acquaint the Bishopp wth that was done, neither did he suspect that unhappie acci dent till Sr William Cole came to Portora, and affirmed that Sr John was deadlie hurt, and therefore required the Bishopp to enter into a Recognisaunce of a Thowsand Powndes to make his servants ffoorthcominge at the next Assi ses." The Bishop however was afterwards prevailed upon, seemingly by the most direct falsehoods, to enter into a recognizance to the extent of L.1500 for the appearance of his servants. The servants however refused to appear; and the affair afforded to Balfour ground for a series of intrigues, treachery, and chicanery, such as can scarcely be paralleled in the annals of the most profligate courts. The Bishop who, it is said, would have been completely ruined by the payment of the sum, had his life for many years rendered miserable by this prosecu tion. At length the violence of Balfour excited against him such a general hostility, that he found it advisable to quit the kingdom, and retire to London. The Bishop now began to live in peace, and seemed even at the summit of his wishes. His repose however was soon interrupted by the dissensions in England between Charles I. and his parliament, which, extending to Ire land, broke out into a civil war, the most desolating and sanguinary. In 1664 our prelate sought refuge in London, where he died the same year, and was buried near his biother, the archbishop of St Andrews. The whole of the manuscript except a few pages at the end, is written in a handwriting, which the Editor considers to be that of Dr Spottiswood himself. The Scottish Adventurerers; or the Way to Rise; an Historical Tale, by Hector Macneill, Esq. 2 vols. small 8vo. 12s. Blackwood. FEW objects are of more impor tance to society, than the state of education among that numerous and very useful class, who are raised immediately above the lowest. These compose the better order of mechanics and tradesmen; they not only themselves perform a great part of the business of the Society, but superintend and employ the bulk of the labouring coinmunity. They do not merely work with their hands, but require a very considerable share of intelligence and information. Their situation too renders them liable to certain errors in the mode of training their families. In general, they have a propensity to look upwards: they are ambitious to remove themselves, as far as possible, from the class inmediately beneath, and which is apt to claim a connexion with them. In all their habits, they are ever disposed to an imitation of the gay and fashionable circles; and this tendency has become peculiarly strong in the present age, which has been distinguished by the general diffusion of luxury throughout all ranks. No e No one has exerted himself so zealously and indefatigably in the counteraction of this reigning error, as the author of the present work. To expose it has been the grand aim of all his recent publications; and as he never undertakes any, which has not some benefit to the public in view, his present undertaking relates to a question intimately connected with the same object. It is the established practice, in this country, for every one who can give his children any education at all, to send them for three or four years to a grammar school; and this forms often nearly the whole of the instruction conferred upon them. Mr Macneill conceives, that, for those who are neither born to an independent fortune, nor destined for the learned professions, such an education must be worse than useless, and can have no effect but that of giving them a distaste for the occupations in which their life is to be employed. He insists, that if the time spent in learning mere words were employed in acquiring a knowledge useful for the common affairs of life, young men of this rank would be much better prepared for the part which they were to act. He illustrates this opinion by the history of two youths, one of whom has received a good education in the ordinary sense of the word; that is, has been rendered master of all that the grammar school can teach: the other according to his plan, has been initiated only in useful and practical branches. From the opposite reception and success which these two young men experience, when thrown unassisted upon the world, he endeavours to prove the superiority of one system to the other. conceive, that our readers would have reason to thank us, for giving them an outline of the story. They will probably be much better pleased to trace it themselves, as it is unfolded by the author in the course of his narrative. We shall only mention, that the two young men are hurried, by a disasastrous accident on board of a ship of war: and the first part of the work is chiefly employed in delineating the difference of their feelings and conduct in such a situation. Mr Macneill was peculiarly qualified to execute this task, having, as he mentions in the preface, been himself enured during the course of several years, to the habits of a seafaring life. It is rarely that persons qualified to delineate these manners, have had such good opportunities of observation. He shall therefore give a specimen of this part of the performance. It relates to the incidents which occurred immediately after our two heroes were placed in the very unpleasant situation above alluded to. "You "The boatswain, who was naturally a humane man, and, as far as was consistent with his duty, kind and indulgent to the seamen, had the two lads birthed and messed; and telling them to be of good cheer, and not cast down with their misfortune, assured them, that if they conducted themselves properly, and minded their business, they should be taken care of. have had a hard brush I find, my lads." said he, " at the commencement of your service, but that's nothing at all against you, but rather in your favour. We seamen must lay our account with meeting with these things every day in our lives, and the sooner we meet with them the better. All you have to do is, to attend to your duty, obey your orders, |