and discriminating Phrenological hand. But, Sir, not to lead you to suppose that I am the Phrenological victim of a blind, undiscriminating enthusiasm, and that I have not thrown aside my candour with the rags of my old principles, I must ingenuously confess to you, that I fear I have not yet attained that perspicuity of Phrenological acumen, or that power of beating down, or reconciling seeming contradictions, which have so eminently marked the scientific labours of several of my associates. I must, indeed, own, that this distinguished science, however fascinating in the main, has not been to me a source of satisfaction wholly unalloyed. The conclusions of my Phrenological philosophy have often singularly clashed with the dictates of my own experience; and I know not how dexterously to escape from the dilemmas in which I am so repeatedly ensnared. I wish to wrap myself up in the wide folds, so to speak, of my Phrenological mantle; but I feel somewhat reluctant, at these times, to part with the warm and long-used covering of my experience. However, these seeming contradictions have not materially shaken the firmness of my Phrenological conviction; and I pursue, at times, my scientific studies with so zealous a fervour, and so wrapt and poetic an enthusiasm, that I happily either neglect, or forget to call into play, the dictates and resolves of my common observation, and swim down resistlessly, exulting and triumphant, upon the smooth Phrenological tide. But, at times, adverse and fierce currents come across me, which render, if I may so say, the helm powerless in my hand, and lead me almost to regret that I had ever mounted the Phrenological bark. I grieve, indeed, to say, that I have lately, by the instrumentality of this science, made the most startling and calamitous discoveries. Like old Lear, I am almost led to eye with distrust and aversion my own family. The plagues of the house of Atreus and Thyestes seem, to my Phrenological sight, about to be played off at no distant day within the bosom of my own domestic circle. In the configuration of the heads of my children, I have discovered the indications of qualities of the most distressing and alarming kind; and in ruminating sadly upon which, I seem, as it were, amidst my agitated thoughts, to be seated on the brink of a volcano, the first indistinct rolling sounds of whose approaching destructive eruption already meet my ear. I have discovered the organ of destructiveness, of uncommonly large and marked developement, on the head of my eldest boy; in my second, those of combativeness and trick may be no less distinctly traced; and in my darling girl, the deep characters of this symptomatic short-hand writing are most disastrous in their prognostics. The organs of ideality and pure intellect seem in hazard of being darkened or swallowed up by that of idiocy. Upon the head of my wife I have also discovered the indubitable trace of inconstancy and frivolity; of which, to say the truth, although her conduct hitherto has seemed to me wholly free, yet I feel myself at times crossed by the pangs of jealousy and suspicion; and I enjoy the melancholy distinction of being able more peculiarly to give the weight of my testimony to the unrivalled truth, and deep, natural penetration, with which our great dramatist, in the character of the Moor, has depicted the growth and torments of this afflicting passion. In short, in reference to the dread revelations of Phrenology, I may almost adopt the empassioned exclamation of the agonized Macduff, "What, all? All my pretty chickens, and their dam? Oh! hell-kite!" "Devilish Phrenology!" (might I then, indeed, with truth exclaim, were my predictions here calamitously realized,) “how insidiously hast thou beguiled me, and, with a refined cruelty, only shed around me a bright light, that I should the more indubitably behold my own misery! Thou hast put the magic and mysterious wand in the hand of thy zealous disciple, only that he should fall the first victim of the exercise of his art, that he should disenchant himself of his former fond delusions, and open his eyes upon the stern features of the harrowing reality." I profess myself assuredly zealous in defence of the great system; yet, you may well believe, that, amidst all my zeal and devotion, I would rather it were a fiction, than that, like the unhappy victims of the ancient irrevoc able fate, I should stalk abroad, as it were, a living Phrenological martyr, and find within the moral issues of my own family the dread exemplification of its truth. I trust that my heat has not here led me too far. Let not my worthy Phrenological friends at all suppose that I am here in the least inclined to ratting; I have truly no wish to shake myself free from my light and flexile Phrenological chains. I have merely stated the distressing impressions and scientific difficulties of an old man, but, I fear, a young and too timid Phrenologist. I wish merely to speak in the humbleness of a disciple who implores light and guidance. Forbid that I should seem to speak irreverently of this sublime science, or seek to ruffle the dignified philosophic calm of its nobler professors, seated aloft in the blue empyrean of the science, by any fears or anticipations of my apostacy. I have spoken much and decidedly in its commendation, not, assuredly, with the design of insidiously stealing from its burden, and fatally treating it like the old man of the sea, in the Eastern Tale. In the earnestness of my attachment, I have assuredly no wish to dim or ripple the smooth placidity of the Phrenological stream, if I may so speak, by the slightest breath of my disquietude or discontent. I can assure you I felicitate myself upon the acquisition of a science which I feel shall so admirably embellish, and recreate, and soothe, the years of my declining life. I shall still hope, if I may so speak, amidst the spreading boughs of the fair and stately Phrenological tree, and pour forth to the envy and wonder of all feebler and less musical throats than my own, the clear and melodious gush of my Phrenological notes. I look back, I confess, with mingled astonishment and grief, upon the monstrous heresies of my former grovelling and benighted years. Yet, in the mingled yarn of life, these are not wholly without their advantage. The dark contrast of my former errors shews off, as it were, in a bolder and more alluring brilliancy of light, the dignity of my present state of Phrenological conversion. I taste more lusciously the sweets of the refined banquet, although I may not have entered with the first of the guests. If I have advanced somewhat late within the hallowed and alluring precincts of so noble a science, I shall at least endeavour that none of the sands of life shall steal treacherously away, without some new manifestations of devoted attachment, or the acquisition of some new wreaths of Phrenological triumph. I shall still continue to lift the delicious Phrenological chalice to my lips, and sip the divine intoxication to the last. And I shall, in the race of improvement, equally nourish and invigorate my science and my philosophy, by the spectacle of the sad memorials upon which I daily glide my finely-appreciating and discriminating hand. I have heard of an eminent sage and philosopher, who, when death was stealing fast upon him, and those around were entreating he would take something which might, at least for a passing interval, delay the last conflict, or beguile the too vivid sense of his situation, replied with mild stedfastness, in the spirit of a comprehensive wisdom, "No-I have had enough of every thing!" I should, indeed, in so awful a situation, esteem it the triumph of my philosophy and my religion could I breathe forth, in the meekness of a satisfied and resigned spirit, so noble and suitable a reply. But I fear the strength and fervour of my abiding scientific passion would sit upon me even in my latter hour; that it would render somewhat ambiguous the brightness of my setting; and that, while, to the inquiries or solicitations of my friends, I might add, "Yes-I have had enough of every thing," I would, it is probable, quickly subjoin the mental salvo, except Phrenology." Yours, &c. &c. PETER PERICRANIUM. SKETCHES OF THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. No. VIII. THE Eighth General Assembly met at Edinburgh, in the Nether Tolbooth, on the 26th of June 1564. Besides the form of opening the proceedings by prayer, it seems to have been usual for some one of its most distinguished members to make an address, or exhortation, to the Assembly. On this occasion, both these duties were discharged by Knox, and Willock was continued in the office of Moderator. As the Assembly did not convene till late in the afternoon, no business was transacted in the First Session; but the future meetings were arranged and appointed. Many of the nobility were in town; but those of them who favoured the measures of the Court did not come to this Assembly. At the suggestion of the Laird of Lundie, a message was sent requesting their presence and counsel. Next morning, several of them presented themselves; but drew themselves apart from the members of the Assembly into the Inner Council House, and sent Mr George Hay to request that the Superintendants, and some of the chief Ministers, would repair to them. To this request the Assembly replied, that, as they were met upon the common business of the Church, the presence of the Superintendants and chief Ministers could not be dispensed with; and charged the nobility, on the truth of their profession as Protestants, to join the rest of their brethren, and to propose, openly, such measures as they might judge to be expedient or necessary. The object which the nobility had in view, by this proposed conference, was to draw over some of the Ministers to their party; but when they found that the Assembly would not consent to the removal of its leading members, they modified their request. They professed that they had no design of following any divisive course, but urged that they had some matters to discuss which were suited to a private conference than a public Assembly. On the understanding that no conclusion should more be come to, nor vote taken, till the business had been reported to the whole Assembly, a deputation of the Superintendants and principal Ministers repaired to the nobility. Knox, who had taken his seat beside the clerk, that he might assist in arranging and forwarding the business of the court, was immediately sent for. Indeed the principal object of this conference seems to have been to pass censure upon the freedom which he had lately used, in his prayers and sermons, in reproving the idolatry and vice of the Queen and her courtiers. A long and violent controversy ensued upon the obedience which subjects owe to their rulers; which is recorded with great minuteness at the conclusion of the Fourth Book of Knox's History of the Reformation. It ended, as such controversies generally do, without producing conviction on either party. The account which is given of it. in Calderwood's large MS. seems to be taken from Knox. The Buik of the Universal Kirk makes no mention of the conference, and notices nothing but the ordinary forms and business of the Assembly. In the Second Session, the Earl of Glencairn and the Superintendant of the West were required to state what steps they had taken towards visiting the hospital of Glasgow: but nothing having been done, the Superintendant promised to make a report to the next Assembly, provided the Privy Council gave authority to proceed. A Minister being required for the parish of Largo, Mr Montgomery, Minister of Cupar, was appointed to preach there occasionally; and steps were ordered to be taken, that, in his absence, the school-master should read and exhort at Cupar. The Third Session is altogether omitted in the Buik of the Universal Kirk; and the only thing noticed by Calderwood, is a request from the Earl of Monteith, that a Minister who understood the "Irish tongue" should be planted in that district. In compliance with this request, the Assembly appointed Mr John Ure, Minister of Leuchars, to be translated to Monteith. In the Fourth Session, the Assembly named certain Commissioners to repair to the Lords of Secret Council with certain articles, and to reason thereupon and report. These articles required, that all idolatry should be abolished, the Protestant Religion de novo established, and no "uther face of religion permittit or thoilit to be erectit." For this purpose, it was specially requested that Ministers should be provided with a regular stipend, and that the transgressors of the laws and ordinances of the church should be punished. When these articles were read, they were objected to by the Earls of Murray, Argyle, and Glencairn, with the Secretary, who had been deputed by the Queen to be present in the Assembly. Instead of presenting the articles as drawn up by the Assembly, they promised that they would declare to the Queen the good dispositions enter tained towards her by the Ministers, -that they would labour to have the religion standing in the realm at her arrival strictly observed, and to have a suitable stipend allotted to Ministers. Thereafter, the forementioned Lords declared to the Assembly, by the Secretary, that they had proposed these points to the Queen, and that she had readily granted them. The Assembly, in return, expressed their gratitude, and promised all dutiful obedience and submission. Recurring to the case of the labourers of the ground, the Assembly required the holders of teinds who were present, to state what relief they were willing to grant ; and several declared their readiness to submit themselves in this matter to the discretion and humanity of the Superintendants, and others who might be appointed. That Ministers might be suitably accommodated with all convenient speed, the Clerk Register was requested to give an extract of the Act of Parliament which had lately been passed "Anent glebes and manses." As there was still much confusion, arising from the want of a proper distinction between the respective provinces of the Civil and Ecclesiastical Courts, a committee, consisting of the most learned VOL. XVI. and eminent members, was appointed to hold a conference on the jurisdiction of the Kirk, and to report their opinion to the next Assembly. James Mackaitney was unanimously chosen Solicitor for the Kirk, in all actions before the Lords of Council and Session; to proceed with the advice of Mr Thomas Makcalycane, David Borthwick, and Richard Strang, Advocates. The remainder of this Session was occupied in matters of order and discipline. A committee was appointed to consider whether it was more expedient that Mr Andrew Simson should continue as Minister at Dunning and Cargill, or be removed to Dunbar. They de cerned that he should be removed to Dunbar. This excellent man had originally been master of the Grammar School at Perth; and his character as a teacher stood so high, that he had sometimes under his care no fewer than three hundred pupilsmany of them from the families of the principal nobility and gentry. Even after his removal to Dunbar, he seems to have continued his labours as a teacher. He was the author of that introduction to the Latin tongue commonly called the Dunbar Rudiments. It was first printed at Edinburgh in 1587, and continued to be generally taught over Scotland till the days of Ruddiman. Although the Assembly, by their procedure in the case of Mr Andrew Simson, had virtually declared that the power of removing Ministers from one parish to another rested solely with them, yet the question was, in this same Session, formally put," Whetra Minister might not leave his kind pass to another at his awin pleasure ?" It was concluded that he might not, without the knowledge and permission of the Superintendant, or General Assembly. Neither could a Minister, without special leave, retire for a time from the parish where he had been placed: for, in this same Session, when Mr Patrick Couston, Minister of Syres, gave in a request for licence to pass to France, and other countries, for encreasing his knowledge, "The hail Assemblie, in ane voyce, dissentit therfra, and ordaint that he sould not passe out of this countrey, nor yet leave his congregation C quher he travaills, without speciall licence of the haill kirk, if they sall heirafter think it expedient or necessarie." The person who is here called Couston is better known by the name of Adamson, under which he afterwards arrived at the dignity of Archbishop. The Episcopal writers are very much inclined to deny that he ever changed his name; but the change is alluded to by all the Presbyterian writers who lived about that time, although they do not assign any very good reason for it. Wodrow, (in his Life of Adamson,) suggests, that when his ambitious projects were formed, and when he was forking for a bishoprick, he might have judged it expedient to change his name, in order to conceal his origin. He was the son of a baker at Perth. Under the name of Couston, he is mentioned, in the First General Assembly, among those who were reckoned able for the ministry. His talents seem to have been very early acknowledged, for he is named among those who were proposed as candidates for the office of the ministry at Aberdeen, and other principal places. And he, more than once, received a commission for planting kirks. He seems to have been settled at Syres some time before this; and although the Assembly refused to give him leave, he left his parish, and went over to France, as tutor to James Macgill, son of Sir James Macgill of Rankellier-nether, who was Clerk-Register during the reign of Mary. On his return to Scotland, some years afterwards, he resumed the duties of the ministry, and took a very conspicuous part in the affairs of the Church. In this same Session Mr Alex. Jarden, Minister of Inchture, Kilspindie, and Rait, who had been suspended from all function in the Church by the last Assembly, was restored, in consideration of the satisfaction which he had given for his offence. "It was appointed that a requeist sould be presented to the Queen, for obtaining the gift of the Friers' Kirk of Kirkubright, to be holden hereafter the Parish Kirk of Kirkubright." Whether this matter was prosecuted immediately does not appear; but the gift was latterly ob tained. By a document, preserved among the public records of Kirkudbright, dated the 24th of March 1570, there was given to the Magistrates "the place and kirk in the town of Kirkudbright, quhilk sometime pertained to the Friars Minores of Kirkudbright; also ane kirk within the burgh, called St. Andrew's Kirk, with the kirk-yeard, chappelanes, and yeard thereof, reserving to John M'Clelland and John Mitchell the chalmers and yeards which they cccupy at the date hereof, for their liferent." The Sixth Session was chiefly occupied in the appointing of Commissioners to plant kirks in the several districts of the kingdom. Knox was sent to the north, and Mr George Hay was appointed to visit the kirks of Renfrew. Mr Craig was sent to the south; and, in his absence, Mr Goodman, Minister at St. Andrew's, was to preach at Edinburgh. The Commissioner of Murray having complained upon William Sutherland, Exhorter at the Kirk of Moy, for scandal and contumacy, he was deprived of all ecclesiastical function, and the censures of the Church ordered to be passed upon him. The Superintendant of Lothian was empowered to proceed to censure against Mr Robert Cockburn, Minister at Haddington, in case he resorted not to General and Synodal Assemblies. The learned and pious man, whose retired habits called forth this appointment, was son to the laird of Langton in the Merse. He received his education at St. Andrew's, and afterwards taught theology and the Oriental languages in the University of Paris. His works on the Excellence of the word of God, and on the style of Scripture, having brought him under suspicion of heresy, he retired from France in 1553. According to Dr Mackenzie, he came back to St. Andrew's, where he openly espoused the doctrines of the Reformation, and taught for several years. His Meditation on the Lord's Prayer was printed at St. Andrew's, by John Scot, in 1555. He seems to have been settled at Haddington about 1564, and to have died about 1569. Dempster, Spotswood, and Mackenzie, extol him as |