accorded to Dr Cook. Always a situation of difficulty and trouble, even in the most quiescent periods of our Church's history, it was peculiarly so at that time; for the Moderate party, which Dr Cook headed, and that for so long a period had been in the ascendancy, had now lost its prestige; and in the Evangelical portion of the Church, already increased from an handful into an army, and backed by the popular suffrage, which had always inclined to it since the days of the solemn League and Covenant, was advancing with all the energy of a newly resuscitated cause, and giving certain promise that, at no distant day, it would recover the superiority which it had formerly enjoyed. Against such an onward tide, it was not wonderful if Dr Cook and his brethren were unable to make head, although they struggled bravely, and to the last. Consistently with the principles which he had adopted from the beginning, and advocated on every occasion, both as an author and as a divine, Dr Cook could not be expected to sympathise with the opposite party in their claims for the abolition of patronage, and the entire exemption of the Church from State control. Accordingly he contested every step of ground with a zeal and honesty equal to their own. At length the result took him as completely by surprise as it did the wisest politicians and profoundest calculators of the day. The memorable 18th of May 1843 occurred, on which the Disruption of the Kirk of Scotland took place; and when, after it had been confidently asserted that not even 20 ministers would abandon their livings, nearly 500 rose from their places in the General Assembly, bade a final farewell to the Established Church, with which they could no longer conscientiously agree, and departed to form, at whatever sacrifice or risk, a Church more consistent with their principles. We may imagine the effect of this step on the affectionate heart of the leader of the Moderates. The labours of his past public life were thus destroyed by a single stroke, and while history recorded the calamitous event, he must have guessed that it would reproach him as one of the chief causes of the evil. And besides, in that departing train, whose self-sacrificing devotedness he was well disposed to acknowledge, how many were there whom he revered for their commanding talents, and loved for their piety and worth, but who were now lost for ever to the Church with which he was identified, and whom he must henceforth meet or pass by as ministers of a rival and hostile cause. Such to Dr Cook was the Disruption; and although his own party exonerated him from blame, while his Church still continued as before to be directed by his counsels, the rest of his life was clouded by the recollection of an event which the best men, whether of the Free or the Established Church, will never cease to regret. The latter years of Dr Cook's life were spent in St Andrews, where he had been appointed to the chair of Moral Philosophy in its University, in the room of Dr Chalmers, when the latter was called to Edinburgh. Here his end was sudden, his death having been instantaneous, occasioned by the rupture of a blood-vessel, while he was walking in the Kirk Wynd on his way to the College Library. This melancholy event occurred in the forenoon of the 13th May 1845. It is much to be regretted that a man of such talent and worth should as yet have found no biographer among the many who, while he lived, availed themselves of his counsels, and were proud to be numbered among his friends. It is not yet too late. A COOK, WALTER, W.S., was born in Fife in the year 1777. During a long life-for Mr Cook had attained his 85th year-his career was one of constant energy and usefulness. Joining his profession in 1801, he very soon took a prominent place in the Society of Writers to the Signet, and during the 60 years which have since elapsed, he maintained a high position as a man of business and as a Christian gentleman. Mr Cook took an active part in the management of various charitable institutions of Edinburgh, which received from him good counsel, unwearied zeal, and untiring energy. vacancy having occurred in the Collectorship of the Widows' Fund of the Writers to the Signet in 1828, Mr Cook was appointed to that office, which he held with great credit to himself and advantage to the fund. He was also an original trustee and treasurer to Donaldson's Hospital, and always took a deep interest in the management of that institution. An ardent supporter of the Established Church of Scotland, Mr Cook was a member of the General Assembly for no fewer than sixty-two consecutive years. During the last sitting of the Assembly he had just recovered from a severe illness; but, anxious to perform his duty, he went to the Assembly Hall, on entering which the members rose up in a body to receive their aged brother, whose appearance there was quite unexpected. A higher tribute of respect could not well have been paid to him. Although much absorbed in his professional pursuits, Mr Cook mingled in society; and, by a wide circle of friends, his talents and his good humour were highly appreciated. He will be truly mourned by all who knew him, as a thoroughly upright man, a useful citizen, and a sincere friend. Mr Cook died at Edinburgh in 1862. CORSTORPHINE, ALEXANDER, of Pittowie, in the county of Fife, and of Broadchapel in Dumfriess-shire, J.P., was born at Kingsbarns on the 10th March 1799. He served for some time in the Royal Navy, and afterwards as a commander in the service of the hon. East India Company. On the 3d September 1851 he married Isabella, daughter of Alex. Flint, Esq. of Broadchapel, and has issue two sons and two daughters. Captain Corstorphine is the only son of the late John Corstorphine, Esq. of Kingsbarns House, by Isabella Johnston, his wife, and grandson of Alexander Corstorphine, Esq., portioner of Kingsbarns parish, by Penelope Carstairs, his wife. Since his marriage he has lived almost constantly at Kingsbarns House, fulfilling his duties as a magistrate, a guardian of the poor, an heritor, and a country gentleman. COWPER, of Stenton.--A family of the name of Cowper have occupied the same farm on the Abercrombie estate in Fife for more than three hundred years, and it is of this family that Cowper, the poet of Olney, thus writes to Mrs Courtenay, one of his friends :-"While Pitcairne whistles for his family estate in Fifeshire, he will do well if he will sound a few notes for me. I am originally of the same shire, and a family of my name is still there." thanks in two instances of the Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council, and more than thirty acknowledgments from various Insurances Companies and other institutions; and was also presented with a splendid sword by a body of underwriters. He married, in 1817, Miss Mary Foote of Kingsbridge, county of Devon, by whom he has issue seven children. 66 CRAIK, GEORGE LILLIE, LL.D., a literary writer, was born in Fifeshire in 1798. He is the son of the Rev. William Craik. At the University of St Andrews he went through the usual course of a divinity student for the Church of Scotland, but never entered the ministry. Soon after the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge was formed, Mr Craik wrote for it the COX, HENRY, sometime commander of "Pursuit of Knowledge under Difficulties," the Coast-guard at St Andrews, afterwards which was one of the works forming part of residing in Elie, was born in October 1793, the "Library of Entertaining Knowledge." is maternally related to the families of the Though appearing anonymously, this work celebrated Sir Francis Drake and Sir John established its author's reputation as a Williams, the latter of whom held the writer of extensive and varied acquirements. surveyorship of the Navy from 22d June To the "Penny Cyclopædia," Mr Craik 1765 until 12th December 1784. This officer contributed some of the most valuable entered the Navy on the 28th January 1805 articles in history and biography. In 1839 as first-class volunteer on board the Circe, he became editor of the "Pictorial History 32 guns, Captains Jonas Rose, Joseph of England," writing himself all those parts Spear, and Hugh Pigot. He next served of the work which relate to religion, laws, from November 1807 until November 1812, literature, and industry. His principal nearly the whole time as a midshipman, in works, besides those referred to, arethe Implacable, 74, Captains Thomas Byam"Sketches of the History of Literature and Martin, George Cockburn, and Joshua Rowley Watson, under the first of whom we find him taking part, 26th August 1808, in a gallant action with the Russian 74 gun-ship Sewolod, which was completely silenced, and in the end, with the assistance of the Centaur 74, flag-ship of Sir Samuel Hood, captured and burnt in sight of the whole Russian fleet near Rogerswick, after a total loss to the enemy of 303 men, and to the Implacable individually of six men killed and 26 wounded. He also served on the siege of Cadiz; and on next joining the Pelican of 18 guns and 101 men, Captain John Fordyce Maples, was present, 14th August 1813, in a spirited conflict of fortyfive minutes, which rendered captive to the British, whose loss amounted to two men killed and five wounded, the American sloop Argus of 20 guns and 122 men, six of whom were killed and 18 wounded. For his gallant conduct on that occasion, Mr Cox, after a servitude of some months in the President 38, Captains Francis Mason and Archibald Duff, on the Irish station, was awarded a Lieutenant's commission on the 3d February 1815. He obtained an appointment in the Coast-guard on the 18th June 1831; and on 8th October 1844 was transferred to the command of the Lapwing, revenue vessel. For his great exertions in saving life and property when commanding the Coast-guard Station at St Andrews, Lieutenant Cox received a gold and silver medal from the Royal National Institution, the thanks of both the Universities of the city, the honorary freedom of the town, the Learning in England from the Norman CRAIK, Rev. JAMES, D.D., was born at Kennoway, in the county of Fife, at the end of the year 1801. He is the second son of the late Rev. William Craik, and a younger brother of the celebrated George Lillie Craik, LL.D., a literary writer, and present Professor of History and English Literature in the Queen's College, Belfast. He received the rudiments of his education under the tuition of his father, and at an early period manifested considerable powers, and made good progress in those branches of education forming a necessary preparation for the ministry. Having completed his preparatory studies, Mr Craik entered the University of St Andrews, and passed with-instead of seeking separation from the honour to the Divinity College, then pre- Church that they may marshal their forces sided over by Principal Haldane. At Col- in fierce hostility, and strive to demolish lege, Mr Craik took a first place, both as a the massive and lofty edifice-may be everlinguist and as a mathematician; and al- more pervaded by the light of the fire which though we are unaware whether he has the Church keeps burning, and may bend continued his mathematical reading, we with a yet more reverential homage to the know that he has ever since devoted a large beneficent influence which she claims. To portion of his leisure to philological studies, promote a progress which is really perpetual and that he is at this hour one of the best advancement in that large life, which shall Greek scholars in the Church of Scotland. have its perfect development in life for Having completed his theological curricu- evermore, let there be eager, combined, and lum, Mr Craik was licensed to preach the unrelaxing efforts. Never was the world in Gospel in 1827; and in 1832, having received a state of preparation more admirably a presentation to the church and parish of adapted for its successful pursuit. By Scone, he was ordained to that charge. He material advancement, so vast and diverafterwards accepted of a presentation to Glas-sified have the habits, feelings, and purposes gow, and became minister of St George's by which character is formed been largely Church in that city, where he still dis-affected. All human power, in its measurecharges, with high acceptability, the im- less activities, has been awakened throughportant duties of the ministerial office. In out the most cultivated races in every quarter 1844 he received the degree of D.D. from of the globe. These mighty energies must the University of St Andrews. Dr Craik, be rightly governed-their irregular violence since 1845, has been convener of the sub-repressed--their restrained strength directed committee for managing the Glasgow Nor- to purposes by which the higher interests of mal School, or training College, in connec-humanity may be promoted. To secure tion with the Church of Scotland. For six such progress, let the Christian Church years (1851-6) he was convener of the faithfully devote her commanding influence General Assembly's Sabbath School Com- -fervent in prayer--firm in conviction--mittee, and for six years (1856-62) Convener clinging with inflexible resolution to the of the General Assembly's Committee on truth, and exerting in a candid and farForeign Missions. He was elected Mode- seeing, but a fearless spirit, her legitimate rator of the General Assembly of the power as the minister of God; and then, Church of Scotland in 1863; and in 1864, not in any single nation, but abroad over as retiring Moderator, preached in the High all the world in which Christianity shall Church, Edinburgh, before Her Majesty's have vindicated claims to a triumphant Lord High Commissioner, at whose request supremacy, abundant confirmation will be his sermon was published. Dr Craik has found of the assertion that the path of the also published Lecture on Speculative just is as the shining light, that shineth Faith," in a volume containing lectures more and more unto the perfect day."" addressed to 66 A Young Men's Christian CRAIK, Rev. HENRY, of Bristol, was Association" "A Sermon on Cruelty to born in Haddingtonshire in the year 1805. Animals ;" Separate Sermons on several He is the youngest son of the late Rev. Passages of Scripture" (Psalms xxx., 4; William Craik, of Kennoway, in Fifeshire, John xv., 16; 2d Cor. iii., 18); and "Con- and brother to George Lilly Craik, LL.D., cluding Address to the General Assembly of Belfast, and Rev. James Craik, D.D., of of the Church of Scotland of 1863." Dr Glasgow. After being educated by his Craik's pulpit appearances are marked by father at home, he proceeded to the Universimplicity, earnestness, and fervour; and sity of St Andrews, where he completed a he has attained no small degree of popularity course of Philosophy and Theology with in the city of Glasgow. The subject of Dr great success. He was brought up with Craik's discourse at the opening of the the view of becoming a minister of the General Assembly was "Progress", and Church of Scotland, but never subscribed that it was of no common order is shown the articles, although substantially agreeing by the Lord High Commissioner's request with the doctrines there contained. In the that it might be published. As a specimen year 1826 he went to England, and was for of the Doctor's style, we quote his perora-some time engaged as tutor in a gentleman's tion, which is as follows:-"With no feeling family. Whilst thus occupied he regularly antagonistic to progress, and occupying no isolated position, the Church, thus vigorous and safe, may diffuse an elevating influence over every pursuit to which the exertions of man ought to be devoted. Abstract speculation, practical enterprise, profound erudition, artistic skill, may all receive from the Church impulse and direction. Material science, so rich in its results -political science, so wavering and uncertain the science of mind and of morals, so fluctuating in the authority to which its theories attain 66 preached in a small chapel near Teignmouth. It was at this period that he became acquainted with a young German minister, who has since acquired a world-wide reputation as a philanthropist the Rev. George Müller-founder and director of the remarkable Orphan Houses on Ashley Down, Bristol, where 1150 children are boarded, educated, and entirely provided for. This acquaintance soon ripened into friendship, and in the year 1832, Mr Craik and Mr Müller proceeded to Bristol for the purpose 66 "Brief Reply to certain Misrepresentations contained in Essays and Reviews,'" second edition; "Pastoral Letters," third edition enlarged; "The Authority of Scripture considered in relation to Christian Union," a lecture. of taking the joint oversight of a body of Christians in that city. Ever since that period-about thirty years ago -Mr Craik has continued to minister to a congregation at present numbering about a thousand persons. His ministry has proved increasingly acceptable and useful-and he is much CRAWFURD, The Right Hon. Lady followed as an eloquent and popular preacher. MARY LINDSAY, of Crawfurd Priory, near In the religious world, Mr Craik stands high Cupar. She was sister of George Lindsay as a learned divine. The present Dean of Crawfurd, Earl of Crawfurd, and Earl Canterbury, Dr Alford, the well-known Lindsay, who died in 1808 without issue. author of the Critical Greek Testament, At his death, Lady Mary succeeded him in characterises him as one of the first Non-his estates. Her Ladyship, in the hey-day conformist Biblical Scholars of the day." of youth, is said to have been more than The numerous publications which have issued usually handsome, and to have retained her from his pen may be referred to, as furnish- good looks down to a late period of life. ing ample evidence of his exact and exten- Her mind was of a masculine order; her sive learning. Mr Craik's work on The spirit high, and her temper perhaps not one Hebrew Language; its History and Charac- of the best disciplined. As is common in teristics," is a very instructive and valuable most noble houses, the family estate fell to book. Possessing as he does a rare know- her brother, the heir to the title, and her ledge of that ancient tongue, anything he patrimony was so slender as barely to yield might write on a subject with which he is a subsistence. By the death of the Earl so familiar must aimply repay perusal. without issue, she found herself suddenly Accordingly the work referred to affords a raised to affluence, and the owner of two vast amount of valuable information. It is extensive entailed estates - the management quoted with warm approval by the Rev. G. of which, and the regulation of her domestic H. Scrivener, the learned editor of many matters, formed the occupation of her after works on the criticism of the Greek Testa- life. One of her movements in her new ment, who styles it "a scholastic and sphere was to enlarge, or rather re-build, useful work." The amended translations of the manor house, to give its exterior the Old Testament passages it contains are appearance of a monastic building; and by extremely important. His pamphlet on the fitting up a spacious Gothic hall, with orna"Revision of our English Bible" also de-ments appropriate to those feudal times, on serves notice. The present age is one of extreme views on this subject. One section of the Church extols the authorised version as immaculate, and condemns every attempt at improvement. Another party favours wholesale and fundamental change. Mr Craik, as a Christian and a philosopher, advocates a middle course. After lucidly pointing out that a fundamental change is uncalled for, he reminds the reader that Biblical learning has made immense progress since the time of King James, and proves, in the most unanswerable manner, that the Christian world is entitled to the benefit of that progress. Mr Craik's works are generally characterised by philosophical thought, as well as imaginative and descriptive power. They are pervaded also by that Christian charity which "thinketh no evil," and one leading idea is uppermost throughout, that of the intellectual and social omnipotence of Christianity. The following is a correct list of his works:-"Principia Hebraica: an easy Introduction to the Hebrew Language;" "The Hebrew Language, its History and Characteristics: including Improved Renderings of Select Passages in our authorised Translation of the Old Testament;""Hints and Suggestions on the proposed Revision of our English Bible:""The Distinguishing Characteristics and Essential Relationships of the leading Languages of Asia and Europe;" "New Testament Church Order" (five lectures); "The Popery of Protestantism," a lecture; An Amended Translation of the Epistle to the Hebrews, with Notes"; 66 which she looked back with a feeling of religious veneration. A profound respect for her long ancestral line was one of her ruling passions; and as she regarded the other Fife families who were not allied to her house as so many parvenus, few, if any, of them were ever honoured with her particular notice. Another reason for her eschewing the society of the other gentry was, her love of flattery and adulation-a sort of incense that is ever most plentifully served up by menials and other dependant inferiors, with whom she was accordingly always surrounded. Suspicion being one of her strongest propensities, those about her had ever a precarious hold of her favour. To procure information, she had recourse to espionage, and encouraged those in her employment to act as spies on each other, which gave rise on their part to intrigues and plots, as diversified as any that could mark the annals of the Court of an absolute Sovereign. Much of her time was daily spent in taking evidence of their supposed delinquencies, in examining and cross-examining-so that any one looking in might have deemed her audience room a police court. The precognitions or notes taken on these occasions were handed to her law agent as the foundations of these countless law-suits, which often ran the whole curri culum of the Sheriff Court, the Session, and the House of Lords. With the view of curbing the supposed irregularities of her dependants, and protecting her premises, a band of policemen were at one time brought from Edinburgh. In the event of any one at the Priory on business not going into her humours, the bell was rung for one of the policemen, to whom she gave orders to conduct the visitor out of the house, and see him forth of the avenue. For a few years before her death, passing much of her time in Italy and among foreigners (whose superior politeness she used to extol), and having adopted the plan of hiring her servants by the month, her litigious tendencies were kept in check. Cut off from the society of her equals, much of her time, and a large share of her money, were spent on favourites, chiefly of the canine, feline, and deer kind. The first species were nursed in the downy lap of ease-were often seen clothed, not indeed in purple and fine linen, but in scarlet cloth surtouts, and fared sumptuously every day. In a sealed paper of instructions, opened after her death, were found directions about her own interment, and the disposal of certain of these pet quadrupeds-a few of which were, on the demise of their mistress, ordered to be shot with pistols, and the remainder to be gifted to such of the county gentry as would engage to keep them in a way befitting their education and rank. After her accession of fortune, more hands than one are said to have been offered her; but she preferred the freedom and influence of a life of single blessedness. In her politics-an aristocrat of the highest stampshe was guided, as in many other things, by whim, having at one election for the Cupar Burghs strenuously backed the Lord Advocate against the family of Airlie, and at the next as stoutly supported Sir Ralph Anstruther. Lady Mary was succeeded in her estates by James Carr Boyle, Earl of Glasgow; and James Lindsay, Earl of Balcarres, had the dignities of Earl of Crawfurd and the older barony of Lindsay adjudged to him by the House of Lords on the 11th August 1848, whereby he succeeds as 24th Earl of Crawfurd, and takes rank as the Premier Earl in the Union Roll. CRICHTON, DAVID MAITLAND MAKGILL, of Rankeilour, was born at Rankeilour in March 1801. His Christian names may serve as a register of his genealogy. By his father, Colonel Maitland, he was descended from the Lauderdale family. Through his grandmother, the Hon. Margaret Makgill of Rankeilour, the name of Crichton represents him as heir of line to Viscount Frendraught, Lord Crichton, whose daughter was the wife of Sir James Makgill of 1665. By his mother, Makgill Crichton was nearly related to the Johnstons of Lathrisk. But it was the personal qualities and actings of David Maitland Makgill Crichton, and not his ancestral connections, which commend him to honourable mention. As a younger son he studied for the bar, and passed as advocate in 1822. His professional practice as an advocate was short; for it was not in that direction that his energies were to be called out. It was in the great Church questions of Scotland that the spirit and strength of the man were to be employed. His elder brother died, and he succeeded to the heritage of Rankeilour, whereby he secured the leisure of a country gentleman. He married Miss Hog of Newliston, and during their short wedded life he was impressed by those solemn views of sacred things which ever after moulded his character. Scotland, under Chalmers, was entering upon one of those great religious revolutions which in every age have left their mark upon her national history. Maitland Makgill Crichton threw himself into the movement with all the zeal of an earnest man, and continued to the end of his life to devote all his powers to the cause. It was in this attitude that he was known to his countrymen. Zealous in church extension he was not less ardent in maintaining non-intrusion, and the spiritual independence of the Church. Throughout Scotland he travelled, visiting every town, village, and almost every rural parish, and stirring the hearts of thousands by his powerful pleadings. It was in the interest of the same high principles that he contested in 1837 the representation of the St Andrews district of burghs in Parliament with Mr Edward Ellice and Mr Johnstone of Rennyhill. He lost the election only by the narrow majority of 29. Great principles have often unexpected issues. Maitland Makgill Crichton, when he was battling for the great principles of the Church of Scotland, never dreamed of that Church being broken up. But when the Church in the contest was led on step by step until she was brought up to the Disruption, Makgill Crichton was in the front ranks of those who recognised it as an inevitable event, and who set themselves to organise the Free Church of Scotland. To the service of this Church he devoted his thoughts and his efforts up to the period of his death. One of the last public services in which Makgill Crichton was engaged was the succouring of Dr Adam Thomson of Coldstream. Dr Thomson had laboured with effort, and embarked all his means to obtain a cheap-priced Bible for his countrymen. He succeeded in his enterprise, but it was at his own cost and pecuniary ruin. He was drifting "like a disabled and dismantled ship to the bleak shore of a cheerless old age," when Mr Crichton came to the rescue, and pleading the cause on many platforms, succeeded in mitigating the pecuniary disaster, and in cheering the last days of Dr Thomson. Such were the services in which Makgill Crichton was publicly and extensively known. In private life he was valued for his kindness and willingness to oblige, and was throughout a great part of Fife spoken of as the poor man's friend. Mr Crichton was twice married. His second wife was Esther, daughter of Dr Coventry of Shanuile, Professor of Agriculture. At length the vigour of his constitution broke down under his many labours. The incessant strain had promoted complicated organic disease. At the early age of fifty |