them the principles of logic and rhetoric. Proceed-
ing to Mathematics and Geography, he taught the
elements of Euclid, with the Arithmetic and Geome-
try of Ramus, and the Geography of Dionysius.
And agreeably to his plan of uniting elegant litera-
ture with philosophy^ he made the students use the
Phsenomena of Aratus, and the Cosmographia of
Honter f . Moral Philosophy formed the next
* Audoraarus Talpeus, or Talon, was the scholar, and after-
wards the colleguo and warm defender of Ramus. Bulaeus, Hist,
Univ. Paris, vi. 389. His Rhetorica was approved of and taught
by some who were strongly prejudiced against the Ramean school
of Philosophy.
t A^eejov ^eXius ^ctivof^im was first published jn the collection of
Ancli lit Geographers printed by Aldus, at Venice, in 1499, and
has since been frequently republished. This poem was greatly
esteemed by the ancients, is said to have been translated into
Latin verse by Cicero, and is quote j by the apostle Paul (who
LIFE OF ANDREW MELVILLE. 73
branch of study ; and on this he read Cicero's
Offices, Paradoxes, and Tusculan Questions, the
Ethics and Politics of Aristotle, and certain of
Plato's Dialogues. In Natural Philosophy he made
use of Fernelius, and commented on parts of the
writings of Aristotle and Plato. To these he added
a view of Universal History, with Chronology and
the art of Writing. Entering upon the duties of
his own immediate profession, he taught the Hebrew
language, first more cursorily by going over the ele-
mentary work of Martinius, and afterwards by a more
accurate examination of its principles, accompanied
with a praxis upon the Psalter and books of Solomon.
He then initiated the students into Chaldee and
Syriac ; reading those parts of the books of Ezra
and Daniel that are written in Chaldee, and the
epistle to the Galatians in the Syriac version. He
was a countryman of tlie author) in i\cts xvij. 28. Aratus, who
was both a poet and an astronomer, flourished about the year
270 A C.
The Cosmographia of John Honter was written in Latin verse,
and accompanied with maps. He was a celebrated teacher in
Transylvania, his native country. David Chytraeus visited his
academy during his travels in 1569, and speaks in terms of high
commendation of his talents, and the utility of his writings.
Chytraei Orationes, p. 411. Hanov. 1614.
The attempts to facilitate the study of the sciences by the aid of
poetry have been numeions. There is a curinns specimen of this
kind in a Greek poem on Law, written in the middle ages : ^vv^-^ii
rav v6fim j sen Michaelis Pselli Compendium Legum, versibus
lambiset Politicis j published by Francis Bosquet in 1632, with a
Latin translation. AVith the same view Francesco Berlinghieri
composed his Geografui^ published with maps at Florence in 1480.
Roscoe's Lorenzo de Medici, vol. ii. p. 112.
74 LIFE OF ANDREW MELVILLE.
also went through all the cominoii heads of Divinity
according to the order of Calvin's Institutions, be-
sides giving lectures on the different books of Scrip-
ture *.
This course of study was completed in six years.
From the Aariety of subjects which it embraced, and
the number of books read and commented on, some
idea may be formed of the extent of his erudition,
and the greatness of his labours. During its con-
tinuance he ordinarily taught twice every day. On
the second year, his nephew, James INIelville, began
a class, which he instructed in Greek, logic, and
rhetoric; and on the following year taught them
mathematics and moral philosophy. He was the
first regent in Scotland who read the Greek authors
to his class in the original language. A sufficient
number of regents being obtained, IMelville intro-
duced a new regulation as to their mode of teach-
ing. It was the established and invariable practice,
in all the universities at that time, for the regent
who began a class to continue with it, and to conduct
his students through the whole course of studies,
until he had prepared them for laureation at the end
of four years. Melville was under the necessity of
adhering to this practice at his first coming to Glas-
gow, but he was fully convinced of its tendency to
obstruct the advancement of learning, and embraced
the first opportunity of abolishing it. Accordingly,
in the year 1577, Blaise Laurie was established per-
manent teacher of Greek, and of Roman Eloquence ;
* Melville's Diaj-v, pp, 39, 40.
LJFE OF ANDIIKW MKLVILLK. 73
James INIelville of iiiatlicmatics, logic, and moral
philosophy ; and Peter Blackhurn of physics and
astronomy ; ^vhile the principal confined himself to
divinity and the oriental languages. About the
time that Melville left Glasgow, the principal was
relieved from a part of his extensive duty by the
appointment of a separate teacher of Hebrew *".
The advantages arising from the introduction of this
division of labour into the teaching of the sciences
are so a})parent, and are now so generally recogniz-
ed, that it is quite unnecessary to state them.
Enthusiastically attached to the profession which
lie had chosen, and eager to raise the literary char-
acter of his native country to the same rank with
that of other nations, INIelville soon infused a portion
of his ardour into the breasts of his scholars. By the
time that he finished his second session, his fame
had spread through the kingdom, students came to
Glasgow from all quarters, and numbers who had
taken their degrees at St Andrews were ambitious
to attend his lectures; so that the class-rooms,
which had so lately been empty, could not contain
those who eagerly sought for admission. " I dare
say there was no place in Einope (says James INIel-
ville) comparable to Glasgow for good letters, dur-
ing these years — for a plentiful and good cheap mar-
ket of all kinds of languages, arts, and sciences f ."
A number of individuals who afterwards dis-
* AnnalesFac. Art. Glas. Melville's Diaiv, p. 44.
t Me!viU(.'''s Diary, p. 39.
76 LIFE OF ANDREW MELVILLE.
tinguished themselves were educated under Melville
at Glasgow. Among these were Patrick Melville,
one of his nephews, who became professor of He-
brew at Glasgow and St Andrews ; Andrew Knox,
who was successively bishop of the Isles, and
of Raphoe in Ireland ; Duncan Nairn, who was
selected as the best qualified for being the first pro-
fessor in the college of Edinburgh under principal
Rollock ; archbishop Spottiswood ; Sir Edward
Drummond, Sir Gideon Murray, and Sir James
Fullerton, who became courtiers to James VI. ; and
Sir Adam Newton, who, after teaching in his native
country and abroad, was appointed tutor and after-
wards secretary to Henry, Prince of Wales *.
In 1577, the exertions of Melville contributed to
obtain from the Regent a valuable benefaction to
the University. This was the living of Go van,
in the vicinity of Glasgow, valued at twenty-
four chalders of victual annually, although only a
small portion of this could be realized for a number
of years. Along with this donation, a new founda-
tion, commonly called the Nova JEf^ectio, was given
to the college by royal charter. It is unnecessary
to specify its provisions, as it sanctioned all the ar-
rangements which Melville had already introduced,
as to the branches of learning to be taught, and the
* " Patricius Melvin" and " Edward' Dromond" were made
Master of Arts in 1578 j " Andraeas Knox" in 1579 j " Dun-
canus Narn" in 1580 ; " Gedeon Murray, Johannes Spottis-
wood, Jacobus Fullertoun" in 1581 j and " Adam^ Newtouii"
in 1582. Annales Fac. Art. Glasg.
LIFE OF ANDREW MELVILLE. 77
division of them among the several professors. Tlie
number of persons now entitled to maintenance
from the funds was twelve, including masters, bur-
sars, and servants. The other students either paid
for tlieir board at the college table, or lodged at
tlieir own expence in the town. In consequence
of the new foundation, it became the duty of the prin-
cipal to preach on Sabbath at the church of Govan "*.
It was not by his public instructions only that
INIelville promoted the cause of literature. He was
of a communicative disposition, and equally qualified
and disposed for imparting knowledge by private
conversation. This appeared in his intercourse with
his colleagues, and at the college table, to which
such individuals of education as resided in Glasgow
and its neighbourhood frequently resorted, to par-
take of a frugal meal that they might share in the
literary desert which was always served up along
with it. His conversation was enlivened with
amusing anecdotes, smart apothegms, and classical
quotations and allusions. He was fond of dis-
cussing questions of literature, and had an uncom-
mon faculty of throwing light on them, in the easy
and unceremonious form of table-talk. This made
the master of the grammar school, who was after-
wards principal of the college, to say of these liter-
ary conversations, " that he learned more of ^Ir
Andrew Melville, cracking and playing, for under-
standing of the authors which he taught in the
* Melville's Diary, [). 43, 44. The Nova Erectlo i>^ printed
in rhe Appendix to Gibson's History of Glasgow.
78 LIFE OF ANDHEW MELVILLE.
school, than by all his Commentators *." Philoso-
2)hical were mixed with literary topics in these aca-
demical recreations. Blackburn, the regent who
taught the first class at JMelville's coming to Glas-
gow, w^as a good man, and far from being inilearned^
according to the means of instruction then enjoyed in
Scotland, but unacquainted with the world, and con-
sequently dogmatical, and rude in his manners. He
was a great stickler for the infallibility of Aristotle
as a philosopher, and adhered rigidly to the maxim,
Ahsurdum est dkere errasse Aristotelem, which
nobody had yet ventured to contradict at St An-
drews, Avhere he had taken his degrees f . When
the subject was started at the college table, Melville
vigorously opposed this sentiment, and produced from
the writings of the Stagyrite examples of error that
were quite incontrovertible. Being incapable of main-
taining his ground by argument, Blackburn was apt
to grow angry, and to have recourse to personal re-
flections, alleging that the principal was proud, arro-
gant, full of liis own opinions, and disposed to set
himself up against all the world. Whenever Mel-
ville perceived this he dropt the dispute, without
making any reply. By this means he gained upon
his colleague, who feeling himself reproved and over-
come, gradually corrected his rude behaviour, and at
* Melville's Diary, p. 40.
f See List of Persons educated at St Andrews-, in the Appen-
dix. Peter Rlackl)nrn afterwards became minister of Aberdeen,
and was made l>is!inp of that diocei-'e in tin- beginning of the ] Tib
ccntuj V.
LIFE OF ANDREW MELVILLE. 79
last became as forward as any in ackiiowledcrinc: the
obligations which he lay under to the principal *.
We are not however to conclude from this, that
JMelville was disposed to sacrifice his sentiments to
courtesy and the mere love of peace, or to yield
them up in silence to any who chose to oppose them
from humour or prejudice. He had higher notions
of the rights of truth ; and when called upon to act
in defence of these, and especially when convinced
that they were inseparably connected with the pub-
lic good, he was ever ready to exert in their main-
tenance all the energy of his talents, and all the ar-
dour of his feelings. On controverted subjects of a
public nature he was patient in his inquiries after
the truth ; and until his judgment was satisfied, he
reasoned with great coolness, and listened with the
utmost attention to whatever could be urged against
the side to which he might incline. But when he
had examined his ground, and was fully convinced
of any truth and of its importance, he was accus-
tomed to maintain it tenaciously and boldly ; would
suffer no man, of whatever rank or authority, to
bear away the point in dispute, but defended his
opinions with an overwhelming force and fluency of
language, accompanied with uncommon energy of
voice and vehemence of gesture. Nor was he a less
persevering than warm advocate of the cause which
he espoused. He was not discouraged by ill suc-
cess, but returned to the charge with unabated ar-
* iVfelvlile Diary, pn. 40, 51.
so LIFE OF ANDREW MELVILLE.
dour ; and wherever an opportunity presented it-
self, in private or in public, he pUed his opponents
with arguments, until he either made converts of
them, or judged them to be obstinately w^edded to
their own opinions. It was in this way that he
gained over so many of his countrymen to his views,
on the public questions which were agitated respect-
ing the government and liberties of the church.
" But for his own particular, (says his nephew) in
person, gcir, or fame, I knew him never heard in
publick with any man to this hour*." Such is
the view given of this part of his character by one
who at least had every advantage for observing it
naiTowly. We shall have various opportunities of
ascertaining how far it is correct, and in what de-
gree that temper and behaviour, which a w arm friend
may be supposed to have regarded with a favourable
eye, calls for our censure or merits our applause.
According to his nephew's statement, JMelville
was a believer in Oneirology, and expert in the
interpretation of dreams. Some of the examples
adduced in proof of this, however, would rather in-
cline us to think that he amused himself by a play-
ful exercise of ingenuity instead of pretending to
skill in this occult science f . James Melville does
more honour to him when he praises his sagacity in
discerning the characters of men ; and he has cer-
tainly produced various instances in which the opi-
Bions which he had pronounced on individuals of his
* Melville's Diary, p. 52. + See Note O.
LIFE OF ANDREW MELVILLE. 81
acquaintance was strikingly verified by their subse-
quent behaviour. One of these occurred at this
period, and relates to a person of considerable noto-
riety in the history of these times. John Colville,
being called before the synod of Glasgow for desert-
ing his ministry at Kilbride, gave such plausible
reasons for his conduct as satisfied all the members.
IMelville alone suspected his sincerity, and interro-
gating him closely, received such answers from
Colville as induced him to tell his brethren, that
he would not be surprised to see that man re-
nounce the profession of the ministry, and Christi-
anity also*. Colville soon after exchanged the
character of the preacher for that of the courtier.
Disappointed of his expectations at court he joined
in the insurrections of the turbulent Earl of Both-
well. Being driven out of the kingdom along with
that nobleman, he professed himself a Roman
Catholic, and became a keen writer against the pro-
testant religion f . And all his tergiversations, poli-
tical and religious, were marked by uncommon want
of principle |. I mention this trait in Melville's
* Melville's Diary, p. 50.
t The Parenese or Admonition to his Countrymen when he
returned to the Catholic Religion by Mr John Colville. Paris,
1602. He had published this work in Latin during the pre-
ceding year.
:|: He gave a most singular proof of this in a work entitled
Tlie Palinode (Edinb. 1600.) which he represents as a refuta-
tion of a treatise of his own against James's title to the crown of
England, which ** in malice, in time of his exile, he had penned."
Yet he had penned no such treatise, but merely pretended this to
VOL. I. F
82 LIFE OF ANDREW MELVILLE.
character the rather, because there is nothing which
men bred in colleges and devoted to literary pur-
suits are more deficient in than the knowledge of
human character ; in consequence of which they are
ordinarily disqualified for the management of public
business, and apt to become the dupes of deceit-
ful friends or artful opponents.
As Principal, it was jNIelville's duty to take an
active part in the government of the college. Dis-
cipline was then exercised with a great deal more
strictness in colleges than it is now. This neces-
sarily arose from the peculiar constitution of such
societies, in which a number of young men, many
of them boys, did not, as at present, assemble for a
few hours every day to receive instruction, biit lived
constantly together in the same house. While
questions of a civil or criminal nature which arose
in the college were decided by the rector and his
council, it belonged to the principal to preserve com-
mon order among the students, and to keep them
in due subjection to their respective regents. At
his institution he received " power to use scholas-
tical correction and discipline," and, as the badge of
this, he had delivered to him " the belt of correction,
witli the keys of the college*." xVccordingly, it
ingratiate himself with James. Spotsw. 457. Charters mentions
another work by Colville : " Oratio funebrLs Exequiis Elizabethce
destinata. Paris. 1604." Lives of Scotish Writers, MS. in
Advocates' Library.
* Presentation of Mr James Wilkie to be principal of St
Leonard's College, St Andrews, in the room of Mr George
RnclKUian^ April l5. 1370: And Admission of Mr Andrew
LIFE OF ANDREW MELVILLE. 83
was the custom for the principal to inflict corporal
chastisement, jL>/*c>;^/« manu, upon delinquents, in
the presence of the masters and students assembled
in the common-hall. Melville devolved this dis-
agreeable task on the regents * ; but it was still an
essential part of his duty to give judgment in cases
which came before him by complaint or reference.
John INIaxwell, son to Lord Herreis, was drawn
away from his studies, and involved in disorderly
practices, in consequence of a connection he had
formed with Andrew Heriot, the dissolute heir of
an opulent citizen. His regent having reported his
misbehaviour and disobedience, the principal rebuked
the young nobleman sharply, before the whole Col-
lege, for mispending his time, and disgracing his
birth, by associating with idle and debauched com-
pany. Irritated by this public reproof. Maxwell
retired into the town, and, along with Heriot, gave
himself up to the management of certain individuals
Bruce to the same office in 1630. Papers of St Leonard's
College.
* Robert Boyd of Trochrig when admitted principal of the
college of Edinburgh, in 1622, protested before the Town Council
that he should not be bound to administer corporal correction,
which he considered as unbecoming the dignity of the station.
He had declined it (he said) when principal of the College of
Montauban in France, and of Glasgow, although he acknowledges
it was the accustomed duty of the principal. His predecessor
ut Gliisgow (Patrick Sharp) had performed it j but he alleges
that this was owing to its having been " his wonted custome,
whereunto he was Inured in the grammar school, wherefra he
was taken to be Principal of the College." Life of Robert
Boyd, p. 84—100. Wodrow AISS. vol. 5. Bibl. Col. Glas.
F 2
84 LIFE OF ANDREW MELVILLE.
who were hostile to the college, and anxious to in-
volve it in a quarrel with the inhabitants. Having
collected a number of lewd persons, Heriot threw
himself in the way of the masters and students, as
they were returning one day from church, and fol-
lowed them luitil they entered the college ; bran-
dishing a drawn sword in the principal's face, and
making use of the most opprobrious and provoking
langucige. Melville bore this insult with the ut-
most patience, and exerted his authority in restrain-
ing the students who burned with desire to revenge
the affront offered to their master *. Lord Herreis,
having heard of his son's misconduct, came to Glas-
gow, and obliged him, on his knees, and in the
open court of the college, to beg pardon of the
principal, whose forbearance he highly commended.
Heriot was soon after seized with a dangerous ill-
ness ; during which, Melville, at his earnest desire,
waited on him, assured him that he had forgotten
the late injury, and did every thing to sooth the
last moments of the unhappy young man f .
But though he was disposed to overlook personal
injuries, and to be lenient to penitent offenders, he
* " The schollars war out of tliair wittes, and fean wald baiff
put hands on him (Heriot) j but he (the Principal) rebuiked
tham in sic sort that they durst not steir. As for myself, for als
patient as 1 am called, I doucht not suffer it, hot withdrew myself
from him." James Melville relates the story as one proof, among
many others, that although his uncle was " verie hot in all
(public) questions, yet when it twitched his particular, no man
could crab him, contrar to the common custom." Diary, p. 50.
t Ibid.
LIFE OF ANDREW MELVILLE. 85
knew how to maintain the authority of his office ;
and when he perceived that the credit of the Uni-
versity was at stake, or that it was intended to
intimidate him from executing the laws, he dis-
covered the native resohition and intrepidity of
his mind. I shall give an instance of this, which
assumed a more serious aspect than the preceding, and
derives interest from the relation it hears to Mark
Alexander Boyd, a young gentleman who afterwards
attracted considerable notice by his adventures as a
soldier, and by his literary efforts. He was the
younger son of Robert Boyd of Pinkhill, and a near
relation of Lord Boyd, the favourite of the Regent
Morton *. Having lost his father at an early
period of his life, he was placed under the care of
his uncle, the archbishop of Glasgow, for the sake
of his education. Young Boyd evinced great spirit
and genius, but accompanied with a headstrong and
ungovernable temper. He had created much vexa-
tion to the master of the grammar-school, and to
the first regent under whom he studied at college.
When he entered the second class, James Melville,
who taught it, told him that such practices as he
understood him to have indulged in would not be
tolerated. The admonition had the desired effect
for some time, but at length the impression of it
wore off, and Boyd received the castigation of which
* Slbbaldl Prodromus Nat. Hist. Scotiae,?. ii.lib. 3. pp. 2 — 4.
Lite of Mark Alexander Boyd, by Lord Hailes. Slbbald had
heard in general of the incident related in the text, but was un-
acquainted with the particulars.
86 LIFE OF ANDREW MELVILLE.
he had been forwarned, and which his behaviour
merited. Upon this the affronted stripling resolved
to be revenged. Having pricked his face with his
writing instruments, and besmeared it with the
blood which he drew, he presented himself before
his friends in this guise, with loud complaints of
the cruel treatment which he had received from his
regent. In consequence of the noise excited by
this, the principal and professors investigated the
affair, and easily detected the fabrication. But
his relations having foolishly taken part with liim,
young Boyd not only absented himself from the
college, but determined to take still more ample
revenge. In concert with his cousin, Alexander
Cunningham e, a near relation of the Earl of Glen-
cairn, he way-laid the regent in the church-yard as
he was returning one evening to the college. Boyd
came behind him with a baton, intending to knock
him down, but retreated when the regent, who had
perceived ]iis tread, turned round. Cunninghame
then rushed forward with a drawn sword ; but the
regent, who had been taught to fence, though un-
armed at the time, declined the thrust aimed at
him, seized the sword-arm of the assailant, and
wresting the weapon from his hand, detained him
a prisoner. Tlie rector and professors having met
with the magistrates of the city to judge of this
outrage, were of opinion that it could not be passed
over without endangering the peace and safety of
the College, and decreed that Alexander Cunning-
hame should come to the place where he had com-
LIFE or ANDREW MELVILLE. 87
mittcd the offence, bare-headed and bare-footed,
and there crave pardon of the University, and of
the regent ^vhonl he had assaulted. Encouraged
by his friends he refused to submit to tins sentence ;
and nothing \vas to be heard in the town and
country but loud tlircatenings that the Boyds and
Cunninghanies would burn tlie college and kill the
jirofessors. Disregarding these threats, INlelville
summoned the offender before the Privy Council,
went himself to St Andrews to prosecute the cause,
and, notwithstanding the powerful interest with
which he had to contend, obtained a decree, or-
daining Alexander Cuuninghame to obey the sen-