History of the life and death of John, Earl of Gowrie

106 THE LIFE AND DEATH OF
first Lord Methven. He was born in the year
1577» or 1578 ; and when he was about eleven
years of age, succeeded in the Earldom to his elder
brother James, who died a minor, in the end of the
year 1588.
His father, grand-father, and great-grandfather,
had been successful promoters of the Reformation,
and great care was taken that he should be early
well instructed in the doctrines of the Protestant
religion.
The general superintendency of his education
was committed to Mr. Robert Rollock, Principal
of the College of Edinburgh, who was an able and
pious divine, and author of some learned treatises.
Calderwood, in his MS. History, speaking of the
Earl, says, " He was brought up under Mr. Rol-
lock, who dearly loved him for his good behaviour,
and the virtues which appeared in him." He had
also a private tutor, Mr. William Rhind, a native
of Perth, who accompanied him till the end of his
life, wherever he went, and watched over his mo-
rals with a fatherly care.
Having gone through the ordinary course of
grammar at the school of Perth, he went, about
the year 1591, to the University of Edinburgh.