Scots worthies, 1560-1688

David, Lord Madertie. 5 1
bible and prayer book printed by Barker in 1604. Many others
bear his autograph. Two of the most interesting volumes are — a
copy of cardinal Quignon's breviary, to which our prayer book owes
much, and a "Prymer in Englysh," printed at Paris 1538. There are
several curious old psalters and psalm books ; one, that of Marot
and Beza (1567), has the music in both staff and sol-fa notations.
There is nothing new under the sun. The oldest printed book
is Barclay's "Ship of Fools," 1508. Fabyan's and Hollinshed's
■" Chronicles " are there in a fine state, and extremely rare. One
volume deemed unique is the " Examen d'une Confession de Foy,"
by " Guillaume Cheisolme, Escossois, Evesque de Vaison — a Paris
1603," the production of the last bishop of Dunblane under the
Roman obedience, and a near relative of the founder. A copy
of Bellenden's translation of Hector Boece's history, that formerly
belonged to Alexander Dick, archdeacon of Glasgow, a.d. 1540. A
large number of seventeenth century controversial pamphlets are in
the library. Some have curious titles : " Issachar's Asse braying
under a double Burden" — a Raban in 1622 ; "Levi, his complaint,
or the ' Moane of the Poor Ministrie ' " — Hart of 1 6 1 7 ; "A Vision of
Balaam's Asse, wherein he did perfectly see the present estate of
the Church of Rome, by Peter Hay, gentleman," &c. (Peter, how-
ever, was apparently ill informed as to the sex, Num. xxii. 23) ; "The
Establishment of a Church in the Moone," 1635. There are also
several books which would now be termed occult. Such as that rare
and most curious folio by Dr. Dee, and containing his "True
relation of actions with spirits." Lord Madertie had a great love
for works of divinity, and, as might be expected from a true son
of the church, there is an excellent collection of the best editions
of the works of the Scottish bishops and older clergy — the Lindsays,
bishop Cowper, bishop Patrick Forbes, Dr. John Forbes, dean
Annand, Menzies, Baron, &c. The best "church of England
divines " are also well represented. Family books, too — with signa-
tures stretching back many generations — and some fine specimens
of the Aldine and Elzevir presses, are to be seen there.
But when we noticed the neglected state of the collegiate church
— the burial-place of the founder, his family, and other branches
of the house of Drummond — we could not help thinking how
true it was that every cup has its bitter drop. It is not, however,
too late even now to rescue it from ruin. Restoration in a strictly
conservative manner might soon place the church in a state more