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Master of Arts, at the same time that he took Priest's orders, having been for some years diverted from study by family and secular affairs. He studied canon law for several years at Glasgow, and practised as an advocate in the church courts. Then he retired to Kirkmichael, where he rusticated for some years on his father's benefice, devoting himself to the cure of the parish.' From this life he was roused by his uncle, Lawrence Elphinstone, "vir optimus," who stimulated his ambition, and assisted him with the means to study at the most celebrated schools of the continent. He spent a long time at the University of Paris. Elphinston's biographer describes his habits while studying at the University"All day hearing preachers or professors of the canon law; by night, in solitude, recalling what he had heard during the day: most sparing of sleep and of food; most patient of labour, so that it was hard to say whether he studied more by day or by night." We read this of Elphinstone, with a wish to believe it true, though our biographer's unlucky rhetorical turn makes us suspect he might have said as much for one not so deserving. But, in the facts which follow, there can scarcely be a mistake. After completing his studies, he was appointed to fill the place of primarius lector in the University-an office, as Boece remarks, conferred only on the most learned-and he "read" canon law for six years there. Then, having received his degree of Doctor of Decrees, he migrated to the University of Orleans, and staid some years studying the most abstruse and difficult parts of law with the professors there, who, at that time, had the highest reputation in legal science. His learning, and some opportunities he had of expounding law in public, brought him so much into notice, that his opinion was asked on great questions even by the

"Pastorali cura ei collata." We do not know whether Boece meant that the benefice was conferred on him, as Keith imagined, or, what is more probable, that he acted as his

father's curate. In the loosest times, the Canon was very strict against a father and son serving at the same altar.

Parliament of Paris. Boece records Elphinstone's extreme intimacy and friendship with Jean de Ganai, who afterwards rose to great distinction as a lawyer and statesman, and was, successively, First President of the Parliament of Paris and Chancellor of France,' a friendship that may have been serviceable to the future Bishop and Chancellor of Scotland on his several embassies to the French court.

Elphinstone returned to Scotland in the ninth year after he had gone abroad, according to his biographer. He was Official General of the Diocese of Glasgow, and Dean of the Faculty of Arts of the University in 1471-2. In 1474 he was chosen Rector of the University. Boece says that the office of Official was of great dignity, and given only to the most learned. We know that, at that time, the church courts, besides the load of properly consistorial cases, monopolised a great part of civil business. They were, in

It may help us to dates, which Boece never furnishes, to observe that De Ganai was admitted Councillor in the Court of Aids 30th October, 1481; Fourth President of the Parliament 27th June, 1490; First President of the Parliament, and Chancellor of France, 31st Jan., 1507: Died 1512. -Moreri.

Teviotdale (1482). The following dates
seem to apply to the Bishop.
1457. William Elphinstone 'scolaris' matri-
culated.

1459. He took his Bachelor's degree;
1462. He took his Master's degree, 'post ri-
gorosum examen.'

1462-4. Active in University affairs.
1465. W. de Elphinstone junior, rector of
Kirkmichael, was a regent in the
University.

It is impossible perfectly to reconcile Boece's narrative with the dates fixed by the records of the University of Glasgow. Some confusion arises also from the identity of name and sometimes of office, in the father and the son. But, it would seem, that even more than two persons of the name must have held benefice in the Church, and place 1473. Master William de Elphinstone, Of

in the University of Glasgow at the same time.

1471-2. W. Elphinstone was Official-general of the Diocese of Glasgow, and Dean of the Faculty of Arts.

William Elphinstone, apparently our Bishop's father, is styled Canon of Glasgow, 1474. from 1451 down to 1483, holding the offices of Dean of the Faculty of Arts (1468), Prebendary of Ancrum (1479), Archdeacon of

ficial, took the degree of Licentiate in Canon Law, and was Dean of the Faculty.

W. de Elphinstone, Official, a Master of Arts, Licentiate in Decrees, and Rector of Kirkmichael, was chosen Rector of the University.

truth, the only settled and organised judicatures in Scotland, and were alone presided over by educated lawyers. Boece says, Elphinstone was a severe judge, keeping in his mouth the adage

He hurts the good, who spares the bad." His reputation in the office at Glasgow obtained him, in 1478, promotion to the place of Official of Lothian, then probably the second judicial office in the kingdom,' which he filled for two years, sitting in Parliament and serving on the judicial committees, which formed the supreme civil jurisdiction in Scotland. In 1481 he was made Bishop of Ross, though some delay took place in his consecration, perhaps on account of his birth.

Elphinstone was nominated Bishop of Aberdeen in the autumn of 1483. According to his biographer, he went on an embassy to France before that time; for, though he gives no date, he tells us, it was to Louis XI., who died in that year, and adds, that his first bishopric was the reward for his service in it. The oration which he puts in the Ambassador's mouth, we may safely trust was not delivered; and it will not lessen the good Bishop in our eyes, if we abate something of the influence which Boece attributes to him in the councils of the weak and unfortunate James III. We know, from evidence of record, that he was employed in embassies to France, England, Burgundy, and Austria,' and that, for a few months before the death of King James III., he held the office of Chancellor of the kingdom.5 He lost his great office on the accession of the young king, but was speedily restored to favor and to the royal

The Great Justiciar of Scotland being the first, whose functions were not merely in criminalibus. The Official of St. Andrews principal was higher in rank, but, perhaps, with less business in his court than the Official of the Archdeacoury of Lothian, which included Edinburgh.

"Apparently between 14th October and 20th November. His consecration took place between 17th Dec., 1487, and April, 1488.

"Orationis non sententiam solum sed et verba, ne quid varietur, visum est referre." Some of the words are not wise.

4

Regist. Episc. Aberdon., p. 304.

From 21st February, 1487-8 till the death of the King on St. Barnabas' day, 11th June, 1488.-Pleadings in Montrose Dukedom Case, 1853.

counsels, and seems to have been keeper of the Privy Seal from 1500 till his death. Apparently as soon as he was appointed to the Bishopric of Aberdeen, more especially after he had ceased to be Chancellor, Elphinstone, though still occasionally called to serve his country in foreign missions, and to guide the councils of the gallant young monarch, devoted his chief attention to the affairs of his diocese; and it is not often that a Prelate has left such a tradition of goodness, or so many proofs, still extant, of great benefits conferred. His first cares were to reform his clergy and restore the service and the fabric of his Cathedral. Next was the University. His last undertaking was the Bridge over Dee, a more important, as well as a more arduous undertaking than men of this age can easily realise.

He did not live to complete all his great designs, but he had provided for their completion in substantial wise. With no private fortune, and without dilapidating his benefice, he provided for the buildings requisite for his University and Collegiate Church, and for the suitable maintenance of its forty-two members; and the Cathedral Choir, the King's College, and the old grey Bridge spanning the valley of the Dee, are monuments to his memory that command the respect of those who have no sympathy with his Breviary, rich in legends of Scotch Saints, and who would scarcely approve of his reformed Gregorian chant. His picture we love to fancy a true likeness, though painted by a flattering artist:-" He was most splendid in the maintenance of his Establishment; seldom sitting down to dinner without a great company of guests

John Malison was employed by him to restore the ritual books and the service of the church, as well as its music, which was to be of the ancient manner-priscus atque patrum more cantus. "To this man," says Boece, "the Aberdonians owe whatever of music, whatever of perfect service is found in the northern church. Seldom will you

find a man of Aberdeen, well taught in the art of singing, who has not learnt of him."

Bishop Elphinstone began the restoration of the Choir of the Cathedral which had been built, as Boece erroneously says, by Robert I., but not of size or beauty suitable to such a church.

of the gentry, and always with a well furnished table. In the midst of such temptations, he himself, abstemious, but cheerful in aspect, gay in conversation, took great delight in the arguments of the learned, in music, and in decent wit: all ribaldry he detested. He had talent and energy for any business of public or private life, and could adapt himself equally to civil or church affairs. He seemed of iron frame, and was of indomitable courage in enduring labour,-one, whom no toil, no exertion, no public or private duty, not age itself, could break. In his eighty-third year he discussed the weighty affairs of the State more acutely than any man; and showed no decay of mind, or any of the senses, while he preserved a ready memory, which, indeed, knew not what it is to forget. His old age was happy and venerable, not morose, anxious, peevish, low spirited. Age had worked no change on his manners, which were always charming; nor did he suffer anything till his very last sickness, for which he could blame old age." Having dissuaded the English war, and survived to mourn the fatal field of Flodden, he died, amid the universal love and sorrow of his diocese and his country, on the 25th October, 1514.

Long afterwards, a great philosopher, who, like Elphinstone, had been connected with both the Universities which he was comparing, observed that there were "two obvious defects in the ancient constitutions of the University [of Glasgow]; the first, that no salaries were provided for regular lectures in the high faculties;

the second defect, that there was not sufficient power over the University to remedy disorders, when these became general, and infected the whole body." And then, alluding to Aberdeen, he continues: "either from the experience of what Elphinstone had seen in the University of Glasgow, or from a deeper knowledge of human nature, he supplied, in his University, both the defects we have observed in that of Glasgow: for he gave salaries, not illiberal for the times, to those who were to teach theology, canon and civil law,

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