Page 50 - Scottish Alchemists

Patrick Scot.

Among the Scottish writers on alchemy, though opposed to its pretences,
may be included Patrick Scot, whose varied fortunes form a fitting
accompaniment to those of Alexander Seton. Of his birth and parentage
nothing has been recorded, but he is stated to have belonged to Falkland, in
Fifeshire, where he was possessed of landed property. From his published
works he appears to have been a man of good education. The first of these
was his Table-book for Princes, containing short remembrances for the
Government of themselves and their Empire.

This curious volume was printed in 1621, and is dedicated “To the High
and Mightie Prince Charles, the hopeful Prince of Great Brittain, France, and
Ireland.”

The views contained in this work in all probability recommended its
author to the notice of king James VI, by whom he was patronised, and
engaged on a mission by which he obtained great notoriety.

As is well known, King James was extremely anxious to assimilate the
Church of Scotland to that of England. He introduced Episcopacy, and
endeavoured, as far as possible, to enlarge the authority and jurisdiction of
the bishops. Among the Scottish clergy who were opposed to those schemes,
none was more resolute than David Calderwood, the historian of the Church
of Scotland, who, with one or two others, drew up a remonstrance to be sent
to the king. They were in consequence subjected to severe pains and
penalties. Calderwood was imprisoned at St Andrews; but, on giving security
to depart from the kingdom before the ensuing Michaelmas, and not to
return without the royal license, he was released from confinement.

After residing for some time at Carlisle, Calderwood lingered about the
north of England, and began the publication of anonymous works in support
of Presbyterianism, and condemnatory of the famous Assembly convoked
by James at Perth to settle the peace of the Church. One of these works,
entitled, The Perth Assembly: containing (1.) The Proceedings thereof, (2.)
The Proofe of the Nullitie thereof, etc., - was published in 1619. This
treatise gave the greatest offence to the king. The publisher of it, James
Cathkin, when on a visit to London, was apprehended and examined in
presence of His Majesty, who on the occasion was so indignant that he is

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