118
NOTES AND QUERIES. [9 th s. vm. AUG. 10, 1001.
writings certainly of not later date than the
twelfth century in which King Alfred is
styled veridicus. Have any more been noted ?
JOHN W. HALES.
RARE SCOTTISH POETICAL TRACT.
THERE has recently come into my posses-
sion a poetical tract, which, if it be not
absolutely unique, is of the greatest rarity.
It is not mentioned by Mr. J. P. Edmonds in
his 'Aberdeen Printers,' 1886, as one of the
issues of Edward Raban's press ; nor, after
diligent inquiry, can I trace the existence of
any other copy than the one now before me.
I quote the title-page exactly as it stands :
The Converts-Cordiall :
or The Penitents Pass-tyme.
Contayning
Varietie of Spirituall Meditations ;
Serving for the Soulls Solace.
By M. D. Lynd :
[Floral ornament.]
Aberdene, Imprinted by Edward Raban,
Laird of Letters :
And are to bee sold at his Shop,
in th' end of the Broad-gate, 1644.
It will be observed from this title-page that Raban quaintly designates himself " Laird of Letters." In this same year and the year following two other books were issued from his press, each bearing the same fanciful designation. These are all the known in- stances, as far as I can make out, of his having done so.
I have no hesitation whatever in assigning the authorship of * The Converts Cordiall ' to Mr. David Lyndesay, minister of the parish of Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire. We know that he was the author of a work printed by Raban in 1642, and as no copy is now known to exist, the following entry is "a conjec- tural restoration of the title-page" from particulars preserved by John Spalding in his 'Memorialls' ('Aberdeen Printers,' 1886, p. 72) :-
"1642. Lyndsay David. Scotlandis Halleluiah, by Mr. Dauid Lyndsay, Persone of Balhelvie. Aberdene, Printed by Edward Raban, 1642."
From its title there can be no doubt that this last production was in verse ; but Lyndesay's 'A Dolorous Expression' and 'An Eclog,' which he contributed to ' Funerals of a Right Reverend Father in God, Patrick Forbes, of Corse, Bishop of Aberdene,' printed by Raban in 1635, will be found in the republication of that work by the Spottiswoode Society in 1845 (pp. 11-17). The following brief refer- ence to Lyndesay is taken from Maidment's
'Catalogues of Scotish Writers' (1833,
p. 124) :
"Mr. David Lindesay, parson of Bohelvie, in the province of Finmartine. He was a piouse and zealouse preacher. He wrote severall Poems. He was of the antient noble familie of the Lindesays
of ."
Lyndesay died on 23 November, 1667, aged about eighty-four years.
On the verso of the title-page reproduced above there is an address in prose " To the Christianly disposed Reader," subscribed simply D. L. ; and from the opening para- graph it would appear that there was an earlier impression of what the author is pleased to call " this little Treatise " :
" This little Treatise did (not long ago) adven- ture the worlds Theater, vnder the Patrpcinie of a then militant; but now triumphant Ladie. And it beeing much worn out of Press, hath showed it self now the second tynie, with enlargement ; and that vnder the shelter of the present matrimoniall consort, and comfort of my Noole Patron, I. E. K. [John, Earl of Kinghorn]."
On the page immediately following this address there is a metrical dedication, which I shall quote in full. The " Lady Elizabeth, Now Countes of Kingorn," was Lady Eliza- beth Maule, only daughter of Patrick, first Earl of Panmure. She married John, second Earl of Kinghorn (the title was afterwards merged in that of Strathmore), as his second wife. The earl died in 1647. On 30 July, 1650, " Lady Elizabeth " married again ; her second husband was George, Earl of Linlith- gow. She died at Castle Huntly in 1659, and had the uncommon experience of being mother to no fewer than three earls Strath- more, Linlithgow, and Callendar :
To Vertues Paragon,
the
Truelie-Noble Lady, The Lady Elizabeth, Now Countes of Kingorn. When thyne endowments admirablie rare, Were first divulgate, by celebrious fame ; I stood amazed, with a doubting ear : Till I should take some notice of the same. Then (Saba-lyke) when I approch'd to thee, I found thy worth, exceed fames herauldrie.
I saw thy statelie port, voyd of disdayn : I heard thy words, both ponderous and sage. I saw the Symptoms, of thy prudent brayn, Rare for a woman, wondrous for thyne age. Besyde all those (which beautifyes the rest,) Grace hath a shryne, within thy sacred brest.
Go on (graue Ladie) treade the wayes of Grace ; Harbour the Vertues, Morall, and Divine : Bee Hymens glorie, dignifie thy Race, And to true Honour, let thy heart encline. So shalt thou bee, for Vertue, and Renown : Thy Makers Darling, and thy Husbands Crown.
