Died David Mitchell, Bishop of Aberdeen, ‘a little man, of a brisk
lively temper, well learned, and a good preacher. He lived a single
life, and his manners were without reproach.’ This prelate had
experienced some strange vicissitudes of fortune. Originally a protégé
of Archbishop Spottiswoode, and probably by his favour advanced from
a parish pulpit in the Mearns to be a dean, he had been thrust out
by the Covenanters in 1638, and retired to Holland. There, ‘being a
good mechanic, he gained his bread by making clocks and watches.’ At
the Restoration, being enabled to return to his native country, he
was made a prebend of Westminster, and thence advanced to the see of
Aberdeen.[210]
* * * * *
[Sidenote: MAR.]
[Sidenote: 1663.]
‘There was ane lioness brought to Edinburgh with ane lamb in its
company, with whom she did feed and live; wha did embrace the lamb in
her arms, as gif it had been her awn birth.’--_Nic._
* * * * *
‘This year was a very plentiful year of corns and stone-fruit,’ and the
ensuing winter was ‘exceeding fair and warm weather, without any frost
or snow.’--_Nic._
* * * * *
[Sidenote: NOV.]
‘At this time, came here that valiant Colonel Rutherford, born and
brought up in Edinburgh, a stout champion, late governor of Dunkirk,
and now of Tangier, a man famous for his actions abroad. He came,
having licence from his majesty to visit his friends here for a very
few days.... It wald be here remembered that the Scottish nation in
my time produced not a few such cavaliers; such as Colonel Edment,
born in Stirling, a baxter’s son; Colonel Boog, Colonel Hepburn,
Colonel Douglas, General Ruthven, General Leslie, General King, and
many others, all valiant men, to the credit of this kingdom.’--_Nic._
Colonel Rutherford was ennobled under the title of Earl of Teviot, but
did not long survive, being killed in May 1664, by an army of Moors. He
left money to build eight rooms in the College of Edinburgh, where he
had been educated.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: 1664.