CHALKHILL, JOHN (_fl._ 1600).--Poet, mentioned by Izaak Walton as having written a pastoral poem, _Thealma and Clearchus_. As nothing else is known of him it has been held by some that the name was a _nom-de-plume_ of W. himself. It has been shown, however, that a gentleman of the name existed during the reign of Elizabeth. W. says he was a friend of Spenser, and that his life was "useful, quiet, and virtuous." CHALMERS, GEORGE (1742-1825).--Antiquary, _b._ at Fochabers, Elginshire, emigrated to America and practised law in Baltimore; but on the outbreak of the Revolutionary War returned to Britain, and settled in London as a clerk in the Board of Trade. He _pub._ in 1780 a _History of the United Colonies_, and wrote lives of Sir David Lyndsay, De Foe, and Mary Queen of Scots. His great work, however, is his _Caledonia_, of which 3 vols. had been _pub._ at his death. It was to have been a complete _coll._ of the topography and antiquities of Scotland; and, as it stands, is a monument of industry and research, though not always trustworthy in disputed points. Besides those mentioned, C. was the author of many other works on political, historical, and literary subjects, and had projected several which he was unable to carry out. CHALMERS, THOMAS (1780-1847).--Divine, economist, and philanthropist, _b._ at Anstruther, Fife, _s._ of a shipowner and merchant, studied at St. Andrews and, entering the ministry of the Church of Scotland, was first settled in the small parish of Kilmeny, Fife, but, his talents and eloquence becoming known, he was, in 1815, translated to Glasgow, where he was soon recognised as the most eloquent preacher in Scotland, and where also he initiated his schemes for the management of the poor. In 1823, he became Prof. of Moral Philosophy at St. Andrews, and in 1828 of Divinity in Edin. In 1834 he began his great scheme of Church extension, the result of which was that in seven years £300,000 had been raised, and 220 churches built. In the same year, 1834, began the troubles and controversies in regard to patronage and the relations of Church and State, which in 1843 ended in the disruption of the Church, when 470 ministers with C. at their head, resigned their benefices, and founded the Free Church of Scotland. C. was chosen its first Moderator and Principal of its Theological Coll. in Edin. The remaining four years of his life were spent in organising the new Church, and in works of philanthropy. He was found dead in bed on the morning of May 30, 1847. His chief works, which were _coll._ and _pub._ in 34 vols., relate to natural theology, evidences of Christianity, political economy, and general theology and science. Those which perhaps attracted most attention were his _Astronomical Discourses_ and his _Lectures on Church Establishments_, the latter delivered in London to audiences containing all that was most distinguished in rank and intellect in the country. The style of C.