It is only fair to say that there are doubts as to how far the arrangements under the _Nova Fundatio_, as above described, were in force in Sir Thomas Urquhart's student days. If the older system were still in operation, the Alexander Lunan, who is mentioned as his preceptor, would virtually have taught our author all the subjects contained in the curriculum through which he passed. As there is no proof that Alexander Lunan was another Admirable Crichton, the fact of his doing so would strengthen what we have said above as to the comparative slightness of the erudition imparted in a university education in those days. Sir Thomas Urquhart speaks of having "learned the elements of his philosophy" in the University of Aberdeen under William Seaton (_Works_, p. 263). It has been suggested that it is an error for John Seaton, and that it indicates that our author, like many other students of King's College, took a session or two at Marischal College (see Anderson's _Fasti Acad. Marisc._ ii. 34, 588). [16] _Works_, p. 395. [17] Dr Lesley was successively Humanist, Regent, Sub-Principal, and Principal of King's College. In 1639 he was deprived of his office by the Covenanting party. [18] _Works_, p. 262. [19] _Works_, p. 263. The editor of the _Book of Bon Accord_ gives a lower estimate of Dr Guild's character: he says that his works are of no literary merit, and that he got fame by his wealth and ostentatious liberality. He was minister of King-Edward before he went to Aberdeen; and his widow, Catharine Rolland, founded a bursary at the university for young men belonging to that parish. [20] _Ibid._ p. 263: see p. 11, note. [21] Lord Elphinstone died 14th January, 1638. During the four preceding years his son-in-law had "made ducks and drakes" of his ancestral possessions. His portrait, which is still preserved at Carberry Tower, is engraved in Sir William Fraser's work, _The Lords Elphinstone_. It gives one the impression of a grave, melancholy man. He had fourteen sons and five daughters. It is to be hoped that none of his sons and no other of his sons-in-law had the faculty for getting into difficulties which Sir Thomas Urquhart, senior, displayed. [22] _Works_, p. 336. [23] The offence of _forestalling_ consisted in buying merchandise, victuals, etc., before they appeared in a fair or market-place for sale, or in taking steps to raise the prices of such things, or in dissuading anyone coming to market from carrying his goods thither. The amount of fine for a first offence was, as above, £40 Scots (or £3, 6s. 8d. Sterling); for a second offence, 100 merks (or £5, 11s., 1d. Sterling); while for a third offence it was forfeiture of movable goods. [24] M'Farlane's _Genealogical Collections_, ii. 283. MS. Advocates' Library. [25] Records of the Court of Justiciary.