20 THE LIFE OF JAMES D. FORBES. [CHAP. 



To the LORD ADVOCATE. 



, August IQtk, 1863. 



1 Dr. Cook has intimated to me his intention of resign- 

 ing the charge of St. Leonard's parish, St. Andrews, 

 towards the end of next month. I cannot help stating 

 to your Lordship that this appointment, though small in 

 emolument, is one of much importance to the United 

 College and to the students. 



'Not only is the United College by far the largest 

 heritor of the parish of St. Leonard's ; but what is still 

 more important, the College chapel and the parish 

 church being one and the same, the interests of our body 

 and the religious instruction of many of our students 

 depend materially upon the good sense and high character 

 of the parish minister. A good incumbent may be a 

 real blessing to the institution, whilst one not gifted with 

 discretion as well as zeal would be extremely the reverse. 



' I do not know of a single candidate as yet for the 

 expected vacancy, therefore I write to your Lordship on 

 behalf of no individual ; but simply to request that the 

 qualities and aptitude of the person to be appointed to 

 this peculiar and interesting, though not wealthy, cure, 

 may receive mature consideration, with reference espe- 

 cially to the academic body with which it is so intimately 

 associated/ 



To the DUKE OF ARGYLL. 



ST. ANDBEWS, February 6th, 1864. 



' Mr. Cowper had the kindness and courtesy to write 

 to me lately about the proposed conversion of the 

 College cloister into a dining-room for students. 



' I have just learned that a private individual is going 

 to start a restaurant in the town for students and 

 others : and our plan being so far forestalled, it will be 

 prudent to allow a fair trial of the experiment thus to 

 be made. I am, however, not a little desirous that the 

 alteration of the College cloister, so far approved of by 

 your Grace and by Mr. Cowper, should not be allowed 

 to drop. 



