ecclesiastical manifestations in Scotland of the spirit of religious reformation which was appearing in our native land at the end of the sixteenth century. "In 1589 James VI., when about to set out to Norway to fetch his bride-who was to become the mother of Charles I. granted a charter to Sir John Schaw authorising him to build a church and manse and set apart a graveyard on his estate at Grinock,' and the approving Act of Parliament was passed on 5th June, 1592. For two centuries and a half that old kirk was the outer symbol of the religious life of our forefathers in and around the locality, and out of that time it was the only church in Greenock for 150 years. The New or Mid-Parish Church was built in 1741, when more church accommodation was needed because of the increasing population, and the Old Kirk by the shore subsequently became known as the Old Parish Church, and afterwards as the West Parish Church, which name was retained until 1841. At that time the church had fallen into a state of disrepair, and its accommodation was quite insufficient for the increasing population of the parish. As it could not be enlarged owing to the graves surrounding the walls, it became necessary to build a new Ichurch on a different site. Accordingly the West Kirk in Nelson Street was built, and the old church was closed. It stood deserted for over twenty years, and fell into ruin and decay, but still a silent witness of the religious life of the early days of the town. In 1864, by a general sum of money by voluntary subscription, the kirk was restored to its place among the religious activities of the town, and it became the North Parish Church, more familiarly known as the Old West Kirk. "In the interior there are many fine windows by Morris & Co., Cother, and Ballantyne, of Edinburgh. There is a large window over the Schaw aisle, the gift of Sir Michael Shaw Stewart, Bart.; above the Sailors' Loft is one erected by subscriptions. As to the famous modern windows of Morris & Co., from the designs of the late Sir Edward Burne-Jones, for all those who love and understand art and symbolism they must prove full of attraction and interest. They are the outcome of a school which was a recession from and a protest against a teaching that was prevalent at that time, that art was merely the outcome of a patient and slavish copying of nature. They are richly imbued with the traditions of art chiefly from Italian and mediæval sources. They are an example of colour' as opposed to merecolours,' and are of an exceedingly high order of excellence. On the subject of the graveyard Mr Fraser Paton went on to say that the two vaults within the church are the property of John Schaw and his heirs, and of the Crawfords of Cartsburn. The builder of the church and several of the Schaw family are buried there. "In the kirkyard itself there is much that should interest Greenock folk. There are tombs of three ministers who died in office, a monument to William Scott, shipbuilder, and his family, many well-known Greenock family names, a tombstone to John Wilson, author of the poem on The Clyde,' afterwards master of the Academy at Greenock, and one of the three oldest stones is dated 1675, a year after the death of John Milton. One monument is justly famous because of all that it stands for in Scottish sentiment, literature, and history-the monument commemorating Burns's Highland Mary. There is another memorial enshrined by the old kirkyard which is most intimately associated with Greenock, the gravestone over the tombs of the father and grandfather of James Watt. The old kirk had stood during these centuries, and was still standing when this week the seventh most populous town of Scotland, recognised as a place of power and value in the necessities of the greatest war in human history, was visited by the royal head of this great Empire, and the Provost of Greennock welcomed the King to the town which the Glasgow Herald spoke of the other day as the cradle and gateway of Clyde industry.'" The Greenock Telegraph states that Lord Pirie has been approached direct on behalf of those who wish to preserve the Old West Kirk and burial-ground intact, and has been pressed to reconsider his plans with a view to saving the church and churchyard with their valuable associations. This suggests that it may be possible to so alter the plans as to save the old church and ground without spoiling the extension scheme. If that can be arranged it would be a settlement of the vexed question which would be satisfactory to all parties. We believe interdict has recently been craved on behalf of certain of the lairholders and others interested. The following is our latest information on the subject: "An action has been called at the instance of Margaret Brown or Johnstone, 12 Hutton Drive, Linthouse, Govan, widow of William Johnstone, tobacco spinner, Glasgow, and others, against the heritors of the West Parish Church of Greenock, and against William M'Clure, solicitor, Mansion House, Greenock, clerk to and as representing the heritors. It is understood that the pursuers sue for declarator and interdict against the defenders from selling the old burying-ground of the West Parish of Greenock, which contains the grave of Burns's Highland Mary. The pursuers allege that they have a patrimonial interest in the ground, and object to its sale."-Scotsman, 20th October, 1917. "A meeting of the heritors of the West Parish of Greenock was held in the West Parish Church this afternoon to decide what action should be taken with reference to a summons which had been served on the clerk of the heritors to prevent them from selling or disposing of the site of the Old West Kirk and burying-ground. Mr W. M'Clure, clerk, stated that he had already intimated to the agents for the pursuers that the heritors had not been negotiating in any way to do as they suggested. His view was that the heritors have no power to sell or dispose of the ground and site, and he advised the meeting accordingly. Mr R. S. Walker moved that the meeting agree to take no action, which was seconded by Mr A. S. Mories. Mr John Cameron thought a committee should be appointed to consider the whole situation. Bailie Orr seconded. After some discussion, the meeting decided by a large majority to adopt Mr Walker's motion."-Greenock Telegraph, 29th October, 1917. We understand that the proposed extension of Messrs Caird's shipbuilding yard at Greenock, at least so far as it involved the removal of the Old West Kirk and included the kirkyard and Highland Mary's grave, is temporarily hung up. It was announced some time ago that an action at the instance of lairholders had been raised in the Court of Session to have the heritors interdicted from selling the old burying-ground of the West Parish of Greenock, and as it now appears that the heritors do not propose to defend the action, decree in absence will pass against them."—Glasgow Herald, 6th November, 1917. "Audeo Alteram Partem."-[EDITOR.] MARY CAMPBELL SPEAKS. (An Argument in favour of the acceptance of Messrs Caird & Co's handsome offer to remove and rebuild the Old West Kirk and Graveyard Memorials in better surroundings, and thus make room for a large Shipbuilding enterprise.) The kindly Greenock folk who fain would save "Twas in a hallowed corner by the Clyde But came a change! The age of Ciant Steam. Till, wrung by all the noise and clamour rude, My bones cry out for rest and quietude; So, if you love me, let me have surcease, |