CARSTAIRS, WILLIAM, a distinguished political and ecclesiastical character of the 17th c., who took a very active part in bringing about the revolution of 1688, was b. at Cathcart, near Glasgow, Feb. 11, 1649. He was educated at the village school of Ormis ton, in East Lothian, and subsequently at the university of Edinburgh, where be dis played a remarkable aptitude for learning. In his 24th year, Scotland being then in a most unsatisfactory state, alike from a political and religious point of view, C. went to study theology at Utrecht. His scholarship, polite address, knowledge of men, and great political information, especially regarding his own country, recommended him to the notice of the prince of Orange, who chose him as his confidential adviser in all matters relating to Britain. In 1682, being in England on a mission of observation from Holland, he was employed to negotiate between the English and Scotch conspirators in the Rye House plot. With others implicated, he was arrested and put to the torture of the thumbscrew, but refused to confess anything that had not been previously revealed, and that only on condition that what he said should not be used in evidence, either directly or indirectly. against any other person. At this tittle, he had secrets from Hol land of the greatest importance in his possession, which he carefully concealed, although there can be no doubt that their revelation would not only have saved him from torture, but have obtained for him great. reward and honor. Britain, therefore, owes very much
indeed to the firmness of C. at this juncture. He returned to Holland about the begin ning of 1685; and, acting mainly on his advice, the prince of Orange planned and carried out the invasion of 1688. He accompanied the prince as chaplain, and after the settlement of the crown, when the prince had been firmly established as William III., 0. VMS instrumental in effecting a reconciliation between him and the Scottish church, when the ill advice of other councilors had nearly led to an open rupture. From 1693 to the deat:t of the king in 1702, he could not have had more influence in Scottish affairs if he had been prime-minister of the country• and his authority in church matters was such, that lie wa.spopularly called " cardinal 'Carstairs." Ile was elected principal of the university of Edinburgh in 1704, and in this capacity used all his influence with government to obtain an increase of patronage for the Scottish colleges. In the same year, he was presented to the church of Grcyfriars, and was appointed moderator of the general assembly next succeeding, an office to which he was four times elected in the course of eleven years. lie died Aug., 1715, deeply regretted by the whole nation, and leaving a reputation for scholarship and sincere piety, as well as for unbounded charity and political sagacity rarely equaled. See Life of a, by Rev. Dr. Story (1874).