William**, a Scotch prelate and statesman of considerable eminence, who flourished in the end of the 15th and commencement of the 16th century, was born at Glasgow in the year 1431. At the university of this city he received his education, and in the learning which distinguished that period he made extraordinary proficiency. His studies being completed, he went over to France, to make himself master of... Elphinston of the civil and canon law in the university of Paris, where he afterwards became a professor, and for the space of five years acquired considerable reputation in the discharge of his duty. On his return to Scotland, he entered into holy orders, was soon appointed official of Glasgow, and afterwards of St Andrews. He was admitted a member of the king's council; and on a misunderstanding taking place between James III. of Scotland and Louis XI. of France, his powerful mediation at the latter court, in conjunction with the bishop of Dunkeld and the earl of Buchan, effected an amicable reconciliation. As Elphinston on this occasion displayed such prudence and eloquence, the king was so grateful for his meritorious services, that he rewarded him with the see of Rothes, from which he was translated to the diocese of Aberdeen about the year 1484, and also appointed to the high office of chancellor of the kingdom, which he managed with so much moderation and equity, that all parties esteemed and admired him.

When the civil wars broke out between James and the discontented nobility, Bishop Elphinston appears to have declined all interference with public affairs of a political nature, and confined himself to the discharge of his ministerial duties. But when James IV. ascended the throne, his abilities as a statesman were again called forth, and he was chosen ambassador to the emperor Maximilian, in order to bring about a marriage alliance between his royal master and the emperor's daughter; but he had been previously promised to another. Yet the bishop's mission was not without its salutary effects, as he was the means of terminating an enmity which had long existed between the Dutch and Scots. This he conducted in such a masterly manner, that James never undertook any thing of importance, without first procuring the sanction of his approbation. He was equally the zealous patron of learning; and it is generally believed that the establishment of a university at Aberdeen was entirely owing to his influence with the Pope, from whom he obtained a bull for that purpose; and by his exertions was King's college undertaken and completed. He bequeathed, at the time of his decease, large sums of money for its support. He terminated his mortal career in 1514, about 83 years of age, at which advanced period his constitutional vigour was very little impaired, and all the faculties of his mind were in full force; but the serious losses at the memorable battle of Flodden had broken his heart. He wrote a history of his native country, which is among the manuscripts of Sir Thomas Fairfax, in the Bodleian library at Oxford.

EDSHEIMER, ADAM, a celebrated painter, born at Frankfort on the Main, in 1574. He was first a disciple of Philip Uffenbach, a German; but his desire of improvement carrying him to Rome, he soon became a most excellent artist in landscapes, history, and night-pieces, with small figures. His works are but few; and the great pains he bestowed in finishing them raised their prices so high, that they are hardly anywhere to be found but in the cabinets of princes. He was of a melancholy turn, and sunk under the embarrassments of his circumstances in 1610. James Ernst Thomas of Landau was his disciple; and imitated his style so nicely, that their performances are not easily distinguished.