MAC GIOLLA CUDDY (1618–1693) Irish Jesuit. [See Archdekin, Richard.]
McGLASHAN, ALEXANDER (d. 1797), Scottish violinist, flourished in Edinburgh about the, end of the last century. He was an able and spirited leader of the fashionable bands in Edinburgh, and had some reputation as a composer of Scottish music. He edited 'A Collection of Strathspey Reels, with a Bass for the Violoncello and Harpsichord' (Edinburgh, 1780), and 'A Collection of Scots Measures, Hornpipes, Jigs, &c.' (1781). He was generally known as 'King McGlashan,' a name which he acquired from his stately appearance and showy style of dress (Chambebs). He died in May 1797 (Glen).
[Johnson's Scots Musical Museum, Edinburgh, 1853, i. 66; Browns Dictionary of Musicians, p. 406; Chambers's Eminent Scotsmen, ii. 482, s.v. 'Gow;' Glen's Coll. of Scottish Dance Music, Introduction, Edinb. 1891.]
McGLASHAN, JOHN (d. 1866), legal author, was a solicitor in Edinburgh. He joined in 1824 the Society of Solicitors-at-Law, and was one of the solicitors before the supreme courts from 1831. About 1855 he went to New Zealand, where he died in 1866. In 1831 he published 'Practical Notes on the Act of Sederunt,' which, under the title given to the second edition, 'Practical Notes on the Jurisdiction and Forms of Process in Civil Causes of the Sheriff Courts of Scotland,' reached a fourth edition. 'The Law and Practice in Actions of Aliment' appeared in 1837, and a 'Digest of the Laws relating to Pawnbrokers' in 1844.
[Scottish Law Lists; Oliver and Boyd's New Edinburgh Almanac; Brit. Mus. Cat.]
MACGOWAN, JOHN (1726–1780), baptist minister, was born in 1726 at Edinburgh. After receiving a good education, he was apprenticed to a weaver. He subsequently settled in Bridge Street, Warrington, as a baker. He had early become a Wesleyan, and now joined the methodist movement as a preacher. At a later period he was attracted by the independents, but finally joined the particular baptists. He ministered at the old baptist chapel at Hill Cliff, near Warrington, and afterwards at Bridgnorth (Notes and Queries, 5th ser. vii. 75).
In September 1766 Macgowan became pastor of the old meeting-house in Devonshire Square, Bishopsgate, opened by William Kiffin [q. v.] in 1687. Here he remained until his death. His preaching, despite its Calvinistic tone, became popular. In failing health, Macgowan administered the sacrament for the last time on 12 Nov. 1780, and died 25 Nov. He was buried in Bunhill Fields (cf. Wilson). He left a widow and children.
Macgowan was a writer of some talent. In controversy his style was caustic and ironical, and in his devotional works he had frequent recourse to allegory. His books went through many editions in London, the North of England, and America. Several were published under pseudonyms, i.e. ‘The Shaver’ and ‘Pasquin Shaveblock.’ His chief work, ‘Infernal Conferences, or Dialogues of Devils, by the Listener,’ London, 1772, 2 vols. 12mo, may have been suggested by ‘The Dialogues of the Dead’ (London, 1760) of George, lord Lyttelton. He edited, with notes, ‘Night, a Satire upon the Manners of the Rich and Great,’ by Charles Churchill [q. v.], probably about 1768.
The titles of his chief other publications are:
- ‘Letter to an Arian,’ dated 28 April 1761, printed in John Allen's ‘Crown of Crowns,’ 3rd edit. 1816.
- ‘The Arians' and Socinians' Monitor, being a Vision that a young Socinian lately had,’ London, 1761; 3rd edit. 1795; 12th edit. 1883.
- ‘Death: a Vision, or the Solemn Departure of Saints and Sinners, represented under the Similitude of a Dream,’ London, 1766; 2nd edit. 1768; 7th edit. 1780; other editions, Leeds, 1805; Edinb. 1844, &c.
- ‘Priestcraft Defended; a Sermon occasioned by the Expulsion of Six Young Gentlemen from the University of Oxford, for praying, reading, and expounding the Scriptures; humbly dedicated to the Vice-Chancellor and the Heads of Houses, by the Shaver.’ This pamphlet, written in a satirical vein upon a ‘text taken from the “St. James's Chronicle” of Thursday, 17 March 1768,’ relating to the expulsion (cf. Gent. Mag. 1768, pp. 225, 410), ran through eleven editions in eight months. It was followed by ‘A Further Defence of Priestcraft, being a Practical Improvement of the Shaver's Sermon on the Expulsion of Six Students, &c., occasioned by a Vindication of that pious act, by a Member of the University,’ 5th edit. 1768. This was answered by ‘The Shaver Shaved by a Matriculated Barber,’ London, 1769. ‘The Shaver's New Sermon for the Fast Day, by Pasquin Shaveblock,’ 5th edit. 1795, appears to be by Macgowan, although the preface to this edition is dated ‘Barbers' Hall, 17 Feb. 1795,’ five years after his death.
- ‘Familiar Epistles to the Rev. Dr. Priestley, by the
