HEADRICK, JAMES, the Rev., an able agriculturist and mineralogist, was born in 1758. Having studied for the ministry, in 1809 he was presented to the parish of Dunnichen, in Forfarshire. Before his induction to the parochial charge, he had travelled over the three kingdoms in pursuit of the knowledge of agriculture and mineralogy. He planned out and superintended many large and valuable estates; distinguished himself by an able analysis of lime in the Farmer’s Magazine; gave to the public in 1807 an excellent description of the Island of Arran; and published, in 1813, an extended account of the husbandry of Forfarshire.

      As a minister, Mr. Headrick was not only a sound and eloquent divine, but his sermons were rich with varied illustrations drawn from the natural world. He died at the manse of Dunnichen, March 31, 1841, in the 83d year of his age.

      His works are:

      View of the Mineralogy, Agriculture, Manufactures, and Fisheries of the Island of Arran; with Notices of Antiquities, and suggestions for improving the Agriculture and Fisheries of the Highlands and Isles of Scotland. Edin. 1807.

      General View of the Agriculture of the County of Angus, or Forfarshire; with Observations on the means of its improvement. Published under the auspices of the Hon. The Board of Agriculture and Internal Improvement, 1813, 8vo.

Some Mineralogical and Geological Observations, made in the Isle of Arran. Inserted in Nicholson’s Journal for 1807.

      A Treatise on Chemistry, commonly attributed to him, was published by a John Headrick, at London, in 1697, under the title of ‘Chymical Secrets.’