Crichton, James

( kriton,) surnamed THE ADMIRABLE, B. in Scotland, 1560. His father was a lord of se ion, and through his mother he was of royal descent. He was educated at the university of St. Andrew's, and graduated M. A. in 1575. He was one of the young men selected to be fellow-students of the young king, James VI., under the direction of George Buchanan. He then went to France, where he continued his studies, and also, as he adhered to the Roman Church, took part in the war carried on by Henry III. against the Huguenots. The beauty of his person, the strength and agility he displayed, joined to his multifarious accomplishments and surprising capacity of eloquent talk, made him the admiration of alk. About 1580 he went to Italy, visiting probably Genoa and Rome, and then Venice, where he was warmly received by the great printer Aldus. He was introduced to the Doge and Senate, created astonishment at Venice and Padua, by his brilliant off-hand discourses on philosophy, theology, and other high themes, and his challenge to disputation in any of several languages, and on either side of any controversy. He next went to Mantua, and was appointed tutor to the son of the duke. Attacked in the streets one night by a party of men armed and masked, he overcame them by his superior skill, and recognized his pupil, to whom he at once presented his sword. The young prince immediately ran him through with it, 3d July, 1582. He has left no literary remains of importance. Crichtonite, (kriton-it,) n. (Min.) A variety of Men acc a nite. Crick, ( krik ,) n. [From creak ; It. cricche, a creak.] A local spasm or cramp; a stiffne of certain muscles; as, a crick in the neck.