LEARNED MEN.-ROYAL DONATIONS. 101 we may cite the names of Andrew Ramsay, an elegant Latin poet,* and John Adamson, principal of the college, and contemporary with Drummond of Hawthornden. After the Restoration, also, the Rev. Dr. Monro-(a name with which, in later times, the fame of its medical school has become so closely identified)—was principal of the college, and had a congé d'élire in his favour for the see of Argyll. The chairs of the different departments continued to be filled by men eminently qualified for their office during the Commonwealth; and among these was the celebrated Robert Leighton, afterwards archbishop of Glasgow, whose moderation and dignified composure in the midst of popular excitement gave him a lasting title to respect and veneration.† During this stormy period, when the calm pursuits of literature were so often interrupted and chilled by political dissension or party violence, Cromwell, to evince the interest which he felt in the prosperity of the University, endowed it with an annuity of two hundred pounds sterling. This munificent example was followed by William, prince of Orange, in an additional grant of three hundred pounds, to be paid out of his treasury and bishops' rents in Scotland; but this bounty being cancelled by the policy of his successor, Queen Anne, a professor and fifteen poor students were thereby left destitute, and discharged from the short-lived benefaction. "And why? That courtly sycophants might reap Having thus given a general coup-d'œil to the rise and progress of the University, we need not prosecute the subject further, nor attempt to show how, in modern times, it has accumulated strength, and wisdom, and honourshone preeminent in all the departments of literature and science, and justified its proud title as the throne of an intellectual city-" Urbs addicta Minervæ." His poem on the "Creation" is that from which—according to Lauder, in his "Essay on Milton's Use and Imitation of the Moderns in his Paradise Lost"-the "divine bard so liberally culled the loveliest flowers to adorn the garland which shades his venerable temples." + When it was proposed to him by some of his friends that certain topics of a political tendency—and particularly," the solemn League and Covenant"-should be more generally dwelt upon, and commended in addresses from the pulpit, he replied, that every one might insist on that matter as they should be directed; but that for his part, and so far as God should enable him, his main scope should be to preach "Christ crucified."—It were well if " political" pastors would profit by such an example. The University comprises thirty-one professors; and with a magnificent and richly stored museum, a library of more than fifty thousand volumes, and the buildings now completed in a noble and classic style of architecture, is one of the most sumptuous temples of learning in Europe. D D "Here still, as time rolls on, with brighter ray Where Truth is shrined, and Freedom guards her home!" The High School, the Edinburgh Academy, and various other seminaries of education for which the capital is so happily distinguished, are ably conducted in all that relates to ancient and modern learning, as well as the inculcation of religious principle and social duties. But in this "modern Athens”—a name given to it not more from its external than its intellectual resemblance to the ancient capital of Attica-not a street could be pointed out in which learning has not established her sanctuary, however humble or obscure. The facility of acquiring, under these circumstances, an excellent education, ensures its easy transmission. Where personal merits are measured by the weight of personal acquirements, a healthy emulation is kept up among the young, and a desire on the part of the old that their sons and daughters may be early imbued with what their own experience has told them was better than the gifts of fortune. In respect to establishments for the poor, and the means afforded for the recovery of health, Edinburgh enjoys a happy preeminence over most other capitals in Europe. This is the consequence, partly, of her celebrated School of Medicine, which leaves so much talent at the disposal of charitable purposes and persons; and partly to the patriotic spirit which has so often manifested itself in liberal donations and bequeathments for the alleviation of suffering and privation. The County Hospital, or Royal Infirmary, has been long celebrated for the skill and humanity of its medical officers, to which every succeeding year contributes some fresh testimony.‡ Heriot's Hospital-a magnificent and richly endowed institution—reminds us, in point of external design and embellishment, of some of the more elaborate structures of Italy. It was built by George Heriot, a native of Haddingtonshire, and goldsmith to James VI., at an expense of thirty thousand pounds.§ Among the higher institutions of a similar tendency-namely, the diffusion of general knowledge-are the Wernerian, Natural History, the Speculative, the Royal Medical and Physical, Caledonian, Horticultural, Scottish Academy, Highland, and Astronomical Societies, with thirty others of various importance. For many interesting particulars, the reader is referred to "Walks in Edinburgh;" Arnot's Hist." "Traditions of Edinburgh," &c. "Keith's and To this may be added, the Public Dispensary, the Lying-in and Surgical Hospitals, the Lunatic Asylum, Charity Workhouse, Trinity Hospital, Asylum for the Blind, Deaf and Dumb Institution, Magdalen Asylum, the Bridewell, &c. § The reader will remember the sobriquet applied to him by King James, as Jingling Geordie, in "The Fortunes of Nigel." He died in London, at his house in St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, universally respected. HERIOT'S HOSPITAL.-SCHOOL OF ARTS. 103 One hundred and eighty boys, sons of burgesses of the city, are here maintained and provided with an education suited to their future prospects, or the natural aptitude which they may severally evince. The style of the building, after the plan of Inigo Jones, is princely, not only in its costly architecture and accommodation, but in the munificent and liberal scale on which its domestic affairs are conducted. The education is liberal in all respects; and what is, perhaps, unparalleled in the history of charitable institutions, the expenses of a university education are defrayed for such of the meritorious pupils as desire it. On their setting out in the world, a sum is provided for their assistance; and, on proof of good conduct, an additional sum to establish them in business. Among other establishments combining similar advantages with the preceding -but each possessing specific recommendations for the class entitled to admission-we may enumerate Watson's, Merchant Maidens', Trades Maidens', Gillespie's, and the Orphan Hospitals; the first of these is conducted on the same liberal principles as Heriot's. Among the numerous churches* which severally arrest the stranger's attention in Edinburgh, we might collect much interesting materials did our limits. permit. But "to write of the cities of our own island," says Johnson, "with the solemnity of a geographical description, as if we had been cast on a newly discovered coast, has the appearance of very frivolous ostentation." With this caution, therefore, we shall only observe, that the ecclesiastical architecture of this city, within the last fifteen or twenty years, has undergone a striking change, and been enriched by several elegant specimens, where the florid Gothic has been revived with great effect. Of these, two of the seven episcopal, and one of the catholic chapels, afford striking examples, and are highly ornamental to the city. As an edifice upon a Grecian model, and very appropriate as a public building, the stranger will remark the County-Hall, situated in the LawnMarket. The School of Arts-another specimen in the same style, and intended as a Scottish Louvre, was first opened to the public in 1826, and by its position on the Earthen-mound has a commanding effect. The halls of the Royal and Antiquarian Societies, whose "Transactions" haye conferred lasting benefits on the country, are each entitled to notice. In the Museum of the latter, open on Tuesdays and Fridays, is seen the maiden, or Scottish guillotine, introduced by the regent Morton, for the decapitation of state criminals, and first exercised upon his own neck; so in ancient times the inventor of the • The city and its dependencies are divided into sixteen parishes, with the same number of churches, nine of which are collegiate. The total number of places of worship is seventy. |