UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW.

In the year 1450, Pope Nicholas V., at the solicitation of William Turnbull, bishop of Glasgow, issued a bull establishing a Studium Generate or University, "for theology, the canon and the civil law, the arts, and every other lawful faculty," in the city of Glasgow; and granting to it all the rights and privileges belonging to the University of Bologna. The Archbishop of Glasgow was constituted chancellor, with the same authority as was possessed by the heads of the Italian university, and particularly with the power of conferring degrees and licenses on candidates duly examined. No mention is made of medicine, as in the original erection of the University of St Andrews; but it is implied in the expression, "quavis alia licita facultate." In the following year a body of statutes for its government was prepared by the bishop and his chapter, which, with the papal bull, was confirmed in 1453 by a royal charter from James II. The king likewise exempted the members from taxes and all civic burdens; and in the same year various privileges were conferred by the bishop, similar to those granted by Bishop Wardlaw to the University of St Andrews.

In the original constitution of the university, that of Bologna seems to have been imitated as far as circumstances would permit. It consisted of a chancellor, rector, deans of faculties, procurators, regents, masters, and scholars; and was placed by the bishops beyond the control of the civil magistrates. The supreme power was vested in the Glasgow scholars who had been matriculated, and whose names remained on the album; and these, in their comitia or congregations, enacted, amended, or repealed the statutes. The supposts, or members of the university, were distributed into four nations, each having a procurator, elected annually from its own number, who was invested with considerable trust and power. The supposts, assembled in comitia, also elected the rector through the medium of intrants as at St Andrews, and at the same time chose four deputies to form the rectorial council. The rector, acting with the advice of his council, exercised supreme judicial and executive power over all the members of the university: he was invested with jurisdiction in all minor civil cases in which supposts were concerned; graver offences were specially reserved for the decision of the bishop himself. Permission was given to the supposts to bring their causes either before the rector or the bishop, and liberty of appeal to the latter was allowed to any one who thought himself aggrieved by the sentence of the former. In 1461 an ecclesiastical jurisdiction was conceded to the rector; and such a concession implies that this officer was necessarily a person in holy orders. All houses and lodgings for the supposts within the city were subjected to regulations similar to those established by Gregory IX. in the University of Paris. The magistrates and other officers of the city took a yearly oath to observe and defend the privileges and liberties of the university.

This university, at its first erection, was entirely unendowed, and for a considerable time possessed no funds, with the exception of small perquisites paid at promotions to degrees. Its meetings were held in the chapter-house of the Blackfriars, or in the cathedral; and the teachers were furnished with schools in the religious houses. In 1458, the faculty of arts commenced building a Pedagogium, at the expense of their common purse; but this design was superseded by the liberality of the first Lord Hamilton, who, in the following year, conveyed to the principal and the other regents of the faculty, for their use and accommodation, a tenement in the High Street, together with four acres of land. The donor required that the principal and regents should, on their admission to office, promise on oath to commemorate himself and his wife as the founders of the college. The annals of the university furnish scarcely any information respecting the means of instruction which it provided, and the mode in which that instruction was conveyed. In the higher faculties, the teaching seems to have been confined to occasional lectures. More attention appears to have been paid to the inferior branches of science. The records mention the admission of a regent of philosophy within two years after the erection of the university. It may readily be assumed that the want of salaries to the professors was the principal reason why the higher branches of knowledge were neglected; and even the instruction which the university diffused was furnished by men who derived their emoluments from other sources. The professors of divinity, and of the canon and the civil law, depended for their support on the benefices which they held as ecclesiastics in various parts of the country.

By Lord Hamilton's deed of bequest, the faculty of arts college obtained the nucleus of the college property; but it is not quite clear that the name of a college was then, for the first time, conferred upon it. Two sets of records are preserved, commencing with the origin of the university, one volume of which is entitled "Annales Collegii Facultatis Artium in Universitate Glasguensi;" and if this title was prefixed to it so early as 1451, the college must have existed before the charter of Lord Hamilton. It is not, however, till 1462 that express mention is made of the Collegium Facultatis Artium; and it may be questioned if even at that time the college was co-extensive with the faculty, and not rather a The university remained in this state for about a hundred years, during which time it appears, from the language of certain grants, that the university and the college of the faculty of arts were frequently confounded. In the year 1557, two years before the Reformation, James Beaton, archbishop of Glasgow, conveyed to the *Paedagogium*, or university, and to the masters and regents in the same, an ecclesiastical benefice, which, from the accompanying restrictions, was clearly intended for the benefit of the whole university. Similar instances might be adduced. At what precise period the two terms ceased to be used synonymously, and the existence of a separate college to be recognised, does not appear.

From its peculiar constitution, the University of Glasgow necessarily suffered more from the change of religion at the Reformation than the other learned seminaries of Scotland. The professors in the higher branches being all supported by their livings in the church, and adhering to the old religion, successors could not be appointed to them, owing to the total want of salaries. It likewise suffered materially from the fraudulent alienation and unjust seizure of its slender revenues. This evil was in some degree remedied in 1563 by Queen Mary, who granted certain houses and lands for the benefit of the college or university, and specially for the maintenance of five bursars. In 1572 the magistrates of Glasgow granted a charter, which was confirmed by act of Parliament, conveying to the college certain church property for the support of a professor of divinity, who was to be principal or provost; two regents of philosophy, and twelve poor students. The whole founded persons were to eat and sleep within the college, and they and all students were required to sign the Confession of Faith. It might be supposed that these gifts would have been sufficient to place the college on a respectable footing; but it appears that even then the whole funds did not exceed L300 Scots, or L25 sterling.

Five years afterwards, James VI., by the advice of the Regent Morton, new-modelled the constitution, and made a very considerable addition to the revenue. The charter then granted forms the basis of the present constitution, and is known by the name of *Nexa Erectio*. According to it, the college was to consist of a principal and three regents, to each of whom certain salaries were assigned, four poor students, and servants. The principal, who was to have the ordinary jurisdiction over the members of the college, and to reside there constantly, was to be a proficient in sacred learning, and was required to lecture at least one hour a day for five hours in the week. He was to be nominated by the crown; and, failing an appointment by the crown within thirty days, the election devolved upon the chancellor, rector, dean of faculty, and five clergymen, including the minister of Glasgow. The regents were to be elected by the rector, dean, and principal, and were appointed each to a particular department of learning—a principle which had never before been adopted in Scotland, and was afterwards abandoned even in Glasgow,—instead of conducting the students through all the branches of instruction included in the course. The electors were invested with a visitatorial power over the regents, and might remove them; and, on the other hand, the rector, dean of faculty, and the regents, might visit and admonish the principal. The principal, if negligent after three admonitions, was removable by the rector, dean, and regents. The rector, dean, and minister of Glasgow were to inspect and audit the accounts four times in the year, and to direct the surplus revenue to be applied to the necessary uses of the college. It is obvious that the intention of this charter was to place the college under the effectual superintendence of the university. In 1581, Archbishop Boyd granted to the college an additional endowment for the support of a fourth regent, who is believed to have been the professor of Greek. About the same time a new body of statutes was framed by royal authority, which has hitherto regulated both the university and college.

The course of instruction prescribed by the *Nexa Erectio* is an Course of additional proof of the enlightened views entertained by the early instruction, leaders of the Church of Scotland on the subject of public education; but having already alluded to this subject in connection with the University of St Andrews, our limits will not permit us to give it in detail. It may be sufficient to say, that it embraced every improvement which the learning and experience of Archibald MacLennan had been able to devise. Small fees, varying with the rank and standing of the students, were to be paid at matriculation to the rector and beadle. New students, as well as those who had attended the former year, were to be examined in the beginning of October; and the examination of candidates for the degree of master of arts was to be held on the third week of August. After due examination, the dean and others were to decide on the qualifications of the several candidates, and to arrange their names according to merit. The examiners were to be the dean, principal, professors, and the master of the grammar-school, all of whom were sworn to be faithful and impartial. Degrees were to be solemnly conferred by the chancellor. Honoriae were to be paid to the regents, according to the rank and fortune of the students. Sons of the nobility and barons of Scotland were to pay annually at least L3; those of the second rank, who, though inferior to the barons, possessed means sufficiently ample, were to pay L2; those of the third rank to pay L1; the poor were to be admitted free of all charge.

The constitution founded on the *Nexa Erectio* has at different times been extended and improved by commissions of visitation. One appointed by the General Assembly in 1639, and renewed in subsequent years, recognised in 1640 a class of humanity, and instituted a separate professorship of divinity. In 1642 another professorship of divinity was established by the university, and distinct decrees of the class were assigned to the principal and the other two professors of this branch. A professorship of medicine, which had existed for some time, was declared to be unnecessary. By the same commission, strict regulations were made for the study of Greek and Latin, the performance of public exercises, and the regularity of attendance. The most material change effected on the constitution of James VI. was this:—“On the understanding that it was a disadvantage to students to change their masters annually, it was required that every master, instead of continuing to teach the same branch, should educate his own scholars through all the four classes;”¹ four years being the curriculum necessary for graduation in arts.

In 1727 a royal visitation made several important regulations, which have ever since remained in force. It declared the right of electing a rector to be in all the matriculated members, moderators, or masters and students; revised the system of teaching introduced by the charter of *Nexa Erectio*; and assigned permanent professors to the three classes of philosophy. The *Sem Class* was set apart for logic and metaphysics, the *Bachelor Class* for moral philosophy and natural philosophy, and the *Magistratus Class* for physics and experimental philosophy. Besides the professors of humanity, Greek, and philosophy, the visitation recognised professors of divinity, law, medicine, botany, anatomy, oriental languages, mathematics, and history, requiring them to teach whenever five or more scholars presented themselves. The same commission defined the powers of the faculty meetings, and sanctioned certain privileges which had been assumed by them in contradiction to the statutes, and which by this time had passed into usage. As the meetings of the faculty were composed only of professors, this interpretation tended to give the college greater power of self-government, and to remove it from the control of the officers of the university.

The exclusive rights thus granted to the college were submitted to the Court of Session in the years 1771 and 1772. The court declared that the whole revenue and property of the college belonged to the principal and masters, and were not subject to the control of the rector and his assessors. At the same time it recognised the visitors appointed by the charter of foundation, and their right to audit the college accounts and to dispose of the surplus revenue. The right of election to professorships, which the charter intended to the rector, dean, and principal, was found to be in the rector, dean, and faculty meeting, or, in other words, in the professors themselves. The distinctive privilege of professors of the University, and of the College of Glasgow, was finally made in 1807, in a lawsuit which arose out of the appointment of

¹ This mode of conducting academical education was long followed in all the universities of Scotland; and, chiefly from the influence of Dr Reid, who gave it a decided preference, continued to prevail at Aberdeen till 1800. (Commissioners' Report, p. 221.) Glasgow, a regius professor of natural history. The incumbent claimed a right to participate in all the powers and privileges of the faculty, and to be admitted as a member of the college, which was resisted by that body. The Court of Session recognised the rank of the incumbent as a professor in the university, but decreed that he was not a member of the college, and therefore not entitled to share in its property, or to vote in any of its meetings. This decision was acquiesced in by the town; and in all subsequent appointments to regius professorships, restrictions have been introduced which were intended to be in conformity with the deliverances of the court. By the act of 1853, the distinction between the two classes of professors has been abolished. All are henceforth to be deemed to be professors of the university and college, exercising the same rights and functions, but without participating in the income and emoluments already appropriated to existing chairs.

Under the act of 1858, the government of the university is vested in the senatus academicus, the university court, and the general council. The senatus academicus consists of the principal and twenty-two professors; the university court, of the rector, the principal, the dean of faculties, an assessor nominated by the chancellor, an assessor nominated by the rector, an assessor elected by the general council, and an assessor elected by the senatus academicus; with five as a quorum. The restrictions in the elections, and the period of service, are the same as those already mentioned. The general council meets twice a-year, on the Friday immediately preceding the 24th of May, and on the Friday immediately preceding the first Tuesday of November.

In the election of rector, the matriculated students vote in four nations: the Natio Glottiana, consisting of all students born within the county of Lanark; the Natio Transforfiana, consisting of all students born in any of the counties lying to the north of the Firth of Forth, including Argyll, Stirling, and Dumbarton; the Natio Rotessiana, consisting of all students born in the counties of Bute, Renfrew, and Ayr; the Natio Londinensis, consisting of the students not included in any of the other nations. In the case of an equal number of nations voting for two or more candidates, the rector is chosen from among the candidates by the chancellor intimating his choice personally, or by letter addressed to the senate at Aberdeen within twenty-one days; and failing such intimation, he is chosen by the principal from among the candidates.

The dean of faculties is elected annually by the senate on the 1st of May; but the same person generally continues in office for two years. The duties of the office, as originally constituted, were to exercise a superintendence over the studies, and, in conjunction with the masters, to judge of the qualifications of applicants for degrees. Along with the rector and the minister of Glasgow, he was called upon to inspect and audit the accounts four times in the year. The rector, dean, and minister of Glasgow, have been relieved of their visitatorial duties by the recent act.

In the original deed of foundation, the faculties of theology, the canon and the civil law and arts, are expressly enumerated; and medicine and music, though not specified, are implied in the clause quae alia dicta facultates. Soon after the erection of the university, some efforts were made to teach the canon and the civil law, and professors of theology are occasionally mentioned; but till the Reformation there seems to have been no regular course of instruction, except in the faculty of arts. The university now contains four faculties: those of arts, divinity, laws, and medicine. The faculty of laws is confined to the single professor of the civil law; the other faculties have the usual complement of professors. The curriculum of arts extends over four sessions, and comprises the classes of Latin, Greek, logic and rhetoric, mathematics, moral philosophy, and natural philosophy. The session at present opens on the first Monday of November and closes on the last day of April.

The revenues of the university and college, which are very considerable, are derived from estates, tithes, and bequests; and with some unimportant exceptions, are administered by the principal and professors. The university also receives a grant from parliament.

Connected with the university are 36 foundations for bursaries, the benefits of which extend to about 81 students. Of these bursaries 55 belong to the faculty of arts, 23 to that of divinity, 2 to medicine, and 1 to laws, and are tenable for from two to six years. They are nearly all in the gift of private patrons or public bodies. Their aggregate annual value is £1,480; the highest being £1,100, and the lowest £5. Besides the bursaries, the principal and professors possess the right of nominating students, natives of Scotland, who have attended two sessions in the University of Glasgow, or one session there, and two in some other Scottish university, to tan exhibitions in Balliol College, Oxford, founded by John Snell, Esq., in 1777. The election is vested in the Master and Fellows of Balliol College. Two of these are hereafter to be filled up annually by an examination held at Glasgow. They are of the annual value of £116, 10s. each, and are tenable for five years.

The number of matriculated students during the session 1859-60, was 1127. The number who graduated in 1859 was 62; namely, in arts, 23 (A.M. 8; A.B. 15); divinity, 1; laws, 5; medicine, 30; masters in surgery, 3. The students in arts wear an academical dress.

The following table contains a list of the professorships, with the date of foundation and the patronage:

| Office | Foundation | Patronage | |------------------------|------------|----------------| | Principal | 1577 | Crown | | Divinity | 1830 | University Court| | Natural philosophy | 1577 | | | Moral philosophy | 1577 | | | Logic and rhetoric | 1577 | | | Greek | 1581 | | | Humanity | 1637 | | | Mathematics | 1691 | | | Oriental languages | 1709 | | | Roman law and law of Scotland | 1713 | Crown | | Practice of medicine | 1713 | | | Anatomy | 1718 | | | Ecclesiastical history | 1720 | | | Practical astronomy | 1760 | | | Natural history | 1807 | | | Surgery | 1814 | | | Midwifery | 1814 | | | Chemistry | 1817 | | | Botany | 1818 | | | Materia medica | 1831 | | | Institutes of medicine | 1839 | | | Forensic medicine | 1839 | | | Civil engineering and mechanics | 1840 | |