UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH.

The University of Edinburgh owes its origin to James VI. Founded in 1582, "the wise monarch" granted a charter, empowering the lord provost, magistrates, and council of the city to repair and build houses for the reception and habitation of professors and students of the liberal arts, humanity, philosophy, divinity, medicine, law, and any other liberal sciences (guarantia quaeque aliarum liberalium scientiarum).

The same charter constitutes the municipal authorities, with the advice of the ministers (cum assentamento ministrorum), electors of all the professors, with the power of dismissing them should they find it necessary; and, with strange inconsistency, prohibits all persons not admitted by the patrons from professing or teaching any of the sciences within the liberties of the city. The king, who was ambitious of being commemorated as the founder and greatest benefactor of this literary establishment, inserted in the charter an imposing list of ecclesiastical properties for its support, which, however, were found to possess little more than a nominal value. Even the ground on which the college was built (the Kirk-of-Field) could only be obtained by purchase from a menial servant of the king, who had acquired a title to it; and, in like manner, the other royal benefactions proved in a great measure delusive. The plan of the seminary was thus most extensive; and the patrons, being unfettered by the minute prescriptions contained in the The design of founding a college in the metropolis had been contemplated by the magistrates within two years after the Reformation; but their endeavours were thwarted by the bishops, who were jealous of the reputation and prosperity of the seminaries placed under their immediate and official protection. In 1562 the town supplicated from Queen Mary a gift of certain ecclesiastical property within the city, to be applied, among other things, for "collegis for leirning and upbringing of ye youth;" but received an evasive answer. Renewing their application the following year, they obtained a grant of "the Kirk-of-Field, to bigane schule;" but seem to have been prevented from carrying their design into effect. It was not till 1579 that successful measures were adopted. In this year the magistrates, encouraged by the ministers and other public-spirited individuals in the city, commenced building apartments for the accommodation of professors and students, and three years after obtained from the crown the charter of erection and confirmation. The chief promoter of the design was James Lawson, the successor of Knox as minister of Edinburgh, by whose recommendation Robert Rollock, one of the regents of St Andrews, and a man of high intellectual endowments, was selected in 1583 to fill the arduous situation of first and indeed sole regent in the new institution. The college was accordingly opened in October 1583, under the newly appointed regent; the number of students, who, as in the other universities, probably all belonged to the faculty of arts, was eighty-four. Rollock was engaged only for a year, with a promise of continuance and promotion if he conducted himself faithfully, and complied with the rules and injunctions of the patrons. His salary was to be L40 Scots, or L3, 6s. 8d., with a quarterly allowance of L30 Scots for board, in addition to the fees to be paid by the students. According to the contract, he was to receive, "for a year's education to the sons of burgesses, L2 Scots, and to others at least L3 Scots; a small sum, apparently, but not disproportionate to the scale on which the professor was maintained. This rate of fees continued till 1695, when the town council ordained that the sons of gentlemen not burgesses of Edinburgh should pay L8 Scots a year, and the sons of burgesses half that sum.

A second regent was appointed soon after the opening of the college; and in 1586, the town council, "having sufficient proof and experience of the lyfe and conversation" of Rollock, "and of his qualification and learning," constituted him principal master, with all the emoluments of the appointment, committing to him all the authority vested in the principal of any college in the universities of the realm, and subjecting to his jurisdiction the regents established or to be established, with all other members of the college. He was required to attend to their doctrine and conversation, and to punish delinquents; but the council reserved to themselves the right of deposition, and of enacting statutes for the regulation of the seminary. A third regent was appointed in the same year, a fourth in 1589, and in 1597 a regent of humanity. Till 1620 the principal was regarded as professor of divinity, and his prelections were confined to that department. In this year a second professor of divinity was appointed; but several of the succeeding principals continued to read theological lectures. Those of Dr Leighton were published after his death.

The charter of erection was soon (1584) followed by another, in which the king, gratified by the success of the new seminary, conveyed to the magistrates and council certain property for its support. In 1612 another charter was granted by the king, ratifying those which had previously been given; and in 1621, an act of the Scottish parliament was passed, confirming various grants of property which had been made to the town of Edinburgh for the Edinburgh support of the institution. This act, as exhibiting the only constitution which the college possesses, deserves particular notice. After detailing the establishment of the college, and the purposes for which it was instituted, the grants made for carrying these into effect, the expense incurred by the city in erecting the buildings, and various bequests made by well-disposed persons for the support of the professors, the act declares the anxious desire of the king for the increase of learning within the borough, his willingness to confirm the former grants made to the college, and to extend to it all the immunities enjoyed by any other college within the realm, and ratifies and approves the infestments previously granted by his majesty under his great seal, "togidder with the erection of the said gryt ludging, mans, and hous of the Kirk-of-Feild, in ane collidge for professioun of theologie, philosophie, and humanicie." The ratification concludes by declaring that the college shall "in all tyme to cum be callit King James Colledge," and conferring on the magistrates as patrons, and the rectors, regents, bursars, and students, "all liberties, freedoms, immunities, and privileges, appertaining to ane free colledge, and that in als ample forme and lairge manner as any colledge hes or brukis within this his majestie's realme." It is true that the term university is not applied to the seminary, either in this act or in the royal charter of 1582; but its rights and privileges are recognised and guarded by subsequent acts of the Scottish parliament. It is thus, like Trinity College, Dublin, a college with the powers of a university.

From the first institution of the college, the town council, with the advice of the ministers and some eminent lawyers, regulated the mode of teaching, the discipline, the fees, and the accommodation of the students. Students were admitted on application to a magistrate, under whose authority they were enrolled; as in other universities, they were matriculated by the rector or principal. It was the intention of the founders that all the students should lodge within the walls of the college, and wear an academical dress. The annual rent of a chamber to a stranger student, having a bed to himself, was L4 Scots; for which sum the town furnished seats, beds, tables, and shelves. Students whose parents were burgesses paid no rent, but furnished the rooms at their own expense. The increase of numbers gradually put a stop to this practice. So lately, however, as the year 1710, the English dissenters offered to contribute L1000 a year, for the support of a hospitium, on condition that their students might participate in the benefit.

The system of instruction originally pursued in the university course of study did not differ materially from that of the other Scottish universities. Each of the four regents conducted his students, during the four years they remained under his care, over the entire curriculum of literature and philosophy, while the prelections of the principal were confined to theology. During the first year, about six months were spent chiefly in the study of the Greek and Roman classics, accompanied by frequent exercises in translation and original composition. The remainder of the session was occupied in the study of the Dialectics of Ramus, without, however, discontinuing the reading of Greek and Latin authors, and committing to memory and reciting large portions of the ancient poets and orators. In the second year, besides being exercised in Greek themes and versions, the students proceeded in the study of logic, rhetoric, and some part of mathematics. The philosophical works of Aristotle were not neglected; and in the later months of the session, the practice of oratory was encouraged by public declamations. The third session, carrying forward the public studies and classical learning, introduced the youth to the knowledge of some branches of natural history and philosophy, and gave every one an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the elements of the Hebrew tongue. In the fourth session, ethics, physics, and metaphysics formed the principal object of study; but great part of the time was occupied in the practice of disputation. The regent presided the subject, and every candidate was matched with an antagonist, with whom it was necessary for him to carry on a debate in presence of his teacher. The regents were required to exercise a habitual inspection of their charge, both in the public Edinburgh class and in the hours of recreation in the fields. The principal was bound to maintain a daily superintendence, presiding at the public devotions, and keeping a watchful eye over all the regents, students, and officers of the establishment, so that, when admonition or discipline was required, it might not be omitted or postponed till insubordination and irregularity became inevitable or scandalous. Every Lord's day was strictly employed in the religious instruction of the students in their private classes, and chiefly in the public solemnities of divine worship. This course of study, which must have obtained the sanction of the patrons, goes far to justify the powers which had been vested in them by the charter of erection; and when carried into effect by the energy of the regents, readily accounts for the celebrity which the metropolitan university early acquired. The practice of each regent teaching the same class during the whole period of the course was discontinued in 1708, in consequence of a regulation by the parliamentary commission of visitation appointed in 1690. Since that time every professor has been limited to one particular department.

"The most striking circumstance," say the royal commissioners of 1826, "in the establishment of the University of Edinburgh, is that it is not erected into an independent seminary, but is subjected, in all essential points, to the provost, magistrates, and council of the city. To them is committed the superintendence of it, the appointment of the professors, and the privilege of removing them when so strong a step seemed expedient. The whole body is enjoined to obey the regulations emanating from the council; and even the powers of the principal are limited by the same authority. In fact, to the college, as a college, nothing seems to be given but immunities and privileges common to the other universities, and which do not seem to have any reference to its internal administration. No senate academicae, or college meeting, with special authority to regulate the course of education, is recognised. Everything specified is granted with reference to the magistrates and council; and in the only clause which may seem to imply that the college received a separate and independent jurisdiction, the mode in which it is introduced evinces that this could not have been the case." Accordingly, the council always claimed and exercised the privileges which were conferred on them by the charter.

The number of professors, which in 1620 was seven, including the principal, was raised in 1708 to fifteen, one of whom was professor of Greek; the study of that language being required of all students of arts after the Reformation. The present number is thirty-four. The right of instituting new professorships was vested in the patrons; and the promptitude which they showed in adopting the best measures for the advancement of academical instruction was deserving of great credit. Some years ago the clergy of the city put forward their claim to a voice in the election of professors, on the ground that, in the original charter, the right of appointment was to be exercised cum ornamentis ministrorum. The claim was for some time keenly agitated, and steps were taken to enforce it; but on application being made to the Court of Session in the case of a particular election, the court refused to grant an interdict, and the question was accordingly dropped. Eleven professorships have at various times been founded by the crown, of nine of which it has retained the patronage; but the exercise of this power was disputed by the council, as an infringement of their sole right of control, and a protest was regularly taken that it should not hurt or prejudice their rights. In the case of some of the professorships, certain public bodies have been admitted to a share of the patronage, in consequence of contributing a part of the salaries of the professors. The professors of botany holds two commissions, one from the crown, and another from the town council.

The right of the patrons to interfere in regulating the course of study was of late years disputed by the principal and professors, and the subject was brought before the Court of Session for adjudication. The court decided that the sole government of the university in all points, even in regulating the conditions of graduation, the course of study, and method of instruction, was vested in the town council; and this decision was affirmed by the House of Lords. The council, however, had the discretion to leave matters of discipline and ordinary detail to the principal and professors; and the regulations which were from time to time made by them were considered valid unless disallowed by the patrons.

For a considerable period the college was limited to the faculty of arts; but the other faculties were successively recognised as the course of instruction was extended. The medical school, which has for many years been so famous, had its origin so recently as the end of the seventeenth century, there being no professor of medicine previously to the year 1685. The school of law is still more modern. The class of public law was instituted in 1707, of civil law in 1710, of Scottish law generally in 1722, and that of the theory and practice of conveying in 1825.

By the will of General Reid, dated 1806, a large bequest was made to the senate for endowing a professorship of music, adding to the library, and otherwise promoting the general interests of the university. This bequest, when it became available to the university on the death of the testator's daughter, amounted, after deduction of legacy-duty and expenses, to L62,000. A professorship of music was accordingly instituted in 1839; a splendid hall and classroom have since been built, and an annual concert established.

From what has already been stated, it will appear that the constitution of the University of Edinburgh differed essentially from that of other universities. Indeed it could not be said to have any officers, independent or well-defined constitution; the patrons being invested with the powers generally given to the universities themselves. No power was conferred upon it by the charter as an independent corporation, nor was any provision made for the appointment of public officers. There was no mention made of a chancellor; and although in early times the name was occasionally assumed by the provost of the city, that must be regarded as an unauthorised assumption. The case, in regard to the offices of rector and dean of faculty, was nearly the same. "This important office (the office of rector), say the commissioners, 'has been much less efficient in Edinburgh than in the other universities; and the existence of the office itself has been, apparently at least, suspended.'" It was held by several persons, though at frequent intervals, till 1640, when the council resolved to elect a rector annually, with six assessors, two members of council, two ministers, and two professors. But in the beginning of last century the office of rector was permanently annexed to that of lord provost, who, as head of the council, already possessed all the authority which could be deputed to the rector, and consequently the office had become obsolete even in name. It is, accordingly, explicitly asserted, that no chancellor or vice-chancellor, rector or dean of faculty, exercises any authority or jurisdiction over the principal, professors, or students in the University of Edinburgh." The business of the college was managed by a section of the town council, under the name of the college committee, who took charge of the revenue, communicated with the senate, and exercised a general superintendence over the seminary.

The principal occupied an anomalous position; he held the same Principal rank as the cognominal officers in the other universities, but apparently without any of the powers which were exercised by the others. Notwithstanding the stipulations made by the patrons to Rollock when he was promoted to the office, his authority seems to have been extremely limited. The principal had long ceased to teach a class, and he had not for a considerable period taken an active part in superintending the instruction of any of the classes. He presided in the meetings of the senate, and was the official organ of the university in communicating with the crown, the patrons, and the public. Beyond this he does not appear, so far as we have been able to ascertain, to have possessed any real power or authority. The late Dr John Lee was both principal and professor of divinity.

By the act of 1858 the constitution of the University of Edinburgh has been, in every respect, assimilated to that of the other Scottish universities; the control previously exercised over it by the town council has been abolished; and the patronage which formerly belonged to the council has been vested in seven curators, of whom four are elected by the council, and three by the University Court.

The university is now governed by a chancellor, a vice-chancellor, a rector, with the three courts—the Senatus Academicus, the University Court, and the General Council. The chancellor is elected by the General Council, and appoints the vice-chancellor. The rector is elected by a general poll of the matriculated students, and continues in office for three years. The University Court consists of the rector; the principal; an assessor nominated by the chancellor; the lord-provost of Edinburgh; an assessor nominated by the lord-provost, magistrates, and town council; 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 period of office and the restrictions are the same as in the case of the other universities. The constitution of the General Council is the same as in the other universities; and meets twice a year, on the first Tuesday after the 14th of April, and on the last Friday of October.

The Senatus Academicus consists of the principal and thirty-four Faculties, professors, classified under the four faculties of arts, divinity, laws, and medicine. There are nine professors in the faculty of arts, four in that of divinity, four in that of laws, and fourteen in that of medicine. The professor of natural history belongs to the faculty of medicine. The professors of agriculture, music, and technology have not yet been attached to any of the faculties. Each faculty appoint from their number a dean, who presides at their meetings, and forms the medium of communication between them and the Senatus. It is to be borne in mind, however, that the faculties Edinburgh, merely perform certain duties under the Senate, without whose sanction their proposals and regulations cannot be carried into effect.

The curriculum of arts, qualifying for a degree, extends over four sessions, and includes attendance on Latin, Greek, mathematics, moral philosophy, natural philosophy, and rhetoric. At the close of the third year of the regular curriculum, candidates are admitted to the part of the examination which relates to classical proficiency; and those who avail themselves of this permission, are examined in mathematics and philosophy at the close of the fourth year. The examinations take place in April, and are conducted by means of printed papers. Present fee, £1/3/3.

The celebrity of Edinburgh as a school of medicine seems to demand from us a general statement of the course of study necessary for obtaining medical degrees. The degrees to be granted under the Act of 1858 are divided into three classes, designated respectively Bachelor of Medicine (M.B.), Master in Surgery (C.M.), and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.). The preliminary branches of education are—I. English, Latin, arithmetic, with the elements of mathematics and mechanics; and II. No candidate can be admitted to a professional examination who has not passed a satisfactory examination on at least two of the following subjects, in addition to the subjects mentioned above: Greek, French, German, higher mathematics, natural philosophy, moral philosophy. These examinations to take place, as far as possible, before he has entered on his medical curriculum. The examinations are conducted by examiners in arts, along with the medical examiners. III. A regular degree in arts in any one of the universities of England, Scotland, or Ireland, or in any colonial or foreign university specially recognised for this purpose, exempts the candidate from all preliminary examinations. IV. No candidate may be admitted to a degree who has not been engaged in medical and surgical study for four years; the medical session of each year being constituted by at least two courses, of not less than 100 lectures each, or by such other course, and two courses of not less than 50 lectures each; with the exception of the clinical courses, in which lectures must be given at least twice a week during the prescribed periods. V. No candidate may be admitted to examination who has not given sufficient evidence by certificate—(1.) That he has studied each of the following departments of medical science, namely, Anatomy, Chemistry, Materia Medica and Pharmacy, Institutes of Medicine or Physiology, Practice of Medicine, Surgery, Midwifery and the Diseases peculiar to Women and Children, General Pathology or Morbid Anatomy, Practical Chemistry, Practical Midwifery, Clinical Medicine, Clinical Surgery, Medical Jurisprudence, Botany, Natural History, including Zoology. (2.) That he has attended, for at least two years, the medical and surgical practice of a general hospital accommodating not fewer than eighty patients, and possessing a distinct staff of physicians and surgeons. (3.) That he has been engaged, for at least three months, in compounding and dispensing drugs at the laboratory of an hospital or dispensary under a legalised practitioner. (4.) That he has attended, for at least six months, the out-practice of an hospital, or the practice of a dispensary, or of a legalised practitioner. Every candidate must deliver, before the 31st day of March of the year in which he proposes to graduate, to the dean of the faculty of medicine—(1.) A declaration, in his own handwriting, that he has completed his 21st year, and that he will not be, on the day of graduation, under articles of apprenticeship to any surgeon or other master; (2.) A statement of his studies, as well in literature and philosophy as in medicine, accompanied with proper certificates; (3.) A thesis, approved by himself, to be approved by the medical faculty. VII. Candidates must examine both in writing and aye roce—first, on chemistry, botany, and natural history; secondly, on anatomy, institutes of medicine, and surgery; and, thirdly, on materia medica, pathology, practice of medicine, clinical medicine, clinical surgery, midwifery, and medical jurisprudence. VIII. Students may be admitted to examination on the first division of these subjects at the end of their second year; and on the subjects of the second division, at the end of their third year; or on both divisions at the end of the third year. The examination on the third division cannot take place till the candidate has completed his fourth annus medicus. IX. The studies of candidates for the degrees of bachelor of medicine and master in surgery are subject to the following regulations:—(1.) One of the four years of medical and surgical study must be in the University of Edinburgh. (2.) Another of such four years must be either in the University of Edinburgh, or in some other university entitled to give the degree of doctor of medicine. (3.) Attendance during at least six winter months on the medical or surgical practice of a general hospital which accommodates at least eighty patients, and during the same period on a course of practical anatomy, may be reckoned as one of such four years. (4.) One year's attendance on the lectures of teachers of medicine in the hospital schools of London, or in the school of the College of Surgeons in Dublin, or of such teachers of medicine in Edinburgh or elsewhere as shall from time to time be recognised by the University Court, may be reckoned as one of such Edinburgh four years. (5.) Candidates may, to the extent of four of the departments of medical study required by section V., sub-section (1), attend in such year or years as may be most convenient to them, the lectures of the teachers of medicine specified in sub-section (4). (6.) Candidates, not students of the university, availing themselves of the permission to attend the lectures of extra-academical teachers in Edinburgh, must, at the commencement of each year, enrol their names in a book to be kept by the university for that purpose, paying a sum of the same amount as the matriculation fee paid by students of the university, and having, in respect of such payment, a right to the use of the library of the university; and must also pay, for attendance on such lectures, a fee of the same amount as that exigible by medical professors of the university. (7.) No teacher can be recognised who is at the same time a teacher of more than one of the prescribed branches of study, except in those cases where professors in the university are at liberty to teach two branches. (8.) It is in the power of the University Court to recognise extra-academical teachers, attendance on whose lectures shall be accepted for graduation in the university; and also, if they see cause, to withdraw or suspend such recognition. X. The degree of master in surgery cannot be conferred on any candidate who does not also at the same time obtain the degree of bachelor of medicine. XI. The degree of doctor of medicine may be conferred on any candidate who has obtained the degree of bachelor of medicine, and is of the age of 24 years, and has been engaged, subsequently to his obtaining the degree of bachelor of medicine, for at least two years in attendance on an hospital, or in the military or naval medical service, or in medical or surgical practice. Provided always, that the degree of doctor of medicine shall not be conferred on any person unless he be a graduate in arts of one of the universities of England, Scotland, or Ireland, or of such other universities as are above specified, or unless he shall, before or at the time of his obtaining the degree of bachelor of medicine, or within three years thereafter, have passed a satisfactory examination in Greek, and in logic or moral philosophy, and in one at least of the following subjects: French, German, higher mathematics, and natural philosophy. XII. The examinations are conducted by the professors in the faculty of medicine in the university, with the addition of three persons appointed annually by the University Court, from among the Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, or persons otherwise fully qualified in the judgment of the University Court; such three persons to be eligible for re-election, and each of them to receive a sum of L100 for each year in which he shall act as examiner. The examinations take place in May, June, and July, and the successful candidates are admitted to their degrees on the first lawful day of August. Present fee, including stamp, L25.

The year is divided into two sessions. The winter session commences on the first Tuesday of November, and closes in the end of April, the theological session being somewhat shorter; and the summer session, during which a few classes of the medical faculty are taught, begins on the first Monday of May, and terminates at the end of July. Each student pays a matriculation fee of L1.

The revenues of the university consist chiefly of a certain proportion of L2500, payable by the city for the support of the university and schools, and of a grant from government, which amounts for the present year to L2750. There are 49 foundations for bursaries attached to the university, the benefit of which is extended to 106 students. Their aggregate annual value amounts to L1723. Three are of the annual value of L100; the others vary from L30 to L5, and under. They are nearly all in the gift of private patrons or public bodies.

The professors exercise no superintendence over the students, Discipline except within the walls of the college. Delinquents are brought before the senate, and admonished by the principal; or, if guilty of a grave breach of discipline, are expelled. The students wear no academical dress, nor are they required to attend any particular place of worship. Accommodation for 200 is provided in one of the churches in the immediate neighbourhood of the college.

The number of matriculated students in 1859-60 was 1464; in arts, 647; divinity, 82; laws, 238; medicine, 496. Graduates in arts, 45 (A.B. 23, and A.M. 22); in divinity, 0; in laws, 16; in medicine, 57.

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

| Principal | Date | Patronage | |---------------------------|--------|------------------------------------------------| | Humanity | 1597 | Lords of Session, Curators, Fac. of Advocates, Soc. of Writers to the Signet. | | Greek | 1708 | Curators. | | Mathematics | 1674 | Curators. | IRISH UNIVERSITIES.