teachers of philosophy and divinity had been established in the city. On the 24th of April of that year, King James VI. issued the charter for its foundation, and in the following year the course of instruction was commenced. By the liberality of James, and private benefactions, the University rapidly advanced in importance, and, as its revenues increased, its sphere of usefulness was extended by the addition of new professorships, till, in the eighteenth century, it attained a celebrity unsurpassed by any academical institution in Europe.

The present structure is of modern erection. The old buildings were both unsightly and incommodious, and a subscription having been set on foot, the foundation of the present handsome and spacious edifice was laid in 1789. The local subscriptions, however, were insufficient to accomplish the object; and, upon the case being brought before Parliament, an annual grant of £10,000 was obtained to complete the undertaking. The plan

is by Mr. Robert Adam, with some subsequent modifications, principally in the internal arrangement, by Mr. W. H. Playfair. The buildings are of a quadrangular form, the sides measuring 358 by 255 feet, with a spacious court in the centre. The eastern front is adorned with a portico, supported by Doric columns, twenty-six feet in height, each formed of a single block of stone.

No test of any description is required from the students; they are not resident within the College, nor are they distinguished by any peculiarity of dress. In pursuing their studies they are at perfect

liberty to select the classes they attend-a certain curriculum of study is, however, requisite in taking degrees in Medicine and Art, those who intend to qualify for a degree in the latter being required to attend the Classes of Humanity, Greek, Logic, Rhetoric, Moral Philosophy, Natural Philosophy, and Mathematics. The number of students attending the University ranges between 1000 and 1200.

There are thirty-four foundations for bursaries, the benefit of which is extended to eighty students. The greater number of these bursaries do not exceed in value £10 per annum, their aggregate amount being only £1172 a year.

The Museum contains a large collection of specimens in the various departments of Natural History. The ornithological department is peculiarly valuable, both from its extent and admirable classification. Visiters are admitted upon payment of one shilling each. There is also an Anatomical Museum, where the professional visiter will be highly interested by the variety and beauty of the prepara

tions.

The Library occupies the south side of the building. The principal apartment is equally distinguished by the symmetry of its proportions, the chasteness of its decorations, and its admirable adaptation to the purpose for which it is intended. It is incomparably the finest library-room in Scotland, measuring 187 feet in length, by 50 in breadth, with an arched roof from 50 to 58 feet high. The monument of Burns, by Flaxman, graces the west end of the room.

Proceeding northward, upon leaving the University, the

ROYAL INFIRMARY

A

is situated in the first street upon the right. detailed account of this institution does not appear to be necessary in the present work. Besides the relief afforded to patients, clinical lectures, or discourses on the cases in the several wards, are delivered within the walls by certain Professors of the University. The Professor of Clinical Surgery also lectures upon the more important surgical cases in the wards under his inspection. In addition to the professorial lectures, the ordinary physicians and surgeons of the institution deliver clinical discourses on the cases under their immediate care. Journals are regularly kept, recording the symptoms, progress, and result of the cases, with the various remedies employed. To these journals the students

have access.

The fees paid by students for the right to attend the medical and surgical practice in the Hospital, are five guineas for an annual, or twelve guineas for a perpetual ticket.

Proceeding along the South Bridge, an open railing, for a short distance on either side, affords a view of the Cowgate, with which the tourist will, in all probability, have no wish to cultivate a closer acquaintance. The Register House will again come into view on reaching the Tron Church, thus terminating our Second Walk.