OF THE LATE PROFESSOR ROBISON. 497 



of youth, directed his attention toward London. Professor 

 -Dick and Dr Simson joined in recommending him to Dr 

 Blair, Prebendary of Westminster, who was then in search of 

 a person to go to sea with Edward, Duke of York, and to as- 

 sist his Royal Highness in the study of JSIathematics and Na- 

 vigation. Wlien Mr Robison reached London in 1758, he 

 learnt that the proposed voyage was by no means fixed, and 

 after passing some time in expectation and anxiety, he found 

 that the arrangement was entirely abandoned. This first dis- 

 appointment in a favourite object could not fail to be severely 

 felt, and had almost made him resolve on returning to Scot- 

 land. 



He had been introduced, however, to Admiral Knowles, 

 whose son was to have accompanied the Duke of York, and 

 the Admiral was too conversant with Nautical Science, not to 

 discover in him a genius strongly directed to the same ob- 

 jects. Though the scheme of the Prince's nautical education 

 was abandoned, the Admiral's views with respect to his son 

 remained unaltered, and he engaged Mr Robisont to go to sea 

 with him, and to take charge of his instruction. From this 

 point it is, that we are to date his nautical as well as scien- 

 tific attainments. 



About the middle of February 1759, a fleet sailed from 

 Spithead under the command of Admiral Saunders, intended 

 to co-operate with a military force which was to be employed, 

 during the ensuing summer, in the reduction of Quebec, 

 Young Knowles, whom Mr Robison had agreed to accompa- 

 ny, was a midshipman on board the Admiral's ship, the Nep- 

 tune of 90 guns ; but in the course of the voyage, being pro- 

 moted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Royal William of 

 80 guns, Mr Robison went with him on board that ship, 

 and was there rated as a midshipman. 



The 



