102 Mr. W. Keddie on the Early History and Proceedings of the Society. 



plained to the Society at one of its earliest meetings. Amongst the 

 original members were a number of respectable citizens well known for 

 their public spirit and scientific tastes and attainments. Mr. Peter 

 Nicholson, one of three gentlemen who signed a circular letter conven- 

 ing the meeting at which the Society was constituted, was the author 

 of an Essay on Involutiwi and Evolution ; or, a Method of Determining 

 the Vahie of any Function of a Known Quantity, a copy of which work, 

 inscribed by the writer, is in the Libraiy ; he was also the author of an 

 Introduction to Increments, Rudiments of Algebra, and an Architec- 

 tural Dictionary. Mr. David Hamilton, the architect of the Royal 

 Exchange, Hutchesons' Hospital, and several of the city churches, was 

 also one of the original members. The list likewise includes the follow- 

 ing : — Dr. James Monteath ; Mr. James Cook, the engineer; Mr. 

 William Mitchell, of the firm of Mitchell & EusseU, jewellers and watch 

 and clock makers ; Mr. William Dunn, the machine maker ; Mr. James 

 Hardie, at one time master of police ; Mr. Andrew Brocket, mason, the 

 builder of a lai'ge extension of the quay wall at the Broomielaw from 

 York Street downwards ; Mr. John Buttery, of the Monkland Iron and 

 Steel Works ; Mr. James Boaz, accountant, who was for twenty-five 

 years Secretary to the Society, and whose correct and neatly engrossed 

 minutes from 180Ji to 1829 are frequently illustrated by careful draw- 

 ings ; Mr. Haldane, engraver ; Mr. James Crichton, who had been 

 operator to Professor Anderson, the founder of the Institution bearing 

 his name, and afterwards became celebrated for the accuracy of his ther- 

 mometers, which still maintain a high reputation ; Mr. William Eeid, 

 supposed to have been a gentleman of eccentric habits, known familiarly 

 as " Author Reid ;" Dr. George Birkbeck, Professor of Natural Philo- 

 sophy and Chemistry in the Andersonian Institution, who was the first 

 to lecture to a class of working men, and is therefore generally regarded 

 as the founder of mechanics' institutions ; Mr. James Spreull, city 

 chamberlain ; Mr. James Sword, ironfounder ; Dr. Patrick Cummin, 

 Professor of Oriental Languages in the University of Glasgow ; Mr. 

 Joseph Outram ; Mr. David Muschet, the father of the iron trade of 

 the west of Scotland ; Mr. George M'Intosh and Mr. Charles M'ln- 

 tosh, father and son, the latter the inventor of the patent double water- 

 proof fabric, &c. ; Mr. James Laird, a copartner of Lord Dundas in the 

 Dalmuir Chemical Works; Mr. Kenneth Mathieson, the builder;* 



* In addition to sever.il churches in Glasgow, Mr. Mathieson built Hutchesons' Hospi- 

 tal and the old Theatre Koyal, f Jneen Street, designed by Mr. David Hamilton, and which 

 was bunied down in 1829. His bridges span the Black and White Cart at Inchinnan; 

 the Cree at Newton-Stewart; the Ken near New Galloway; the Doon near AUoway 

 Kirk; the Clyde at Garion; the Forth at Stirling; and the B.an at Agivey in Antrim. 



