Notes on the History of the Royal Physical Society. 105 



VII. Notes on the History of the Royal Physical Society. 

 By E. H. Traquair, M.D., LL.D., r.E.S. 



(Read 15th January 1902.) 



The Koyal Physical Society of Edinburgh was founded in 

 1771, and has therefore completed its one hundred and 

 thirtieth session. With the exception of the. " Eoyal 

 Medical" it is the oldest scientific society in Edinburgh, 

 and certainly it is the oldest which now publishes Proceedings. 

 It was founded under the name of the " Physico-Ohirurgical " 

 Society, but soon became known simply as the *' Physical " 

 Society. Nevertheless, as the original title implies, it was 

 at first mainly an association for the discussion of medical 

 subjects, though matters relating to other branches of know- 

 ledge were also included in its range. Its usefulness and 

 fame enabled it not only to live, but so great was its 

 prosperity that it also became possessed of a valuable 

 library, and in 1782 was able to build a hall in Eichmond 

 Street for its meetings. This hall, the foundation-stone of 

 which was laid by the celebrated anatomist, the second 

 Monro, was publicly opened in 1783 in presence of the 

 Principal and the Professors of Medicine in the University, 

 and an influential assemblage of the physicians and surgeons 

 of Edinburgh. On 5th June 1778 a charter of incorporation 

 was granted to the Society by His Majesty King George the 

 Third, and from that day to the present time, nearly one 

 hundred and twenty-five years, the Society has borne the 

 time-honoured name of " Eoyal Physical." 



Twelve years ago I was told by the late Mr David Grieve, 

 at that time the oldest of the Fellows of the Society, that he 

 still remembered the meetings held in that old hall. But 

 financial troubles came, and the Society had to quit. The 

 hall no longer exists, having been long since taken down, 

 and, I believe, the site is now occupied by a church. Eor a 

 time the Society found a temporary asylum within the walls 

 of the University ; afterwards the meetings were held in the 

 Bible Society's Eooms, first at 2 York Place, and subsequently 

 at 5 St Andrew Square. Dowell's Eooms in George Street 

 formed the meeting place from 1888 to 1889, but since the 



