GLASGOW. (DESCRIPTION.) 



467 



addition to the regular lectures, opened a gratuitous 

 weekly class for persons engaged in mechanical and 

 chemical arts. Although manufacturers and artifi- 

 cers are referred to in the will of the founder, it does 

 not appear that he contemplated a class composed of 

 operative mechanics, on the plan now adopted. Dr 

 Birkbeck lias, therefore, the merit of having given 

 the first impulse to a scheme which has been emi- 

 nently successful in Glasgow, and has thence obtain- 

 ed the notice and imitation of all Europe. The 

 meclianics' class having- thus commenced, progres- 

 sively advanced in reputation. The chief alter- 

 ation in its arrangements was the charge of a small 

 fee, which has been exacted since the second course 

 of lectures, to support the necessary expenditure. 

 Independent of the valuable library left to the insti- 

 tution by the founder, another was formed in 1808, 

 under the direction of Dr Ure, which is solely dedi- 

 cated to the use of the mechanics, and conducted by 

 a committee of their own number. A new class was 

 opened in the session of 1825, which, in the true spi- 

 rit of the founder, permits the wives and daughters 

 of the mechanics to accompany them to the lectures 

 on two evenings every week, whereby an opportunity 

 is afforded them of learning such principles of philo- 

 sophy as relate to domestic economy and the arts. 

 There are thus two distinct mechanics' courses of 

 fifty lectures each. During the same session ladies 

 in the higher ranks of life have been also gratified 

 for the first time, with a popular course of lectures on 

 chemistry, which was most numerously and respect- 

 ably attended. The trustees of the Andersonian 

 University purchased for the institution the range of 

 buildings in George Street, formerly occupied as the 

 grammar school. These new lecture-rooms were 

 opened in 1828, and contain an excellent museum. 



In consequence of circumstances which it is unne- 

 cessary to detail, a party of the mechanics separated 

 in 1823 from their Alma Mater, and formed them- 

 selves into a different establishment, under the name 

 of the Mechanics' Institution, which is entirely under 

 the management of the mechanics themselves, and 

 has been successful beyond all expectation. It com- 

 menced in July 1823. A large hall in North Albion 

 Street, formerly the upper part of a church, was con- 

 verted into a lecture room, but within these few years 

 an elegant structure was raised for the purpose in 

 North Hanover Street, at the expense of Mr John 

 Leadbe tier, and is now the property of the mechanics. 

 The institution has been lately incorporated by the 

 magistrates, and is at present in a flourishing condi- 

 tion. The museum attached to it is daily increasing, 

 and the library is extensive. In the institution hall 

 there is a fine painting by Bewick of Dr Birkbeck, 

 who is now president of the mechanics' institution in 

 London. This was formed in November, 1823, on 

 the plan of that of Glasgow, and the system has 

 rapidly extended to the chief towns and cities of the 

 empire, and to the continents of Europe and America. 



A Royal Botanic Garden was instituted in 1817. 

 It is situated about a mile westward from the city, 

 and is beautifully laid out. 



The College Literary Society!was instituted in 1752. 

 It consisted of such of the professors as chose to be- 

 come members of it, and of other literary gentlemen. 

 The established clergy in the city and vicinity were 

 admitted, on expressing a desire to that effect. Its 

 meetings were held once a week during the session, 

 in the faculty hall, when an essay was delivered on 

 some literary or scientific subject, which was sub- 

 mitted to the criticism of the society. Amongst its 

 former distinguished members, may be ranked pro- 

 fessors Leechman, Simson, Adam Smith, Trail, Reid, 

 Millar, Richardson, and Young. From the increased 

 business of the college, and the augmented labours 



of the professors, the meetings of this society have 

 for some years been discontinued. 



The Literary and Commercial Society was founded 

 in 1791 by some young men who were then students 

 of the logic class. It had at that time a different 

 appellation, but the same society has existed ever 

 since, under various forms and renovations. In 1805 

 an arrangement was made by which commercial sub- 

 jects were introduced, and it then assumed its pre- 

 sent designation. For several years some of the most 

 eminent merchants in the city were members of it, 

 and it still holds a respectable rank amongst similar 

 institutions. 



The Philosophical Society was established in 1802, 

 with a view to promote the knowledge of the arts 

 and sciences, by the reading of appropriate essays, 

 discussing the merits of new suggestions in mechanics, 

 illustrating these by the exhibition of models, and 

 otherwise encouraging plu'losophical pursuits. 



Stirling's Public Library derives its origin from the 

 late Walter Stirling, merchant, who, in 1791, be- 

 queathed his library, his house in Millar Street, his 

 share in the Tontine buildings, and a thousand pounds 

 in money, to establish a public library for the use of the 

 citizens. The management is vested in deputations 

 of three persons each from the town council, the 

 merchants' house, the presbytery of Glasgow, and the 

 faculty of physicians and surgeons; the Lord Provost 

 being also a director ex officio. The subscriptions 

 are for life, and the charge at the commencement 

 was three guineas, which was in 1793 raised to five 

 guineas, and in 1816 to ten guineas. It lias since, 

 however, been reduced to seven guineas. The lib- 

 rary consists of above 8000 volumes. It is kept in 

 the hall of Hutchesons' hospital. 



The Glasgow Public Library was established in 

 1804 by a number of gentlemen, who associated 

 themselves for the purpose of forming a library on 

 popular principles, and on such moderate terms of 

 admission as might secure its general utility. The 

 management is vested in nine curators, and a trea- 

 surer, secretary, and librarian. The entry money is 

 at present twenty shillings, and the annual subscrip- 

 tion 10s 6d. The shares are transferable. The li- 

 brary consists of above 6000 volumes, and the num- 

 ber of subscribers exceeds 500. 



The Glasgow Foreign Library was instituted in 1820. 

 Its object was to form a collection of foreign periodi- 

 cal works, transactions of foreign societies, and books 

 of general literature, in the principal European lan- 

 guages. 



The Theological Seminary was established in Glas- 

 gow, by the synod of the united secession church, 

 for the purpose of training and educating young men 

 under its authority, for the ministry. It is conducted 

 by two professors, one of whom delivers lectures in 

 biblical literature, and the other in systematic theo- 

 logy. The attendance of the students is required for 

 five sessions. To this seminary is attached a library 

 for the use of the students, to which has been lately 

 added the large and valuable collection of books, 

 chiefly in divinity, which formed the library of the 

 late Rev. James Robertson of Kilmarnock. When, 

 in consequence of his demise in 1814, this library 

 came to be offered for sale, some gentlemen in con- 

 nexion with the religious society to which he be- 

 longed, and who knew its established character, re- 

 solved to make a purchase of it, with a view to Jay 

 it open on certain conditions to the public. Share- 

 holders were admitted at five pounds each, and annual 

 subscribers at half a guinea. It existed as a public 

 library for about ten years, during which period large 

 additions were made to it in every department of 

 science and of general literature. In September, 182-1, 

 the synod of the secession church came to the deter- 

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