SIMSON. 135 



year. Though geometry was his own favourite study, 

 he was a thorough algebraist also, and so well versed 

 in mathematical science at large, that he gave lectures 

 on its general history. With astronomy, and the other 

 branches of the mixed mathematics, he was no less 

 conversant ; and in various departments of physics he 

 had made great progress. In botany he was parti- 

 cularly expert ; it formed his chosen amusement dur- 

 ing the walks in which he relaxed from his severer 

 studies. His curiosity led him into other paths of 

 science. To logic, that of the schools, he had given 

 so much attention, that of a tract, composed by him 

 upon its principles, some portion remains among his 

 papers ; it is said to possess great merit ; and doubtless 

 this study was congenial to the one which he mainly 

 pursued, nor could it fail to aid his strict and luminous 

 method of both defining, demonstrating, and explain- 

 ing the truths of geometry. 



Among his colleagues, after he had been professor 

 a few years, were some of the most eminent men of 

 that, or indeed of any age. Moore, professor of Greek, 

 and author of the admirable and elegant ' Grammar ;' 

 Hutcheson, and Adam Smith, successively teachers of 

 moral philosophy ; Cullen, the celebrated physician ; 

 Black, the great founder of modern chemistry all 

 taught while Simson flourished ; Millar only became 

 professor of law at the close of the brilliant period now 

 referred to, and Robison succeeded Black in 176 J, 

 soon after Simson's resignation. 



But a teacher's influence is nothing in surrounding 

 himself with illustrious colleagues; of great pupils he 

 may more easily obtain a following. Of these, Dr. 

 Simson had some whose names are still honoured 

 among mathematicians. Williamson, afterwards his 

 assistant in the class, a man of great promise, whose 

 early death at the Factory of Lisbon, to which he was 

 chaplain, alone prevented him from following with 

 distinction his master's footsteps ; Scott, preceptor to 



