294 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHAIR OF 



brilliant writer, Sir David Brewster. Both shed remarkable 

 dignity and lustre on the University, and received homage 

 wherever science was known. The reputation of the Principal, 

 and his fine presence, gave a tone to the college life of the 

 period, and carried respect for the University throughout the 

 country. Even the citizens of St Andrews were wont to 

 point out to their young sons Sir David as he passed along the 

 streets as one of the seven wisest men in the world. In him 

 the students of the day were brought face to face with a high 

 type of intellectual force, of unflagging industry, and well- 

 directed aims. With signal devotion to the subjects he had 

 taken in hand, he every year produced important results in 

 the form of original papers no less than about one hundred 

 and eighteen scientific communications marking his twenty 

 years' tenure of the Principalship of this University. While 

 thus busy in extending the boundaries of science, he was 

 ever mindful of his duties to the University. Besides popular 

 lectures in the city, he gave various courses of lectures on 

 optics and cognate subjects in the present natural history 

 class-room. His dignified yet kindly bearing, his clear and 

 elegant diction, together with his great reputation, made such 

 courses unusually successful, and the students of the day 

 were ever eager to listen to him. Besides, his whole life shone 

 as an example and a stimulus to every thoughtful student 

 within the University. 



Sir David, moreover, may be said to have originated the 

 Literary and Philosophical Society of St Andrews in con- 

 nection with the University. He was its President, and so 

 long as he remained in the city, the work of the society was 

 carried on with vigour and regularity. His influence and 

 inspiration attracted men like the brothers John and Harry 

 Goodsir, Edward Forbes, John Reid, David Page, and many 

 others, whilst the leading citizens, from Sir Hugh Lyon 

 Playfair, then Provost, downwards, cordially joined in the 

 proceedings. As will be observed in the remarks on the 



