72 ESSAYS BIOGRAPHICAL AND CHEMICAL 



In 1756 Dr. Cullen was called to fill the Chair of 

 Chemistry in Edinburgh, and Black, who had been prac- 

 tising as a physician since he had graduated, was called to 

 succeed him in the Chair of Anatomy and the lectureship 

 in Chemistry; for his reputation in the subject which he 

 had made his own was even then a high one. Black did 

 not retain the Chair of Anatomy for long, however ; his 

 tastes lay more in the direction of medicine ; and with the 

 concurrence of the University he and the professor of 

 medicine exchanged chairs. While he held these offices 

 he also engaged in medical practice ; and Robison says that 

 his countenance at that time of life he was then about 

 thirty-two was equally engaging as his manners were 

 attractive ; and in the general popularity of his character 

 he was in particular a favourite with the ladies. No one, 

 so far as we know, was singled out by his preference ; and 

 to the end of his days he remained unmarried. It appears 

 that the ladies regarded themselves as honoured by his 

 attentions, and we are told that these attentions were not 

 indiscriminately bestowed, but exclusively on those who 

 evinced a superiority in mental accomplishments or 

 propriety of demeanour, and in grace and elegance of 

 manners. 



In 1766, Dr. Cullen exchanged the Chair of Chemistry 

 at Edinburgh for that of Medicine ; and with one accord 

 University and town united in calling Dr. Black to the 

 vacant chair. Indeed, in 1756, he had been recom- 

 mended for the chair by the University; but the Town 

 Councillors who were the electors did not agree with 

 the recommendation, and Cullen was appointed. Now, 

 however, unanimity prevailed, and Black removed to 

 Edinburgh, where he spent the rest of his days. 



From this date, he devoted himself to tuition, and 

 spared no pains to make his lectures attractive and 

 useful. He illustrated them by numerous experiments. 



