SIMSON. 481 



have no knowledge, unless the question was so simple as 

 to afford no test of the candidate's capacity. He pro- 

 duced, however, what they might better understand, 

 testimonials from known mathematicians in London, 

 a farther proof of there being no cultivators of the 

 science then resident in the metropolis of Scottish 

 manufactures. 



He was thus appointed professor in 1711, and im- 

 mediately began the regular course of instruction, 

 which he continued for half a century. He taught 

 two classes five days a week for seven months every 

 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 denning, 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 ;' 



2 i 



