7o The Naturalist of Cumbrae. 



kinsmen or namesakes, for the purpose of establishing 

 a college in this city, for the arts, medicine, law, and 

 theology. At the professor's decease, his trustees 

 were incorporated by charter, in 1796. Pecuniary 

 and other considerations have hitherto limited the 

 plan to physical science, comprehending natural 

 philosophy, chemistry, materia medica and pharmacy, 

 mathematics and geography. Popular and scientific 

 lectures, from its commencement, were continued to 

 be delivered to both sexes in this institution, by Dr. 

 Garnet, with great approbation, till in 1799 he received 

 an appointment in the Royal Institution of London, 

 which had been formed on the model of this primary 

 institution. Dr. Garnet was succeeded by Dr. Birk- 

 beck, who, in addition to the branches taught by his 

 predecessor, introduced a familiar system of philoso- 

 phical and mechanical information to five hundred 

 operative mechanics, free of all expense, exclusive of 

 the exhibition of an extensive apparatus. Particular 

 models, illustrative of the arts, were introduced. A 

 subscription library, for the use of this class, has been 

 productive of beneficial effects." 



With the " celebrated Mr. John Anderson," who thus 

 started a movement of considerable social importance, 

 we need not here further trouble the reader, though 

 there will be another occasion for referring to his 

 rather whimsical will. David Robertson, having 

 obtained an interview with Dr. Robert Hunter, said 

 that he had come to ask his advice with regard to the 

 likelihood of his success as a medical student, consider- 

 ing his age and particularly the impediment in his 

 speech. The professor very kindly took great pains 



