( 318 ) 



APPENDIX. 



ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL ROBERTSON ON LAYING THE FOUNDA. 

 TION STONE OF THE EDINBURGH COLLEGE, 1791. (LORD 

 NAPIER WAS THE GRAND MASTER OF THE MASONS.) 



" MY LORD, 



"From very humble beginnings the University of 

 Edinburgh has attained to such eminence as entitles it to be 

 ranked among the most celebrated seminaries of learning. 

 Indebted to the bounty of several of our sovereigns ; distin- 

 guished, particularly, by the gracious prince now seated on 

 the British throne, whom, with gratitude, we reckon amongst 

 the most munificent of our royal benefactors ; and cherished 

 by the continued attention and good offices of our honourable 

 patrons,* this University can now boast of the number and 

 variety of its institutions for the instruction of youth in all 

 the branches of literature and science. 



" With what integrity and discernment persons have been 

 chosen to preside in each of these departments, the character 

 of my learned colleagues affords the most satisfying evidence. 

 From confidence in their abilities and assiduity in discharg- 

 ing the duties of their respective offices, the University of 

 Edinburgh has not only become a seat of education to youth 

 in every part of the British dominions, but, to the honour of 

 our country, students have been attracted to it from almost 

 every nation in Europe, and every state in America. 



" One thing still was wanting. The apartments appropriated 

 for the accommodation of professors and students were so ex- 

 tremely unsuitable to the flourishing state of the University, 

 that it had long been the general wish to have buildings more 

 decent and convenient erected. What your Lordship has 

 now done gives a near prospect of having this wish accom- 



* The magistrates of the city. 



