202 KEPORT — 1871. 



level of that for men, the education of both sections of the people will advance 

 faster than has hitherto been possible, and the combined intelligence of women and 

 men, educated and trained to a thougJitful appreciation of the truths mrfolded by a 

 study of both natural and economic science, will be able to arrive at a solution of 

 social and political problems which have hitherto baffled the wisest of our legislators. 



On Land Tenure. By William Botly. 



The author introduced the subject by stating that "in treating the question lie 

 did so on principles at once tangible and practical," not on those of " The Land 

 Tenure Reform Association," but in such a manner as he believed would materially 

 tend to the interest of the three parties immediately concerned, and as a sequence 

 to the well-being of the country generally. He then gave an account of the many 

 and varied tenures by which land is liekl in Great Britain, France, Belgium, 

 Prussia, the Colonies, &c., deducing their relatis^e advantages and disadvantages. 

 He then gave a statistical account of the counties &c., proving that leases were the 

 exception not tlie rule : argued in favour of long leases (with few restrictions), 

 showing as a rule long leases and good farming go together, whilst with few ex- 

 ceptions yearly tenancy and insecurity led to bad farming ; gave a tabular state- 

 ment as to the relative yield of such estates. He also advocated Tenant Right to 

 the extent of compensation for all unexhausted improvements and beneficial out- 

 lays, instancing farms where such equitable agreements existed having trebled in 

 value and rental. 



After showing the beneficial effect on landlord, tenant, labourer, and the com- 

 monwealth, concluded by saying that physical, financial, and political benefits 

 would arise from the general adoption of long leases, with a well-considered tenant- 

 right clause inserted therein. 



Educational Hospital Reform : The Scheme of the Edinlurr/7i. Merchant Com- 

 pany. By Thomas J. Boyd, F.K.S.E., Master of the Merchant Company. 



The scholastic institutions of the Edinburgh Merchant Companj' probably form 

 the largest system of schools in Great Britain, and are the only ones yet established 

 under the " Endowed Institutions (Scotland) Act." 



The Merchant Company of Edinburgh was incorporated in 1681 by Royal Char- 

 ter from Charles II. It is in a highly prosperous condition, and upwards of 300 

 leading merchants, bankers, and traders, in Edinburgh and Leith, are members. 

 Since its institution, it has held a very prominent position in Scotland, and its de- 

 liberations and resolutions have not nnfrequently had considerable infiuence on 

 public aflairs. There is a widows' fund connected with it, from which the widows 

 of members receive a liberal annuit3^ The entry -money to the Company varies 

 from about £1-45 to considerably upwards of £200, the exact amount being deter- 

 mined by the ages of applicants for admission. ^ 



The principal administration and jjatronage of three of the educational hospitals 

 in Edinburgh, viz. George Watson's Hospital, the Merchant Maiden Hospital, and 

 Daniel Stewart's Hospital, were vested in the Company, and to it were also con- 

 fided the chief management and patronage of James Gillespie's Hospital for the 

 maintenance of aged people, in connexion with which was a Free Primary School 

 for boys. Each of these four Trusts possessed a large hospital building, in which, 

 previous to the recent changes, the foundationers resided, and where those of the 

 first three were also educated ; and from the able and economical manner in which 

 their respective funds have been managed, their capital stocks have very largely 

 increased. 



(I.) George Watson's Hospital was founded by George Watson, accountant to 

 the Bank of Scotland in Edinbm-gh. He died in 1723, and bequeathed £12,000 to 

 endow an hospital for the maintenance and education of boys. Those who were 

 qualified for admission were sons and grandsons of merchants, burgesses, and guild 

 brothers, or ministers of Old Church, preference being given to those of the name 

 of Watson and Davidson. The income of this Trust now amounts to about £8000 

 a year. The number of boys educated and maintained in its hospital building be- 



