124. 
Professor Duncan, having been struck with 
paralysis, his young pupil supplied his 
place, and taught the classes with entire 
credit, until a suitable assistant could be 
found to relieve him of a charge which 
interfered too much with his private studies 
and pursuits. After being released from 
that duty, the subject of this little memoir 
attended a class for Chemistry, and took 
notes of the lectures on the French tongue, 
making himself a perfect master of that 
language, as well as of Italian and Spanish. 
He also attended the Divinity Class, taught 
by Dr. G. Gerrard, but without any further 
ulterior views than the general information 
which it conveyed. 
Botany had long been his favourite pur- 
suit in summer, and he was the frequent 
companion of Dr. Beattie and Dr. Knight 
in their herborizing rambles, as well as 
making wider excursions with more youthful 
companions. Well qualified judges declared 
him to be among the best botanists, che- 
mists, and classical scholars in Scotland, 
when he left this country for London, in 
October 1811, before completing his se- 
venteenth year ! 
ile in London, he continued to pur- 
sue his medical and botanical studies with 
unwearied perseverance, cultivating, at the 
same time, the friendship of men of learn- 
ing, who kindly condescended to encourage 
the rising genius of a youth, whose talents 
and  modesty were alike conspicuous, 
Among these were Sir Joseph Banks, his 
librarian and friend, the celebrated Robert 
Brown, Mr. G. Anderson, a well-known 
Botanist, son of Dr. Anderson, the Editor 
of the Bee, &c. and at that time one of the 
Council of the Linnean Society ; also, and 
in particular, Sir Vicary Gibbs, who on 
intimate acquaintance, declared that he 
never had met with any youth, possessing 
es such solid and varied acquirements. 
— The object of young Mr. Jack in going 
to London was, to attend the hospitals and 
the lectures in the different departments of 
Medicine and Surgery, then to present 
himself as-a candidate for examination at 
Surgeons’ Hall, and afterwards to obtain 
the situation of : surgeon in one of the East 
MEMOIR OF THE LATE MR. WILLIAM JACK. 
With a noble independence of mind, he 
was willing to content himself with a hum- 
ble station, where his own exertions might — 
recommend him, rather than seek to rise . 
by the too common means of sycophancy X 
and solicitation. Several of his friends, - 
aware of his merits, and perceiving the - 
great promise of his talents, were kindly 
anxious to promote his views, and his exa- _ 
mination was hurried on, that he might | 
embark in one of the first ships of the ; 
season. The following account of his hav- - 
ing passed as Fellow of the Royal College - 
of Surgeons, with their highest diploma, is 
not without interest, as showing the opinion - 
of unprejudiced judges respecting his ta- - 
lents and acquirements. a A 
London, Feb. 1, 1819. “Yesterday I — 
passed as Fellow of the College of Sur- : 
geons, and with flying colours. Fi | 
cs LU ie WT 
certificate of age, they agreed, after a little : 
consultation, to examine me. Sir William E 
evident I understood my subject. Sir James 
Earle agreed, and obligingly declared thet 
as to my period of study, &c. 
produce my certificate of apprenticeship, 
but he said, that as I had answered so per- 
fectly, the Court did not require it, and in- 
formed me that I had passed. They then 
congratulated me on my success; one 
served that I should be an honour to 
