84 Henry Riddell on 



Edinburgh, was a sister of his own mother, while the mother of 

 Dr. Adam Ferguson was also an aunt, and Ferguson made the 

 connection closer by marrying the daughter of Black's sister. Of 

 his friends later in life the more remarkable were James Watt, 

 David Hume, John Home, Clark of Elden, and Dr. James Hutton, 

 the real and true begetter of the Science of Geology. 



After beginning the study of Medecine in Glasgow, Black 

 proceeded to Edinburgh to complete his work there. He does 

 not seem to have availed himself of the time in Glasgow to 

 shorten his studies in Edinburgh, but to have taken the full 

 classes and courses prescribed for the degree. 



The thesis ofiFered for his M.D. degree was probably the 

 most important contribution to scientific literature ever presented 

 on such an occasion. 



The results obtained were so very surprising in their 

 novelty and importance that appreciation was immediate, and 

 the publication of the paper in an English form rendered it 

 generally accessible to those interested in scientific learning. On 

 the Continent his experiments were soon repeated and his 

 conclusions verified, though there were some who attempted to 

 question their accuracy, and it became evident that a new era in 

 Science had opened. It is no wonder that, in later years, his 

 classrooms were filled by earnest students. 



Shortly after Black obtained his degree Dr. Cullen was 

 called from Glasgow to take a professorship in Edinburgh, and 

 there was a vacancy in the Chair of Chemistry in Glasgow. The 

 choice of the authorities naturally fell upon Dr. Black, and he 

 was appointed Lecturer in Chemistry. Ten years later he left 

 Glasgow to become Professor of Chemistry in Edinburgh, suc- 

 ceeding Cullen, who was appointed to the Chair of Medicine. 



During his term of office in Glasgow he had a great reputa- 

 tion as a teacher, and was a very favourite physician of that city. 

 I cannot help quoting his editor, Eobison — "His countenance 

 at that time of life was equally engaging as his manners were 

 attractive, so that I do not wonder that, in the general popularity 



