OF THE LATE PROFESSOR ROBISON. 511 



even when he is supported by despotic power, must pro- 

 ceed but slowly ; jealousy, pride, and self-interest, will conti- 

 nually counteract the plans of improvement, and by their vigi- 

 lance and unceasing activity, will never wholly fail of success* 

 All this was experienced by Admiral Knowles ; yet there is no 

 doubt that material advantages were derived, by the Russian 

 navy, from the new system which he was enabled, partially, to 

 introduce. 



Mr Robison, from his first arrival at St Petersburgh, had 

 applied with great diligence to the study of the Russian 

 language, and had made himself so much master of it, 

 as to speak and write it with considerable facility. In 

 summer 1772, a vacancy happening in the mathematical 

 chair attached to the Imperial Sea Cadet Corps of Nobles, at 

 Cronstadt, Mr Robison was solicited to accept of that office. 

 His nautical and mathematical knowledge qualified him singu- 

 larly for the duties of it, and his proficiency in the Russian 

 language, removed the only objection that could possibly be 

 proposed. When he accepted of the appointment, the salary 

 of his predecessor was doubled, and the rank of Colonel was 

 given him. Besides delivering his lectures as Professor, he of- 

 ficiated also as inspector of the above corps, in the room of 

 General Politika, who had retired, or been sent to his estates 

 in the Ukraine. 



The lectures which he gave were very much admired, and 

 could not fail to be of the greatest use to his pupils. Few 

 men understood so well the theory and the practice of the arts 

 they profess to teach ; few had enjoyed the same opportunities 

 of seeing the mathematical rules of artillery and navigation 

 carried into effect on so great a scale. To his own country- 

 men, resident at Petersburgh, Mr Robison was an object of no 

 less affection than admiration. 



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