the late Professor Jameson, 33 
curiosity in our city, and highly useful in many points of 
view, as a stimulant towards improvement and progress in 
science and art, and a source of innocent recreation for the 
community—a place where all may derive sound and bene- 
ficial knowledge, an access to social blessings, and a wel- 
come relief from social miseries. | 
From the valuable records of the Town we learn that in 
1765 the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council, took a deep 
interest in the University Natural History Museum, selected 
a room adjoining the Old College Buildings, fitted it up for 
that purpose, and voted several hundred pounds for glass 
eases, drawers, &c., and for purchasing and preserving speci- 
mens of natural history. 
In 1785 many of the county seutiemien also took a warm 
interest in the formation of a Museum, and were anxious 
that it should be established on a firm basis, not only for the 
benefit of the city, but for Scotland in general. Among these 
we may mention the names of a party who presented six hun- 
dred specimens of Natural History to the Museum, viz., the 
Duke of Buccleuch, Lord Hailes, Lord Daer, Earl of Hope- 
toun, Bailie James Dickson, Dr Monro, Dr Cullen, Captain 
Cook, and others. At this period, and up to 1812, the 
Museum was under the patronage of the Town, and all ex- 
penses connected with it were paid out of their exchequer, 
and a yearly sum granted to the Professor to procure speci- 
mens. 
At the death of Dr Walker the collection in the Museum 
_was almost entirely removed by his trustees. Jameson informs 
the Royal Commission, in 1826, that he had no power then to 
interfere with that collection, as it was under the control of 
Walker’s trustees; and on being questioned by the Royal 
Commission in regard to it, he says, that ‘the portion left 
for the Museum was very small, and there was now scarcely 
anything left, nearly the whole of the collection having been 
thrown out. A few things were kept for a year or two; 
they gradually gave way, in consequence of having been badly 
prepared. There are a few rocks, and articles of Indian 
dress which still remain, the ced articles left of any conse- 
quence.” 
VOL. LVII. NO. CXIII.—JULY 1854. ¢ 
