10 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
cipal Eobertson, towards the end of 1782. It is stated to have been 
founded on the model of some Foreign Academies,” and so far dif- 
fered from the Eoyal Society of London, that literary objects were 
equally promoted with science, and the interests of literature repre- 
sented by a Literary “Class” or subordinate Academy, having distinct 
meetings and office-bearers. It appears from a curious letter of Pro- 
fessor Dalzel, in Professor Innes’s Life of Dalzel^ * that the Eoyal 
Society was more particularly modelled on the Berlin Academy, 
and that its rise was partly due to a contest between Lord Buchan 
and the Society of Antiquaries on the one hand, and the University 
and Faculty of Advocates on the other. The result, however, of 
this party- war was in favour of the interests of science and literature ; 
for the Society received a Eoyal Charter, and was formally consti- 
tuted at a meeting held in the College Library on the 23d June 
1783, under the presidency of Principal Eobertson, at which were 
also present the Lord Provost, Lord Justice-Clerk Miller, Profes- 
sors Cullen, Monro {Secundus), Hugh Blair, John Walker, Adam 
Ferguson, John Eobison (who was then appointed secretary), the 
Solicitor-General Hay Campbell, and several members of the 
Faculty of Advocates, the celebrated Adam Smith, and Mr Hunter 
Blair, M.P. for the city of Edinburgh. 
The Society started at once into vigorous existence, and, looking 
especially to the reputation of the members of the Literary Class, 
few societies in any country have given a fairer prospect of a dis- 
tinguished career. The members were either Eesident, Non-Eesi- 
dent, or Honorary. The number of Original Eesidents was 102, 
and of Non-Eesidents, 71 ; and this before the Society had ever held 
a meeting. A short time later, the total number of members be- 
longing to the Physical Class was 101, and to the Literary Class, 
114. An excerpt from the MS. list of original members, in Pro- 
fessor Eobison’s handwriting (exclusive of those who have been 
named as founders of the Society), will give no mean idea of the 
eminent position of Edinburgh in the literary world of that day : — 
sor James Kussell and Sir William Miller, Lord Glenlee. The latter died so 
lately as 1846, in his ninety-first year. The Minnte-Boolrs of the Philosophical 
Society were expressly conveyed to the custody of the Eoyal Society (see 
Minute, K.S., of 4th August 1783) ; but they are, it may be feared, now irre- 
coverably lost. 
« Page 39 (30th Nov. 1782). 
