answered the ends originally contemplated, is a much disputed point, on which I must refrain from entering.

In the last volume I explained the course of education taught in the grammar or burgh schools; and it continued with little variation through the greater part of the eighteenth century. The teaching of geography was introduced into those schools in the beginning of the eighteenth century, and the elements of mathematical science began to be generally taught about the middle of that century. In 1761, astronomy and several other branches of physical science were taught in the Grammar School of Ayr, and in Perth Academy.2 There was also a drawing-master in Perth Academy in 1777, and French was likewise taught in Perth in 1769, Haddington, in 1721, Stirling in 1755, Ayr in 1761, and in other towns. But English was not thoroughly taught as a special branch in the grammar schools till well through the present century.

A very marked improvement has been effected in the teaching in grammar and secondary schools within a recent period. The course of instruction in these schools usually embraces the following branches (1) Classics -Latin and Greek; (2) Arithmetic and Mathematics; (3) Science; (4) English, French, and German; (5) Vocal and Instrumental Music; (6) Writing and Drawing; (7) Elocution; while in some schools Phonography, Freehand and Technical Drawing, and Handicrafts are also taught. Many of the gentlemen at the head of these schools in Scotland are able and highly qualified instructors and organisers, and are well seconded by staffs of competent teachers.

There are also a number of schools and institutions specially employed in technical and art teaching. Knowledge and skill in these branches is becoming more necessary as civilisation advances; in order to hold our own we must make the utmost effort.

After the notices and references to the teaching and writings of many of the professors given in the preceding pages, it would be superfluous to enter into long details of the Universities themselves; and I shall only touch briefly on a few points.

A Royal Commission was issued for a visitation of the Universities and Colleges of Scotland in August, 1826, to which I referred in a preceding volume; this commission continued its sittings and investigations till the 28th of October, 1830, when their report was

3 Mackintosh's History of Civilisation in Scotland, Vol. II., p. 409.

finally revised and copies ordered to be printed. In the course of their inquiries they collected a vast mass of evidence which fills three very large volumes; and anyone who desires to have ample information about the Scotch Universities, from their foundation to 1830, should consult these volumes. In 1837, a bill was brought into parliament which proposed to appoint a board of visitors for each of the Universities of Scotland. These boards were to act as executive commissions to carry out, with modifications, the recommendations of the royal commission; they were to frame statutes and regulations, which, after receiving the sanction of the Privy Council, would then become law. But the proposal was vehemently opposed in Scotland, and the Government abandoned it.

In 1843, the Disruption of the Church came, and this event had a remarkable influence on the Scotch Universities. The Church of Scotland could no longer present a united front in her control of the Universities, and from that hour her hold upon them began to slacken. A movement for University reform was inaugurated; and, in 1853, a bill was passed in parliament which enabled Free Churchmen legally to hold chairs in the Scotch Universities. On the 22nd April, 1858, the Lord Advocate of Scotland brought before parliament a bill entitled, "An Act to make provision for the better government and discipline of the Universities, and improving and regulating the course of study therein, etc."; this Act was passed on the 2nd of August. Its main provisions were the following:

(1) The erection of a select body called the University Court, as one of the ruling bodies, for each University; (2) a parliamentary grant of £10,000 per annum, to increase the professors' salaries and establish some new chairs; (3) to provide for assistant professors; (4) clauses providing for the amalgamation of the two Colleges of Aberdeen; (5) the creation of University councils. The first thirteen. sections of the Act laid down the future constitution of the Universities of Scotland; and the fourteenth named and appointed an Executive Committee to carry the intention of the Act into effect, and to form ordinances for the regulation of the revenues, studies, degree systems, election of officers, and all other important points in the organisation of the four Universities. Their decisions were subject to the review of parliament and appeal to the Privy Council. The commissioners held their first meeting on the 27th of August, 1858, and elected the Lord Justice Clerk of Scotland, Inglis, chairman of the commission. The commission continued in office for four

years and some months; they held one hundred and twenty-six meetings, and framed ninety-two ordinances, very few of which were disallowed. It was under this Act and ordinances that the Scotch Universities were ruled; or, in other words, the Universities are mainly controlled by the University Court, the Senatus and General Council, under the ordinances then framed. The following is a part of the general report of the commission in reference to future alterations of ordinances :-"While providing means for altering the commissioners' ordinances, where such alterations may be desirable, the Universities Act has been careful to interpose securities against rash change, by requiring the consent of the Chancellor and the Queen in Council. In this latter requirement the commissioners understand it to have been the intention of the legislature that the steps for effecting the alteration of an ordinance hereafter should be precisely similar to those which were necessary to its original sanction. It is obviously, they think, of importance that when any such alteration is proposed, the same publicity should be given, and equal opportunities for making objections to the proposed change afforded, as were required in passing the ordinance. In addition, however, to publishing any proposed change in the Edinburgh Gazette, and laying it before both Houses of Parliament, which would thus be necessary, the commissioners recommend that, before the decision of the Queen in Council is given, intimation should in every case be made to each of the Universities, so as to afford to any University which may consider itself interested in the change, an opportunity of expressing its opinion thereon. It is by no means impossible, they think, that a proposed change, although nominally affecting one of the Universities only, may in reality be one in which all have an interest. Thus it has been an important object of the Universities Act, to which the commissioners were specially directed to have regard, that as far as possible the conditions under which degrees should be conferred should be uniform in all the Universities of Scotland. To the attainment of that object the commissioners used their best endeavours, and they think it would be unfortunate if, now that a power of initiating alterations of the ordinances is vested in each University court, that power should be so exercised as to introduce a divergence from the uniformity which, in a great measure, the commissioners have succeeded in establishing."

Since this date a Royal Commission on the Scotch Universities

took evidence, and framed a report, which contained various recommendations.

In 1889, Parliament passed "An Act for the better Administration and Endowment of the Universities of Scotland." This act increased the number of the members of each of the courts of the Universities, and constituted them on a more popular basis. The powers of the court were also greatly extended, as the chief governing body in each University. The court was empowered to manage the whole property and administer the revenue of the University, to appoint professors to all the chairs in the patronage of the University, also lecturers and examiners to review decisions of the Senatus Academicus; and to deal with all representations and reports from the Senatus and General Council.

This Act like the one of 1858, appointed an Executive Commission to carry out the intention of the Legislature. The commissioners have held many meetings, framed a considerable number of new ordinances, and are still proceeding with their work. An improve ment in the administration of the Universities, better organisation, and the admission of important modern subjects in the courses of study, will widen the scope and tend to raise the standard and value of University education.

In connection with research, science, philosophy, art, and culture, libraries are indispensible. Edinburgh has at least five valuable libraries The Advocates' Library, the University Library, the Writers to the Signet Library, the Library of the Royal Society, and a large free library. The Advocates' Library is the largest in Scotland, and is one of the five libraries which receives a gratis copy of every book published in the United Kingdom. The Signet Library is also a large and valuable one, especially in the historical and record department. The University Library contains about 155,000 volumes and 1000 MSS., many of which are valuable and curious.

The Library of the University of Glasgow contains upwards of 172,000 volumes, and a number of MSS. About ten years ago the University acquired the library of the late Sir William Hamilton, which amounted to 8,000 volumes, including many treatises on logic and metaphysics. This library is especially rich in works on mining, engineering, music, and medicine.

The Stirlings Library in Glasgow, established in 1790, contains upwards of 40,000 volumes; it has also a lending department and a reference department. It contains many valuable works, and a large

number of patents. Another reference library in the same building, called the Library of Baillie's Institution, was established in 1887 "in a hall reconstructed and fitted up for the purpose." Through the kindness of Mr. Mason, the late librarian, I had the pleasure of seeing and inspecting this reference library, and I saw at once, in looking round the shelves, that the works had been selected with remarkable discrimination and judgment.

The Mitchell Library in Glasgow was opened in 1877. It is a reference, consulting, and reading library, not a lending one. It contains upwards of 72,000 volumes, representing all branches of literature and science. In the historical department it is very complete and valuable, especially in British history; science and art is also well represented. Its rare collection of Scottish poetry and editions of Burns, were already mentioned.

The Library of the University of Aberdeen contains about 91,000 volumes and a considerable number of MSS. There are besides, six special or class libraries for the use of students. The Society of Advocates in Aberdeen have a pretty large library, containing many valuable works.

Many towns in Scotland have adopted the Free Libraries Act, among which may be mentioned Dundee, 1869; Paisley, 1871; Galashiels, 1874; Hawick, 1878; Thurso, 1875; Forfar, 1870; Inverness, 1877; Dunbarton, 1881; Dunfermline, 1882; and Aberdeen, 1884. The organisation and management of those libraries have already attained a remarkable degree of completeness, and much intelligence and skill have been brought to bear in forming the reference departments. There can be no doubt that they will prove a source of enjoyment and benefit to the people, by placing within the reach of every citizen the means of becoming acquainted with the thoughts and sentiments of the great minds of the past and present.