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It would be pleasing to dwell upon the advantages of the students of this class, but I proceed to the last gowned class; viz. the Natural Philosophy.

The Professor of Natural Philosophy delivers a lecture every day, and devotes an hour to the examination of his pupils; and a third hour, three times a week, for a course of experiments. Exercises are also written by the students of this class, and given up to the professor, who takes them to his own house, and after having examined and corrected, reads the majority of them before his class, and then returus them to their respective authors. Besides these weekly essays, Latin Orations are composed by the natural philosophy students, and delivered once a fortnight, in the Common Hall, in the presence of all the professors and students. But as there are generally more than seventy or eighty young men in the class, it is impossible for all to pronounce an oration in the Common Hall: this exercise therefore falls upon a certain number who rank at the beginning or end of the catalogue; and the rest of the class are exempted from the task, unless they wish to compete for the prize which is given to the best

oration.

The students of Mathematics, Oriental Languages, and Divinity, are like the gowned classes, examined by their respective professors, and accustomed to compose on subjects connected with their lectures; but the rest of the non togati, (those who do not wear gowns) are in general mere auditors of the lectures of their professors. They are neither examined nor engaged in composition, if it be at all contrary to their inclinations.

Besides these daily examinations, there is a public and formal examination of all the gowned students soon after the commencement of every session. This annual examination has been so well described by Mr. Rus

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sel, whom I have before quoted, that I shall take the liberty of presenting it to your readers in his words.

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Early in the mouth of December, the public, or Blackstone, examination, is begun in the literary and philosophical college, and continues about three weeks; during which time every pupil is particularly and strictly examined on the studies of the preceding year. It commences with the students of the physic class; who are examined on ethics and jurisprudence by the professor of moral philosophy, in the presence of the principal, the professor of natural philosophy, and of several hundred of the junior students. The young men attending the ethical class are examined by the professor of logic; those attending the logic by the professor of Greek, and those of the Greek class by the professor of humanity, on their respective departments of study.—That part of the examination on logic which respects the ancient dialectics, is still conducted in Latin.

"In philology the student is allowed to name the authors on which he is prepared to be examined, and before he takes his seat on the blackstone, (which is an ancient oak chair decorated with laurel, a gift, I believe, of James VI. to the university,) he presents his card to the examiner, containing the amount of his profession. On this he is strictly and minutely examined; and as there is a public prize bestowed upon that pupil, both in the department of Greek and Latin, who at once professes the greatest quantity, and answers best the varions questions which are put on the construction, the etymology, and the prosody of the language in which he is examined, there is a good deal of competition on the part of the stndents, and of course a good deal of labour and discrimination necessary on the part of the professors.

"This examination, so well known and so formidable to every Glasgow student, was originally instituted to ascertain whether the pupils who had attended one course, were qualified to proceed to that immediately following; and the power of remanding to their studies such as are found

The number present at the Blackstone examination now seldom exceeds two buadred.

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Advantages of an Education at the University of Glasgow.

unqualified, is accordingly lodged in the jurisdictio ordinaria, and perhaps, too, in the professors, who, with the principal, (supposed to be present) conduct the business of the blackstone. This power is indeed rarely exercised;-so rarely, that I have heard of no instance;*-yet the assurance that it is possessed, and that it may be exerted, together with the natural desire to excel at an examination so public, renders the blackstone at once somewhat alarming as an ordeal of industry, and a very powerful incitement to its exercise. In fact, the summer is speut in making preparation for this inevitable scrutiny; and it is only those who can bear unmoved the frown of anger on the countenance of their teacher, and the smile of contempt and derision on the faces of their class-fellows, who will think of it with indifference."

In addition to the regular class exercises, there is a Public Theme prescribed about the twenty-third of December, and executed by all the gowned students. The students of Latin and Greek have a certain portion of English composition given them, which is to be rendered into Latin; the logic students translate the same piece of composition into Greek. The ethic and natural philosophy students compose a Latin Theme, on some subject prescribed 'by the Faculty.

Belonging to the College, there is a large library, which every student may reap the benefit of, by giving a small subscription. There are also libraries belonging to all the classes, which contain such books as are most intimately connected with the business of their respective courses.

Now even from this rude sketch of the system of education pursued at Glasgow, it will be perceived that it must necessarily be attended with incalculable advantages. Like every other similar institution, however, it is liable to some objections. These have been hunted after;-for what? -Not to prove that it is less friendly to the principles of dissent than any other University in the United Kingdoms. Where then is the "Necessity of a Dissenting Education ?"Perhaps it was supposed that a young

The history of later years refuses an sent to this pleasing statement.

man might make greater advances in knowledge at a Dissenting Academy.

Well, then, let it be openly declared at once, that the system of education pursued at the Dissenting Academy, is more likely to make good classics, and proficients in literature, than that which is pursued at Glasgow University; and let the advantages of the latter be proved to be as trifling as they are imagined: for it is too soon to attempt to outvote an institution which has been celebrated for more than four hundred years, and which still continues to send out tutors and professors, to academies and colleges, by ridiculing its deficiencies, and sneering at objections which do not exist.

It is alleged by your correspondent that some "care is taken to secure the regular attendance of the students at the hours of lecture, though they are"-" masters of the rest of their time;" nor can sufficient attention be paid by the professors to all their pupils, while they have so many under their care. "The classes of Greek and Latin," says he, "shew the evil of excessive numbers most strikingly, both because the overflowing is the greatest in them, (a Scotch College being not only a College, but a grammar school) and because it is far more difficult to teach a language accurately to such a multitude, than to lecture with effect on chemistry or moral philosophy." There are the evils too of "promiscuous society." The Glasgow students are not always "under the immediate observation of their teachers:" they are therefore in great danger of becoming idle and extravagant. Therefore ye " parents among us, who are tempted by the name of a university to send" your "children to finish their education" at Glasgow College," consider with" yourselves, "whether they have that decided turn for study, which can dispense with all superintendance of the employment of their time, and such a strength of good principle as will be in no danger from the removal of old restraints, and the occurrence of untried temptations."

If after these solemn warnings, you should still be charmed by the terms, Glasgow University; you should still think it possible for your sons to become good classics and literary men, though placed in a situation where

you are told it is probable that the seeds of instruction sown by their teachers will be "lost or choaked, or at best get no depth of earth;" and to retain good moral characters, though allowed to choose their society out of fourteen or fifteen hundred students; let me state a few circumstances which you may urge as an excuse for your conduct; let me lay before you a few facts which will enable you to oppose with a consistent effroutery the reproaches of those whose friendly advice you have disregarded.

1. There is a catalogue of the students of every class, which is called over at every meeting, and an account is taken of those who come too late or who are absent. If a student neglect to attend punctually, he incurs a fine; if he be very irregular, the frown and censure of the Professor are added to the penalty: but should he be often absent, the Professor has power to cross his name out of the catalogue, and thereby prevent his entering any higher class either in Glasgow College or any other University in Scotland.

2. The students are not only required to attend their classes regularly but obliged to be diligent at home; they are not quite so much masters of their time as is imagined, though they are not always watched by the suspicious eye of a teacher. The students of the language classes have a certain portion of Latin or Greek to prepare, and exercises to write every evening and though the majority are not examined, perhaps, more than once or twice a-week, they must always be prepared lest they should be taken by surprise. I am also happy to inform you, that henceforth Glasgow College will not be such a grammar school as it has been. When there were only four classes in the grammar school, the scholars had no sooner begun the Greek Grammar than they were sent to the College; but as the grammar-school course is now extended to five years, the pupils of the fifth class will have acquired a very considerable knowledge of the Latin, and a tolerable acquaintance with the Greek language, before they enter the College. It is also probable that the number of students in the Greek and Latin classes will be in

some degree reduced, owing to the establishment of a University in Belfast. Crowded, however, as these classes now are, it is not impossible for the Professors to secure the diligence and improvement of their pupils. Should a student appear unprepared he incurs a fine; to which are always added a rebuke from the Professor, and a smile of contempt from the whole class. Now if there be a young man who can anticipate such a chastisement without being stimulated to increasing exertion, or feel its force without being roused to future diligence, he may justly be deemed incurable; not even the discipline of an academy, or the argument of force would move him. Such characters may perhaps be found; there may be some individuals void of feeling and the noble ambition of youth; there may be some who can bear to be rebuked by a Professor, laughed at by their class-fellows, and pointed at by the whole college, and yet remain negligent of their duty. If you imagine your sons to be of this description, their company will not be acceptable on this side the Tweed. If nothing but perpetual threats can stimulate them to exertion, I hope you will not be " tempted by the name of a University," to send them to Glasgow. But if they have the least desire of knowledge, if they are influenced by a sense of duty, if they feel one spark of ambition, they will not be lost in the ignorance of indolence, though they be occasionally removed from" the immediate observation of their teachers."

I might also observe, that very few Lay Students from England enter the language classes: they generally commence with the first philosophy class. Now it is actually impossible for a student of this class to be wilfully idle, unless he assume the detestable character of a deceiver and a liar. No excuse is received for nonattendance or the neglect of duty, but sickness or some such unavoidable circumstance. The discipline in the more advanced classes is less strict; because it is expected that, when young men are old enough to attend to the sublime doctrines of ethics, or the more abstruse science of natural · philosophy, they are also old enough to perceive and perform their duty,.

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Advantages of an Education at the University of Glasgow.

without being watched like schoolboys. But even in the advanced classes, the greatest care is taken to secure the regular attendance of the students and to inculcate habits of diligence and perseverance. The fact is, that at the University of Glasgow, every ambitious young man may succeed: there are rewards held out to the industrious; but fines and disgrace are the necessary consequences of idle. ness. The prizes which are given to the students of each class, for general eminence, ought to operate as most powerful inducements to diligence and exertion nor should any compulsion be applied to young men who are sent to finish their education at a University, but such as respects moral feeling; "the stimulants which alone will be of use" to them, "must prick the sense of honour and emulation, of disapprobation and disgrace."

3. But are not the morals of a Glasgow student exposed to a great hazard? Is he not in danger of being led into improper company, or habits of extravagance?-In these questions are involved the comparative advantages of a public and private education: but without occupying your time by any discussion upon this subject, it may be observed that, there is not the least danger of a young man from England, who has been initiated in the principles of Unitarianism, injuring his character by the choice of his companions. It is very natural that he will first unite himself to those of his countrymen who have spent some time at the College. Their company will be found more agreeable than the society of strangers; and if he be at all desirous of sharing in the respect which is attached to the character of an English student, and of acquiring the approbation of the distinguished preacher aud defender of our faith, he will conduct himself in a proper mauner; and will therefore be in as little danger of becoming a dissipated character, as of acquiring habits of indolence. The testimony of facts bears me out in these suppositions. I believe there is not an instance of a Unitarian student from England injuring his moral character through the influence of the society he had formed, while at Glasgow College. A far more pleasing effect is almost necessarily produced. Where can a knowledge of the habits and disposi

tions of men be more easily acquired than amidst several hundred students? -If our Unitarian youths are gifted with dispositions more prone to do evil, than imitate that which is good; if their morals are so delicate as to be unable to resist the least temptation; let them be kept at home or sent to some insulated monastery; but if they be capable of exhibiting the dignity of human nature, let them breathe the air of freedom; let them see the world; let them be enabled to retain a character free from vice, not because it has always been placed beyond their reach, but because they have thrust it from them: if they are to acquire a spirit of independence and to avoid the evils of established error; let them be placed amongst those who differ from them, but where not the least restraint is laid upon any particular sentiments; let them be placed where the most important religious and political subjects are discussed with the greatest freedom and ability; where a spirit of inquiry is indulged and encouraged to the greatest degree; where every one can take an active part in the good cause; and where the friends of truth are every day enlivened by the renewed success of persevering industry. Should they in such circumstances refuse to exhibit Methodistic zeal and Unitarian independence, it is because they never received the seeds of such dispositions either from their parents or Dissenting schools; nay, more, it is because their minds are incapable of these Christian graces. Should they become immoral characters, it is because their previous education must have been superficial, or they must be endued with the unnatural desire of avoiding those who unite with them in sentiment, and who have been nourished with the fruits of the same soil. Should they become extravagant, most of the blame falls upon their parents. They cannot be too profuse in their expenditure unless they be furnished with the means, As they are not lodged with the Professors or within the walls of the College they can easily accommodate themselves to their circumstances. lodgings may be procured in the city for five, twenty, or thirty shillings a-week. The expenses of board may be equally varied; they may be reduced to eight, or ten, or extended

to fifteen, twenty, or thirty shillings a-week. But in the management of household affairs, as well as college business, a Glasgow student is directed by the influence of utility, and apHe probation or disapprobation. knows that vice and extravagance are incompatible with industry and honourable distinction; he therefore learns to avoid evil, lest he should forfeit the approbation of his parents, friends, instructors and fellow-students; lest he should frustrate the design for which he was sent to College. These convictions ought to be, and generally are, an ample compensation for strict academical discipline. Few parents have had to complain of the extravagant habits acquired by their sons at Glasgow: on the contrary, it has often been remarked, that those young men who have acquired a knowledge of the value of money, by actual experience, claim a decided superiority over those who have never known what it is to provide for themselves.

But I must conclude; for I find I have already far exceeded the bounds of a common letter. I am aware that much more might have been said in less compass. If however I can contribute in any degree towards the information of your readers, I shall care little about the profuseness of my style. If your correspondent had been able to discover any thing worthy of admiration in a Scotch College; if he had told all the truth, we might have dispensed with his philippics against grammar-school colleges, crowded class-rooms, "promiscuous society," &c., &c.: but a whole catalogue of evils without any mixture of good was not likely to accord with the feeelings of those who are proud to acknowledge the many and great advantages they have received from the Univer"A little more sity of Glasgow. candour and a little less partiality would do us no harm." I subscribe myself

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A Friend to Pure Representation.

L

SIR, Sept. 28, 1815. ATELY spending a Sunday in the country, and not being a Unitarian of the cast doomed to worship only in genteel company, such

The Professors' fees are two guineas each, with one or two exceptions, which amount to three guineas and a balf.

as those incognitos, with an assurance of whose existence in high life Mr. Belsham has alarmed the Bishop of London; being under no such obligation to become a Trinitarian in the country, I passed by the parish church and sought out in a neigbouring village a small congregation of Unitarians, which had nothing to attract regard, but the simplicity of scriptural worship.

They used the Collection of Psalms
and Hymns first published in 1795,
by the late excellent Dr. Kippis, and
his coadjutors, three Unitarian minis-
ters still living. One of the Psalms
read for singing was the 229th,
Blest are the souls that hear and know, &c.
The second stanza ran thus:

Their joy shall bear their spirits up,
Through God's eternal name:
His promises exalt their hope,

And who shall dare condemn ?

I was surprised to find this stanza attributed to Watts, by adding his name to the title of the psalm. The religious occupations of early life had served me to recollect that he had written,

Their joy shall bear their spirits up

Through their Redeemer's name,
His righteousness exalts their hope,
Nor Satan dares condemn.

The 2nd line of this stanza he evi. dently designed for the praise of Christ in his supposed character of God-man, while the third recognised the favourite dogma of the imputed righteousness of Christ, by which the elect being covered, Satan is foiled when, according to the 4th line, he comes forward to accuse them; a fond conceit, probably borrowed from the poetical introduction to the Book of Job. These three lines appear in my judgment, to contain notions as unscriptural as any fables in the Coran or the Shaster, yet they were important parts of the author's theological system.

Finding the name of Watts thus
freely treated, I had the curiosity to
At
look further into the volume.
H. $99,

Sing to the Lord ye distant lands,
the poet's representation of Christ's
reign as "God's own Almighty Son,"
and his coming to "bless the nations
as their God," are expunged and re-
placed by more scriptural sentiments.
I could easily give other examples, in

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