The buildings appropriated for the professors instruct. ing their respective classes being found mean and incon venient, an enormous pile was founded, in 1789, the ex pence of erecting which was attempted to be defrayed by subscription. But although the public displayed unu sual liberality, the plan was so gigantic, as might indeed have been anticipated, when compared with the means of putting it in execution, that after a few years of acti vity the buildings became altogether stationary, and long exhibited the appearance of a stupendous ruin. Some pecuniary aid has lately been obtained, and part of the structure further advanced in consequence. Tho edifice was planned by the late Mr Robert Adam, and intended to consist of a great quadrangle 358 feet by 255, front ing the cast, with a spacious court in the interior ; and the expellee of the fabric was calculated at 68,0001. Most of the front, and the north and west walls are finished, and part of the internal edifices. The principal gateway enters from a portico, supported by columns of the Do ric order, each of single stone, 23 feet high, and, when complete, a lofty dome is to crown the whole. Besides the class rooms adapted for giving lectures on the vari• ous branches taught in the university, a very large apart ment for a library, and one for a museum of natural his tory, the college was originally designed to contain ac commodation for the chief' professors, which we believe is not now to be adopted. From (he present state of the buildings, it will be many years before they arc brought to a close; meantime we cannot but regret, that more recent edifices have been allowed to crowd and encroach on what was meant to surpass all other structures iu Scotland.
The High School, devoted to the education of boys, is a compact, plain building, well corresponding to its use, situated in an open area, near the royal Infirmary. It was founded in 1777, and consists of apartments where the different classes are taught, a common hail and library There arc five teachers, one of whom is deno minated rector. Each teacher has his class with him during four years; at the end of which time it is put under the tuition of the rector, with whom most of the boys continue for two years longer. A public examina tion annually takes place in August, when premiums arc distributed. Some of the masters of this school have been much distinguished by their literary qualifications; and it has given the elements of liberal education to many who have afterwards made an eminent 14;cre in the world. So high does it stand at present in the public estimation, that it is attended by above 700 boys. Being found too small for their accommodation, it is about to be enlarged.
Besides these, syhich arc the chief public institutions in this city for instruction, the elementary parts of science and literature are taught, either in the way of lectures or otherw ise, by private individuals, according to the age and capacity of the pupils.
An association was established in 1810, under the name of the Edinburgh Institute, where scientific per sons lecture alternately on certain subjects previously announced; those for the present year, 1814, are natu ral history, astronomy, magnetism, and Oriental history.
Each lecturer receives a guinea for his lecture from a general fund, and the lecture room is open for a small consideration to all who may chose to attend it. Anato my and chemistry are successfully taught by private lec turers to numerous audiences; and there are many in structors of the arts and accomplishments, distinguished by their ability. A royal academy for horsemanship was established in 1764, the master or director of which has a salary of 2001. per annum. There is also an academy for design, under the patronage of the Board of Trus tees for encouraging manufactures, the master of which has a salary of the like amount, for the attendance of numerous pupils. Drawing, painting, and music, are besides taught in all their branches, by many different persons.
There are various societies in this city for the cultiva tion of science and literature, the principal of which is the Royal Philosophical Society. Associations of learned men are numerous on the continent, and some of them have subsisted long. The Royal Academy of France preceded the Royal Society of London ; but a much longer interval elapsed before any similar association was formed in the Scottish capital, for the first was not of earlier date than the year 1718. But the institution of the Royal Society, as now established, was postponed until 1782. It consists of many respectable members, and volumes of Transactions are occasionally published, containing papers which reflect high credit on their au thors.
A Society of Antiquarians was constituted by Royal charter in 1781, for the purpose of investigating anti quities in general, but more particularly those of Scot land. The number of associates is considerable, and they have a small museum ; but only one volume of Transactions has been published, and an interval of twenty-four years has not produced another. Although this nation can boast of eminent historians, the genuine study of antiquity is not a popular pursuit at present : indeed, it is vain to deny, that works of frivolity, those which engraft an erroneous description of the manners of our forefathers on imaginary events, have vitiated the taste of the public.
A society for the promotion of natural history was instituted about the same period as the former : many valuable compositions were read in it during a series of years, and a small library was collected for its use. But after having declined for some time, it may be said to be entirely supplanted by the \Vernerian Society of re cent institution, which embraces the same objects. The name, however, is considered as inferring something circumscribed, and is therefore unpopular ; for the pub lic justly consider that they ought not to be fettered to any particular tenets in natural history, and least of all to geological theories, yet of such uncertain foundation, on which the reputation of Werner is principally founded. Some of the most intelligent naturalists have been deterred by these considerations from joining it. Two volumes of Transactions have been published.