In the autumn of the same year he repaired to Ley den, and became a pupil of the illustrious I3oerhaave, who, having himself, twenty-six years before, derived much instruction and assistance in medical inquiries from Dr. Pitcairn, was enabled to return it with interest to this future ornament of Scotland, and distinguished improver of anatomical and surgical science, lie .
fully attended the lectures of Professor Boerhaave on chemistry, on the theory and practice of medicine, as well as his clinical lectures in the hospital. The study of comparative anatomy was also cultivated by him, and he pointed out its advantages to some of his fellow stu dents.
The frequent opportunities afforded our young stu dent of conversing with this eminent physician, in con sequence of consulting him on important and novel cases from Scotland, convinced Dr. Boerhaave of the superior attainments and abilities of his pupil. His per severing application and study were clearly proved by the numerous MS. notes of lectures which he wrote.
This account of the labours by which the active mind of so great a benefactor of his country was enabled to stamp its own character on the rising generation of ana tomists and physicians, must convince the most inconsi derate that no lasting attainments can be secured, with out enlightened instruction, close application, and patient investigation.
His own observations and experience fully convinced him that dissection is the only method by which a cor rect system of the different branches of medical and sur gical knowledge can be formed or improved. He also endeavoured, by maintaining and nourishing his favourite science from the common stock of natural philosophy, to promote its growth and vigour. Empiricism was thus prevented from continuing to maintain its influence, and truth enabled to acquire that ascendancy which it is en titled to claim.
Impressed with such views, young Monro, for he was then only twenty-two years of age, returned to Edin burgh in 1719. and succeeded, the following year, to the anatomical chair, on the resignation of Messrs. Drum mond and M Gill, at that time professors and demon strators to the College of Surgeons, who thus testified the high opinion which they entertained of his qualifica tions, and fulfilled the promise made to his father. Soon
after his appointment, he was induced to deliver a course of lectures on anatomy, and to illustrate them by his own preparations, made under the tuition of Cheselden and others.
The following fact affords a striking proof of his great abilities and self-possession as a public speaker. The unexpected presence of a large and respectable assem bly, among whom were the Presidents and Fellows of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, who attended the first lecture, at the request of his Father, not only dis concerted the professor, hut deprived him of the recol lection of what he had committed to memory. With a view to recal his scattered thoughts, he began to show some of his anatomical preparations, and determined at last to adopt such language as an intimate and extensive acquaintance with the subject might suggest. His great success on this occasion induced him to adhere, during the long course of forty years, to the same plan, and few lecturers ever surpassed him in ease, elegance and per spicuity of language.
Provost Drummond. a magistrate of a truly liberal and comprehensive mind, afforded young Monro every assist ance, by means of his influence with the Town Coun•il, and sanctioned the plan of teaching which he had adopt ed, by frequent attendance on his lectures.
The anatomical school of Edinburgh, established on such a firm foundation, and conducted by so able a pro fessor, soon rivalled the university of Leyden itself, which had acquired the greatest celebrity from the exertions of the distinguished Boerhaave. Mr. Monro added much to the riches of Edinburgh, since his lectures were at tended by 3850 students, who must have spent, on the most moderate calculation, the suns of :192,50C). This fact affords the strongest proof of the uncommon success of his lectures, which were conducted in the following manner. After giving a view of the history of the sci ence, examining the structure of the bones and the dif ferent parts of the body in a state of health, as well as the analogous organs of the inferior animals, he illustrat ed the whole by reasonings, calculated to point out the nature and character of the healthy Functions, which he applied to the elucidation of disease and the improve ment of surgery.