PROFESSOR BLACKIE AND HIS STUDENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 2927, 6 July 1872, Page 2

PROFESSOR BLACKIE AND HIS STUDENTS.

To the Editor.

Sir, —The closing scene that took place in the Greek Class of the Edinburgh University, on the occasion of the distribution of prizes for the successful students at the end of the session 1871-2, and an account of which appeared in the Evening Star,'cannot fail to convey very erroneous impressions re* spsctiug the Caledonian Metropolitan Uni* versity. That disgraceful exhibition may amuse some ill-disposed persons, but I am constrained to say that the perusal of it has given much pain to hundreds—perhaps thou* sands—of your readers. Suffer me, then, to offer a few explanations respecting that scan* dalous row. Sir, in no other class in the University could such a scene have occurred. And why? Because the professors main* tain self-respect and rigid discipline. The history of the Greek Class is peculiar. When Professor Dunbar died, Blackie was Professor of Humanity in Marischal College and University, Aberdeen. While there his eccentricities threatened to disturb the more tutorial and stern discipline of that academic institution. Fancy, sir, a professor sketching caricatures on the wall of the College Hall, while a brother Professor was conducting the devotional services of the day. How could the students or his colleagues respect such a man ? But Professor Blackie has a great “ gift o’ the gab,” and he never fails to appear on various platforms throughout the land to amuse the public. One day it is hydropathy; another, the extension of the franchise—that is the .tqpio of discussion, and our hero steps forth to stir up the risible faculties of a promiscuous auditory. The Professor has an itch for poetry, and lo ! a free English translation of JSschylus appears, His convivial habits endear him lo many. But, as I said, the Greek chair becomes vacmt in Edinburgh. Our hero posts off to the capital, visits each of the “old bailies,” or Towu Councillors, who, unfortunately for the University, were the patrons, and dazzles the unsophisticated Magistrates with his conversation and a flaming eulogy c £ bis book from the Prussian Plenipotentiaiy at the Court of St James—the redoubted Bilnsen. The bait is swallowed, and Professor gets the appointment over the head of such a distinguished competitor as Dr William Smith, the celebrated editor of many excellent classical works of European reputation. The Republic of Letters stotd aghast at the news, and Aberdeen was jubilant ever the translation of one of its professors to Edinburgh. Sir, Professor Blackie, it is universally allowed, is a man of poetry and oratory of a kind to strike the pro/anum vulgut, but as a Greek scholar he is sadly deficient ; while his eccentric habits, descending even to the grotesque cut of his hair and'garments, are such as to inspire any mind, young or old, with feelings the very opposite of reverence or even respect. He has no control over his class. He plays fast and loose with his students; and the result is such exhibitions as culminated at the close of the last session. The Professors regard him as a sort of Yorick ; they shrug their shoulders ami pass on. Such, sir, is a faithful explanation of the unseemly scene that disturbed the academic repose of Modern Athens. By inserting these few lines you will be doing a public service to many of your readers. The surprise and vexation resulting from such a revelation as figured in the Star two evenings ago, will thus vanish away.—l am, &c., J. G. S. Grant. York place, Dunedin, July 4.