"OLD DUNEDIN."

Evening Star, Issue 4187, 28 July 1876, Page 4

"OLD DUNEDIN."

At the Athonasum on Wednesday Mr.T. Bathgate delivered thesccond of that institution's series of lectures, the subject chosen being "Old Dunedin—or Sketches of Edinburgh, past and present." Mr G. Turnbull occupied the chair, and there was a numerous attendance. We are able to give only a brief abstract of what proved a very entertaining lecture. Mr Bathgate commenced by treating his subject from the historical point of view, illustrating his description of the City of Edinburgh and its more prominant and interesting buildings with numerous anecdotes. He said at the southern extremity of South Bridge is the University, founded in 1552 by Jaines VI., the roll of whose professors is a continued series of eminent men, who have raised the reputation of the College to a lofty platform. It was particularly famous as a Medical School, and its teachers afford more than oneinstaace ef thchereditary nature of uenius. The greater part of this City continued to bo within the ancient burgh walls until the latter half of last century, when a burst was made both north ond smith. The North Bridge wascompleted in 1772, at a cost of LIB.OOO. The South Bridge was common->ed in 1755, and terprising builder la ; d out George which immediately boeamc fashionable, and drew.-off the aristocracy from tho'tr confined habitations in the old town. Here resided the Duchess of Gor lon, the Countess of Sutherland, the Counti-ss of Glasgow, Viscount Duncan, the hero of Camperdown, anda whole host of other celebrities. No. 2o was long occupied by the father of SirWaltor s C ott, who spent the early days of hisbo\ hood t' lero. Improvement is proceeding in this quarter with a rapid pace, and what with new working men's houses, new accesses, and new schools, the old historical tenements arefast disappearing. In a house in General's Entry lived Mrs M'Lebose, Bun-s's "Olarmda,"witli whom be had so many ardent interviews. In Allison Square adjoining there is still the house in which Campbell wrote his " Pleasures of Hope." The old Infirmary stood in an adjoining street, in which the yearly average of patients was 3,000. Edinburgh has long stood foremost among cities for the refinement of its educated classes, and for what may almost be terrr.ed its staple, the means of education. The lingering remnants of noble families who lived in it down to almost the middle of this century, necessarily imparted to society a better tone than was to be found in other provincial cities. Before the close of the French war, it was the resort of numerous English families, shut out from the ' ontinent. The University, with its illustrious array ot honored names, and its present muster-roll of 2,000 students, has tended to enhane:! its litcTary tastes. An able Bench and Bar, many of whom hold no moan place in the republic of letters, have infused a thoughtful and cultivated spirit in its draw-ing-rooms, whih; the bestof the Scottish clergy have in recent times adorned its pulpits. British art owes much to Scotland. Sir David Wilkie, David Roberts, Phillips, and Sir Francis Grant, the present President of the Royal Academy, hail from the Land o' Cakes. A string of authors, whoso names are world-wide, have made the "modern Athens " conspicuous by their genius. How many of the classics of a past age had their rise here—Campbell's "Pleasures of Hope," Akenside's "Pleasures of Imagination," Beattie's "Minstrel,"Thomson's "Seasons'" Falconer's "Shipwreck," are familiar in stances. A social state, which was enlivened by the mighty magician of the north, by Christopher North, Professor

Aytoun, the historian Tytlov, Kir William Hamilton the philosopher, the learned Hill Burton, Charles Muolaren, Combe tho phrenologist, Hall of Dunglass and David Milne as geologists, the brothers Chambers, and many minor stars, must of necessity have moved on a hiuh platform. Tho 'Scotsman,' originated i.n IS}'!, with its special London wires and office, its special publishing train fur Glasgow, its circulation of »JO,OOO, still maintains its position as an advocate of liberal principles and an example of commercial progress. With all those advantages it would have been surprising indeed if the modern Athenians had not occupied the position forlearning, critical acumen, and poeir.l grace to which they have undoubtedly attained. Edinburgh still maintains its high reputation forthe means of education. On the roll of the High School pupils are the. names of many of the nobility of Scotland, most of the judges, and numerous professors and men of eminence. Drunimond of Jfawthornden, tho poet, an l . Sir Walter .Scott, were among its alumni. It lues given a Lord Chief Baron (Alexander) to England, a'-'poakcr to the House of Commons (Lord Dunfermline), an Archbishop to the Church of England (Tajt of Canterbury), and three Lord Chancellors to Britain—Wedderburn

Lord Loughborough, Thomas Erskine, brother to the' Earl of : Buohan, and Henry Lord brougham, w£.6 (> %a dux of ;the sohool m 17& I, and had-the reputation of being the boy who had beaten the master. Many able men have- beeu ; among its • IteSohesrs. 11 ? lecturer concluded by expressing a hope that this >ne-w.'Edinburgh in which wodwell —•a rising. Ojty.of great promise—may follow the footsteps of the ancient' capital, Old Uunedin, and-in"tlfe future be able to show a similar glorious roB of citizens, revered for their learning, honored 'for their enterprise, and .: famous :foir every virtuous attribute exalt humanity.'A vote of thanks to Mr Bathgate for the treat he had afforctpeL his audience was passed unanimously, and the usual compli : nient to tho Chairman concluded the proceedings. '• '