sician at Hamilton; during which period, when not engaged in the more active
and laborious duties of his profession, he devoted his time to the studies of
chemistry, natural philosophy, and natural history; nor is there any doubt but
that at this time, he was preparing and qualifying himself to teach those
branches of science, on which he very shortly afterwards became so eminent a
lecturer. Hitherto the prospects and advantages held out by the duke of
Hamilton, prevented his seeking a wider and more appropriate field for the display of his abilities; but after the death of the duke, which happened at the end of the year 1743, he was induced, by the solicitations of his personal
friends, and of many respectable families, to transfer his residence to Glasgow.
He settled in that city in the end of the year 1744, or beginning of 1745,
at which period Dr Johnstone was professor of medicine in the university, and
Dr Hamilton was the professor of anatomy and botany, but neither of them gave
lectures, Dr Cullen, who, we have already seen, possessed an active and enterprising mind, soon perceived the possibility of establishing a medical school in Glasgow, similar to that which had been established in Edinburgh. Accordingly, in the summer of 1746, he made arrangements with Dr Jolinstone, the
professor of medicine, to deliver, during the following winter, a course of lectures on the theory and practice of physic, in the university. This course lasted six months; and, in the following session of 1747, with the concurrence
of Dr Hamilton, the professor of botany, besides lecturing on the practice of
physic, he gave lectures, in conjunction with a Mr John Garrick, the assistant
of Dr Hamilton, on materia medica and botany. Dr Cullen in his practice of
physic class never read his lectures; in allusion to which practice, he observed,
as written lectures might be more correct in the diction, and fluent in the style,
but they would have taken up too much time that might be otherwise rendered
useful. I shall be as correct as possible; but perhaps a familiar style will prove
more agreeable than a formal one, and the delivery more fitted to command
attention."
In the first lecture which Dr Cullen delivered in Glasgow, it is worthy of remark, that after explaining to his audience his reasons for not adopting as text books the Institutions and Aphorisms of Boerhaave—works at that period usually employed in the different medical schools of Europe—he added, "I ought to give a text-book myself; but shall not attempt it until after a little more experience in teaching. In the meantime, I shall endeavour to supply its place by an easy clear order and method, so that the want of it may be less felt." The modesty of feeling expressed by this determination not to publish any text-book, until a "little more experienced,” is consonant with that pure spirit of philosophy which always characterises a high independent mind, that is animated by the love of truth, and not by the vain desire of personal aggrandisement. Dr Cullen, in delivering his lectures on the practice of physic, deviated from the old custom of lecturing in Latin, and gave his lectures in the English language, which was decidedly a very judicious innovation on the old practice, which was one of a monkish character. His lectures on botany were, however, delivered in Latin; and fortunately the notes of these lectures being still preserved, controvert the allegation that he adopted the custom of lecturing in the English because he was unable, from ignorance, to lecture in the Latin language. This decidedly was not the case; nor is there any reason to believe that he was actuated by any other motive in adopting this new custom, excepting that of facilitating the communication of knowledge to his students; an object which, throughout his whole life, he kept most steadily in view.
As the institution of a course of lectures on chemistry was essential to a regu-
