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the son of this eminent divine, who married Jane Hay, sister of the late Sir James Hay of Smith-field and Hayston, a fellow of the College of Physicians of Edinburgh. He was born at Edinburgh in 1749. He passed through the usual course of classical instruction in the High School, and entered the College in 1764, as a Student of Humanity under Dr George Stuart. The following year he attended the Greek and other classes. In 1766 he attended the Natural Philosophy class, then taught by Professor Russell, father of the late Professor James Russell; and the same year he entered on the study of medicine, attending the class of Anatomy and Surgery. He continued his attendance at the medical classes during the years 1767, 1768, 1769, and 1770. Thus his medical course occupied five sessions, and at the same time he enjoyed the benefit of being an apprentice to Messrs Russell and Balfour, Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons. The Professors of Medicine in the University of Edinburgh at this period were Dr Alexander Monro Secundus, Dr William Cullen, Dr John Hope, Dr Joseph Black, Dr John Gregory, and Dr Francis Home.
It may not be uninteresting to mention the names
