Curriculum-Third Year.

In the third year, his Majesty's Commissioners have proposed, that students should attend the higher Theological class, and the first class of Biblical Criticism. A Professorship of Biblical Criticism would certainly be a very important addition to the Theological Faculty. This department is, in the proposed scheme, assigned to the Principal. The Principal of Marischal College fills, as did his predecessor Dr. Campbell, the office of Professor of Divinity. It deserves attention also, that the Principal of Marischal College may, according to the charter, be a layman. According to the arrangement which the Senatus have already recommended with respect to Ecclesiastical History, would form part of the courses for this and the preceding year.

Curriculum-Fourth Year.

it

The Senatus think that a second class of Biblical Criticism would be highly advantageous. Perhaps occasional Examinations, during this year, by the Professors of Ecclesiastical History and Oriental Languages, might be attended with very beneficial effects.

Discourses.

The alteration with respect to the manner of hearing Discourses, proposed by his Majesty's Commissioners, appears to the Senatus to be very judicious.

Hours of Attendance.

It does not appear to the Senatus that any advantage can be secured by enforcing uniformity as to hours. They would beg leave to suggest, that the arrangement of the hours might be left to the Senatus Academicus of each University, who are acquainted with such local circumstances as render certain hours of attendance preferable to others. Without an accurate knowledge of local circumstances, a positive enactment of this kind may prevent good, while it produces evil. Every teacher will naturally consult the convenience of his pupils, and the advantage of the seminary to which he belongs. The hour, fixed for hearing discourses, is the common hour for breakfasting in Aberdeen.

Honours.

It appears to be very useful to stimulate the diligence and assiduity of Theological students, by holding out to them the prospect of Academical Honours. That of B. D. would certainly be an object of ambition, if such Degree had hitherto been known in Scotland. It is an English Degree, and is of consequence in the Church of England; but in our Church it is not recognised. Nay, the Degree of D. D. confers no ecclesiastical precedence. As mere academical honours, such Degrees may stimulate exertion, but they possess not in this country the same consequence as in the sister kingdom.

If

His Majesty's Commissioners propose that the Degree of B. D. shall be conferred on persons not having a Degree in Arts, if they undergo an examination in Classical Literature and Moral Philosophy. In the remarks upon the proposed Curriculum of Arts, the Senatus have already expressed their opinion, that none who are not Graduates in Arts should be received as students in Divinity. If a regulation to this effect be not adopted, they would earnestly recommend, that a Theological Degree should be conferred only on those who have taken a Degree in Arts. They think that no higher Degree ought to be conferred on those who have not taken that which is inferior; and that a regulation to this effect would secure much greater diligence throughout the whole academical course. the plan proposed by his Majesty's Commissioners be adopted, the Senatus think that, at least, the preliminary Examination of Candidates for Degrees in Divinity who are not Graduates in Arts, should not be confined to Classical Literature and Moral Philosophy, but should extend to every branch of Science and Literature, on which Candidates for Degrees in Arts are usually examined. In the Provisional Resolutions it is stated, that the Examinations in both cases are to be conducted" by Examiners as already specified." The Senatus presume that the Examiners are to be persons chosen by them, and sworn, as in the case of Examinations for Degrees in Arts. The subjects of examination for the Degree of B. D. are specified, viz. the Evidences and Doctrines of the Christian Religion, Biblical Criticism, and Ecclesiastical History. A most important part of the Course, viz. Hebrew, is entirely omitted. The Senatus would beg leave to press on the consideration of His Majesty's Commissioners, the necessity of including Hebrew as a subject of examination. When attendance for two years in the Hebrew class is expressly required, that necessity becomes the more obvious. If Hebrew be left out, its value in the eyes of the student will be greatly depreciated.

The subjects of Examination for the Degree of D. D. are not mentioned. The proposal of his Majesty's Commissioners, to associate with the Theological Faculty, as Examiners for Degrees in Divinity, a Committee of the Presbytery of the bounds, the Senatus, with all due deference, think very objectionable. They conceive that such a regulation would be an encroachment upon University privileges. Presbyteries are bodies over whom they have no control, and may be composed of individuals who are themselves aspiring to the honour of Degrees in Divinity. They can see no reason whatever why this innovation should be introduced as to Theological Degrees, while it would appear extraordinary to propose it as to any other. The Church has always exercised a certain degree of control over Theological Professors, in order to prevent their teaching anything inconsistent with its standards: but with the conferring of honours strictly Academical (for they are not, and never were, recognised as Ecclesiastical honours), the Church courts cannot, as it appears to the Senatus, have any concern whatever. The Senatus apprehend that such a measure would be productive of no good, and could only tend to excite unpleasant feelings.

The Senatus cannot conclude these observations, without respectfully urging the propriety of allowing a considerable period to elapse, before the alterations which his Majesty's Commissioners may finally recommend be carried into effect. They are aware of the propriety and necessity of improving the system of Theological Education in the Universities of Scotland; but they are also aware of the extent and importance of those changes which would be introduced into that system, even by carrying into effect several of the innovations, with respect to which they can conscientiously adopt the views of his Majesty's Commissioners. The interests of many young men who have commenced, and partly prosecuted their studies, under a system undisturbed for above one hundred and thirty years, the interests of education among the lower and middling classes of Scotland, and the religious interests of the Scottish Nation, are deeply involved in any great alteration of that system; and the matter ought to be maturely considered in all its bearings, before measures of so great importance are adopted. It is hoped that his Majesty's Commissioners will feel the propriety, the Senatus may add

University of
Aberdeen.

Report on Provisional
Resolutions by
Marischal College.

Third Year.

Fourth Year.

Discourses.

Hours.

Honours.

University of
Aberdeen.

the necessity, of allowing such a period of time for bringing the new system into operation, that no serious hardship shall be inflicted, either on those Professors, who have long, and faithfully, and sucReport on Provisional cessfully, with limited means, and a remuneration very inadequate to the nature and value of their services, discharged duties, to the importance of which the public has not been sufficiently alive; or on those numerous students who frequently struggle with great difficulties to obtain the best instruction of which circumstances admit, in order to qualify themselves for the Sacred Office, the object of their fair ambition, and of their most anxious hopes.

Resolutions by Marischal College.

General Remarks.

Dissent.

GENERAL REMARKS.

The Senatus Academicus trust that no part of the preceding Remarks will be understood by his Majesty's Commissioners as implying that the Senatus approve of a Union of King's and Marischal Colleges into one College; because they are unanimously of opinion, that such an arrangement would be very prejudicial to the interests of education in this part of Scotland. To a union of the two Universities into one, with a Faculty of Arts belonging to each College, the Senatus would not object; as they think that such a union, under proper arrangements, might be beneficial.

The Senatus feel it to be their duty to bring under the consideration of his Majesty's Commissioners a very great hardship, to which the regular students in the Universities of Scotland have hitherto been subjected. While the students of the English Universities are entirely exempted from the operation of the Militia Acts, those of the Scotch Universities enjoy no such privilege. The Senatus trust that his Majesty's Commissioners will see the necessity of recommending it to Government to have the exemption extended to Scotland.

In conclusion, the Senatus beg leave to remark, that in giving their opinion as above, on the various matters embraced in the Provisional Resolutions of his Majesty's Commissioners, they are aware that many even of those proposed measures, of which they have expressed their approbation, are of such a nature, that the experience of several years can alone determine as to their practical usefulness. In an affair comprehending so many particulars, it is not improbable that some errors may be committed even after the most mature consideration; or, however proper the regulations finally adopted may be at the time, a change of circumstances may render an alteration of some of them expedient. The Senatus, therefore, beg leave to suggest to his Majesty's Commissioners, that it would be desirable that some power should be lodged, either within or without the University, by which such alterations as the interests of education may demand, may be carried into effect with the best prospect of prac tical benefit, and which may be vested in such a manner as to give security against rash innovation.

The Remarks contained in these pages, on the Provisional Resolutions submitted to the consideration of the Senatus Academicus of the Marischal College and University, are ordered by the Senatus to be transmitted to his Majesty's Commissioners for Visiting the Universities of Scotland. (Signed) W. L. BROWN, Principal. Marischal College, 1st July 1829.

REMARKS on some Parts of the Provisional Resolutions of his Majesty's Commissioners, by Members of the Senatus who dissent, in some particulars, from the Remarks transmitted by the Senatus as a Body.

The undersigned Members of Marischal College and University, not coinciding in opinion with the other members of the Senatus, respecting some parts of the Provisional Resolutions of his Majesty's Commissioners for visiting the Universities, and therefore dissenting from some parts of the remarks drawn up by the Senatus on those Resolutions, feel it their duty to state to his Majesty's Commissioners their sentiments respecting those points on which the difference of opinion exists.

First Greek Class.-The undersigned are of opinion that candidates for admission into the first Greek class, as public students, should be required to possess an accurate knowledge of the Greek Grammar, and to be able to read with facility one Historical book of the Greek Testament, one book of Xenophon's Anabasis or Cyropædia, and a little of the easier Greek Poetry; e. g. a few of Anacreon's Odes. They think that the preparation should amount to this, but not exceed it.

First Mathematical Class.-The undersigned think that candidates for admission into the First Mathematical class, as public students, should be required to pass an examination in practical Arithmetic, in Algebra as far as Simple Equations, and in two books of Euclid, or in three at most; but that several years should be allowed to elapse before so much preparation in Pure Mathematics be made imperative..

Rhetoric Class.-The undersigned think that a class for Rhetoric might be taught beneficially, for one hour a-day, during the third Session of the Curriculum, provided the subject were treated in a practical manner, so as to teach the Elements of Criticism, and to lay down and apply the rules of Composition; and this class they think might be taught by the Professor of Moral Philosophy and Logic. It may indeed be asserted, that a correct knowledge of the various kinds of Composition cannot be acquired without a previous knowledge of Moral Philosophy and Logic; but the objection is more specious than real; and similar objections may be made to every conceivable arrangement. If students, at an earlier period, can perceive the beauties of the Greek and Roman Classics, they may be equally capable of relishing the beauties of English Composition. Occasional Lectures on Greek and Roman Literature, during the second year, would be a useful preparation for a class of Rhetoric, on the above plan, in the third year; and this class would prepare students for the more successful writing of Essays in Moral Philosophy and Logic, in the fourth year.

Degrees. The undersigned, while they are aware that the Degree mentioned in the charter, to be conferred after four years' attendance, is that of A. M., see no objection to the proposed plan of granting the degree of B.A. after four years' attendance, and that of A.M. after the lapse of another year; and they think that attendance on the Third Mathematical and Higher Natural Philosophy classes should be required of candidates for the Degree of A.M.

The undersigned are of opinion that the subjects of examination recommended for candidates for the Degree of A. M., in the remarks transmitted by the Senatus, may very properly be made the subjects of examination for the Degree of B.A.; and they are further of opinion, that the Degree of B.A. should be made necessary for all Students in Divinity, for all Parochial Schoolmasters, and for all Advocates entitled to plead before the Supreme Courts of Scotland;-that the same Degree of B.A.

should necessarily precede the Degree of Bachelor in any of the other Faculties;-and that the Degree of A.M. should, in like manner, precede the degree of Doctor in any of the other Faculties. Curriculum.-In conformity to the above remarks, the undersigned would recommend the following as a proper Curriculum of Arts :

The third Greek and third Latin classes to be attended either during the third or the fourth year, as the student may prefer.

The third Mathematical and second Natural Philosophy classes to be attended either during the fourth or a subsequent year, as the student may prefer; and the hours to be so arranged that it may be possible to attend the two classes last mentioned, along with those of the first year of the Theological or Medical Curriculum.

(Signed)

Marischal College, 6th July 1829.

JOHN CRUICKSHANK, Professor of Mathematics.
R. J. BROWN, Professor of Greek.

I concur in the opinion expressed by Professors Cruickshank and Brown, with respect to the preparation which ought to be required of students who are to enter the first Greek class.

(Signed)

W. L. Brown, Principal.

Representation from Professor of Chemistry in Marischal College.

The Professor of Chemistry in Marischal College begs leave to represent to his Majesty's Commissioners, that in the original foundation of that class, he is supposed to be a practitioner of Medicine and Surgery (two branches not separated in Aberdeen), and that special provision is mentioned, in that foundation, of his having permission to carry on these branches of business, till, by donations arising from some other quarter, the emoluments arising from the Chemical class become better.

That in conforming to the Regulations of the Chemical class, now proposed by his Majesty's Commissioners, it will become impracticable for him to carry on these branches of business.

That the emoluments arising from the Chemical class are very small, in consequence of the class having never been received into the Curriculum in Marischal College, the want of a good Apparatus, and from Bursars having the privilege, by the Founder's will, of attending without paying a fee to the Professor.

Aberdeen, 4th July 1829.

(Signed)

GEORGE FRENCH.

Inventory of Unprinted Returns lying on the Table of the University Commission relating to the
University of Aberdeen.

Copies of Papers obtained from the Register-office.

Warrant for citing the Keepers of the Libraries of the Universities and Colleges of St. Andrews,
Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, 1690.

Report of the Commission for Visitation of the Colleges of Old and New Aberdeen, 15th October

1690.

Report of the Committee appointed for visiting the two Colleges of Old and New Aberdeen, 1699.

Inventory of Unprinted Returns-(continued).

Petition of Sir Robert Burnett, of Leys, Bart., in regard to certain Bursaries, founded in King's
College, Aberdeen.

Volume, containing the Receipt and Expenditure of that part of the Salaries of the Principal and
four Regents, termed the Localities; and also Sir Thomas Crombie's Mortification for the years
1775-1824 inclusive,—and of the Rents of the lands of Pulmuir, from their first receipt in 1799 to
1824 returned in Answer to Nos. 9 and 10.

(The nature of these payments, and the authority under which they are received, are stated at length in Return to No. 7.)

Abstract of the Accounts of the Observatory-fund-returned in Answer to Nos. 9 and 10.

Abstract of Accounts of the Buildings-fund-returned in Answer to Nos. 9 and 10.

Abstract of Accounts of the Library-fund―returned in Answer to Nos. 9 and 10.

Abstract of the Burse-fund-returned in Answer to Nos. 9 and 10.

Extract of Faculty Minute respecting the Course of Study, 11th January 1753; and a printed plan of
Education, with the Reasons of it, drawn up by order of the Faculty, 28th August 1755.

Extracts from this Plan printed-Vide Answer 17.

(These Returns made in Answer to Requisition 17.)

Names of those ou whom Degrees have been conferred, from 1776 to September 1826 inclusivereturned in Answer to Requisition 37.

Note.-Abstracts of the Numbers have been Printed in Answer 37.

Minutes of a Rectorial Court, held in Marischal College, 14th November 1825; with Appendix of
Documents.

Narrative of Proceedings connected with Mr. Hume's holding said Rectorial Court;-drawn up by
order of the Principal and Professors.

Minutes of a Rectorial Court, held in said College 31st July 1826, with Appendix of Documents.
Note. These last three, returned in Answer to No. 66.

University of
Aberdeen.

Report on Provisional
Resolutions by
Marischal College.

Representation from

INDEX TO VOL. IV.

King's Coll.-KING'S COLLEGE.-Mar. Coll.-MARISCHAL COLLEGE.

University of
Aberdeen.