who attend this seminary, it has been found necessary to enlarge the teaching rooms, by erecting two additional wings at the back of the building.

OF THE MUSIC SCHOOL.

In ancient times, the science of sacred, as well as of secular music, seems to have been regarded as an essential branch of education; and, that youth might be properly instructed in it, a school was instituted at an early period. In the year 1475, Richard Boyle, one of the chaplains of the church, was appointed, by the council, master of the school; and, in 1540, we find Robert Porter and Robert Nicolson, two of the choristers of the quire, nominated to that office, with an annual salary of L.2, Scottish money. They were succeeded by John Leslie, afterwards bishop of Ross, whom we formerly mentioned.

After the Reformation, it was distinguished by the name of the Music school, of which Andrew Kemp was appointed master, in the year 1570. In the early part of the seventeenth century, the science appears to have been much cultivated in the town. Patrick Davidson, who had been eighteen years teacher, and his son Thomas,† after his death, in the year 1640, enjoyed a salary from the council of L.100, Scottish money; had teachers under them, and taught both vocal and instrumental music, particularly the virginall and lute, which seem to have been the instruments in vogue at the time.‡ The salary was increased from time to time, until the year 1740, when it was augmented to three hundred merks; but the master, at the same time, officiated as precentor in one of the churches. In the year 1758, the school, which was situated in the Back-wynd, was sold, by

* Council Register, vol. vi. p. 790. vol. xviii. p. 253.

+ "Thomas Davidson published a "Cantus," being songs and fancies to three, four, or five parts, both apt for voices or viols; with a brief introduction to music, as taught by him in the music school of Aberdene. The printers of Aberdeen being at this time possessed of music types, it was reprinted by John Forbes, printer to the city and university, with a collection of songs, &c. set to music, in the year 1666, and again in 1682, under the title of the "Aberdene Collection.”➡[Albyn's Anthology, 1816, Preface, p. 5.]

Council Register, vol. lii. p. 553.

by order of the council; and, since that time, there have been a variety of teachers of this science in the town, some of whom the magistrates have patronised by a small allowance of salary, during pleasure; but their success in teaching has entirely depended upon their own merits. Among the principal teachers, we have to mention the late Mr. Andrew Tait, many years organist of St. Paul's chapel; and Mr. John Ross, the present organist, who has successfully taught, for a long time, both vocal and instrumental music, particularly the piano forte. Mr. Ross is, besides, well known in the musical world, as a composer of distinguished merit.

OF THE ENGLISH SCHOOL, &c.

A school for teaching, grammatically, the English language, was first instituted at Aberdeen, under the patronage of the magistrates, in the year 1672, Thomas Forbes being appointed master, and, at the same time, reader or precentor in St. Nicholas church. Previous to that time, the vernacular language had generally been taught by a few old men and females; but, on the institution of this school, they were prohibited by the magistrates from teaching children to read or write, in future, under the pain of being severely censured.* Since that time, properly qualified teachers have been nominated by the magistrates, with an annual salary. The school room is situated in Drum's Lane, on the north side of the Upperkirkgate. Mr. Gilbert Falconer, who is known as an assiduous and attentive teacher, is the present master, and the salary four hundred merks. The restriction to which we have referred having now fallen into disuse, there are about eight or nine other teachers of English in the town, some of whom have been established for many years, and, being attentive to the children under their care, have been patronised by the citizens. Among those of the longest standing we have to mention Mr. John Bower and Mr. Alexander Smith.

The teaching the French and Italian languages, grammatically, was first introduced at Aberdeen about the beginning of the seventeenth century, but there does not appear to have been any established

* Council Register, vol. lv. p. 458. 565.

blished school for that purpose. The teachers who were patronised by the magistrates had generally a small salary allowed them, and their success depended upon their own assiduity and attention. At present, one or two teachers of this branch of education have been settled in the town for several years, and have a good many pupils under their care, particularly students at the universities.

OF THE WRITING SCHOOL.

A school for teaching writing, and the principles of arithmetic and book-keeping, was instituted in the town in the year 1607, and an Englishman appointed master. In the year 1706, Mr. Whitingdaill, from Glasgow, was master, and had an annual salary of L.20 sterling. He was succeeded, in 1723, by Mr. Alexander Malcom,* who had a similar salary allowed him. Mr. William Duncan, late professor of natural philosophy in King's college, taught this school for many years; and, on his promotion to that office, he was succeeded by Mr. George Cruden, the present master, whose salary is L.25 sterling.

Besides these schools of public institution, there has been, of late years, one founded by the incorporated artificers, for teaching young children to read English, &c.; another, by Mr. James Thain, merchant, in the year 1788, for educating poor children; for the support of which, and for a permanent provision to the teachers, he bequeathed a considerable sum of money, which is vested in certain trustees; also a third school, founded by Bishop Gerard, for teaching thirty poor children to read. Both these last institutions are under the management of the respective trustees, nominated by the benevolent founders.

In the year 1815, the new system for the education of children was introduced at Aberdeen, and has been successfully prosecuted, under the management of a certain number of respectable citizens, who formed themselves into an association for that purpose.

We may also be allowed to mention two schools of industry, instituted in the year 1811, and supported by voluntary contributions,

for

* He published two very useful treatises on arithmetic and book-keeping about the year 1731.

for the instruction of young females in reading, writing, sewing, &c. ; both which are conducted under the direction of certain benevolent persons, whose laudable exertions merit every applause.

In the course of the year 1817, a voluntary subscription was commenced, by many gentlemen in the town and neighbourhood, for raising a fund for instituting a school for the instruction of young persons who are unfortunately deaf and dumb. Considerable subscriptions have been obtained, and some progress made in the undertaking; but the plan of the institution is not yet completed, so as to render it permanent.

The fashionable branch of education, Dancing, was introduced at Aberdeen about the beginning of the eighteenth century, a master being appointed by the magistrates, with a salary of one hundred merks, for the purpose of teaching the young citizens "manners and good breeding." The fees of the teacher were afterwards established at six shillings and eight pence sterling, quarterly, from each scholar. In the year 1747, the late Mr. Francis Peacock* was appointed to the office, which he continued to discharge for nearly sixty years, having died, at an advanced age, in the year 1806. He was not only an eminent teacher, but distinguished by his genius for music and painting, and assisted in the original formation of the weekly subscription concerts, which were performed at Aberdeen for many years. In the latter part of his life, he published a treatise, of considerable merit, on dancing, and bequeathed the residue of his fortune to purposes of public charity.

* Council Register, vol. Iviii. p. 713. vol. lxi. p. 261.

BOOK

ANNALS

OF

ABERDEEN.

BOOK III.

CHAPTER I.

Of the Charitable Foundations in Aberdeen-Gordon's Hospital-the Infirmary Dispensaries, &c.—Lunatic Asylum-Hospital for the Poor, &c.-and of Bridewell.

DURING the last sixty years of the eighteenth century, not only certain individuals, but the people in general, were characterized by continued acts of disinterested benevolence and extensive charity, exercised by them, for the purpose of promoting and supporting public institutions in Aberdeen. This is fully evinced by the great number of lasting monuments of liberality, wholly reared by the hands of charity. Of those institutions, many have been founded for the protection and education of youth, and not a few for relieving the indigent, and those who are suffering bodily disease, or labouring under mental disorder. Among the most prominent of these foundations is

ROBERT GORDON'S HOSPITAL.

The advantages which various classes of the community have derived from this institution cannot be too highly appreciated. The rising generations of nearly seventy years have experienced its bene