The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-10-06 00:00:00

EDINBURGH ACADEMY.

On Friday the emenriony of opening this seminary took place, in
presence of the Dir:etots and about See gentlemen, among whom
we obseried Sir George Clerk, Sir Wm. Ilae, Lord Mackenzie.
Bailie Allan, end a number of individuals distinguiehol in the
learned professions of this city.
About one o'clock the boys of the different daises were ushered
into the Hall of the Academy, by their *racism', and took their
seats, to the number of about 3100. As near as we could calculate,
there appeared to he in the first class 91—second class Ll—third
clue 50.—fourth class fart—rector's class 45.
The teachers having taken their seats at a table in the centre of
the Hall, with the Rector at the hate, the Directors entered the
Hall, and took their places on scats approprieted fur them ; when
the Reverend air Henry bionereiff Wellwood, Bart. ritll7ol up en
eloquent and impressive prayer for the enemas of the institution.
Sir WALTER SCOTT then TOIL and observed, that it had been
determined by the Directors that some raceme eatild be given en
this occasion of the nature and meatarg of the institution. lie
wished that some one bettor qualified had been appointed for this
purpose; but as the duty had been imposed upon him, he would
endeavour to discharge it as breed, as possible. It was needless
fur hint to say one wurd on the subject of the general advantages of
education. It was that which distinguished man front the lower
animals in the creation—which recorded every fact of history, and
transmitted them in perfect order front one generation to another.
Our ancestors, although they paid due attention tot the important
subject of education, could little have conceived the length to which
discoveries in science and literature had gone in this age ; anti those
now present little knew to what extent posterity might carry them.
Feltner ages might probably speak of the knowledge of the 111th
and 19th centuries, in the seam way as we now did that deb, 13th
and Beet ha them remember that the progress of knowledge
was gradual, and as their ancestors heel been anxious to secure to
then' the benefits Pi' education and knowledge, so let it be said of
them, that they paved the way tits the generations that were to fol-
low. Ile need not repeat, particularly to an assembly of Scotsmen,
thst at an early period of their history the most anxious solicitude
had been shown by their ancestors on this subject. The bloody
sword was scarcely sheathed before they sat down and made pre.
rations for the improvement of other generations. They lived Dow
is a period of profound peace, and long, lung might it he before the
*weed was again ueeliotilied. This was a proper time for improv.
ing the insteutions of the country. and endeavouring to cause Its
literature to keep leer wit high Inertial achievements. In
f..eranng an instituting' like the preeeeit, there was something goner.
uus and disinterested. It differed from all other public institu-
tioes. The founders of a leirary might read in their library ; and
it lad occurred that the founder of an hospital had had the melan-
choler gratilicatinn. by the decline of his fortunes, of reposing under
leif. But this could not he the case with those who subscribed
for this institution. It was like a torch held out in the hand of a
dead man, which anipatted light to others, but to the bearer gave
nine.
The Learned Baronet then called the attention of the meeting to
the early establishment of those en-ellen; institutions, the parochial
schools. Ring dame n, in the early pert of the reign, had founded
one, which flourished at this moment, the pride and boo of this
city. But front the great inmate of population, its sue was now
found inadequate to the duty originally intended. Since its muse
blishment, the city had increased to six times the vitro it then
wee ; and the germ number of milometers to the protest institue
then, of that rank and class of society who were anxious to secure
education to their children, proved the necessity for something to
renters the tectmpolitan school. it wee true there were anney
private schools. white teachers were men cf great talent ; but they
were not so well cleculnted to souse the education of children as ge
Institution like the present, where the various classes were sepa-
rated, and each under the saperintendenoe of an able teacher,
whose diligence would be amply rewarded, while the subscribers
would have the security of their money being faithfully bestowed.
A jealousy ha/ been entertained that the Jong!) of the preeent
atitution was to bur the more ancient seminary. Nothing could
be more erroneous. Let them look at the list of subscribers, thews
gentlemen who haul hoeuured the Directors with their confiesetee
and he was sure there was nut one person who could entertain such
a thought. Their tither: hail been educated there, they then.
selves fuel been educated there, and could it be supposed that they
would contemplate the destruction of that venerable institution.
lie wee conscious that this would not be the case. The effect of
the present institutitm would only be to relieve the High School of
a number of superfluous *etiolate, and theeeby leave the hands of
its teachers more at liberty to educate those who were left. He
trusted he should hear nothing inure of such aa unworthy motive.
He was sure little would be nu revelry between the two institutions,
but the honourable and fair rivalry rat scholarship. a '.e rivalry of
who should be the beat teachers and the best scholan—of who
should produce men to do the greatest honour to their country, or
become its best defenders. He could have been content to have
formed a complete union between the two establishments ; but the
difficulties here had been found inauemountable. But he was of
opinion that their separation would turn out for the advantage of
both es:ablislinients' by cresting a tile and honourable competaion
betweets them; and he was onsecients that Pelinurus would not
slumber at the huhu, while he behold another vessel reedy to gain
the port before Imo. (.Ipplauee.)
The readiness with which the inhabitants had come forward
with the necessary sum was a convincing proof of the genteel ne-
cissity of the institution. In appropriating the funds, which has
liberally been placed at their disposal, the Directors had ob-
served the strictest ecenorey and by the ingenuity of 31r. Burns,
the architect, whom plans and superintendence of the building bad
been a labour of love, it would be observed, that not much had
been lost ; and if they had not preemie-11 tile beauty of high one.
moat, they had at least that of taste and proportion to boast. list
the Directors had had a more difficult and delicate task to perform,
in chusitig the gentlemen who were to carry into execution their
plans. From the number of eertilicetes pnelueed by men of talent
who were willing to abandon their situations in other seminaries,
tee Directors had experienced the meet difficult task in theft-
Oh firm,
' their choice from among thirty or forty individuals, all
Dearly equal iu merit. lie trusted tlit y had also been successful in
the performance of this task. The L'itiverstis of Oxthr4 had given
them one of its most learned scholars (the Rerun), who was in the
Mower of is age, and who had devoted fifteen years of hie life to
study. He would not speak of thee g.ndentan in his presence as
he feit inclined, but •to Mut the Ilerectore trusted, as a main pillar
of the establishment; and he 'vesture he would also be well sup.
ported by the other gentlemen, anti that the whole machine would
move easily and smoothly. But there was still another selection
of no mean difficulty. In the formation of e new,
institution.
One must lose
'Dote of the advantages of an ancient and venerable
One could not lay his hands on the head of Me son, and say, this le
the same bench on which I sat, and this the voice which first in.
Eructed me. They had to identify their children with a new in-
stitutien. Rut they hid something to counterbalance these (Heed-
emerges. If they had nut the venerable taithic•temple, with long
sounding galleries, and turretted walls--abounding in large win.
dews, which exclude the light, and pasisagra which led to nothihg,
something might be gained from novelty. The attention ofthe
Directors had been particularly turned to the fact, Met while Sett.
land was the hest informed country in Europe, it had not of late
produced any eminent classical scholars. The obeervalon of Hr.
Johnson was • well known, that in teaming Scotlend resembled a

besieged city, where every man had iletuttitlitul, but no man a bel-
lyful. But it might be said In *newer to this, that in such a city
es 'lds, it wss better that It should be divided into moutlititts than
served up at the banquet of some &Touted individuals, while the
bulk of the population was left to starve. (Applause.) But sturdy
Scotsman as he was, he was not more attached to Scotland than to
truth ; and it must be admitted that there was some foundation for
the Doctor's remark. The Directors were anxious to wipe .of this
reproach, and fur this purpose had made every provision in their
power. The Learned Barourt then described the arrangements
which had been made for commiinicating to the SC1101•74 a knowledge
of the learned languages ; and observed that it war intended to in-
troduce something new in the teaching of English ; and that care
would be taken that the scholars should be niade acquainted with
the principles and beauties of the English language, with its best
writers, and with its history ; so that it should not be *aid that they
were better acquainted with din history of Gre:ce than with that
of their own country. Ile would have a %choler in that seminery
to bees neversant with the names of Bruce and Wallace, as with
those of Themistucles and Cresar--and that the battles of Flodden
aed Bantiockbura should not be lust in those of Thennopyle and
Marathon. (Applause.)
After stating that the daises were to be opened by prayer, and
that a portion of scripture was to be read every Monday morning,
Sir Walter proceeded to address a few words to Ills young friends
around him. He observed that the public could out hare given a
mere interesting mark of their confidence in the Manager:sof the se-
nsinary, than they lied done in placing under their diteetion these
young persons, characterised by the Itornan Matron as the most
precious jewels, for every one of whom he wax sensible that more
than one bosom was at present beating, anxious fur their future kip-
pineal; and prosperity. Ile exhorted them to give their whole souls
and minds to their studies, without which, he übservial, it was lit-
tle that either their teachers or the Directors could do. If they were
destined for any of the learned professions, he begged them to re-
member that a physician without learning was a 'neer ev.eck—A
lawyer without learning was a mere pettifogger—and a clergyman
without learning was like a soldier without a sword, who had not
the weans of enforcing the authority of his divine master. Next to a
conscience void of offence towards trod and noel, the greatest iiiPPSCI-
%ion they could have was a well celtivAted mind; and it was that :slime
which distinguished them from the beasts that perish. Wherever
they went it would sweeten their path, and add to the moments of
lasypineeit. He trusted that his worms, poor as they were, would
si:ik into their hearts; and, delivered as they were at a nomient
like this, would remain on their inemeries long after they had for-
gotten the speaker. Ile hoped they would TeinellibeT the words of
their Reverend Friend, who had just impl.wed the blessing of ties!
epos their studies; they were those of one not young in yule.; not
void of cementer --Ind when they were come to manho. h. they
might say te their children, " thus and thus acre we taught, and
thus we teach yon. )ty attending to these thine,. we Zotse to honour
and dlstiuctiun." Happy (said the lion. Baronet) wi,.l it be if you
I <ay that--aid arid grant you may. (Loud anytime.)
The Bev. Joust t LLIAMS (Rector of the Academy) g!se an
outline of the plan of studies hereafter to be plii'Nlied in the
Academy.
Mr. li eerie ACKENZ 11: afterwards addressed the ceceting in
short 4W-till, but be spoke in so low a tone that we could oat
hear hint.
The bryi then returned to the* flass.roorne, and the me: Ling
dispersed.

The East India Company's ship Duke of York arrived
at lionibny on the 6th, and the Thomas Conti% on the 19111
of :14y.

THE BRITISH PRESS.