The Sun.
London, England, 1833-10-25 00:00:00

_ -
UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH.

An impression has gone abroad, and has gained
strength from certain recent discussions in the Town
Council, that our University is in a declining state,
and, in particular, that as a medical school, it is los-
ing the high status which it once held in public
estimation. The statement, if true, is one in which
the inhabitants at large are interested. Education
and law are the two staple occupations by which
the town subsists, and if these fail us, where shall
we find a substitute ? In estimating the condition
of a university, some persons think merely of the
eminence of the professors ; and the deceptions aris-
ing from the uncertainty of this in itself, are increased
by associations connecting themselves with the
changes which inevitably take place. A professor,
for instance, is gathered to his fathers at the ripe
age of 70 or 80, with the accumulated fame of half
a century on his head, and is succeeded by a young
man of whom the world has heard nothing. This
is the course of nature, and the change wears the
aspect of a declension at the moment when it oc-
curs, though, in point of fact, the illustrious de-
ceased was perhaps as much overshadowed by the
merit of his predecessor when he first obtained the
chair, as the present president; and the latter, though
appointed amidst evil auguries and forebodings, may,
in his turn, be deplored at his death, as an irrepar-
able loss to the seminary. In general, no safe con-
clusions can be drawn from such uncertain data;
and the true test of the prosperity of a university is
to be found in the number of students who attend
it. Now when we apply this standard to our Medi-
out wo a hail arta th o rot, lt * h.o very ro►CrSe
of discouraging. The question is one of fact ; and
that we might proceed on sure grounds, we have
procured from an authentic source, returns of the
number of medical students who matriculated and
graduated at oar college for a series of years, and we
here present them as briefly as we can.
I. Dividing the forty years from 1790 to 1830
into periods of ten years, the average number who
matriculated annually, was as follows—
Average Matriculations.
1790 to 1800 560
1800 to 1810 739
1810 to 1820 B2B
1820 to 1830 839

11. If, without striking an average, we take five
single years at intervals of ten years from each other,
the result is similar—

Matriculated.
The Session 1790 to 1791 517
(799 to 1800 636
1809 to 1810 876
1829 to 1830 896

111. We shall now give a table of the average
graduations for periods of ten years, from the insti-
tution of the Medical Faculty in 1726. This will
show the number of students who completed their
medical education here—

Average Graduations.
1728 to 1738 2
1740 to 1750 5 •
1750 to 1760 lO
1760 to 1770 l2
1770 to 1780 2l
1780 to 1790 2B
1790 to 1800 39
1800 to 1810 49
1810 to 1820 B4
IS2O to 1830 ll3

These tables, we think, are not less satisfactory
than conclusive. Our university has been like the
oak, of slow but regular growth, possessing a firm-
ness and strength which has enabled it to move
onward in a course of prosperity, unaffected by the
moral and political change:: which were constantly
occurring. Let us be careful to keep it, by judicious
reforms, on a level with the state of science, and the
wants of society, and we need have no fears for its
future success.—Edinburgh Paper.

It is in contemplation to erect a third bridge
over the Dee, at Chester, a little below the King's Ferry,
thus opening a direct road from Liverpool to North Wales.
The expense is estimated at 30,0001.
SUMMARY PUNISHMENT FOR A GRAVE
OFFENCE.-" On sailing up the Ganges, my boat hap-
pened to be moored by the side of a large budgerow, in
which a somewhat choleric gentleman was, as I conceived,
at rest ; all his boatmen and servants, to the number, I
dare say, of 25 or 30, were sleeping, rolled up in their
white shawls, upon the roof of the apartment in which
he was lying, which rose like a poop above the deck. It
was a beautiful night, and in the neighbourhood of Col-
gong, toe of the most romantic parts of the river. I was
seated on the deck, although it was past midnight, enjoy-
ing the scene, when my contemplations were disturbed by
an unusual splashing in the water. On turning in the
direction of the noise, I saw the unfortunate men leaping
and tumbling into the river from the boat of my passionate
neighbour, who was standing, like a madman, on the
deck, brandishing a stick over his head. Never shall I
forget the scene. He was not unlike Lieutenant Lima-
hago in his appearance. The moon lit up his bald head,
for he had thrown his nightcap at one of the men, in a
rage at not being able to reach him with his stick; and
while he stood in the midst of the wild scenery around
with nothing on but his shirt, dispersing the sleepers, 1
would have given the world for Smollett's pen to have
perpetuated the scene. The boatmen, who are always
expert swimmers, and did not seem to lose their presence
of mind by the sudden transition, very soon reached the
shore, and gazed in astonishment, as well as myself, at
the comedy in which they had taken such unexpected and
conspicuous parts. I conceived some terrible offence must
have been given to have called for such uncompromising
severity for every one was driven from his berth. I was
soon relieved from my suspense, however. The victor
strutted two or three times over the deserted field; then,
turning towards the routed enemy, who seemed ready to
rally on the banks, shook his stick at them, and cried out
in Hindostanee, 41'11 teach you to snore, you scoundrels.' "
...Skinner's ,Excursions in India.

Yesterday morning, about half-past nine, a van
was driven up to the door of the Mechanics' Insti-
tution, Circus-street, New-road, of which Mr. Sa-
vage is the well-known proprietor. It soon became
known to the neighbouring inhabitants that the per-
sons accompanying the vehicle were a sheriff's officer
and others, who, by virtue of an Exchequer process,
were about to make a seizure on the premises for
assessed taxes to the amount of 3.5/. 2s. 9d. The
name of the officer is Hemp, living in Red Lion-
square, who, with his men, immediately entered the
house, and brought out a sofa, a table, chairs, and
other articles of furniture to a considerable amount,
which they commenced packing in the van. In a
short space of time an immense number of persons
had congregated, most of Whom gave vent, in a very
unequivocal manner, to their feelings of indignation
at the course pursued. Mr. Savage loudly com-
plained of the injustice of the proceeding, but did
not attempt, in any way, to intimidate or prevent
the officers from performing their duty. Having
packed up goods to the amount of 501., the van pro-
ceeded slowly on, amidst the hissings and bootings of
the crowd, which at this period had increased to a
vast degree. The sheriff's officer and his men with
difficulty escaped. At the corner of Baker-street up-
wards of one thousand people had assembled, and,
although the most deafening sounds of displeasure
were heard, not one of the party endeavoured to
arrest the progress of the vehicle; at length a wo-
man, more courageous than those by whom she was
surrounded, rushed through the mob, and, seizing
hold of the horse's reins, exclainsed, " What, are
you Englishmen, and yet suffer these things to be
done ? See what a woman dares do !" and turning
instantly the head of the animal, a loud cry of " On
to Savage's" was raised. The horse was then re-
leased from the vehicle, and the whole multitude,si-
multaneously determined on restoring the goods to
their former owner, joined in the shout of " No
assessed taxes—move on to Circus-street." These
words were no sooner uttered than the van was
dragged along by the people, who, on arriving at
Mr. Savage's residence, raised a shout of triumph
at the victory they had achieved, and having un-
packed the goods, deposited than safely in his house.
At this period the populace, whose feelings were
excited to the highest pitch, turned their attention
to the empty van which was standing at the door,
when, on the cry being set up by some one in
the crowd, of " Break it in pieces," the work of
demolition instantly commenced, and in an incredi-
bly short space of time the vehicle was with ham.
mers and other weapons shivered in pieces and
strewed about the road, in spite of the efforts of the
police (a great many of whom were on the spot)
to prevent it. About the same time a seizure was
made on Mr. Brain, a picture-dealer, of 128, Craw-
ford-street, who is a member of the Mechanics' In-
stitution, for taxes to the amount of 121. 12s. Bd.,
when goods to double the value were carried off by
the broker and his men, who refused either to give
an inventory of what they had taken or to state
where they were going to deposit them. At this
place the broker, Mr. Atkins, of 139, St. John-
street, was saluted with the execrations of some
hundreds of persons, who quickly assembled on the
object of his visit being made known. The property
of Mr. Brain was thrust, with all possible haste,
into the van, without any regard whatever being
shown for the oak conveyance of Paintings. some of
which were very curious and scarce, and probably
so much injured by the gross carelessness of the
men as to render them of but little value. Mr. Brain
subsequently ascertained that his property was con-
veyed to Crook's auction-rooms, 45, Skinner-street.
MEETING AT THE INSTITUTION ON THE SUBJECT.

At 2 o'clock a meeting was held in the large
room on the ground floor of the Mechanics' Institu-
tion upon the subject. The place was crammed
almost to suffocation by persons of various classes,
all of whom seemed to take the most lively interest
in the proceedings. Several gentlemen immediately
mounted the platform, when Mr. Birch was unani-
mously called to the chair. Loud and long con-
tinued acclamations followed, and as soon as the
deafening shouts had in some measure subsided, the
business of the day was proceeded with.
Mr. BIRCH then rose, and after exhorting all
around him to conduct themselves peaceably, ob-
served, in reference to the event which had called
them together, that the crisis was at hand when
Englishmen would be found to do their duty; for
himself, he was not ashamed of the part which he
had taken in the business, and with regard to his
conduct, he hoped they would " nothing extenuate
nor set down aught in malice." They were engaged
in a praiseworthy warfare, their object being to en-
deavour peaceably to rid themselves of the oppres-
sive burden of the assessed taxes, and to prevent,
by every means in their power, the hard-working
industrious man from being stripped of his all, by
the ruthless hands of the agents of a corrupt Govern-
ment. The present Ministers, prior to their taking of-
fice, were loud and vehement in their denunciation of
the assessed taxes, but now saw through a different
glass, and felt convinced of their fitness and utility;
for his own part, he was willing to bow down at
any time to superior wisdom and virtue, whether he
found them in a lord or a peasant, but never would
he offer up adulation to any man who had nothing
but the vain empty honour of a title to recommend
him to the nation; and if a Lord could not be proved
to be a man more worthy than himself, he would
spurn him under his feet. The institution to which
they belouged was established, as they well knew,
and lie (Mr. Birch) wished it to go forth to the
nation, not for the purpose of wildly and madly
rushing forward to sow the seeds of anarchy and
confusion, but to procure by perseverance, and in a
lawful manner, that kind of protection for the work-
ing and industrious classes, and not only them but
the community at large, that comfort, protection,
and good government to which, as men justly proud
of and glorying in the name of Britons, they were,
by their birthright, so justly entitled.—(Cheers.)
At this period of the proceedings a deputation
from an association in Westminster entered the
room, the members of which were received with
three distinct rounds of applause.
The Chairman then went on to state, that with
respect to the demolition of the van, after it was
cleared of its contents, it would be borne in mind
that neither the principals of the Mechanics' Insti-
tution, nor any of its members, sanctioned or as-
sisted in any way in the proceedings; their object
was to attain what they wished to accomplish by
resolution and firmness, but not by riot and dis-
order. He entreated them to remember that it was
a woman--ay, a woman—who arrested the progress
of the van, who led the way, and called on the
countless multitude around her to show, by follow-
ing her example, their detestation and revenge: tiled
at the courage of her, and wondering at their own
supineness, they obeyed the call, and in triumph
conveyed the goods just before destined for sale to the
dwelling-place of their industrious and rightful
owner, whose conduct on the occasion was beyond
all praise. Mr. Birch conclued a long speech, by
exhorting all around him to orderly and peaceable
conduct,
as the surest means of obtaining ultimately
the abolition of the assessed taxes, and such other
relief as it might be in the power of their rulers to
afford them. Mr. Birch sat down amidst the most
deafening applause.
Several other persons addressed the meeting in
animated speeches, and at great length. After which

About three o'clock Mr. Savage and Mr. Potter
went to the station-house in Little Harcourt-street,
where they were informed that Mr. Mayne, Com-
missioner of Police, and Mr. Stokes, the Under-
Sheriff, were in attendance. They then gave Mr.
Stokes a pledge that every exertion should be used
to obtain the restoration of the property which had
been taken from the van. During the conversation,
Mr. Sheriff Harmer arrived. Ile said that he knew
nothing of the seizure of the goods until a short
time before. He had been sent for by Mr. Lamb, of
the Home-office, who supposed that he, as Sheriff,
would have to communicate something respecting
the seizure and the subsequent disturbance. He had
therefore come to, the station-house for information.
Mr. Sheriff Harmer was then informed by Messrs.
Savage and Potter, that the goods would, no doubt,
be restored; but the Under-Sheriff expressed an
opinion that the goods were secreted in Mr. Sa-
-vnge's house. On Oa% Mr. Sheriff Harmer, Mr.
Stokes, Hemp, the Officer, and Messrs. Savage and
Potter, proceeded to Mr. Savage's house, and went
over the premises, but without finding any of the
property in question. Mr. Stokes then expressed
himself satiLfied, and the assurance was repeated,
that the goods should be restored. The Sheriffs
then took their departure. Mr. Mayne stated to
Mr. Potter in the outset, that he was at the station-
house in order that he might be ready to act should
any fresh disturbance be attempted.
Mr. Savage is one of the persons who took very
active steps in getting up the Marylebone Asso-
ciation, which was the forerunner of those now nu-
merous mushroom societies. The Globe says, with
reference to the above seizure, " The result of this
step taken by Government, will decide whether
these people can resist a legal tax." It is said that
orders purporting to come from Government have
been issued to the tax collectors, for the names and
addresses of all those parties who refuse to pay
taxes, that an extrajudicial proceeding may be had
recourse to against them. The tax collectors have
received orders to transmit lists of those persons
who refuse to pay, not that a distress may be. issued
against their goods, but that Government might pro-
ceed against them in some other way, for the pur-
pose of obviating the effects of the anti-tax associ.
ations. The grand argument against these associ-
ations is, that their objects are not exclusively pro-
spective, but refer to the non-payment of taxes due
up to last April.