San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1880-01-03
Correspondents Of tho FsxE Pass.
FROM THE OLD WORLD.
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND.
Dec. 8, 1879.

distrust my ability to write letter OF
general interest to your readers.
Almost my entire time, since have
been in this city, has been devoted to
observations in the surgical wards of
the Royal Infirmary, and to course
of study in the University of Edip.
burgh, consequently my opportunities
for general observations have been ex-
tremely limited.
Edinburgh is chiefly celebrated as a
great educational centre for the higher
branches.
Her University has a worldwide
reputation as an institution in which
the standard of scientific education is
kept at the highest point. Some idea
of the magnitude Of the institution
may be derived from the number of
matriculants for this winters session.
which is in the aggregate, 2,5lO.
About 1,15O of this number are stu.
dents of medicine, and this is far from
being the sum total Of medical stu.
dents in the city, as there is a large
number attending extra mural lee
lures. There are medical students
here from nearly every quarter of the
globe. 1 see quite number OF natives
from British India, also several from
Australia, one or two from Mexico,
and one coal black negro from the is-
land of Hayti. There are many medi.
cal students here from England al
though there are of course, many ex-
cellent schools Of medicine in Lon
don and other cities of England.
The art department of the Universe
| Ity keeps pace with the department of
medicine. There being, for this ses-
sion, something over 900 in that de-
partment.
Preparations are now being made to
sever the medical department from the
University, and splendid building Is
being erected near the new Royal In
6rmary, for the accommodation of the
faculty and class.
Edinburgh is somewhat celebrated
too, for the number and magnitude OF
her charitable institutions. Her new
Royal Infrmary is an institution that
the people of Edinburgh, and of Scot,
land may we'll be proud of. 1t is pure,
ly charitable institution; nothing be-
ing required to gain admittance to its
wards, except that the applicant is sick
and destitute. No distinction is made
in favor of, or against any nationality
The hospital is the largest, and L am
informed, by far the best furnished
and ventilated of any institution of the
kind in the United Kingdom. The
buildings alone, 1 am informed, cost
s34O, 900, or about $1,70O,O0O. The
Infrmary contains about 700 bells.
There are many other great CHART
able institutions in the city, some oi
which I have visited.
There are several very large schools
in the city for the education of pool
children. These are all, | believe, en-
dowed heavily, so as to render then
entirely Independent of public patron
age. Such institutions are called hos
pitals here. But notwithstanding
these great and well conducted CHART
able institutions, it must not be infer
red that there is no poverty and suffer
ing here unrclieved. OG the contrary
there is much of it to be seen on every
hand, and there seem to be many pro
fessional beggars who depend solel!
upon aims for their living. True, the.
dare not openly beg, because there ar
severe statutes against it, which be-
lieve are strictly enforced. But lik'
our laws for the suppression of th'
liquor traffic, they are inadequate 70
the accomplishment Of the propose'
, end. For instance, the perseyerinI
!, beggar will station himself immediate
ly under your window, or in front o
>. your door, and sing in cracked
aud hideous voice, until you are gla'
: to throw him penny to get rid Of him
This is only one among many way
Of evading the law, and is Of daily oc
: currence, L believe, in every part Of th
4 city.
! This city abounds with objects o
a great interest to the curious observer
b.. Its antiquities and works Of art, ar
G exceedingly interesting, and its muse
|. ums, Of which there are several, ar
: large aud greatly diversified. Th
e Museum Of Science and Art" is es
? pecialIy Interesting. Ii Evald requir
e | think, at least week to see in d.
+ tail the vast collection Of this eIten
' sive establishment. The departmen