A reply to the report of the Senatus Academicus of the University of Edinburgh, upon Dr. Reid's Memorial to ... the patrons of the University / [D.B. Reid].

  • Reid, D. B. (David Boswell), 1805-1863
Date:
1833]
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A reply to the report of the Senatus Academicus of the University of Edinburgh, upon Dr. Reid's Memorial to ... the patrons of the University / [D.B. Reid]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    instructions in Practical Chemistry was enjoined by any of the public bodies, who are entrusted with the guidance of medical education.”—Report by Senalus. Dr Reid’s class of Practical Chemistry was established by him¬ self, not by Dr Hope, in his former class-room in the High-School Yards. Dr Reid had every assurance that his classes would con¬ tinue to succeed, and had reason to believe that he had introduced such improvements in its methods, as would render it much more extensively useful, and enable the student to have access to a more full and complete course than had formerly been given, at a mode¬ rate expense. Dr Reid, therefore, stipulated with Dr Hope, in the most express terms, that, on entering the College, he should have full liberty to teach Practical Chemistry, in his own way, as an in¬ dependent teacher. His class was thus transferred from the High School Yards to the College, with all the peculiar apparatus, &c. used in carrying it on. It was transferred from thence to a room in the College, the use of which was part of Dr Reid’s remuneration for his services to Dr Hope. It was no part of Dr Reid’s duty as assistant to give practical courses for Dr Hope ; he might have given none, if he had chosen, after he was appointed experimental assist¬ ant. The following is an extract from a paper in Dr Hope’s own writing, securing to Dr Reid the use of a class-room to carry on private and independent courses of Practical Chemistry, and given to Dr Reid before he entered upon his situation in the College, that there might be no misunderstanding on either side, “ Dr Hope will be glad that Mr Reid shall deliver Practical Courses of Chemistry and Chemical Pharmacy, at such hours as shall not interfere with the business of the Professor’s Lectures. Mr Reid shall have the full use of the lower Laboratory, and of the fixed furnaces there ; he shall also have fuel furnished to him, but none of the preparations, specimens, or apparatus belong, ing to Dr Hope, are to be exhibited or used during these private Courses. Mr Reid will have to provide any attendance he may require for these Courses, of which he will draw the whole emoluments.” Little comment is required on this document. 1. The class was private. The words “ University of Edinburgh” were not allowed to be put on the ticket, and were not on it till a year after Dr Reid had entered the College. 2. It was Dr Reid’s class, not Dr Hope’s. 3. N othing belonging to Dr Hope was to be used in it. 4. The risk was all Dr Reid’s ; if it failed, he had no compensation ; if it succeeded, the gain was his own. 5. All the expenses were paid by Dr Reid. G. The use of the room, and the fixtures and fuel, were part of Dr Reid’s salary. 7. It was no part of Dr Hope’s class. Dr Hope’s students had no more to do with the class, than strangers who had never been in the College at all.