To the members of the Senatus Academicus of the University of Edinburgh / [James Hamilton].

  • James Hamilton
Date:
[1824]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: To the members of the Senatus Academicus of the University of Edinburgh / [James Hamilton]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    of all our Members, such a measure would be likely to, prevent in future the hazard of any collision with our Honourable Patrons. Secondly, The next argument, repeatedly stated in strong terms, was, that the communication of the 18th June 1824 was by no means a pledge of the Senatus to the Patrons, but was merely a promise to take into consideration the propriety of adding the Midwifery Class to the Curriculum. This explanation was sanctioned by the high authority of our present eminent Professor of Scotch Law. Of course, I am bound in duty to admit, that the view which I had taken of the com¬ munications between our Patrons and us (narrated pages 3. & 4.) is per¬ fectly erroneous. I had considered that those communications implied a bona fide understanding between the parties; and I speak with great deference, when I say, that it is difficult for me to believe that any other interpretation was contemplated at the time. Thirdly, The third argument, and which was much insisted on, was, that it would be unfair to the Students, and totally at variance with the consistency and honour of the Senatus, to force attendance on any ad¬ ditional Classes on those Students who have already entered their names on our Album. If the Study of Medicine were merely a literary pursuit, calculated to improve the knowledge and accomplishments of individuals, without any direct reference to the good of mankind, then this argument might be considered as a conclusive one. But supposing this were admitted, I cannot understand upon what principle our Reverend Joint Librarian prevailed upon the Meeting to exempt even the Students who have entered upon the Curriculum this year, from attendance on the Midwifery Class during one Session in the course of the succeeding three years. He shewed us that 169 Medical
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