BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 413
accordingly, not a few pleasantries were indulged in at the expense of the youthful
Principal.’ Time, however, altered the character of the arrangement.
Fortunately the Professors of this University possess nothing of the undesirable
privilege of patronage, yet they cannot but look with much interest on
the choice which the patrons are from time to time called upon to make in
filling up vacancies in their fraternity; and their opinions of the candidates
when expressed, as they generally are, go far to sway that choice. In this indirect
manner, Principal Baird was always observed to act purely for the good
of the institution-sometimes very happily for the encouragement of merit,
and with great credit to his own courage and discernment. Of this description
was the part he took in recommending Dr. Murray to the Chair of Oriental
Languages. The wondrous attainments of that scholar were in the strongest
contrast to almost everything in his early lot; and, though such a character
has within itself a strong principle of ascent in society, there is always much
honour due to the befriending hand. Principal Baird‘s exertions in this matter
are thus alluded to by the late Sir Henry Moncreiff :-
‘‘ It would be unjust not to mention, with the respect which it deserves, that, in his election
to the Professorship, Dr. Murray was most particularly indebted to Dr. Baird, the Principal of
the University. He had been uniformly his most zealous friend from his first appearpce in
Edinburgh ; and, down to the period of his election aa a professor, seems not to have lost any
opportunity of assisting and befriending him. On this occasion he exerted himself most
effectually to render his election secure ; and did so, from his conviction of his peculiar qualifications,
in opposition both to his personal and his party friends, with a firmness and consistency
which certainly did him honour with all impartial men.
“Dr. Murray was not a man to forget his obligations to any one individual to whom he had
been indebted, and least of all to forget what he owed to Dr. Baird, who had so long and so
effectually patronised him. ”
The Senatus Acadeinicus of the University is known to number among its
offices the duty of maintaining College discipline. It is a duty seldom requisite
in its severer aspect. There is, however, one instance of academic authority,
which Principal Baird was called upon to exercise, and which is yet remembered
in consequence of the distinction of the parties concerned. The offence, we
believe, consisted in the circumstance of sending a challenge to one of the
Professors. The parties summoned before the Senate to answer for this
misdemeanour were Lord Henry Petty (afterwards Marquis of Landsdowne),
the late Francis Horner, M.P., and Mr. (afterwards Lord) Brougham. The last
only appeared ; and the rebuke was at once so administered and so received,
that a friendship ensued which was kept up ever afterwards betwixt the parties.
The Principal was of course not aware of the future distinction to be attained
by the personage so leniently reproved; but he knew, even then, that the
youth was shaping himself after antiquity, and might yet be “un hornme de
Plutarch. ”
Dr, Baird found leisure to employ himself much in the direction of the
1 Dr. Baird had married a daughter of Provost Elder, who consequently deemed it right to exert
his influence in favour of one so nearly related to him. Hence the playful allusion of the artist-
“ The Elder shall serve the younger. ”