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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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450 of the " Arteries of the Human Body," both of which are inestimable performances. The last work he lived to publish was an " Inquiry into the Opinions, Ancient and Modern, concerning Life and Organisation"-a subject which had formed liis thesis on taking the degree of M.D. He left several unfinished manuscripts, particularly the biographies of Aristotle and Harvey. Dr. Barclay married, in 1811, Eleanor Campbell, daughter of Sir James Campbell of Aberuchill, by whom he had no issue. This lady afterwards married Charles Oliphant, Esq., W.S. Of the late DR. GREGORY-who is urging his friend to proceed and '' fear nothing"-a memoir has already appeared in volume i., page 339. DR. THOMAS CHARLES HOPE, Professor of Chemistry in the University of Edinburgh, was the third son of Dr. John Hope (of whom a portrait and memoir have been given), for many years Professor of Botany in the University, and founder of the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens. Dr. Thomas Hope was born in 1'166. He commenced his attendance at the High School of Edinburgh in 17'12; and in 1779 entered upon his studies in the University, where he graduated in 1787. In October of that year he was appointed to the Chemical Chair in the University of Glasgow ; and, proceeding to France in the course of the following summer, passed a short season in the capital of that country. In 1'189 he became Assistant-Professor of Medicine in the Glasgow College, and taught at same time chemistry and the theory and practice of physic. He afterwards succeeded to the chair as sole Professor of Medicine, and relinquished the chemical department. In October 1795 Dr. Hope was elected conjunct Professor of Chemistry with the celebrated Dr. Black, in the University of Edinburgh, on whose death, in 1799, he became sole Professor. Dr. Hope had thus been engaged for upwards of half a century in the arduous duties of imparting instruction in an important branch of science ; and it may be stated, without fear of contradiction, that he was decidedly one of the best teachers of chemistry of his day. Of the estimation in which he was held he received a gratifying proof in an entertainment given him on completing the fifty-first year of his academic labours. The meeting took place in the Assembly Rooms, on the evening of Tuesday, 15th May 1838, and was attended by more than two hundred gentlemen of rank and learning. Lord Meadowbank was in the chair; and from the speech of his lordship, in proposing the health of Dr. Hope, we quote the following particulars :- '' My honourable friend in the same way (alluding to his predecessors, Cullen and Black) began his public career as a public lecturer in the University of Glasgow in the year 1787, and he very soon had an opportunity of exhibiting his peculiar sagacity and penetration, by new theories and discoveries, by his readily distinguishing that which was tnie from that which was erroneous ; and thoroughly regardless of the reputation which he might immediately possessconfident in his own opinion-he disregarded the sneers, the doubts, and the difficulties of those who surrounded him, and openly taught what he believed to be true. [His lordship here referred to the dispute respecting the phlogistic and anti-phlogistic theories, and to Dr. Hope openly espousing the latter, when it had not another public or professorial advocate in Great Britain.] In 1795 (he continued) Dr. Hope was brought to Edinburgh; but before that he B I 0 G RAP I1 I CA L S K ET C HE S.
Volume 9 Page 601
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