corpse was removed from his house in George Square to the High School in the evening of Thursday 28th December 1809. On Friday, at about half past one o'clock, the persons intending to join in the procession had assembled in the school-court, while the great bell of the High Church pealed a solemn tone. When every arrangement was completed, the procession moved in the following order: The boys attending the High School, arranged according to their classes, led by the respective masters, preceded the body, which was supported on men's shoulders, and covered with a rich crimson pall. These were followed by the Provost, Magistrates, and Council, in their state-dress; the Principal and Professors of the University in their official habiliments; and above 700 private mourners, consisting of Dr Adam's friends and former pupils. A funeral so splendid and appropriate had not been witnessed in Scotland for many years. The civic simplicity and order of the scene were well adapted to the character and pursuits of the deceased. All the mourners appeared to be occupied with melancholy reflections, excited by the consideration that they were following the remains of a valuable member of society, who was a pattern for every thing worthy of imitation, from the spot which had been the centre of his labours for forty years. Such reflections, operating among scholars who had lost a friend and instructor, were productive of more real mourners than will probably be found amidst all the pageantry of kingly funerals for a century to come. Soldiers lined the streets, which were covered with spectators, who filled every inch of ground from which they could command a peep of the procession. Even the lamp-posts and tops of chimnies were occupied. The procession moved along Nicholson's Street, till it reached the Chapel of Ease, belonging to St Cuthbert's parish. The boys then formed into lines on each side, and received the mourners, standing uncovered. This was a most interesting spectacle; and it has been well observed that "they showed, in their deportment, that the mark of respect was strongly felt, which they were paying for the last time to the venerated remains which passed before them." At the At the grave, the Magistrates, with the Professors, and a number of private friends, remained till the corpse was committed to its parent earth. One feeling of deep regret seemed to pervade all those who did not attend at the funeral as a matter of course, and that feeling was expressed in a moderate and decorous manner. Surely the friends of Dr Adam had no reason to betray any violent emotion, unless they contemplated the loss which they had individually sustained. If any of us ever hope for existence or for happiness beyond this transitory life, it will be consoling for us to believe that we shall share it with him. His measure of usefulness in this world was very extensive, and he at NO. I. Ordo Schola Grammatica Edinensis; exhibiting a View of the Course of Study prescribed for the High School of Edinburgh, in 1640. [This paper will be found in the Life of Ruddiman, by Mr Chalmers. Before making use of it, a few expressions, erroneous in point of fact, have been altered.] FIRST CLASS. In the first year, during the first six months, the children were to be taught the principles of grammar, in vernaculo sermone. They were at the same time to learn the Latin names of every thing on earth and in heaven. During the second six months, the children were daily to repeat a certain portion of grammar; and they were incidentally to be taught particular sentences, relating to life and manners. SECOND CLASS. In the second year, and during the first six months, the children were to repeat daily certain parts of grammar, but more particularly as the same are laid down by Despauter; and to translate the same into English: moreover, they were to read Cordery's Colloquies. During the second six months, the children were to be taught daily the syntax of Erasmus; and the masters were to teach, and the scholars to learn, in the Latin language. |