was translated to that chair. The object of Dr Duncan's former ambition he now obtained, for after having lectured with increasing reputation for fourteen years without the walls of the college, he was elected successor to Dr James Gregory as the professor of the institutions of medicine.
The life of a physician, unlike that of a statesman, a soldier, or adventuring artist, whether poet or painter, is seldom diversified by any stirring or remarkable incidents; it Hows equably and unobtrusively along, never coming immediately under the gaze of the public, and although in ministering to the wants of the afflicted, human nature be seen often under the most varied and touching aspects, yet over every scene that speaks to the heart of charity, a veil is drawn; the secrets of the sick chamber being always esteemed sacred and in- violable. No class of men are brought so closely and so continually into contact with human wretchedness; yet even this charity, which constitutes perhaps the most estimable feature of the human mind, can seldom be duly appreciated, for it is manifested only in secret, and seeks not the empty approbation of the multitude. Fortunately, in the instance of Dr Duncan, his actions speak for themselves, and prove him to have been always actuated by the most philanthropic, generous, and humane motives. The cast of his mind was truly benevolent. In 1792, perceiving how destitute was the condition of those unhappy beings suffering under the bereavement of reason, he brought forward a plan for the erection and endowment of a lunatic asylum, which he laid before the royal college of physicians of Edinburgh. It is said that the idea of such an institution was suggested to him by the death of the poet Ferguson, who in 1774, a few years after Dr Duncan had settled in Edinburgh, expired in the cells of the common charity work-house, in a state of the most abject and appalling wretchedness. After much time had elapsed, and many difficulties been surmounted, a petition was presented to the king, who granted a royal charter, dated the 11th April, 1807, under which, a lunatic asylum was erected and opened at Morningside. In September, 1808, the magistrates and town council of Edinburgh presented Dr Duncan with the freedom of the city, as a public acknowledgment of the sense they entertained of the services he had rendered the community by the establishment of the public dispensary and lunatic asylum ; and assuredly this honour was never more deservedly conferred.
In 1809, Dr Duncan brought forward a scheme for another public association for the purpose of contributing to the interests and happiness of society. He observed that the study of horticulture had been too much neglected in Scotland, and proposed therefore the institution of a society which should receive communications and award prizes to those who distinguished themselves by making discoveries, or promoting the interests of this science. His proposal, and exertions in accomplishing this favourite object, he lived to see amply rewarded; for the horticultural society soon attaining considerable importance in the estimation of the public, was incorporated by royal charter, and among the number of its members will be found the names of many who are an ornament and an honour to their country. "The latest public object undertaken by Dr Duncan," says his friend Dr Huio, " was connected with this society, in the success of which he ever took the wannest interest. This was the establishment of a public experimental garden, for the purpose of putting to the test various modes of horticulture, and also for collecting specimens and improving the method of cultivating every vegetable production, from every quarter of the globe, which could either be agreeable to the palate, or pleasing to the eye. By means of private subscriptions, assisted by a loan from government, this object was at last attained ; and the venerable promoter of the scheme had the satisfaction, before
