Governors resolved that the teachers should be allowed to live out of the hospital, and that they, and also the master, who was to reside constantly in the house, might marry without forfeiting their offices—a plan which has likewise been adopted in Heriot's Hospital, Edinburgh.
At Mr Gordon's death, his property was found to amount to £10,300 sterling, a very large sum in those times. His executors immediately proceeded to the execution of their important trust, and erected an hospital (according to a plan designed by Mr William Adam, architect, Edinburgh, father of the more celebrated architect, Robert Adam); and the place chosen for the building was the ground which formerly belonged to the Black Friars, situated on the north side of the School-hill. The expense of the erection was 3300; and as this had trenched considerably on the original funds, the plan of the founder could not be carried into effect until the deficiency was made up by the accumulation of interest on the remainder of the fund. Owing also to the disturbances which took place in 1745-6, and certain other causes, the hospital was not ready for the reception of boys till 1750; but the funds by this time had accumulated to £14,000. The number of boys at first admitted was thirty; but as the funds continued to increase, owing to good management, by purchases of lands, rise in rents, and other causes, the number was increased from time to time. In 1816, an additional endowment was made to the hospital by Alexander Simpson, Esq., of Collvhill, under the management of the Professors of Marischal College, and four of the city clergy. By this endowment, which came into operation in 1838, twenty-six additional boys are maintained and educated in the hospital. At present the whole number of boys in the institution is one hundred and fifty. A head-master, having under him a house-steward, superintends the establishment; there are three regular teachers, and three others who attend the hospital at stated hours. The branches taught are, besides religious instruction—English, writing, arithmetic, book-keeping, Latin, French, geography, mathematics, natural philosophy, church music, instrumental music, and drawing. There is also a master for drill exercises. The funds are at present in a most flourishing state, and the yearly revenue is about £3500.
Very extensive additions have been made to the original building; and the hospital, as it now stands, presents a spacious and imposing appearance. Accommodations are furnished for about two hundred and forty boys, although many years must elapse before such a number can be admitted, unless the funds be greatly augmented by additional bequests. The concerns of this institution have been all along managed in a praiseworthy manner, and the benefits arising from it have been visible in numerous instances. Many children have, by means of it, been rescued from poverty, ignorance, and vice have been fed, clothed, educated, and enabled to pursue honourable callings. Not a few have prospered in their native city and elsewhere as merchants, tradesmen, &c., and several have risen in the world, and have amassed very considerable fortunes. Yet it has been remarked that rarely has the institution turned out any man of genius; and the same remark has been made in regard to other similar institutions. There are, it must be confessed, evils and defects attending all institutions of this kind, in so far as they may be regarded as an engine for the moral, religious, and intellectual training of youth; and many enlightened philanthropists of the present day are beginning to doubt whether the evils and defects inherent in such institutions, are not of such a magnitude as to call for a radical change in them. The worst feature which these institutions exhibit, is the unnatural position in which they place so many young boys, shutting them up together, both good and bad, confining them almost entirely to the society of one another, cutting them off from the endearments, and the softening and humanizing influences of home, and of the family circle,
