as it otherwise might have been, on account of the kind advice and benevolent
attention of a worthy uncle, the reverend Daniel Maclaurin, minister of Kilfmnan, and the careful economy and exemplary virtues of their mother. After remaining in Argyleshire for some time, on a small patrimonial estate, which
was divided between Mrs Maclaurin and her sisters, she removed to Dumbarton,
for the more convenient education of her children; but dying in 1707, the entire charge of the orphans devolved upon their uncle. Colin, at this time, was
nine years old; and, although of a delicate constitution, he was remarkable for
the quickness of his apprehension, and the retentiveness of his memory; he was
passionately fond of learning, and pursued his studies with so much zeal and
satisfaction, as to be fully qualified to enter the university of Glasgow, in two
years after his mother's death. He was accordingly placed there under the direction of Mr Carmichael, an admirable public teacher, who took the greatest pains
in superintending his education, and for whom Mr Maclaurin, ever after in life,
evinced the warmest feelings of gratitude and respect. His proficiency in every
branch of elementary learning was so rapid, and his application to study so intense, that his teachers were astonished at the ease and quickness with which he
distanced, not only those who were commencing the same class with himself, but
those who had the advantage of attending for many sessions before him. His
youthful imagination entered with great delight into the beauties of the writings
of the ancients, and a taste for classical learning never forsook him during the
whole course of his life, notwithstanding the predominant bent of his wonderful
genius for the cultivation and improvement of mathematical science. From the
time he entered college, he kept a diary, in which he carefully noted down the
beginning and success of every particular study, inquiry, or investigation, his
conversations with learned men, the subjects of those, and the arguments on
either side. This was found among his oldest manuscripts, and in it might be
read the names of the celebrated Mr Robert Simpson, Dr Johnson, and several
other gentlemen of learning and worth, who all seemed anxious who should
most encourage our young philosopher, by opening to him their libraries, and
admitting him into their most intimate society and friendship. His genius for
mathematical learning discovered itself so early as twelve years of age, when,
having accidentally met with a copy of Euclid, in a friend's chamber, he became
master, in a few days, of the first six books, without any assistance; and having
accomplished this extraordinary enterprise, his predilection for the science of
quantity was determined for life. He now made an extraordinary progress, as we very soon after find him engaged in solving the most curious and difficult problems.
At fifteen years of age, Mr Maclaurin took his degree of master of arts, having passed through the curriculum, or public course of lectures appointed by the university, which must be attended before this honour can be gained. The subject he selected for his thesis, was, the "Power of Gravity," and this, according to the custom of the times, it was necessary for him to defend publicly. It may be necessary to observe, for the information of those who are acquainted with the manner in which such disputations were conducted in Scotland, that the candidate was left free to select for this ordeal any literary or scientific subject he thought proper. The depth and boldness of the topic proposed by young Maclaurin at once revealed what kind of studies had engaged his attention while at the university, and excited the wonder and admiration of all present. In most instances, the subjects of disputation were of a trifling kind, and adapted chiefly to afford the candidate an opportunity of displaying his ingenuity and acquaintance with the mood and figure of the school of logic But the mind of our youthful philosopher disdained to stoop to any thing puerile or coin-
