Thorn's History of Aberdeen^ Quoting from the Appendix containing the account of King's College, it is said: In the year 1753 the whole plan of discipline and education in King's College was brought under review for the purpose of improvement. A great number of statutes relative to these objects, since known by the name of " The New Regulations," were enacted by the College, and submitted to the examination of the public. In framing these regulations, the celebrated Dr. Reid's opinion and views respecting education, are supposed in general to have prevailed. * * * That less time than usual should be spent in the logic and metaphysics of the schools, and a great part of the second year be employed in acquiring the elements of natural history in all its branches; that the professor of Greek and humanity should open classes for the more advanced students during the three last years of their course; that a museum of natural history should be fitted up and furnished with specimens for the instruction of the students, and that a collection of instruments and machines relative to natural philosophy, and a chemical laboratory for exhibiting experiments in that science, should be provided with all convenient speed. For some years the good effects of these regulations seemed very nattering, and the masters thought they might congratulate themselves upon ' ' having under their care a set of the most regular and diligent students to be found anywhere in the King' s dominions, "
(printed memorial to Lord Findlater, chancellor, relative to the union, 1755)It will be recalled 2 that Mr. Smith was in Aberdeen at the close of 1753, having proceeded immediately after his ordination in London Northwards to visit his "honored father," and where he preached his maiden sermon in the kirk in which he was baptised. And he may then have procured a copy of The New Regulations which became useful to him in his performance of 1756. This proposed scheme, 3 is in the form of Views of the Latin and Greek Schools and of the Philosophy School, and was "subscribed by the Faculty of masters."
!fiy Walter Thorn, 2 vols. Aberdeen, 1811. With Appendices I and II. 2 Smith, i. 39. 3 " It was not until Dr. Smith established at the College of Philadelphia, in 1756, the first graded course of studies of a higher kind ever pursued in an American College, that a young man here had an opportunity of laying broad and deep the foundations of a liberal culture, such as he would have enjoyed had he gone abroad for that purpose." Provost Stille in his Life and Times of John Dickinson, p. 15.
