as a profession has diminished, and the clergy have withdrawn
themselves more entirely from secular avocations, it has partaken
of this character even more than formerly. As an illustration
of the extent to which this is now the case, we may mention,
that in the University of Edinburgh, at the present moment,
the whole of the Chairs in the Faculty of Arts, excepting those
of Ethics, Latin, and Mathematics, are filled by members of the
Bar, they being thus in the proportion to all other professions,
of six to three, — whilst there is but one churchman of any
kind, the professor of mathematics, who^ we understand, is in
English orders. In the neighbouring university of St Andrews
the case is similar ; and even the far distant Aberdeen has not
escaped their influence.
But though we have spoken of the Bar as a prominent exam-
ple of the present tendencies and capabOities of Edinburgh
society, it is not fix>m it alone that we would draw our augury.
We believe that among all the professional classes there is a
remarkable unanimity on this subject. The other branches of
the legal profession, though less frequently engaged in literary
occupations, usually manifest no inconsiderable sympathy wiUi
those who are ; and as regards the medical profession, the high
position which our school has always held, and the celebri^ of
many of our practitioners of the present time, are sufficient
guarantees for the liberal views and tastes of its members.
