A History of the Univzrsity of Aberdeen, 1495 - 1895. By John
Malcolm Bulloch, M.A. (Hodder and Stoughton.)—Aberdeen enjoyed for m my years the unique distinction of having two Universities. All England had to be content with two while a Scottish town had two to itself. Alexander VI., "not an ideal Pontiff," as Mr. Bulloch moderately remarks, yet had something 'of the Renaissance love of letters, and issued a Bull in answer to the King's petition, the real mover being Bishop Elplainstone. This was in 1495. The model imitated was that of Bologna and Paris. The University being established, the Bishop founded St. Mary's College. The endowment was liberal. The Master of 'Theology and Principal had 40 marks ; the Doctors of Common and Civil Law 30 each ; the Doctor of Medicine and the Sub- Principal 20 each ; the Grammarian had a benefice ; five M.A. lecturers 15 each ; thirteen students 12 each ; eight Prebendaries 20 each; four choir-boys 5 each. This comes to nearly 2350, possibly 22,000 in our money. After the Reformation a rival was started at Fraserburgh ; this came to nothing. In 1593 George Keith, fifth Earl Marischal. founded Marisclaal College, a separate University with a power of its own to grant degrees. The two lasted side by side for more than two centuries and a half. In 1860, after many fruitless efforts at union, the two were joined, and what is now the University of Aberdeen had its beginning. This is the story which our author has to tell, the occasion being the four-hundredth anniversary of Bishop Elphinstone's founda- tion, and he tells it with success.
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