Notes on the foundation and history of Marischal College / [W. Martin ].

  • Martin, W.
Date:
[1849?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Notes on the foundation and history of Marischal College / [W. Martin ]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    2/170 (page 2)
    in similar terms. That of Aberdeen, from its creating a University, while that of Glasgow recognises one already existing, is more extensive in its details, but the phraseology is similar in both. The recognised “ Universitas” of the one answers to the created “ Universitas” of the other, and the “ Collegium et Academia Glas- guensis,” to the “ Collegium et Academia” of Aberdeen. “ Nova Erectio,” Glasgow, 1577, Glasgow Report, p. 239; “ Institutio et Erectio” of Earl Marischal, 1593, Aberdeen Report, 1826-7, p. 235. As far back as our materials reach, Marischal College has been recog¬ nized as a University. Thus, in the Charter of 1642, by Charles I., we find a reference to a Report of a Commission appointed by his Majesty, “to survey and take notice of the present estait of the Uni¬ versity of Old Aberdene, and King’s College thairof, and als of the New College of Aberdene, callit Merschall Colledge, and what wis requisit for supplie and helpe of the samyn in tyme coming: wha after tryall lies maid report to his Majestie, be the whilk it is fund that, by and attour the present rents thereof, the competent main¬ tenance in a reasonable way to the proposers and fundit persons of the saids Universities and Colleges foresaid respective will amont, Ac. Thairfore his Majestie, with advyse and consent of his Hienes’ trest Cusings and Counsellors.” Aberdeen Report, 1826-7, p. 155. Reference to Acts of Parliament, where it has been styled only a College, would of course prove nothing. College is the only title used in the Act of 1597, “anent the new foundation of the College of Auld Aber¬ deen.”—Acts, Yol. IY. p. 153. 6. The Rector and Dean of Faculty are invested in the Charter of 1593 with the amplest University privileges, being expressly authorised to exercise all powers pertaining to their respective offices in Univer¬ sities or exercised by the Rector and Dean of the University of Edin¬ burgh, Glasgow, St. Andrew’s “ vel alterius cujusvis laudabilis Acade- miceA The following extract from the answers of the Senatus Academicus of St. Andrew’s to the Queries of the Royal Commissioners (1826-7), will exhibit the powers of the Rector of that University. “ The Rector acts as Vice-Chancellor in conferring Degrees, when no other person is specially appointed to that office. He confers Degrees in all the Faculties with the concurrence of the other members of the Senatus, and with his Asses¬ sors he hears and determines in all causes that may be brought before him.”—. St. Andrew’s Report, p. 258. 7. This Charter by the Earl Marischal, was ratified in 1593, “ in all its articles, clauses, heads, and conditions,” by the King and the Estates of Parlia¬ ment. 8. The word College, as used in Scottish Acts of Parliament, seems, occa¬ sionally at least, to have been equivalent to University. Compare Charter of 4th March, 1670, in favour of Glasgow University, with its rati¬ fication by Parliament, 1672.—Glasgow Report, 1826-7, pp. 232, 234. By this word only, was the University of Edinburgh designated by its founders. 9. The Universities of New and Old Aberdeen were united by Charles I., in 1642, into the Caroline University of Aberdeen. The following extract from the evidence of Dr. Forbes, Professor of Humanity in King’s College, before the Royal Commission of 1837, will explain the result:— “ In the year 1640, Charles I. incorporated Marischal College with the University of King’s College by Royal Charter, and the Parliament followed up this step of his Majesty by an Act, appropriating two-thirds of the Bishop of Aberdeen’s revenues to King’s College, and one-third to Marischal College—the Bishopric