Ossian Collection > Journey to the western islands of Scotland

WlESTERN ISLANDS, &c. 3^
^jsras authoritatively denoted. That aca-
demical honours, or any others fhould be
conferred with exadl proportion to merit,
is more than human judgment or hu-
man integrity have given reafon to ex-
ped. Perhaps degrees in univerfities can-
not be better adjufted by any general rule
than by the length of time palTed in the
public profeffion of learning. An Engliih
or Irifh do£torate cannot be obtained by a
very young man, and it is reafonable to
fuppofe, what is likewife by experience
commonly found true, that he who is by
age qualified to be a dodlor, has in fo
much time gained learning fufficient
not to difgrace the title, or wit fufficient
not to defire it.
The Scotch univerfities hold but one
term or feffion in the year. That of St.
Andrews continues eight months,, that of
Aberdeen only five, from the firfl; of No-
vember to the firft of April.
* D In