Scotland/Scots > Black's picturesque tourist of Scotland

STREETS AND BUILDINGS.
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and King Street, which were both laid out nearly forty years
ago, at an expense of J170,000.
King Street contains the Medical Hall, the North Church
and St. Andrew’s Chapel, and the North of Scotland, Commer¬
cial, and British Linen Company’s Banks.
Some of the other public places of interest are the Royal
Infirmary at Woolmanhill, the New Female Orphan Asylum
in Albyn Place, and the Lunatic Asylum, Rosemount. Gordon’s
Hospital, in Schoolhill, is an institution similar to George
Heriot’s in Edinburgh. Upwards of 160 of the sons or grand¬
sons of burgesses are educated in it. It owes its foundation to
Robert Gordon, a descendant of the Straloch family, who starved
himself, that he might accomplish his charitable design. The
Orphan Asylum is a similar institution for females, recently
built and endowed by Mrs. Elmslie, a native of Aberdeen, who
is understood to have devoted £30,000 for that purpose.
Marischal College (Broad Street) was founded by George
Keith, Earl Marischal, in 1593. The old buildings, which were
mostly of the seventeenth century, were neither elegant nor
commodious, and had latterly become ruinous. They were
taken down and lately rebuilt, partly at the expense of Govern¬
ment, and partly by subscription. The College forms three
sides of a quadrangle, and rises to the height of two lofty
storeys, presenting unbroken ranges of mullioned windows.
From the centre of the building springs a tower, to the
height of 100 feet from the ground. This tower contains
the principal entry, and the staircase leading to the Hall,
Library, and Museum. Each of these rooms is 74 feet long
by 34 feet wide, and upwards of 30 feet in height. There are,
besides, a Common Hall and 16 class-rooms, to each of which
is attached a private room for the Professor. The total expense
of the building is estimated at about £30,000. Marischal
College contains the usual professorships, and the session com¬
mences in the first week of November, and ends in the first
week of April. The curriculum of arts extends over four
sessions, and a student’s expenses during each session may
be from £35 to £40. There are numerous bursaries connected
with this college. Among its alumni are many who have dis¬
tinguished themselves in every department of science and
literature.