Towns > Dundee > 1822 - Dundee delineated; or, A history and description of that town, its institutions, manufactures and commerce

54.
cially deeply versed in every branch of the mathe-
matics, — not excelled by any of the most profound
philosophers of Europe ; and well known to and es-
teemed by them all.
After the first engagement, the Academy was
continued for three years longer ; but before the
end of a month of the first year of the second se-
ries, Mr Ivory left the Academy. It however lan-
guished out" the three years ; and expired at the end
of them — July 1792. At that time a circumstance
took place, which was thought a very weighty rea-
son for allowing the seminary to drop in such a way.
The Messrs. Webster of London, who were natives
of Dundee, died about this time, and bequeathed a
legacy of £6,000, to be appropriated in one way
or other to the instruction of youth in their native
town. This legacy was only payable in 1800.
Accordingly the Academy was renovated at the
appointed period ; and the town was exceedingly
fortunate in the choice of a Rector in Mr Thomas
Duncan, who conducted the establishment for
twenty years, in a manner highly creditable to his
own honour, — to the very great benefit of his nu-
merous pupils, who obeyed him with alacrity, loved
him with ardour, and made the greatest progress in
their education under his steady, firm, and excel-
lent tuition. He was highly esteemed by all ranks ;
and every one who had the good of the Academy
at heart, though rejoiced at Mr Duncan's well-
earned promotion to the Mathematical chair in the
University of St. Andrew's, yet could not help be-
ing deeply affected at the removal of such an ex-
cellent teacher from among themselves.*
* See Appendix.