with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

200
school divinity, and attained an accurate knowledge
6f the Latin and Greek languages, and an extensive
acquaintance with biblical literature and scholastic
theology. Having discovered an early predilection
for the medical profession, he was put apprentice to
a surgeon in Forfar, and afterwards sent to attend
the medical classes at Edinburgh. While a medical
student, he cultivated experimental chemistry and
controversial theology with equal assiduity. Unfor-
tunately his religious opinions, not deemed orthodox,
or calvinistical, connected him with a society of
Glassites, and involved him in a marriage with a
member of the society, which terminated in a sepa-
ration. He now settled at Leith, as an apothecary,
depending on the patronage of his reHgious connec-
tions ; but his separation from the society, which
happened soon after, with an unsteadiness, that was
natural to him, disappointed his expectations. When
he ceased to be a Glassite, he ceased not to be a firm
believer in the Christian revelation, and a zealous ad-
vocate of genuine Christianity ; but he never after-
wards held communion with any denomination of
Christians. The neglect of his business was the un-
avoidable consequence of his attention to religious
dissensions ; and having contracted debts to a consi-
derable amount, he was obliged to remove to Ber-
wick, and afterwards to Newcastle. In both places