About the various phases of the
intellectual life of Scotland much has been written, but so far as I know
there has been no attempt to deal with the subject as a connected whole. In
regard to the scientific side of the national development, I have been
greatly indebted to the Principal of Edinburgh University, Sir William
Turner, who in his recent address to the Royal Society of Edinburgh sketched
in masterly manner the rise and progress of scientific study in Scotland.
This department of the national life has been somewhat overshadowed by our
theological and ecclesiastical controversies; and, judging from Sir William
Turner's illuminating survey, an entire volume is needed to do justice to
the subject.
In my book I have not aimed at
exhaustive-ness of treatment; the aim has been the more modest one of noting
the salient points in the evolutionary process, and my reward will be great
if the reader is sent to study in detail the subjects with which the volume
deals.
Much of the material has appeared in
various public prints, the Glasgow Herald, T. P.'s Weekly and the
late Scottish Review, the editors of which I cordially thank for
their permission to reproduce the articles.
H. M.
October 1911.
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