1819
This "College" is still talked of, though none now exists; but the foundation was that of the munificent Sir Thomas Gresham.
He devised his property in the Royal Exchange, &c., in trust to the city and the mercers' company, for the purpose (amongst others) of paying the salaries of four lecturers in divinity, astronomy, music, and geometry, and three readers in civil law, physic, and rhetoric: and to promote general instruction, the lectures were to be read daily both in Latin and English. They have, however, long been delivered in what is called term-time, in a room over the Royal Exchange; but their terms, like their lecturers, are peculiar to themselves. The terms are five in the year. From a variety of causes, the studied brevity observed in the lectures, &c., the Professors' places are little better than sinecures, and the public unfortunately derive scarcely any, if any, advantage from the useful and liberal endowment of Sir Thomas Gresham. The yearly salary of each professor is 100l.! Would it not be advantageous to the public, and promoting the founder's object, if parliament were to attach the lectures to some celebrated hospital, college, or institution, where they might become efficient and serviceable?
Related pages:
Medicine and Surgery.
....Introduction
....College of Physicians
....Royal College of Surgeons
....Apothecaries' Company
....Medical Society
....Red Cross-street Library
....(Lectures: with names of Lecturers)
Source: Leigh's New Picture of London. Printed for Samuel Leigh, 18, Strand;
by W. Clowes, Northumberland Court. 1819