| Description Of Item | 'An uproar among the Craftsman at Ephesus opposing a new Series of Knowledge which they thought might interfere with the profits of their trade.'
The etching depicts Dr John Barclay riding the skeleton of an elephant in Edinburgh University to prove his ideas on muscular motion. It refers to the proposed institution of a Professorship of Comparative Anatomy in the university in 1817, for which Dr Barclay was considered to be a candidate.
He is supported by Dr Gregory, welcomed by Robert Johnston and opposed by Dr Hope, who uses anchor and chain to restrain him.
Illustration collection, volume 5, page 31. |