Alexander Simpson, the elder brother of Sir James Simpson, watched over
the boyhood of the latter with parental care. When the social usages of
the town and the prevalent free mode of living presented strong
temptations to the boy, Alexander would put his arm round his neck and
tenderly warn him: "Others may do this, but it would break a' our hearts
and blast a' your prospects were ye to do it." After one such warning,
"Jamie was greatly troubled, and cried nearly a' the nicht (night) like
to break his heart." He obeyed the warning, and became a celebrated
physician in Edinburgh.
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