RETROSPECT
‘Whatever he had in himself, he would fain have made out a
hereditary claim for.’—LOCKHART, _Life of Scott_, ch. lxxxiv.
When Pennant on his famous tour through Scotland, came to the dreary
moorland below Craigroyston, he was filled with special interest by the
scene. Here, he was told, was the cradle of the M’Gregors, a clan so
devoid of kindness, that they had been hunted down like wild beasts,
their name suppressed and their remnant dispersed like Jews over the
country. ‘And even now,’ he added, ‘their posterity are still said to be
distinguished among the clans in which they have incorporated
themselves, not only by the redness of their hair, but by their still
retaining the mischievous disposition of their ancestors.’ What then,
would Pennant have said, could he have known that from one descendant of
a MacGregor would arise a family, thirteen of whom would be mentioned in
the Encyclopædias of 1900? After all it should be remembered that even
Rob Roy’s literary tastes have never been sufficiently appreciated, for
his name is found in the original list of the subscribers to Keith’s
_History of the Affairs of Church and State in Scotland_, published in
1734!
The Gregories, then, were inclined to an academic life. Their portraits
appear oddly and unexpectedly in the public buildings of this country,
their names equally unexpectedly in many books; but their teaching which
was the greatest gift they had to offer to their fellowmen can of course
no longer be adequately appreciated. The very greatness of a teacher,
which leads him to speak directly to the body of men before him with the
needs, the ignorance, the prejudices, and the fancies of their age,
makes his teaching unintelligible to any time but his own, to a
preceding age, if it were possible, darkness, to a succeeding,
platitude.
Going back to the beginning, how many times should we wish to thank one
or other of the Gregories for their hard hitting at the shams and
insincerities of their day! The Rev. John Gregorie, the founder of the
family, began by withstanding Cant in the body, and overlooking the
upturned sand-glass which that divine had set for him, taught his own
views even though they were not accepted by his self-complacent opponent
as the ‘orthodox doctrein.’ He after all, uninteresting as he perhaps
appeared to be, is still the forerunner of the family greatness, and
that not only as their first father, but because he showed an example of
independence in opinion to his own children and to theirs—when the time
should come that their grandfather’s history would be told them by the
fire of a winter’s night.
One of his sons, David of Kinairdy, possessed the first barometer in
Scotland, an innovation for which he nearly paid with his life. Another,
Professor James Gregorie (the first), because he too rapidly realised
the greatness of Newton’s philosophy, and taught it, came under the ban
of his fellow-professors at St Andrews, and was glad when the
opportunity presented itself to receive the approbation of a sister
university, more ready for his teaching. He, too, invented the first
reflecting telescope, through which things are seen as they appear to
one’s eyes, and not upside down as had been the case with earlier
telescopes. This also in its way was a parable of what the Gregories
were to do in the world of science in making things as plain as
possible, so that the wayfaring men though fools, might not err therein.
David the son and David the grandson both did most of their work at
Oxford, the first teaching mathematics, and endeavouring to bring
Newton’s _Principia_ down to the level of ordinary mathematicians, while
the second, who was Professor of Modern History and Modern Languages,
having been much abroad, arranged to have the assistance of foreign
teachers, whom he supported, not only with his influence, but with his
purse. There were other mathematicians descended from David of Kinairdy,
who, it may be remembered, had three sons professors of mathematics at
one time, and of this branch of the family also were Alexander Innes and
Thomas Reid, both professors of philosophy.
Reverting to the descendants of Professor James Gregorie—the son,
grandsons, great-grandson, and great-great-grandsons, were founders or
builders, all of them of medical education in Scotland, each doing his
own part for the cause of medicine. James the son, called the third
professor of that name (for one of his mathematical cousins was the
second), was recognised and honoured as ‘the founder’ of the Medical
School at Aberdeen, though the foundations indeed must lie very deep,
for by no amount of digging can traces of them be discovered. Professor
John the grandson (his half-brother, Professor James the fourth, was
inconsiderable), the fellow-worker with Cullen, accepted and taught that
great doctor’s views, and with his charming good-sense eradicated many
of the more prejudicial items of children’s upbringing. The
great-grandson, Professor James (the fifth), more than took his father’s
place as a teacher, and setting the medical world of Edinburgh at
defiance, made one of the most sweeping reforms that has ever taken
place in the history of clinical teaching in that university. He was
also one of the great leaders in the volunteer movement. The
great-great-grandsons, Professor William Gregory and Professor William
Pulteney Alison, were professors both of them in the Medical Faculty of
the Edinburgh University, and taught their subjects in the lucid and
original way, which was the gift of the whole family. Duncan Farquharson
Gregory was the only one of the descendants of James Gregorie, the great
contemporary of Newton, who followed in his footsteps as a
mathematician. He died in his thirtieth year, but left behind him a
brilliant record of his life’s work, which is only sad because it was so
short.
These Gregories, though they did not care for popularity, or possibly
because they did not care for popularity, and never went out of their
way to attain it, usually ended by being on the winning side—that is to
say, public opinion often changed from being against them to being with
them. They had such a gift of laughing at the right time, of passing
over the bitterness of their adversaries, and even exposing the
partisanship of their allies. Take the story which Sir Archibald Alison
gives us in his autobiography, of how a mathematical examination was
once rearranged for his benefit in the University of Edinburgh. It was
in the time of Professor Leslie, in the spring of 1808, that this
examination in the class of mathematics took place. Archibald Alison had
three very able competitors. These were Borthwick of Crookston, J.
M’Pherson Macleod, and Mr Edward Irving. Young Alison, nervous and
excitable in face of the examination paper, became suddenly destitute of
ideas, and could only solve two of the six problems which were set. It
was all the more distressing, because he knew that, being by his mother
a member of the great mathematical family of Gregories, he was expected
to come out first. The wretched day came to an end at last, and the boy
went home in the evening literally shedding tears of vexation.
Immediately he was freed from the anxiety of the lecture-room, he solved
the problems rapidly and clearly, in a way that annoyed and pleased him
almost equally. The professor, it seems, when he read the papers, could
not give the first prize to Alison on the strength of his answers. He
therefore decided that the work of that day should not hold, and
appointed a second date for the trial. The next time the result was all
that he and Archibald Alison could have desired! This little episode
entertained Sir Archibald immensely, and is a curious indication of the
lengths to which their friends were prepared to go for them, but while
in many families, influence, however acceptable it may be to themselves,
is anything but a good to the community, the influence exerted for the
Gregories was always rewarded by the sensible, thorough, and often
brilliant way in which they carried on their work.
The members of the family, who took up the study of medicine were great
healers, but how large was their idea of what that word meant! To cure
the body or to fail in curing it was one thing, but to get at the
reasons of illness in the circumstances and troubles of the patient, to
take away the effect through taking away the cause, was ever the
Gregories’ way. They understood many an unspoken heart history, and from
their own strong natures gave both strength and comfort to the sick. It
is no wonder then to see Burns clinging to the friendship of his great
physician for support and for love, knowing it was to be found in ‘that
man of iron justice, who was made without compassion for a poor poetic
sinner.’ Nor it must in truth be added, was Dr Gregory any less severe
with unpoetic sinners. For there is a case recorded when a great
aldermanic magnate came to consult him from the west country, expecting
his case to be considered as one of grave importance and significance.
What was then his surprise, when he was shortly but critically surveyed
by the doctor, and shown out of the consulting room with directions
equivalent to this: ‘Have nothing richer than roast mutton and rice
pudding for dinner for the next three months, and then if you care to
let me have the pleasure of seeing you again, you will be a different
man’—a transformation which the doctor evidently thought very desirable!
One can see that life could never be smooth to such a man. But at least
the Gregories in all the struggles of life, in the riots of tongues,
were ever sure of love and quiet by their own fireside. That came to
them because they were such great lovers, just as the difficulties
outside came from the same strong natures seeking their own way too
much. It has to be remembered in connection with this that they were
usually right, but that does not make the contest any less bitter. If
one could only think of them as having had peaceful lives, as Thomas
Reid at least had, but it was always a struggle, if not a battle with
them till the pale conqueror came to still the hubbub for ever.
They were great men, no mere dreamers. They were workers with busy
minds, to whom life was ever too short for the fulfilment of their
plans, but death never came to them before they had earned their rest.
All the great universities of this country who received the teaching of
the Gregories, have felt themselves honoured by their service, and have
adorned their annals with their name.
THE END.
INDEX
ABERDEEN, University of, 52, 92.
ABERDEEN, Grammar School of, 27, 52, 92, 100, 125.
ALISON, Sir Archibald, 155, 156.
ALISON, William Pulteney, 122, 124, 143, 155.
ANDERSON, David, of Finzeach, 10.
ANDERSON, Janet, 10, 26.
ARBUTHNOT, Dr, 68, 72, 73, 74.
BEATTIE, 109, 119–21.
BURNET, Bishop, 27, 65.
BURNET, Helen, of Elrick, 99.
BURNET, Mary, 32.
BURNS, 129, 133, 134, 135, 157.
CANAAN LODGE, 136, 150.
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY, 70.
CANT, Andrew, 12, 13, 153.
CARLYLE, Alexander, 103, 104, 116.
CHALMERS, Principal, 98, 100.
CHARLETT, Dr, 64, 65, 71.
CRICHTONS, The, 13–18.
CHRISTCHURCH, 78, 82, 83, 126.
CHRISTISON, Sir Robert, 128, 130.
CLERK of Penicuik, quoted, 71.
COCKBURN, Lord, 128, 132.
COLLEGE, Royal, of Physicians, 137.
COLLINS, John, 28, 29, 31.
CULLEN, 101, 111, 113, 114, 115, 122, 126, 127, 130.
DRUMOAK, 10, 11, 14.
EDINBURGH ACADEMY, 147.
EDINBURGH, University of, 49–53, 55–58, 84, 85, 86, 92, 100, 113, 114,
115, 126, 127, 128, 130, 139, 145, 147, 149.
FLAMSTEED, 59, 68, 69.
FLANDERS, 93.
FORBES, Catherine of Monymusk, 98.
FORBES, Hon. Elizabeth, 107, 111, 117.
FRENDRAUGHT, Viscount, 15, 16, 18.
GALILEO, 29, 30.
GALTON, 10.
GEORGE, Prince, of Denmark, 68, 69.
GORDON, Isabel, 23, 25.
GREGORIE, Alexander, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20.
GREGORIE, Charles, 89.
GREGORIE, David, of Kinairdy, 19–25, 153.
GREGORIE, David, 89–91.
GREGORY, David, Sav. Prof., 52–76, 77, 154.
GREGORY, Dean, 77–83, 154.
GREGORY, Dorothea, 115, 122, 123, 124.
GREGORY, Duncan Farquharson, 147–151, 155.
GREGORIE, Prof. James, I., 27–51, 53, 153.
GREGORIE, Prof. James, II., 84–87.
GREGORIE, Prof. James, III., 93–99, 154.
GREGORIE, Prof. James, IV., 98, 99.
GREGORY, Prof. James, V., 82, 122, 125–140, 155.
GREGORIE, John, Rev., 11–14, 153.
GREGORY, Prof. John, 100–124, 125, 154.
GREGORY, Philip Spencer, 22, 124, 127.
GREGORY, Prof. William, 141–147, 155.
GREY, Lady Mary, 81.
HALLEY, 60, 64, 65.
HAMILTON, Professor, 136, 137.
HEARNE, quoted, 63, 65.
HOLLAND, 19, 24.
HUDSON, 64, 65.
HUME, David, 109, 116, 119, 120.
HUYGENS, 29, 34, 35, 50.
INFIRMARY, Royal, of Edinburgh, 136, 137.
INNES, Prof., 23.
JAMESON, George, 33.
JOHNSON, Samuel, 69, 108.
KEILL, 62.
KELVIN, Lord, quoted, 151.
KINAIRDY, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 24, 84.
KING’S COLLEGE, Aberdeen, 20, 24, 96, 97, 98, 100, 105, 108, 109, 112,
126, 142, 143.
LEYDEN, 102, 103, 104, 127.
LIEBIG, 142, 146.
LYTTELTON, George, 107.
LYTTELTON, Lord, 112.
MACGREGORS, The, 9, 152.
MACGREGOR of Roro, 9, 89.
MACKENZIE, George, 18.
MACLAURIN, Colin, 76, 86.
M’LEOD, Isabella, of Geanies, 132.
MALLET, David, 87, 89.
MARISCHAL COLLEGE, Aberdeen, 27, 86.
MONBODDO, 112, 135.
MONRO, Professor, Primus, 100, 101.
MONRO, Principal, 58.
MONTAGUE, Mrs, 107, 108, 115, 116, 123.
NEWTON, Sir Isaac, 23, 29, 34, 50, 54, 59, 60, 64, 68, 70, 86.
OLIPHANTS of Langton, 61, 87.
OXFORD, University of, 58, 61, 63–67, 78, 79, 80.
PADUA, 30, 32.
PENNANT, quoted, 152.
PEPYS, Samuel, 65, 66, 67.
PITCAIRNE, Dr Archibald, 53, 58, 70, 84.
REGENTS, 105, 106.
REID, Prof. Thomas, 23, 25, 90, 91, 106, 109, 119, 130, 131, 132.
RHEIMS, 93.
ROBERTSON, Principal, 102, 116, 132.
ROB ROY, 94, 95.
ROYAL SOCIETY, 31, 32, 60, 61, 68, 107.
RUTHERFORD, Professor, 101, 111, 112, 113.
SCOTT, Sir Walter, quoted, 95, 100, 139.
SHELBURNE, Earl of, quoted, 79, 83.
SHERBORNE HOSPITAL, 80, 81.
SINCLAIR, Prof. George, 35, 36, 42.
SKENE, Alexander, 47.
SKENE, David, 108, 109.
SKENE, Robert, 52.
SMALRIDGE, Dr, 64, 75, 76.
SOCIETY, Royal Medical, 101.
SPALDING, quoted, 12.
ST ANDREWS UNIVERSITY, 33, 44–49, 84, 85, 89.
STEWART, Dugald, 130, 132.
TELESCOPE, Achromatic, 62.
TELESCOPE, Reflecting, 28, 29, 31.
TRINITY COLLEGE, Cambridge, 148.
UNION NEGOTIATIONS, 70–73.
WALKER, Jean, of Orchiston, 19, 23, 52.
WALLIS, Dr, 31, 64, 67.
WESTMINSTER SCHOOL, 77, 78, 83.
WHISTON, quoted, 54, 60.
WILKES, 103.
WILLIAM AND MARGARET, 87, 88, 89.
WISE CLUB, 109, 110.
WITCHCRAFT, 21.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FAMOUS SCOTS SERIES
THOMAS CARLYLE. By HECTOR C. MACPHERSON.
ALLAN RAMSAY. By OLIPHANT SMEATON.
HUGH MILLER. By W. KEITH LEASK.
JOHN KNOX. By A. TAYLOR INNES.
ROBERT BURNS. By GABRIEL SETOUN.
THE BALLADISTS. By JOHN GEDDIE.
RICHARD CAMERON. By Professor HERKLESS.
SIR JAMES Y. SIMPSON. By EVE BLANTYRE SIMPSON.
THOMAS CHALMERS. By Professor W. GARDEN BLAIKIE.
JAMES BOSWELL. By W. KEITH LEASK.
TOBIAS SMOLLETT. By OLIPHANT SMEATON.
FLETCHER OF SALTOUN. By G. W. T. OMOND.
THE “BLACKWOOD” GROUP. By Sir GEORGE DOUGLAS.
NORMAN MACLEOD. By JOHN WELLWOOD.
SIR WALTER SCOTT. By Professor SAINTSBURY.
KIRKCALDY OF GRANGE. By LOUIS A. BARBÉ.
ROBERT FERGUSSON. By A. B. GROSART.
JAMES THOMSON. By WILLIAM BAYNE.
MUNGO PARK. By T. BANKS MACLACHLAN.
DAVID HUME. By Professor CALDERWOOD.
WILLIAM DUNBAR. By OLIPHANT SMEATON.
SIR WILLIAM WALLACE. By Professor MURISON.
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON. By MARGARET MOYES BLACK.
THOMAS REID. By Professor CAMPBELL FRASER.
POLLOK AND AYTOUN. By ROSALINE MASSON.
ADAM SMITH. By HECTOR C. MACPHERSON.
ANDREW MELVILLE. By WILLIAM MORISON.
JAMES FREDERICK FERRIER. By E. S. HALDANE.
KING ROBERT THE BRUCE. By A. F. MURISON.
JAMES HOGG. By Sir GEORGE DOUGLAS.
THOMAS CAMPBELL. By J. CUTHBERT HADDEN.
GEORGE BUCHANAN. By ROBERT WALLACE.
SIR DAVID WILKIE. By EDWARD PINNINGTON.
THE ERSKINES, EBENEZER AND RALPH. By A. R. MACEWEN.
THOMAS GUTHRIE. By OLIPHANT SMEATON.
DAVID LIVINGSTONE. By T. BANKS MACLACHLAN.
THE ACADEMIC GREGORIES. By AGNES GRAINGER STEWART.
JOHNSTON OF WARRISTON. By WILLIAM MORISON.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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End of Project Gutenberg's The Academic Gregories, by Agnes Grainger Stewart