T/HE Gregorys are about as illustrious a family as Scotland has produced.Chalmers, in his " Biographical Dictionary," reckons no fewer than sixteen who have held British professorships.The founder of the family was James Gregory, the inventor of the reflecting telescope which bears his name.He became professor of mathematics in St.
Andrew's, where he died in 1675, at the early age of thirty-six.He had a son James, who became professor of medicine in King's College, Aberdeen, and founded the school of medicine there.John, who merits a passing notice in our pages, was the son of this gentleman.He was born at Aberdeen in 1724, was educated there, occupied successively the chairs of philosophy and medicine, and, along with Reid, instituted the famous literary society.To this society he read essays, which were methodized and published in 1764, under the title, " Comparative View of the State and Faculties of Man with those of the Animal World." He considers the condition of man in a state of society under three different aspects;(1) in a savage state, where be is distinguished by his corporeal powers; (2) when the social affections and the heroic virtues appear; (3) where men have the means of acquiring wealth.and seek refinement and luxury.In treating of these topics he offers many thoughtful reflections.He remarks that men of refined genius must live in a manner abstracted from the world, that hence they are liable to cherish envy and jealousy; so there is perhaps less real friendship among authors than among the rest of mankind." Certain it is, virtue, genius, beauty, wealth, power, and every natural advantage one can be possessed of, are usually mixed with some alloy, while disappointing the fond hopes of their raising the possessor to any uncommon degree of eminence, and even in some measure bring him down to the common level of his species." He dwells fondly on taste, and remarks, " wherever what is denominated a very correct taste is generally prevalent, genius and invention soon languish." In treating of religion, he exhibits the rising spirit of his age." The articles of religious belief falling within the comprehension of mankind are few and simple, but have been erected by ingenious men into monstrous Systems of metaphysical subtlety." "Speculative and controversial theology injure both the temper and affections." In the same year he removed to the wider field offered in Edinburgh, and became one of the ornaments of the brilliant literary circle there.Two years after he was appointed professor of the practice of medicine in the university, and was a very popular teachers He published a number of medical works, and left behind him when he died in 1773 a work composed after he lost his wife, "A Father's Legacy to his Daughter." It is characterized by calm wisdom, often somewhat worldly, and for long bad a large circulation." Be ever cautious in {264} displaying your good sense.It will be thought you assume a superiority over the rest of the company.But if you happen to have any learning, keep it a profound secret, especially from the men, who generally look with a jealous and malignant eye on a woman of great parts and a cultivated understanding."
