His life published in 1800 along with sketches of Lord Kames, David Hume, and Adam Smith, ends with these words—
‘Upon the whole, whether he is considered as a man of genius and of the world, or with regard to his conduct in the line of his profession, few human characters will be found to equal that of the late Dr John Gregory.’
CHAPTER IX
JAMES GREGORY, 1753–1821
‘If in doubt, “lead with trumps,” is counsel so old
As never to fail with the game in a fixture;
And medical men, in their doubt, I am told,
Are safe when they lead with—Gregory’s Mixture!’
—Old Play.
It was in the middle of the session, 1772–73, that John Gregory died, leaving as we know his work in full swing. The university authorities were told, not of his illness, but of his death, and they were greatly at a loss as to who should continue the course of lectures which Professor Gregory had commenced with so much vigour. In this difficulty it was that James Gregory his son stepped forward; although he was only a medical student, he offered to deliver lectures on the Practice of Physic till the end of the term, and this proposal was most gratefully accepted by the university.
There is something which is perhaps not wholly unattractive in the idea of being the professor as well as the student; but at nineteen to lecture, and to lecture so well as to receive in consequence the offer of a chair at twenty-three, is a triumph which is rare indeed.