History of the Johnstones, 1191-1909, with ... - Electric Scotland

CHAPTER XIX.
Johnstone of Galabank—Worcestershire—Young James in Scotland—
His Letters—Edinburgh.
WHILE
the cycle of misfortune was sweeping over Galabank's family
the home in Worcestershire had not been spared. The only but
terrible alternative to the smallpox scourge at that time was inocu-
lation. Little Edward and Henry had undergone it, and as Edward had the
complaint mildly the baby, Anna, was inoculated from him, but it gave her
convulsions, and she died. The two next, John and Mary, were not inoculated,
but John, aged four, took the smallpox and died, Aug. 1767. A sixth son,
one of the family landmarks, born Oct. 22, 1768, was also called John, and for
him and his junior, Lockhart, their father again tried inoculation, with success,
in 1772.
The four elder boys were educated first at the Kidderminster Grammar
School under the Rev. John Martin, the schoolfellow at Westminster of Horace
Walpole and Lord Mansfield. Founded by Charles J., it was patronised by
most of the neighbouring County families for their sons, and for so small a
school sent out an unusual number of eminent men. The young Johnstones
also studied at home under the Rev. Job Orton, and afterwards at Daventry
under Dr Ackworth. The eldest, now sixteen, was preparing for Edinburgh,
and destined to relieve his father as early as possible of some of his work. He
wrote from Daventry, April 14, 1770:
"We shall finish philosophy in a week or two, and then Dr A. intends
told me when I was with you there was no occasion
to begin anatomy !
to study it here.
You
I am afraid Dr Ackworth will think it disrespectful if I do
not, and it cannot do me any harm, but I leave it to you to determine. I saw
in the paper lately the death of the member for Stafford. I hope your friend
Mr Pulteney will be chosen in his place. I shall answer my mother's letter
very soon. Pray give my duty to her, love to my brothers and sister. Your
dutiful son, James Johnstone."
Young James went to Edinburgh with Dr Ackworth's testimony, after
three years' study of his character, that he was one of the most ingenious and
promising young men he had ever known, with a remarkable quickness of
insight and aptitude for literary work.