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

THOMAS'S ILLNESS 223
loved as well as the physician he respected and trusted. I wished we lived
nearer to each other, that I might hope to inherit some part of the friendship
you had for this deceased friend. I will hope so far that if ever it is in my
power to be of any little service to you or yours you will command me. If
your son should go abroad to finish his studies it is not impossible I might be
of some use in getting recommendations to persons whose acquaintance might
be of some little use, as I have a pretty extensive acquaintance among
foreigners. The character I heard of Mr Johnstone, your son, both from good
Lord Lyttelton and Dr Gregory, 1 makes me sincerely congratulate you on the
pleasing hopes you may reasonably indulge of his success in the world. He
has been very unfortunate in losing two such friends, but his father's character
and his promising genius will do everything for him."
The younger James graduated at Edinburgh in Sept. 1773. His papers
and debates before the Medical Society of Edinburgh were considered by
Dr Cullen and Dr Gregory as remarkably clever, and he acted as clinical clerk
to Gregory to prepare cases for the lectures at the Infirmary. His thesis, " De
Angina Maligna," was recommended to the attention of physicians by Dr
Cullen, for, as he said, it was based on his father's observations. It was
the subject of much congratulation in his family; and of two letters from his
aged grandmother to her son in Worcestershire, in the second of which she says :
" I pray indeed that James, Thomas, and Edward may be as you say good men.
Your father, if he is spared, rests upon what you say as to the land, and we will
be glad to see you here if it be with your convenience. Your father and I are
both in our ordinary state of health, but we can get no money from Mr B
or Mr C though the last has owed us ,£10 since June." (Nov. 5, 1773.)
Six months earlier she wrote: "You told me in your last that Thomas was
ill of fever and that the young doctor was waiting on him. I am heartily sorry
to hear it, and beg you will write and tell me how my grandson is, directly you
receive this as I am very impatient to hear. May God bless you and all your
family. I am dear son your affectionate Mother.
" Annan, May 9."
Young James had gone by sea from Edinburgh to London by his father's
desire to look after Thomas who had been put into a merchant's office, and
fallen ill. He wrote from London, April 30, 1773: "My brother has been
gradually mending every day since I wrote last, but is not yet able to sit up
above half an hour in the day. His spirits are exceedingly good and he is as
lively in conversation as ever. I called at Mr Pulteney's on Wednesday last
but he had gone to Shrewsbury. He is expected home in a day or two so
I shall call again. I have been twice to Mrs Montagu but was so unfortunate
as not to meet with her at home. Lady Valentia has received your letter
she desires me to tell you that she cannot leave town till May 6 but wishes to
have the children removed to Mr Vicary's and inoculated as soon as you
Forbes.
1 Mrs Montagu was related to Dr Gregory's wife, daughter of the fourteenth Lord