| Collection | GB 0231 University of Aberdeen, Special Collections |
| Level | Item |
| Ref No | MS 2206/8/15/43 |
| Alt Ref No | 46/D/16 (48/D/16) |
| Title | Gregory family: papers of James Gregory (1753 - 1821): Part of a letter written by James Gregory (1753 - 1821) to an unknown recipient |
| Date | [1818] |
| Extent | 1 item |
| Creator Name | Gregory, James (1753 - 1821), professor of the practice and theory of physic at the University of Edinburgh |
| Description | Part of a letter written by James Gregory to an unknown recipient in which he remarks upon the Latin used in an inscription regarding King Robert Bruce and discusses the Scottish history of that time. He states that the Scots were a 'parcel of most horrid savages and barbarians' 500 to 1000 years ago; that the good government of Malcolm Canmore and David I and their successors up to the death of Alexander III could check but not eradicate deadly feuds and private wars; that the civil war between adherents of Balliol and Bruce was blended with 'the most atrocious and cruel foreign war with the English under Edward I ... [he] carried on the war with the most horrible cruelty; of which I believe the Scotch had set him a good example'; that Bruce 'had more to fear from the inveterate rancour and party spirit of his own countrymen than from ruthless Edward and his ferocious troops'; that Scotland was a 'hell on earth' at that time and that from Robert Bruce, 'Old George and Young George' have their descent and their right to the crown of Scotland. The only date given on this letter is 14 June. No year is given. |
| Access Status | Open |
| Access Conditions | The records are available subject to the signed acceptance of the Department's access conditions. |