| Description | Undated letter from ?James Gregory to James Beattie, regarding the copy of the little work of Gregory's father, which he sent to Beattie, mentioning Beattie's recovery from his accident and telling Beattie that he did not write a letter of condolence as he could not think of anything entertaining to write. Letter mentions Mr and Mrs ?Conversation, the subscription of a new edition of the Essay on Truth and two poems in the Scotch Magazine. Letter talks about remedies - solid pudding and empty praise - and Gregory's finding in the Magazine the Hermit and Ode on Lord Hay's birthday. Gregory writes that the Bishops, clergy and laity are subscribing to Beattie's work. Letter mentions the political state of Ireland?, [post - script?] Sir Jo? Pringle's [Sir John Pringle, first baronet (1707 - 1782), military physician] invitation for Gregory to his wednesday evening party and quotes a poem by the author of the 'Heroie Epistle to Sir W. Chambers' [?Sir William Chambers (1722 - 1796), architect]:
"Thus when o'er ?Crane + Courts Philosophie Gods,
The love - like Majesty of Pringle nods,
If o'er he chance to wake on Newton's Chair
He wonders how the Devil he came there. -
+ The Place where the royal Society meet". |