The Scottish nation; or, The surnames, families, literature, honours, and biographical history of the people of Scotland Volume 1

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1877 edition. Excerpt: ... following works, viz.: Maclaurin's Essays and Sermons, with an Introductory Essay. Second edition. 12mo. Henry's Communicant's Companion, with an Introductory Essay. Fourth edition. Venn's Complete Duty of Man, with an Introductory Essay. Second edition. 12mo. Theological Tracts. Selected and Original. 3 vols. Foolscap 8vo. BROWN, John, M.D., the founder of the Brunonian system of medicine, was bora in 1735 or 1736, either in the village of Lintlaws or that of Preston, parish of Buncle, Berwickshire. His parents, who were Seccders, were in the humblest condition of life, his father's occupation not being above that of a day-labourer. Nevertheless they were anxious to give their son a decent and religious education. It was a frequent expression oi his father's, "that he would gird his belt the tighter to give his son John a good education.'1 He early discovered uncommon quickness of apprehension, and he was sent to school to learr. English much sooner than the usual period. Before he was live years of age, he had read through almost the whole of the Old Testament. When he was little more than five years of ago, he had the misfortune to lose his father. His mother afterwards married a weaver, by whose assistance he was enabled to continue at school, where ho was distinguished for his unwearied application, his facility in mastering the tasks assigned to him, and the retentiveness of his memory. Before he was ten years of age, he had gone tnrough the routine of grammar education required previously Co entering college. But as his mother could not afford to put him to the university, he was bound apprentice to a weaver. For this occupation he had a rooted aversion, and Mr. Cruickshank kindly offered to allow him to attend the school...