On quitting the situation of usher to Mr Cruickshank, he went into the family of a neighbouring gentleman, as tutor to the children. There he did not long remain; but whether his removal was owing to the insolence of the gentleman with whom he lived, or to his adding " the stiffness of pedantry to the sourness of bigotry," is a point at issue among his biographers : we strongly suspect that each of these causes may have had some effect, though bigotry probably had the least.
On leaving the family of which he had so recently become an inmate, he proceeded to Edinburgh, and at tended the philosophical classes with success; he after wards made some progress in his theological studies ; but his attention was soon diverted from the latter to medical speculations, by his having accidentally trans lated a thesis, or inaugural dissertation, into Latin, which at once exceeded the expectations of his employer, and gave a new impulse to his genius.
Having resolved on altering the course of his life, he returned to Dunse and resumed his labours as usher— the duties of this humble though important office, he performed from INIartinmas 1758 to the same term in 1759. He then returned to Edinburgh, and a vacancy having occurred in the I Iigh School of that city, he be came a candidate to fill it ; but being destitute of a pa tron, he failed, as usual in all similar cases, and was left to struggle against adversity, with the embarrass ments that appear almost incidental to talent.
Though disappointed, he did not despair, but applied with vigour to his medical pursuits ; and, as a prelimi nary step, addressed a Latin letter (which is said to be pure and elegant) to the late venerable and acute Dr Monro, stating his necessities, and requesting the pri vilege of free admission into the Anatomical Theatre: So successful was this first application, that he was en couraged to address the remainder of the Professors of the University of Edinburgh ;—it need scarcely be add ed, that their liberality equalled his highest expecta tions. We feel proud in thus recording an event, which we arc also proud to add, has many parallels at the pre sent time.
Thus encouraged by the favour of his teachers, John Brown entered on his medical career, and prosecuted it with an ardour that was amply recompensed by his success. During his labours for two or three years, he
supported himself by teaching the classics ; but after wards finding himself qualifieu to promote the studies of the more advanced students, he abandoned his early occupation, and engaged in that profession which is technically phrased among the young men of the uni versity " grinding." As this is a profession little known beyond the precincts of the college of James the Sixth, it may be proper to give some account of its origin and history. IL is well known, that among the multitude of young men who crowd to Edinburgh to receive medical instruction, there is a very abundant proportion whose literary attainments are remarkably humble ; many of these young men, on being initiated into societies, and on learning that they can talk as well as wiser men, as pire to the highest dignity of the science. Not being possessed of Latin enough, either to write the inaugu ral dissertation, or to undergo the various examinations to which every candidate must be subjected, it becomes necessary to employ some one qualified to execute the first, and to afford such rapid instruction as may enable them to overcome the mighty difficulties which oppose their progress. Some young man, fitted by talent and experience to exercise this calling, engages in it, and is called a " grinder." A name particularly expressive, when we consider its origin. It is hut justice to add, that these grinding performers are sometimes employed by men of education and talent, who are indolent, and wish speedily to be familiarized with colloquia( Latin.
Previous to Mr Brown's engaging in this new profes sion, we have mentioned that he acted as a private teacher ; and in that capacity he attended the family of the late Dr Cullen, who continued his patronage for as long a time as circumstances permitted. In 1761, Mr Brown became member of the Royal Medical Society of. Edinburgh,—a society which can boast of having been upheld by the voluntary support of the students for up wards of seventy years, and of having enrolled the most distinguished medical philosophers among its members during that period.