—_Echoes and After-thoughts._ David Gregorie, the second son of the Reverend John Gregorie, was destined by his father for a commercial career. Alexander, his elder brother, as we have seen, was heir to the estates of Kinairdy and Netherdale, and to a good deal of money: the young brother James was so remarkable a mathematician that he was allowed to follow his own bent and devote himself purely to mathematics. But David, poor David, most unwilling to go, was sent to Holland to learn to be a merchant, probably to Campvere, the happy haven to which so many Scots traders turned. Herrings and stockings—the great Aberdeen exports of the day—how we can imagine David Gregorie seeing to the unlading of such cargo as this, with his heart and very likely his head far away in Scotland! Anyhow he did not stay a day longer in Holland than was necessary, for after his father’s death he returned home and settled in Aberdeen in 1655. In the same year he married Jean, daughter of Patrick Walker of Orchiston, a great Episcopalian, and also a great Tory. David Gregorie was only thirty, and the best of life was still before him. He spent his time in just such a way as attracted him. He studied medicine, mechanics, mathematics and physics, read every interesting book within his reach, and corresponded with scientific contemporaries both in Scotland and out of it. His letters, full of thoughts about the atmospheric laws, went to Edmé Mariotte in his cell. He may have got some help from them—certainly Gregorie was immensely interested in the Frenchman’s discoveries. His life was enriched by many delightful friendships, but more than all by the affection shewn to him by his brothers and expressed in so many practical ways. In 1660 Alexander settled the property of Over Aschalache on David and his family, subject to the life-rent of old Mrs Gregorie. It was a most kind arrangement, and must have been a great help in providing for the growing family. Three years later he was made librarian of King’s College, and there he spent his time, reading and searching and arranging in the dreamy way of an old world librarian. But life, which is so fearfully unknown, held in it for David Gregorie in 1664 that which was to alter his whole career. By the tragic death of his brother, who left no children, all the family estates passed to him, and he became suddenly a rich man. He left Aberdeen, and went to live in the mansion-house of Kinairdy, with which his name is now always associated.