There is not much to choose between in these samples of professional controversy, but on the whole Gregory was usually more right in his views, and more wrong in his expression, than the other side. In spite of these quarrels Gregory’s practice increased steadily. In 1818 his professional income was £2723, and in the following year £100 more, while in the same years he derived from his professorship by way of fees, £1364 and £1200 respectively. These figures represented a much larger sum in 1818 than they would in 1900, and give a substantial proof of Gregory’s popularity. A story told of Professor Gregory is peculiarly touching. One day when he was giving out the tickets for his class, he had to go into another room to fetch something. When he came back he saw a student, who was waiting for his ticket, take some money off his table and put it into his pocket. The Professor gave him his pass and said nothing, but just as the lad was leaving the room, he rose up and laying his hand on his shoulder said, ‘I saw what you did, and I am so sorry. I know how great must have been your need before you would take money. Keep it, keep it,’ he added, seeing that the student meant to give the stolen money back to him, ‘but for God’s sake, never do it again.’ Sir Walter Scott has remembered also how Professor Gregory on one occasion gave a very ready reply to a learned member of the Scottish Bar. He was giving evidence about a man, who in his opinion, was insane. On a cross-examination, the professor was obliged to admit that the person in question played an admirable game of whist. The eminent counsel thought he had made a point. ‘And do you seriously say, Doctor,’ he added, ‘that a person having a superior capacity for a game so difficult, and which requires in a pre-eminent degree, memory, judgment, and combination, can be at the same time deranged in his understanding?’ ‘I am no card player,’ replied the doctor, ‘but I have read in history that cards were invented for the amusement of an insane king.’ Needless to say, he won his case!