Record of family grace

A RECORD OF FAMILY GRACE. 17
knowledge of ancient literature and philosophy he was
surpassed by few of his contemporaries. For the sound
principles which governed his life, for the urbanity and
primitive simplicity of his manners, for his conscientious
endeavours to be useful in every department to which his
influence extended, and for the uniform cheerfulness and
kindness of his private intercourse, he will always be
remembered with interest and respect by those who knew
him, and by his personal friends with veneration."
His eldest son, who grew to manhood, was John Balfour
of Pilrig, born in 1740. He married, in 1773, his cousin,
Miss Jean Whytt, daughter of Dr Whytt of Bennochy,
in rife, a man so remarkable as to justify special notice.
He was born in 1714, six months after the death of his
father, Mr Eobert Whytt of Bennochy, who was a mem-
ber of the Scottish bar. At the age of seven he lost
his mother, who, before her marriage, was Miss Murray
of Woodend, in Perthshire. He himself became dis-
tinguished as a physician and physiologist, and was
appointed Professor of Medicine in the University of
Edinburgh at the early age of thirty-three, which chair
he held while his brother-in-law was Professor of Moral
Philosophy. In 17fil he was made First Physician
to the King, an office which is said to have been