therefore content ourselves with mentioning that Dr. Gregory is a man of a convivial disposition and great companionable qualities; his stature is tall, and his person athletic. We have heard him extolled for his benevolence and ardent patronage of merit. In his medical character, he is the avowed enemy of all bypothetical systems, and never loses an opportunity of expressing a thorough contempt for all the frivolous disputes of physicians, and their too frequent affectation of mystery in scientific matters. During that blaze of loyalty which, in 1794, ilJumed the ancient kingdom of Scotland, the citizens of Edinburgh, roused from a kind of phlegmatic lethargy, and proud of valiant ancestry, eagerly enrolled themselves into military corps for the preservation of our invaluable Constitution. The first regiment of Royal Edinburgh Volunteers, which is composed of the better sort of the inhabitants, and on that account regarded as the acme of loyalty, was embodied in July, that year. Dr. Gregory was one of the first on the list, and carried a musket as a private grenadier. This institution, although it has engrossed a considerable portion of the time of these civic soldiery, has materially contributed to their health, with the exception of accidents arising from an intemperate indulgence in occasional festivity. Their valour is undoubted, at least it has, on no trying occasion, been defective; and, although they cannot boast of having earned brilliant laurels in the field, and may lament the acquisition of a confirmed rheumatism or an ague, they have completely routed the the gout and all arthritic affections. It has also given them a more manly aspect and gait : Os homini sublime dedit: coelumque tueri When in February, 1797, it was thought necessary to form several additional battalions, Dr. Gregory received a captaincy in the second battalion of the second regiment of Royal Edinburgh Volunteers, in which capacity he still serves. In 1781 Dr. Gregory married Miss Ross, daughter of James Ross, Esq. of Stranraer. By this lady, who died in 1784, he had no children. Twelve years afterwards, (in 1796) he married Miss M'Leod, daughter of Donald M'Leod, of Geanies: by her he has a family. Thus in the tranquil bosom of domestic felicity, and the enjoyment of lettered ease, he maintains an elegant establishment in life, respected by those in a more elevated station, beloved by his friends, and universally esteemed for his virtues, DUKE OF BRIDGWATER. FRANCIS EGERTON, Duke of Bridgwater, was the fifth son of Scroop, first Duke of that name, by Lady Rachel Russel; was born in 1736, and, by the death of his brothers, succeeded to the title and estate in 1748. His Grace has rendered himself conspieuous by being the patron, and, it may be said, the father of a most important public undertaking, which must must in the end be attended with the greatest national benefit. He was the first man who countenanced the plan, and supported the expence of cutting a navigable canal in this kingdom. This great plan he had digested in his mind before he was of age, and as soon as he came in possession of his fortune, proceeded to put it in execution. Among other estates, of which the Duke came into possession, he had one at Worsley in the county of Lancaster, rich in coal-mines; but which, on account of the expence of land carriage, although the rich and flourishing town of Manchester was so near, was of little value. Desirous of working these mines to advantage, he formed the plan of a navigable canal from his own estate at Worsley to Manchester. For this purpose he consulted the ingenious Mr. Brindley, who had already given some specimens of his wonderful abilities, on the probability of executing such a work. That artist, having surveyed the ground, at once pronounced it to be practicable. Accordingly, in the session of Parliament 1758-9, the Duke applied for a bill to make a navigable canal from Salford, near Manchester, to Worsley on his own estate. His Grace met with great opposition in its passage through the two Houses, and it would now appear inconceivable that such strong prejudices should have been entertained against a plan of public utility, so apparently advantageous. The Duke, however, succeeded, and immediately set set about his work, which appeared to promise so well, that the next year he applied for another act to enable him to extend the line, and to pass from Worsley over the river Irwell, near Barton-bridge, to the town of Manchester. The Duke of Bridgwater has not only the merit of having had spirit to commence works of such immense magnitude, but also for having called into action the wonderful abilities of the late Mr. James Brindley, who, with little aid from education, and less knowledge of the mathematics, planned and executed works which would have done honour to the first and best informed artists. This canal begins on Worsley mill, about seven computed miles from Manchester, where the Duke cut a bason capable of holding all his boats and a great body of water which serves as a reservoir or head for his navigation. The canal enters a hill by a subterraneous passage big enough for the admission of flat bottom boats, which are towed along by hand rails, near a mile under ground, to his coal works; then the passage divides into two, both of which may be continued at pleasure. This passage is in some places cut through the solid rock, and in others arched with brick. Air funnels are cut in several places to the top of the hill. The arch at the entrance is about six feet wide, and widens in some places for the boats to pass-each other: the boats are loaded from waggons which run on railed ways. Five or six of these boats which carry seven tons each are drawn along by one horse to Manchester. The The canal in other places is carried over public roads by means of arches, and where it is too high the road is lowered with a gentle descent, and rises again on the other side. But one of the most stupendous works on this canal is the noble aqueduct over the river Irwell, where the canal runs forty fect above the river, and where the Duke's barges are seen passing on the canal and the vessels in the river in full sail under them. At Barton-bridge, three miles from Worsley, this aqueduct begins, and is carried for upwards of two hundred yards over a valley; and at the Irwell it is about forty feet above the level of the river. When the works approached this spot, they were viewed by several artists, who pronounced the completion impracticable, and one surveyor went so far as to call it building a castle in the air. The Duke was repeatedly advised to drop the business, but confiding in the assurances of Mr. Brindley, he persevered, and the aqueduct over the river Irwell will remain as a monument of the public spirit of the Duke of Bridgwater, and the abilities of the artist, for ages. In this canal are many stops and flood-gates so contrived, that should any of the banks give way, the flood-gates rise by the motion, and prevent any great quantity of water from overflowing the country. The aqueduct is constructed at considerable labour and expence. Indeed, the Duke had resolved that in the execution of this work no expence should be spared, and that every thing should be complete. That to avoid locks the canal should be constructed on a le |