MEMOIR OF SIR J. (i. DALYELL. xv 



succeeded by bis brother, Sir John Graham Dalyell, Knight and Baronet, 

 sixth Baronet of Binns, and the subject of the present raemoir. 



Sir John Graham Dalyell was born at Binns in August 1775. He 

 was the second son. His father dying when the family were 3-oung, tlieir 

 education and bringing up devolved upon Lady Dalyell, who discharged 

 her duty in the most exemplary manner. 



Unfortunately Sir John, when an infant, had been allowed, by a 

 careless nurse, to fall from a table upon a stone floor, by Avhich one of 

 liis limbs was so much injured that he became lame for life. Perhaps it 

 was owing to this physical deficiency that the mind of the youth was early 

 led to seek amusement in mental recreation. Certain it is, at all events, 

 that from his boyhood upwards he studied arduously — the dawn of morn- 

 ing seldom finding him in bed. 



His early education was conducted by a private tutor, who resided 

 in the family. Being delicate, he was sent to Moffat, when about ten or 

 twelve years of age, for the benefit of the well. A little sister, nearly his 

 own age, accompanied him as a companion, and died there. Her death 

 was a sad blow. Upon his return he attended the classes, first at St 

 Andrews, and secondly, at the University of Edinburgh. 



He had early imbibed a taste for nmsic, and his first instructor on 

 the violin, while at St Andrews, is understood to have been a blind iiil- 

 dler belonging to the place. During the vacations his time was frequently 

 passed at Binns, where the progress made at the classes was greatl\' im- 

 proved by extensive reading and research. Towards the end of last cen- 

 tury, it became fashionable for gentlemen, by way of in-door exercise, to 

 practise some of the mechanical arts. Being an excellent mathematician, 

 having gained the medal in the class of mechanics, Sir John showed great 

 aptitude in this department. His fii'st attempt at lathe-turning was made 

 upon a loom called a spangir/'- in a hayloft at Binns ; and he has left a 

 number of exquisite specimens of his ultimate perfection. Amongst 

 others, a miniature brass cannon mounted — a truly splendid piece of 

 workmanship, — and several small ivory vases turned into every conceiv- 



* This was a very simple form of tliu turiiing-Iatbc. 



