518 ' MEMOIR OF 
ton, that he first began the art of drawing, and the study of 
landscape-painting ; a pursuit which he continued ever after- 
wards to follow, and which formed one of the most favourite 
amusements of his future life. At the same time also, in his 
hours of leisure, he began by himself the study of the Italian 
language ; and in the early admiration of the poetry of that 
country, with which his industry was then repaid, opened to 
himself a field of elegant and of refined amusement, which he 
never ceased to cultivate with increasing delight. 
There was another acquisition which Mr Tyrier accidental- 
ly made at this time, of which he always spoke with gratitude. 
It was the love of the science of Natural History. When he 
went to Kensington, he was particularly recommended by his 
father to his early friend Dr Russet, the celebrated physician 
of Aleppo, who at that time resided in the neighbourhood of 
Kensington ; and with this respectable and intelligent man Mr 
Tyrer used always to pass his holidays. Dr Russrri was 
then engaged in the pursuits of natural history ; and seeing 
the ardour of his young friend for knowledge, he made him ac- 
quainted with the general principles of the science, associated 
him as his companion in study, and delighted him, in their 
leisure hours, by his accounts of the scenery and productions 
of the East. To these studies Mr Tyrie was then alone led 
by the charm which, in his eyes, they threw over Nature, in 
the illustrations they every where afforded of the wisdom and 
benevolence of its Author. He did not foresee that they were 
afterwards to become to him the source of unfading consola- 
tion, and to relieve many an oppressive hour of lassitude and 
pain. 
In 1765 Mr Tyrter returned to Edinburgh, after two 
years passed at Kensington, with equal happiness and improve- 
ment. Of these years he always spoke with pleasure, and of 
Mr 
