29^ Dr. Cume*s Memcirs of the late Dr. Bell. 



tention is particularly grateful ; and I fhould not 

 have been fo flow in executing the tafk which 

 you affigned me, had not long continued fick- 

 nefs deprived me of the power. Now that my 

 ftrength is in fome meafure reftored, I embrace 

 the earlieft opportunity of prefenting the tranfla- 

 tion which you have requefted ; and more fuUv 

 to comply with your wifhes, I fhall prefix a fbort 

 hiftory of the life of my much lamented friend. 



Dr. Bell was born at his father's eftate, in the 

 county of Dumfries, in the autumn of the year 

 1755. He was the younger fon of Richard Bell 

 o( Greenhillj by Mifs Carruthers o{ Dormant ; and, 

 by both fides of the houfe, was defcended of 

 families which claim high antiquity in that 

 country, though little known to fame. The 

 rudiments of his education he received at home, 

 and he was very early diftinguifhed by thequick- 

 nefs of his apprehenfion, and the general bril- 

 liancy of his parts. While he was yet very 

 young, he had the misfortune to lofe his father, 

 who died at Bath in the year 1766. This lofs 

 was, however, in a great meafure fupplied by 

 the care of his mother, who yet furvives to be 

 a bleflTing to her friends ; and by the counfel 

 and example of his brother, who, though very 

 young, already difplayed an uncommon degree 

 of prudence and virtue. By them, Dr. Bell was 

 placed at the public fchool of Jmtan, then con- 

 duced by the Rev. Mr. IVright^ in whole houfe 



he 



