400 Dr. Curve's Memoirs of the late Dr. Belli 



ous branches of medicine, but to the different 

 departments of philofophy and polite literature^ 

 neceffary to a plan of liberal and general edu- 

 cation. As his application was great, his ac^ 

 quirements were very confiderable ; and he was 

 fo happy as to attract the notice of feveral per- 

 fons eminent for fcience and learning. Of this 

 number, was the prefcnt learned ProfefTor of 

 Botany in Edinburgh, Dr. Hope, who early 

 difcovered his acute and enterprizing genius^ 

 and diftinguifhed hirn by his patronage and 

 counfel. Of this number likewife was the cele- 

 brated Dr. Cullen, who honoured him wich his 

 particular friendfhip, and introduced him to 

 the late Lord Karnes^ in a manner which was 

 extremely flattering. Plis Lordfhip, when en- 

 gaged in the compofition of the work, which 

 he afterwards publifhed under the title of. The 

 Gentleman Farmer ; applied to Dr. Cullen for 

 information on fome fubje6ls connedled with 

 the philofophy of vegetation The learned 

 profeflfor, being deeply engaged with other fub- 

 jeds, referred him to Dr. Bell, then in his 

 twentieth year, whom, on that occafion, he 

 introduced to. his Lordfhip. An acquaintance, 

 thus begun, was matured into intimacy, and 

 Dr. Bell fpent a confiderable part of one or two 

 autumn vacations at the country feat of this 

 venerable old man, in the fouth of Scotland. 

 Lord Kames mentioned him with honour, in 



the 



