8 Mary Somerville. 



Christian Murray, of Kynynmont, whose eldest sister 

 married the great grandfather of the present Earl 

 of Minto. My grandmother was exceedingly proud 

 and stately. She made her children stand in her pre- 

 sence. My mother, on the contrary, was indulgent 

 and kind, so that her children were perfectly at 

 ease with her. She seldom read anything but the 

 Bible, sermons, and the newspaper. She was very 

 sincere and devout in her religion, and was re- 

 markable for good sense and great strength of ex- 

 pression in writing and conversation. Though by 

 no means pretty, she was exceedingly distinguished 

 and ladylike both in appearance and manners. 



My father was constantly employed, and twice 

 distinguished himself by attacking vessels of superior 

 force. He captured the first,, but was overpowered 

 by the second, and being taken to France, re- 

 mained two years a prisoner on parole, when he 

 met with much kindness from the Choiseul family. 

 A.t last he was exchanged, and afterwards was 

 appointed lieutenant on board a frigate destined 

 for foreign service. I think it was the North 

 American station, for the war of Independence was 

 not over till the beginning of 1783. As my mother 

 knew that my father would be absent for some years, 

 she accompanied him to London, though so near her 

 confinement that in returning home she had just 



