PREFACE. Xlll 



and too impartial to pafs with propriety 

 through the filial channel, though fervently 

 juft to the excellencies of the commemo- 

 rated. 



Of thofe years in which the talents and 

 focial virtues of this extraordinary man ihed 

 their luftre over the city which I inhabit, 

 no hiftorian remains, who, with vicinity of 

 habitation, and domeftic intercourfe with 

 Dr. Darwin, took equal intereft with my- 

 felf in all that marked, by traits of him, 

 that period of twenty -three years, and 

 which engaged my attention from my 

 very earlieft youth. Some few of his con- 

 temporaries in this town yet remain ; but 

 not one who could be induced to publifli 

 what their obfervation may have traced, 

 and their memory treafured. 



His fbmetime pupil, and late years 

 friend, the ingenious Mr. Bilsborrow, is 

 writing, or has written, his Life ; but fince 

 Dr. Darwin conftantly ihrunk with re- 

 ferved pride from all that candor would 



deem 



