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 Tytler 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 Russell, the celebrated physician 

 of Aleppo, who at that time resided in the neighbourhood of 

 Kensington ; and with this respectable and intelligent man Mr 

 Tytler used always to pass his holidays. Dr Russell 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 Tytler 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 Tytler 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 



