Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 Excerpt: ... into partnership along with two other young men--John Graham and a nephew of his own. Benjamin expresses great disappointment at the thought of losing Joseph; but thinks that it would be improper and dangerous to use any strong arguments to dissuade him. There are no letters preserved betwixt this period and December 1789. But we know from other sources that Joseph, of whom he had evidently formed a high opinion, and to whom he was greatly attached, carried out his intentions of going abroad, and died there in 1786. He was, by all accounts, a most promising young man, and his brother had anticipated much satisfaction from having him as a partner in business. On the 25th of November 1786, as already mentioned, his own youngest son was born, and received in due time the name of Thomas; but, when the news arrived of his uncle's death, that appellation was given up and Joseph substituted for it, in affectionate remembrance of the deceased. The family resided at that time, and had done so, as formerly mentioned, for some years, in the house which he built in Merchant Street.1 1 It is always a delicate matter for a son to draw the character of his father, hut the writer feels that he cannot with propriety evade making the attempt on this occasion. After a thorough grounding under Mr. Stalker, an eminent teacher of English in those days, Joseph Bell hecame a pupil of Mr. Christison, then one of the classical masters in the High School, and subsequently (1806) the distinguished In a note to his brother Archibald, then (19th January 1784) residing temporarily in Ironmonger Lane, Cheapside, London, after giving Professor of Humanity (literas humaniores) in the University of Edinburgh. In Mr. Christison's class he had among other competitors the late Sir George Clerk...
