APPENDIX. (7) 



nourable and virtuous fentiment. In fome of them we find AccountofLoi« 

 that unaffedled tendernefs, of which I took notice above as fre- 

 quently diflinguifliing his profefhonal labours. One of thofe 

 papers I have often read fince his death, witK feelings which I 

 believe to be fo much in unifon with thofe of my prefent au- 

 dience, that I hope I fhall not be thought to trefpafs on their 

 time or patience, if I quote the conchdion now. In N° 90. of 

 the Mirror^ he mentions as one of the calamities of extremely 

 lengthened life, the lofs of friends, and gives a very natural 

 and affecfling account of his own feelings on an occafion of that 

 fort. The pidttire contained in that paper is no fancy-drawing j 

 it is a portrait of one of the earlieft and moft excellent friends 

 of Mr Abercromby, and of the writer of this memoir, Mr 

 Gordon of Newball, whofe accomplilhments and whofe virtues 

 will not be foon forgotten by fome members of this Society. 

 Alas ! I did not imagine, when I heard Mr Abercromby read 

 that paper of the Mirror, that, in a few years, it ihould be 

 applicable to tlie lofs of its Author ! If any of thofe who now 

 participate in this refledlion, fhovdd one day have occafion to 

 recal in this place the remembrance of him who reads the pre- 

 fent account, may his memory be as dear to his friends, and as 

 valuable to fociety, as thofe to whom his feeble words now en- 

 deavour to do juflice ! 



" There is one circumftance (fays Mr Abercromby, la 

 the paper I allude to) which with me is alone fufficient to 

 decide the queftion (whether long life be an objetfl: much to 

 be defired). If there be any thing that can compeniate the un- 

 avoidable evils with which this life is attended, and the num- 

 berlefs calamities to which mankind are fubjed, it is the plea- 

 fure arifing from the fociety of thofe we love and efteem. 

 Friendfliip is the cordial of fife. Without it, who would wifh 

 to exift an hour I But every one who arrives at extreme old age, 



muft 



