ii5 HISTORY of the SOClE'tr. 



fond, that they ufed it to denote the foundation, or the fumma- 

 Ty of all the virtues, he carried into his private affairs the fame 

 order and good condudl w^hich he employed in his profeffional 

 duties ; and he reaped, through life, the benefit of his attention 

 to this particular, in the eafe of his circumftances, and in the 

 power it gave him, on occafion, to aflift a friend, or contribute to 

 the attainment of any public convenience. From thofe, indeed, 

 ■who can miflake remiffhefs or improvident wafte for generofity, 

 Black may have incurred the imputation of penury. But the 

 proofs of this charge, if ever it were brought, in his cafe were 

 not to be diflinguilhed from the effedls of found reafon and 

 good fenfe. No one ever ftruck the proper medium more ex- 

 a(5lly than he did. His expences were regulated, but nowife 

 fordid, or unbecoming his ftation. His houfe was fpacious ; 

 and his table, at which he never imroperly declined any com- 

 pany, was elegant and plentiful, rather above than below his 

 condition. His contributions for public purpofes were liberal, 

 and his purfe was always open to aflift a friend. Much of his 

 pra(Slice as a phyfician arofe from his previous connedlion with 

 the patient as a friend ; and he was as afliduous where he would 

 not accept, or where he could not expetfl a fee, as in the moft 

 lucrative part of his profefllon. 



His own conftitution never was robuft ; and every cold he 

 caught, or any approach to repletion, affedled his breaft fo much 

 as to occafion a fpitting of blood. This he guarded againft, by 

 reftri(5ling himfelf to a moderate or abftemious diet. As his infir-* 

 mities increafed with age, he met them with a proportional atten- 

 tion and care, regulating his food and exercife by the meafure of 

 his ftrength ; and thus preventing the accefs of difeafefrom abroad, 

 he enjoyed a health which was feeble, but uninterrupted, and a 

 mind undifturbed in the calm and chearful ufe of his faculties. 

 A life fo prolonged had the advantage of prefent eafe, and the 

 profpe<ft, when the juft period fhould arrive, of a calm diflblu- 



tion. 



