Dr. Father gill on Longevity. 355 
Upon the whole, may we not then conclude, 
that man, by co-operating with fuch animals, 
employs both his and their faculties on the 
purpofes for which they were partially defigned: 
thus tending to complete the bounteous fcheme 
of Providence; the happinefs and well-being of 
all its creatures ? 
Observations on Longevity. By Anthony 
Fothergill, M. D. F. R. S. Communicated 
in a Letter to Dr , Percival. Read January 15, 
1783. 
DEAR SIR, 
1 
I HAVE often thought, it would be an ufeful 
undertaking to colleft into one point of view, 
the memorable instances of long-lived perfons, 
whofe ages are recorded by monumental infcrip- 
tions, biographical writings, or even by the 
• public prints. The only judicious attempt I 
have yet feen of this kind, was by the ingenious 
Mr. IVhitehurJl, a few years ago, in his Inquiry 
into the Origin and Formation of the Earth. 
To the examples of longevity mentioned by him, 
as collected by a perfon of veracity from the 
A a 2 above 
