g 68 Dr. Fo they gill on Longevity. 
to tantalize the human fpecies, without attribut¬ 
ing to her the part of a cruel ftep-dame, inftead 
of that of the kind and indulgent parent. Befides, 
we find, that by the wonderful powers of the 
digeftive organs, a variety of animal and 
vegetable fubltances, of very difcordant prin¬ 
ciples, are happily affimilated into one bland 
homogeneous chyle; therefore, it feems natural 
to diftruft thofe cynical writers, who would 
rigidly confine mankind to one fimple difh, and 
their drink to the mere water of the brook. 
Nature, it is true, has pointed out that mild, 
infipid fluid, as the univerfal diluent; and, there¬ 
fore, moft admirably adapted for our daily 
beverage. But experience has equally proved, 
that vinpus, and fpiritous liquors, on certain 
occafions, are no lefs falutary and beneficial, 
whether it be to fupport firength againft fick- 
nefs, or bodily fatigue, or to exhilerate the mind 
under the preflure of heavy misfortunes. But 
alas ! what Nature meant for innocent and ufeful 
cordials, to be ufed only occafionally, and 
according to the direction of reafon; cudom 
and caprice, have, by degrees, rendered habitual 
to the human frame, and liable to the mofl 
enormous and deitrudtive abufes ? Hence, it 
may be juftly doubted, whether gluttony and 
intemperance, have not depopulated the world, 
more than even fword, peftilence, and famine. 
True, therefore, is the old maxim, “ Modus 
utendi 
