374 Fr. Father gill on Longevity. 
require more peculiar attention than the reft, 
it is, undoubtedly, the laft : for the focial paffions, 
like gentle gales, fan the brittle vefifel calmly 
along the ocean of life, while, on the other hand, 
rough, turbulent ones daft) it upon rocks and 
quickfands. Hence, perhaps, it may be ex¬ 
plained, why the cultivation of philofophy, 
mufic, and the fine arts, all which manifeftly 
tend to humanize the foul, and to calm the 
rougher paffions, are fo highly conducive to 
longevity. And, finally, why there is no fure 
method of fecuring that habitual calmnefs and 
ferenity of mind, which conftitute true happi- 
nefs, and which are, at the fame time, fo eflential 
to health and long life, without virtue. 
“ JEquanimitas fola, atque utiica /elicit as” 
I hope you will excufe the prolixity of this 
letter, and believe me to be, with the higheft 
efteem, 
Dear Sir, 
Your fincere Friend 
and faithful humble Servant, 
i 
A. FOTHERGILL. 
London, Nov. 23, 1782. 
On 
