ioz Letter from Dr. Carmtchael Smyth, 



worfe, he ftill entertained hopes of recovery ; and the French 

 government having appointed him profeflbr of philofophy at 

 the Special School of Paris, he did not defpair of being one 

 day able to fill that office : but his ftrength was exhaufted, a 

 general languor fucceeded the vigour he had always enjoyed, 

 his flow and embarrafled pronunciation no longer corre- 

 fponded with the vivacity of his mind, and formed a melan- 

 choly contraft with the pleafantnefs by which he had been 

 formerly diftinguifhed. It was a painful fpeftacle to fee this 

 great man reduced thus to imbecility at an age when me- 

 ditation is beneficial, and when be ought at lead to have en-, 

 joyed the fruits of his reputation and labours. 



In vain did he try, for the re-eftablifliment of his health, 

 all the remedies vhich medicine enlightened by the phyfical 

 fciences could afford-— all affiftance was ufelefs. The vital 

 power quitted him with flow and painful fleps. Towards the 

 beginning of autumn laft year his decay became more vifible, 

 his mind lofl all its aAivitj^, and on the 22d of March 1799 

 he terminated his brilliant career, at the age of 59, lamented 

 by a family to whom he was dear — -by a country to which 

 he had done honour— and by Europe, the knowledge of 

 which he had extended. 



'S.VUl. Letter frojn Dr.CARMiCHAEt, Smyth to the Editor 

 of the Philofopbical Magazine, 



SIR, 



Oi 



'ESERVING in your Magazine of laft month an article 

 in which Mr. CruickflTank has corr^ftcd a miftake I had 

 fallen into in relating an experiment of his on variolous 

 matter; I have only to fay, that had this gentleman in- 

 formed me of this circum fiance, I certainly would have 

 favcd him the trouble he has taken. As for the way in 

 which the mlflake originated, although it could be eafily ex- 

 plained ; yet, as the rccolle(?aon of this gentleman and of his 

 ' friend 



