324 Biographical Account of ■ [Mat, 



By abstaining from all exertion, by living in the most abstemious 

 manner, and by constant, though moderate exercise, he contrived 

 to enjoy an almost uninterrupted, though feeble state of health, and 

 to prolong his life to a considerable old age, happy to the last day, 

 and capable of enjoying the conversation of a few select fritnds. 

 His only apprehtnsion was that of a long continued sick bed ; and 

 this perhaps less from any selfish feeling than from the humane 

 consideration of the trouble and distress occasioned to attending 

 friends ; and never was this modest and generous wish more com- 

 pletely gratified. " On the 26th Nov. 1799, and in the 71st year 

 of his age, he expired without any convulsion, shock, or stupor, to 

 announce or retard the approach of death. Being at table with his 

 usual fare — some bread, a few prunes, and a measured quantity of 

 milk diluted with water ; and having the cup in his hand when the 

 last stroke of his pulse was to be given, he set it down on his knees, 

 which were joined together, and kept it steady with his hand in the 

 manner of a person perfectly at ease; and in this attitude expired, 

 without spilling a drop, and whliout a writhe on his countenance ; 

 as if an experiment had been required to show to his friends the 

 facility with which he departed. His servant opened the door to 

 tell him that some one had left his name, but getting no answer, 

 stepped about half way towards him, and seeing him sitting in that 

 easy posture, supporting his bason of milk with one hand, he 

 thought that he had dropped asleep, which he had sometimes seen 

 happen after his meals. He went back and shut the door ; but 

 before he got down stairs some anxiety, which he could not account 

 for, made him return and look again at his master. Even then he 

 was satisfied, after coming pretty near him, and turned to go away; 

 but again returning, and coming quite close to him, he found hira 

 without life. 



" So ended a life which had passed in the most correct applica- 

 tion of reason and good sense to all the objects of pursuit which 

 Providence had prescribed to his lot, with many topics of agreeable 

 recollection, and few things to ruffle his thoughts. He had long 

 enjoyed the tender and alFectionate regard of parents whom he 

 loved, honoured, and revered ; with the delighttul consciousness of 

 being a dutiful son, and being cherished as such — one of a family 

 remarkable for sweetness of disposition and manners, he had lived 

 with his brothers and sisters in terms of mutual love and attach- 

 ment. He had never lost a friend, but by the stroke of mortality, 

 and he felt himself worthy of that constancy of regard. He had 

 followed a profession altogether to his taste 3 and h.ad followed it in 

 a manner, and with a success, wi)ich procured bin) the esteem and 

 respect of all competent judges, and stt his name among the most 

 eminent ; and he was conscious that his reputation was not unme- 

 rited ; and with a success in point of emolument which seiured the 

 respect even of the ignorant; which gave him iho i(>mmand of 

 every rational gratification, and enabled him to add greatjy to the 



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