42 MEMOIR OF 



described from the most authentic sources, both 

 ancient and modern. Even in the most un- 

 cultivated, and, to us, deplorable situation of 

 the human race, evident traces of goodness, of 

 genius, and of heroism, are to be found. These 

 amiable qualities, it must be confessed, are too 

 often sullied by cruelty, irascible passions, and 

 every species of vice. But these qualities are 

 universal, in whatever situation men are placed, 

 whether in a civilized or barbarous state of 

 society. The strangest and most unaccountable 

 part of the history of mankind is that of their 

 eating one another ; and yet, from the numerous 

 evidences I have produced, it is impossible not 

 to give credit to the shocking fact. The reality 

 of human sacrifices, is equally certain as the 

 existence of cannibals. The diversity of dis- 

 positions, the versatility of genius, the great 

 differences of taste and of pursuits, are strong 

 characters of man, and distinguish him eminently 

 from all other inhabitants of this earth." 



His next employment was an intended series 

 of the lives of such authors as had employed him 

 to print their works. In this he had made suffi- 

 cient progress to have finished memoirs of Hume, 

 Adam Smith, Monro, and Lord Kames, which 

 were published in an octavo volume in 1800, 

 together with some juvenile essays. 



Amidst these pursuits his health began to fail 

 him in 1794, and after a lingering illness, which 

 he endured with great fortitude, he expired on 

 the 24th June, 1795, aged 55. His moral cha- 



