4.04 MEMOIRS OF 



But it is time to refume a more inte- 

 refting fubjecT;. 



The clofe of the year 1/99 brought a 

 fevere trial to the ftoical fortitude of Dr. 

 Darwin. From the period of his fecond 

 marriage all had been funfhine in his for- 

 tune, his fame, and dorneftic connexions;, 

 but then a ftorm defceadcd upon his peace \ 

 unforefeen, fudden, dreadful ! His eldeft 

 fon, Mr. Darwin, fo profpcroufly fituated, 

 without one adequate caufe-for even, tran- 

 fient affliction, became the vicYim of fecret 

 and utter defpair. It had often been ob- 

 lerved that any more than ordinary recur- 

 rence of profelTional bufmefs perplexed and 

 oppreffed him. A demand w r as made that 

 lie lliould arrange and fettle fome compli- 

 cated accounts, which a difpofition to pra- 

 craftinate had too long delayed. A difpo- 

 fition which is always, in a greater or left 

 degree, punilhed by it's confequences. 

 Though a remote,, it is the moil frequent 



caufe' 



