AND DEATH. 487 



both commences and terminates by Impercepti- 

 ble degrees. 



Why then fhould we be afraid of death, if 

 we have no reafonable apprehenfions of its con- 

 fequences ? Why dread this fingle moment, which 

 has been preceded by an infinity of others of the 

 fame order ; fmce death is fully as natural as 

 life, and both arrive in the fame manner, without 

 our being able to perceive their approagh ? If we 

 inquire of phyficians, and thofe who are accu- 

 ftomed to obferve the adions and fentiments of 

 the dying, we Ihall find, that, except in a few 

 acute difeafes, attended with agitations and con- 

 vuHions, which exhibit only the appearances of 

 pain, moft men expire quietly, and without the 

 fmalleft indication of unneafinefs. Even when 

 patients feem to be afflicted with the moil: dread- 

 ful agonies, they have no exifience but in the 

 imagination of the fpedtator : The truth of this 

 has been repeatedly atieiUd by many people 

 who have recovered after the mod violent com- 

 motions and convulfions, who, notwithllanding, 

 were unable to recollect a fingle pang they had 

 felt, or a fingle idea or fentiment that had pai- 

 fed during this feemingly difirelsi'ul fit nation. 



The greated part of mankind, therefore, die 

 without being fenfible of the fatal ftroke ; and 

 of thofe who preferve their fenfcs to the laii 

 groan, there is not, perhaps, (jne who does not 

 entertain fume hope of recovery. Nature, tor 

 the happinefs of man, has rendered this princi- 

 ple 



