no" HISTORY of the SOCIE'TT. 



fond, that they ufed it to denote the foundation, or the fumma- 

 ry of all the virtues, he carried into his private affairs the fame 

 order and good conduct which he employed in his profeflional 

 duties ; and he reaped, through life, the benefit of his attention 

 to this particular, in the eafe of his circumftances, and in the 

 power it gave him, on occafion, to aflift a friend, or contribute to 

 the attainment of any public convenience. From thofe, indeed, 

 who can miftake remiffnefs or improvident wade for generofity, 

 JBlack may have incurred the imputation of penury. But the 

 proofs of this charge, if ever it were brought, in his cafe were 

 not to be diftinguifhed from the effects of found reafon and 

 good fenfe. No one ever flruck the proper medium more ex- 

 actly than he did. His expences were regulated, but nowife 

 fordid, or unbecoming his flation. His houfe was fpacious ; 

 and his table, at which he never imroperly declined any com- 

 pany, was elegant and plentiful, rather above than below his 

 condition. His contributions for public purpofes were liberal, 

 and his purfe was always open to aflift a friend. Much of his 

 practice as a phyfician arofe from his previous connection with 

 the patient as a friend ; and he was as affiduous where he would 

 not accept, or where he could not expect a fee, as in the mofl 

 lucrative part of his profeflion. 



His own conftitution never was robufl ; and every cold he 

 caught, or any approach to repletion, affected his breaft fo much 

 as to occafion a fpitting of blood. This he guarded againft, by 

 reftricting himfelf to a moderate or abftemious diet. As his infir- 

 mities increafed with age, he met them with a proportional atten- 

 tion and care, regulating his food and exercife by the meafure of 

 his ftrength ; and thus preventing the accefs of difeafefrom abroad, 

 he enjoyed a health which was feeble, but uninterrupted, and a 

 mind undiflurbed in the calm and chearful ufe of his faculties. 

 A life fo prolonged had the advantage of prefent eafe, and the 

 profpect, when the juft period mould arrive, of a calm diflblu- 



tion. 



