APPENDIX. (7) 



nourable and virtuous fentiment. In fome of them we find AccountofLo(« 

 that unafieded tendernefs, of which I took notice above as fre- 

 quently diflinguifhing his profeflional labours. One of thofe 

 papers I have often read fince his death, with feelings which I 

 believe to be fo much in unifon with thofe of my prefent au- 

 dience, that I hope I ihall not be thought to trefpafs on their 

 time or patience, if I quote the concluiion now. In N° 90. of 

 the Mirror, he mentions as one of the calamities of extremely 

 lengthened life, the lofs of friends, and gives a very natural 

 and affecfting account of his own feelings on an occafion of that 

 fort. The picture contained in that paper is no fancy-drawing ; 

 it is a portrait of one of the earlieft and mofl excellent friends 

 of Mr Abe RC ROM BY, and of the writer of this memoir, Mr 

 Gordon of NewbalI,w]io{Q accomplilhments and whofe virtues 

 will not be foon forgotten by fome members of this Society. 

 Alas ! I did not imagine, when I heard Mr Abercromby read 

 that paper of the Mirror, that, in a few years, it fhould be 

 applicable to the lofs of its Author ! If any of thofe who now 

 participate in this reflecflion, fhould one day have occafion to 

 recal in this place the remembrance of him who reads the pre- 

 fent account, may his memory be as dear to his friends, and as 

 valuable to fociety, as thofe to whom his feeble words now en- 

 deavour to do juflice ! 



" There is one circumftance (fays Mr Abercromby, hi 

 the paper I allude to) which with me is alone fufiicient to 

 decide the queftion (whether long life be an obje6l much to 

 be defired). If there be any thing that can compenfate the un- 

 avoidable evils with which this life is attended, and the num- 

 berlefs calamities to which mankind are fubjedl, it is the plea- 

 fure arifing from the fociety of thofe we love and efleem. 

 Friendfhip is the cordial of life. Without it, who would wifh 

 to exift an hour I B\it every one who arrives at extreme old age, 



muft 



