MEMOIR OP DATTBENTON. 
215 
and, in his latter years, at the request of the Committee 
of Public Instruction, he had undertaken to compose 
Elements of Natural History for the use of the Primary 
Schools ; but these elements were not completed. 
We are naturally led to inquire, how it happened, 
that one of frail temperament, and with so many labo- 
rious occupations, could reach so advanced an age with- 
out any painful infirmities. This was owing to a care- 
ful study of himself, and an attention calculated equally 
to avoid excesses of body, heart, and intellect. His 
regimen, without being austere, was very uniform ; he 
always lived in easy circumstances, esteeming fortune 
and grandeur at their real value, and having little de- 
sire for them. He had, in particular, the strength of 
mind to avoid the danger to which almost all literary 
characters are exposed, an inordinate passion for re- 
putation. His researches were an amusement to him 
rather than a labour. A portion of his time was em- 
ployed in reading, with his wife, romances, stories, and 
other light works ; the most frivolous works of the day 
were read by him. This he called “ putting his mind 
a la diete.” 
There can be no doubt, that this uniformity of regi- 
men, and constancy of health, contributed much to that 
kindliness of disposition which rendered his society so 
agreeable ; but another feature of his character, which 
contributed not less to this, and which struck all who 
came near him, was the good opinion he appeared to 
have of mankind. 
