1805.] 
great degree hereditary, and as weaknefs 
and difeafe are frequently fo, it appears 
very probable that the conftitution of body 
and difpofition of mind beft adapted for 
duration may prevail much more in fome 
families than in others. Dr. Rufh fays 
he has not found a fingle inftance of a 
perfon who bad lived to be eighty years of 
age who was not defcended from Icng- 
lived anceftors ; it is certain, however, 
there have been in this country many per- 
fons who have exceeded eighty years, who 
did not know that any of their family 
were remarkable for longevity. The 
form of the individual appears of more 
impertance. Moderate fized and well pre- 
portioned perfons have certainly the bett 
chance of long lite. ‘There are, however, 
a few inftances of perfons of a different de- 
fcription having attained confiderable age. 
Mary Jones, who died, in 1773, at Wem 
in Shropfhire, aged 100 years, was only 
two feet eight inches in height, very de- 
formed and lame ; and James M‘Donald, 
who died, near Cork, 20th Auguft, 1760, 
aged 117, was leven feet fix inches high. 
Matrimony,if not entered into too eaily, 
appears to be very conducive to health and 
Jong life, the proportion of unmarried per- 
fons attaining great age being remarkably 
fmall. Dr. Rufh fays, that in the courle of 
his enquiries he met with only one perfon 
beyond eighty years of age who had never 
been marricd. ‘This is a very limited re- 
mark; Mrs. Malton, who died in 1733, 
aged 105; Ann Kerney, who died the 
fame year, aged 110; Martha Dunridge, 
who died in 1752, in the 1ooth year of 
her age ; and Mrs. Warren, who died in 
1753, aged 104, had never been married; 
and in the lift prefixed to Sir John Sin- 
clair’s Effay on Longevity, of penfioners 
to Greenwich Hofpital who were upwards 
of eighty years of age, there are fixteen 
who were never married: the fame lift, 
however, contains five times as many per- 
fons who had been married, and other ac- 
counts are in a ftill greater proportion. 
The Chinefe erett triumphal or hono- 
rary arches to the memory of perfons who 
have liveda eentury, thinking, that with- 
out a fober and virtuous life it js impof- 
fible to attain fo great on age. Temper- 
ance is certainly the beit fecurity of health; 
and no man can reafonably expeét to live 
long who impairs the vital powers by ex- 
cefs, which converts the moft natural and 
beneficial enjoyments into the moft cer- 
tain means of de(truétion. The few in- 
ftances of individuals who, notwithftanding 
their licentious mode of life, have attained 
confiderable age, cannot be put in compa. 
Longevity. —Condu&t of Furies. 
475 
rifon with the immenfe number whofe lives 
have been materially fhortened by fuch in- 
dulgences. Dr. Fothergill obferves, that 
“¢ the due regulation of the paffions per- 
haps contributes more to health and lon- 
yevity than any of the other non-naturals;"” 
and the duz regulation of the paffions con- 
fiitutes the moft impcrtant part, if it is 
not the very eflence, of a virtuous courte 
of life. 
The cheerful and contented are certain- 
ly more likely to enjoy good health and 
long life, than perfons of irritable and fret- 
ful difpofitions ; therefore whatever tends 
to promote gocd humour and innocent. 
hilarity, muft have a beneficial influence in 
this repect ; and perfons whofe atrention is 
much engaged on ferious fubjeéts, fhould 
endeavour to preferve a relifh tor cheerful 
recreations*, Tyas. 
Now. 22, 1804. 
To the Editor of the Monthiv Magazine. 
SIR, . 
Tis univerfally acknowledged, that no- 
thing in the E glith conftitution is 
more valuable than the inftitution of ju- 
ries; it muft therefore be the earneft with 
of every friend to his country, that they 
fhould preferve the higheit degree of re- 
{pectability in the eyes of their fellow- 
citizens. This refpectability mut er- 
tirely depend upon the fidelity and exaét- 
nefs with which they difcharge their du- 
ties; nothing, theretore, ought to be more 
facred than the verdicts they give in cor- 
refpondence with the caths they take on 
appointment to the office. The law, per- 
haps neceflarily, admits of a variety of 
fubtleties and figtions in its appl cation ; 
but thefe ought not to enter into the de- 
elaration of twelve plain men, sho are 
* From the great age (o which many emi- 
nent muficians have lived, an inference may 
be drawn in favour of that pleafing {cience as 
conducive to health and long lifes 
Dr. Child aged go 
Dr. Turner... 88 
Playford....-.- 80 
Scarlactr . 35)... 87 
Potpors. se. oe 
Pantliiienee aie, G So 
Geminiani .... 96 
Rameau ....-- 34 
PUA Et oe eae 36 
Wagenfeil ... 96 
Bachan ee 80 
Pepifely< > 5'>% 85 
Leveridge.... - 88 
Farinellis.c3 2:4. $a 
Cervetto . .2.. 90 
3 Q.2 | fuppofed 
