btained except by temperance and sobriety,
virtues so acceptable to the Almighty, because they are enemies to
sensuality, and friends to reason.

Now, my lord, to begin, I must tell you, that, within these few days
past, I have been visited by many of the learned doctors of this
university, as well physicians and philosophers, who were well
acquainted with my age, my life, and manners; knowing how stout,
hearty, and gay I was; and in what perfection all my faculties still
continued; likewise my memory, spirits, and understanding; and even
my voice and teeth. They knew, besides, that I constantly employed
eight hours every day in writing treatises, with my own hand, on
subjects useful to mankind, and spent many hours in walking and
singing. O, my lord, how melodious my voice is grown! were you to
hear me chant my prayers; and that to my lyre, after the example of
David, I am certain it would give you great pleasure, my voice is so
musical. Now, when they told me that they had been already
acquainted with all these particulars, they added, that it was,
indeed, next to a miracle, how I could write so much, and upon
subjects that required both judgement and spirit. And, indeed, my
lord, it is incredible, what satisfaction and pleasure I have in
these compositions. But, as I write to be useful, your lordship may
easily conceive what pleasure I enjoy. They concluded by telling me,
that I ought not to be looked upon as a person advanced in years,
since all my occupations were those of a young man; and, by no means,
like those of other aged persons, who, when they have reached eighty,
are reckoned decrepid. Such, moreover, are subject, some to the
gout, some to the sciatica, and some to other complaints, to be
relieved from which they must undergo such a number of painful
operations, as cannot but render life extremely disagreeable. And,
if, by chance, one of them happens to escape a long illness, his
faculties are impaired, and he cannot see or hear so well; or else
fails in some or other of the corporeal faculties, he cannot walk,
or his hands shake; and, supposing him exempt from these bodily
infirmities, his memory, his spirits, or his understanding fail him;
he is not chearful, pleasant, and happy within himself, as I am.

Besides all these blessings, I mentioned another, which I enjoyed;
and so great a blessing, that they were all amazed at it, since it
is altogether beside the usual course of nature. This bles