In truth, i found myself incorrigible with respect to order; and now i am grown old, and my memory bad, i feel very sensibly the want of it. but, on the whole, tho' i never arrived at the perfection i had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet i was, by the endeavour, a better and a happier man than i otherwise should have been if i had not attempted it; as those who aim at perfect writing by imitating the engraved copies, tho' they never reach the wish'd-for excellence of those copies, their hand is mended by the endeavor, and is tolerable while it continues fair and legible. it may be well my posterity should be informed that to this little artifice, with the blessing of god, their ancestor ow'd the constant felicity of his life, down to his 79th year, in which this is written. what reverses may attend the remainder is in the hand of providence; but, if they arrive, the reflection on past happiness enjoy'd ought to his bearing them with more resignation. to temperance he ascribes his long-continued health, and what is still left to him of a good constitution; to industry and frugality, the early easiness of his circumstances and acquisition of his fortune, with all that knowledge that enabled him to be a useful citizen, and obtained for him some degree of reputation among the learned; to sincerity and justice, the confidence of his country, and the honorable employs it conferred upon him; and to the joint influence of the whole mass of the virtues, even in the imperfect state he was able to acquire them, all that evenness of temper, and that cheerfulness in conversation, which makes his company still sought for, and agreeable even to his younger acquaintance. i hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example and reap the benefit.