On the 26th November, 1799, and in the 71st year of his age, he expired, without any convulsion, shock, or stupor, to announce or retard the approach of death. Being at table with his usual fare, some bread, a few prunes, and a measured quantity of milk diluted with water, and having the cup in his hand when the last stroke of his pulse was to be given, he set it down on his knees, which were joined together, and kept it steady with his hand, in the manner of a per son perfectly at ease ; and in this attitude expired, without spilling a drop, and without a writhe in his countenance ; as if an experiment had been required,, to shew to his friends the facility with which he de parted. His servant opened the door to tell hint that some one had left his name ; but, getting no answer,. stepped about half way up to him, and seeing him sitting in that easy posture, supporting his bason of milk with one hand, he thought that lie had dropped asleep, which had sometimes happened after meals. He went back, and shut the door ; but before he got down stairs, some anxiety, which he could not account for, made him return back and look again at his mas ter. Even then he was satisfied, after coming pretty near him, and turned to go away ; but ao-ain return ing, and coming quite close to him, he foundhim. without life.
Such was the career of Dr Black, one of the great est ornaments that the university of Edinburgh ever Possessed. His mind was without doubt of the first cast, and endowed with an originality of thinking, and a patience of investigation, that fitted it for the most splendid undertakings. His imagination either was not vigorous, or he had brought it under the Most complete controul; for no man was ever a greater enemy to wild and extravagant speculations and hy potheses, and no man ever deserved greater confidence• as a sound philosopher, and an accurate reasoner. He carried his modesty rather to too great a length, and appeared too careless of his reputation as a discoverer, and a chemical reformer. Whether this was owing to a timidity of disposition, to indolence, or to want of health, it was equally unfortunate for himself, and for the literary world ; and prevented him from oc cupying that place in the foremost rank of chemical discoverers, which nature obviously intended him to fill. Tfie late Professor Dr John Robison, who knew him intimately and affectionately, assures us, that want of health alone prevented him from exposing the con duct of Mr Lavoisier, and vindicating his undoubted -• claim to his own discoveries. He undertook the task, and began it repeatedly ; but his anxiety never failed to'bring on a fit of illness, which obliged him to re linquish it. What reason he had to be 'dissatisfied with Lavoisier, or what private steps that celebrated phi losopher may have taken to detract from Dr Black's reputation, we pretend not to say. Lavoisier certain
ly did Dr Black ample justice in the first treatise on chemistry which lie 1ublished; for the whole treatise is little else than a history of Dr Black's discoveries with respect to the alkalies and lime, of the contro versy which these discoveries occasioned in Germany, and a recitation of his own experiments, which con vinced him of the truth of Dr Black's opinions. Of Dr Black's discoveries in other branches of the science, Lavoisier could not be supposed to know much with accuracy ; for Dr Black had published nothing respecting them himself, and those writers who had touched upon these subjects, whether in Britain or on the continent, had been either silent with respect to Dr Black's merit as an original dis coverer, or arrogated to themselves an equal claim to originality with Dr Black himself.
As to Dr Black's private character, it was, in the highest degree, amiable and excellent. His temper was mild and placid ; his disposition serious but cheerful. His sense of propriety was extremely acute, and all his actions were obviously guided by it. This appeared to a striking degree in his dress, in his house, at his table, in company, and in his lecture room. Every thing was done at its proper time; every thing was found in its proper place. He was never in a hurry, but always appeared to have leisure at com mand ; and lie was always happy. to see a friend, and to enter into conversation on general subjects. His acquaintances sometimes accused him of penurious ness ; but Dr Ferguson, who was his near relation, and had the best opportunity of 'knowing his charac ters, directly denies the charge ; and Professor Robi-, son has given such instances of a contrary conduct, as seem totally incompatible with such a disposition. His person was rather above the middle size ; he was of a slender make; his countenance was placid, and exceedingly engaging.
But in giving the history of a literary character, the points of greatest importance are undoubtedly his works, which constitute the grand eras of his life. In a philosopher, the additions which he made to the stock of our knowledge, and the exertions which he made tolVards the advancement or the general diffu sion of the sciences, constitute the great characters which distinguish him from the generality of man kind. We must not, therefore, quit Dr Black, with out pointing out his literary labours more particular ly, and endeavouring to estimate the obligations which chemistry lies under to him for his sagacity and discoveries.