| Citation |
RNYG.780.021
12 Jan 1780:22 (343)
From the Morning Post. Mr. Editor,
A Gentleman who has made the tour of Europe, and is a minute
enquirer into the different modes of life in different
countries, has observed with great attention the influence
of particular studies and pursuits on the health and long
life of the professors. He finds that all, or many, of
those who study the more refined arts, particularly Music,
are in general of great age. He means those who are real
admirers, and artists from true feelings of its powers to
sooth and compose the mind to peace and serenity; and who
have distinguished themselves by celebrated works and
compositions. As to mere mechanical performers their lives
are in general shorted by dissipation and debauchery. Among
the real admirers and composers, he gives remarkable
instances in his own country, as well as Italy, Germany, and
other parts; and instances the following, who are
Professors, and Dilettanti:
Geminiani 80 upwards
Partini ditto
Antoniotto ditto
Leveridge 90
Mr. St. Andre 90
Corelli 96
Handel 96
Oevetti 96
Hasse 80, now living
Farinelli, now living 80
Faustina, now living 80
Dr. Creighton 90
Alessandro Scarlatti 87
Mr. Pepusch 87 or upwards
Rosingrave, sen. ditto
Old Tallis ditto
Several of the Harrington family 80
Col. Blaythwayte 80
The Elder Bach, in Germany 80
Sir Robert Throckmorton, with many more at this time abroad,
of distinguished abilities and ages.
He has also made the same observation as to many
mathematicians - Newton, Fla ead [middle letters
illegible], Leibnitz; and remarks that all those who have
pursued studies, attended with controversy of disagreeable
political attentions, have either died early, or, if old,
impaired their faculties to idiocy - Swift, Warburton, and
many others. Voltaire's chearful engagements secured his
logevity, as nothing ruffled his complacency; and he
concludes his remarks with aequanimitas est sola felicitat.
Historicus.
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