The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-06-14
CARE OF THE BoDY.

Not a small proportion OF the care,
anxiety and labour of man is employed
upon the body. So far as necessity, de-
cency, and comfort, demand these exer-
tons, the demand is certainly reasonable !:
and will be complied with, when it is in
his power, by every wise man. But
there are, certainly, limits to this employ.
ment, fixed by revelation, and seen, and
acknowledged by reason. To take
even in this way, the real good of all our
labour under the sun, is plainly included
in that portion which God hath given us
of this labour. The allowance is certain
~ liberal and sufficient. But there are
anxic,ies experienced there are efforts
made which are productive Of no such
good, Common sense continually dis.
Germs, and declares this truth. These
anSicties, and efforts, arc also immensiy
numerous, eager and painful, 1t is ne.
cessary TO have food it is desirable, tina,
food should be wholesome e. pleasant. |,
IS necessary 10 have clothes il is desi-
Fab!e, that our clothes should be convent
cnt and becoming. But there may be
excessive care to crafty the palate, and
10 adorn the body. know OF no rational
objection TO that mode Of life regularly
demanded by common sense, which &C
bccor1ing with the character and circum-
stancesof an individual, is pronounced BY
the general sense OF propriety TO be suited
TO his station. Yet the whole Of life is er-
tainly net be consumed either in pamper-
ing, or adjoining the person. Our life is
the only period OF our probation and
during that probation, eternal life, is to
be gained or lost. With such an employ
peDt in our hands. it is madness to waste
this little period in providing the means
81 luxury, 10 pamper our palates and our
pride. Would the epicure, while feast
Ing his sight, and smell, and taste on
Nlands. TO collect which he has perhaps
Fspsacked both the indies, remember that
re is pampcring his body, merely to
make ia moro dainty mealto the worms
ofthe dust; ii is Questionable whetherthe
keeDncss his relish would not be blunt
I'd, and his soiicitude concerning what he
should eat, and what ne should drink
would net be exchanged for a more be-
coming anxiety concerning the means by
which he might live for ever. Were
tie monarch on his throne, to adorn
wsom the South,has yielded UP its gold,
ard the East lavished It's gems, to recol-
iect that within few DAYS he would be
wrapped in STROUD, aud lodged in the
grave would no, all these splendors fade
upon bis eye and pail upon his heart !?
Where the beauty who swins through
The canoe, or ,sparkles in the drawing
;oom, with the conscious superiority Of
her charms, and amid the homage sur
rounding admirers to call to mind that
The foim which Narcissus.ike, she sur
yeycd in the glass with rapture, must
within : few days be chilled by the icy
hand of death--the rose fade from her
cheek, The splendour vanish from her
eyss, aod all her elegance Of form be dis
solved IN the dust must she not be com
PEELED 20 believe that her vanity was
misplaced, and worthIess--that she
sqaaBdercd life upon objects, equally un
deserving and mischieyous--an that to
acquire beauty of mind to become love.
YIN the sight OF God, and to merit the
esteem Of angels throughout eternity,
were pursuits, infinitely moro worthy of
rational ambition.
There IS always point at Which eau
tieB, however solicitcus, mast limit its
because one terror often
-, ~ -. rte another