The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-12-28
Meoteal.
From The N. II. Historical ColIeotions.l
LONGEVITY

erai years, have noted the names,
residence, and age of old persons who
have died in the United States. BY list
as to the Number is complete, and for
want OF Information will always remain
so. II Includes only those who were
ninety years of age and upwards; the
whole number is 2O8O, one of whom
livedtO the advanced age of $50, years.
of this number, 1923 were men, and
1857 women. The smallest number
died ia the months of May, June and
August, bit the greatest number in JAN
uary. February and March-in January
nearly fotr times as many as in June.
| do not possess sufficient number
of facts TO state with precision the va
rious causes which promote or retard
longevity. ! will, however, express
some facts and my opinion upon some
OF them, and leave the subject to those
whose profession and business is more
intimately connected with it.
Long life does no, depend upon any
particular climate or region of the
globe, though some are more favorable
to il than others. The human constitu-
ton is adapted to all climates; and
instances of longevity have occurred in
every country where men have lived.
In this respect man is unlike some other
species of animals, who can live only
in particular attitudes.
Men usually live longer in the coun.
try than in the city. The AR, exercise
and modes Of living 10 the country are
better suited to their nature, than in
cities crowded with dense population.
OF The in.tances of longevity which
have met with: particularly those who
have lived more than a Century, a large
majority of them removed from the
place OF their nativity and lived in
other places.
Early fisiug contributes much TO long
lie; many of those who lived long
practisedit, and found the morning air
invigoraiing and healthy. Early rising
not only tends to protract the number
OF our years, but increaes the length OF
each; tor every hour we sleep more
than is necessary is so much time de-
ducted from the year, and, in fact is
worse than lost.
Labor and exercise have a natural
tendency TO prolong human life. Maj
was formed for actiou; and much oil
his happiness consists in performing it
lie who 10 Injured to robust exercise
and the inclemency of the seasons, i'm
parts Vigor and health to his constitution
1t is in this class of people that .by
far the greatest number of aged people
are found. Few men who spend theil
time in ease and Incidence live to ole
age, whilst many who perform much
labor bear great fatigue, and suffer man,
hardships and deprivations, live long
but severe fatigue an early life too offer
subjects man to premature disease anc
death.
The ills of poverty are less fatal Il
human life than the dainlies ADD Iuxu
ry of wealth. There are more Of the
poor than of the rich, in proportion tc
their respective numbers, who live tc
be old.
Temperance has natural and pow
ertnl tendency TO prolong the life o
man. An immoderate use of arden
and vinous liquors extinguishes life
but small portions of it, taken at par
ticular times and seasons is cordial
which imparts new life and vigor to thu
system. Early intemperance usually
terminates in death before the man i
so; and, indeed, excessive pleasures o
every kind in early life are peculiarl,
fatal. Hard drinkers, though they
commence the practice in middle life
seldom attain old age the few instance!
that have existed to the contrary. bu
serve to prove the truth of the remark
Temperance in diet and regimen i,
necessary to preserve long life. Plain
homeiy rePast, ate only when appetite
or hunger dictates, are vastly prefera
bic to all Others. ! have known GLE.
tons exclaim with horror and indigna.
lion against drunkards and tpplers, and
yet gluttony is as fatal to life as inebri.
ETY.. The victims of gluttony are more
numerous than people imagine and ii
is an evil which those who wish for
long life should studiously avoid. Glut-
tons live for the sake of eating-and
their belly is their God"
An easy, mild, and quiet temper pro-
longs life; but a peevish, fretful, and
irritable disposition destroys it. Many
who have exceeded the usual term OF
human life, were remarkable for the
mildness of their temper.
Men of all professions, aud of most,
though not all occupations, have lived
long. The neglect Of exercise is, per-
haps, the greatest error which sedenta-
ry persons commit, II should be an OBJ
Ject with them not only TO increase their
exercise, but to devise such as will d.
Al