Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-05-03
I 70 be continued

""*>~ "..- [robe continued.J
From the Independent Magazine & Health Journal.
/. TEMPER AND DIET.
"Know those who violence pursue ".
| Give 10 themselves the vengeance due.'-GAY.
Whenever any arguments are brought
forth, tending TO show how serious an in
Jury is inflicted GA the intellectual powers
in man, by his indulgence in all manner
lot gross diet, appeal is pretty sure to be
tinade to the many instances Of highly in
IteElee,Gal men who have been any thing
bat choice or cleanl ~ in their eating and
drinking. The examples Of DR.. Johnson.
and many others are readily adduced, as
proofs ample and clear, OF the unimpor-
lance Of diet with relation to the intellect.
1t is interestingly curious IL observe on
how small foundation the setf-wiIed
being can erect large mansion. The
lustful nationalist can spin reasons for his
conduct as readily as the spider spins
webs, and out Of the same s.orehouse too
his bowels. 49,. .-.~. ":.:*. -....... ...
Such reasoners lose sight of the great
mass Of facts which, in preference to any
exceptions. should be taken as the mani
festaton of the law The intuition Of
each man when be comes to a real action
10 reference to any affair that re deems of
vital importance, clearly determines the
question the Other way. What merchant
would permit drunken clerk 10 post up
his ledger2 What parent would engage
"a gross eater to give lessons to his daugh-
w ,,,nr,lI nj,
sumner Of blood in the pulpit? No !!
When men are thrown back upon their
serious, native feelings, the question is
settled beyond all cavi, by an interior, in
Istinclive law. -. .....~".
But in fact there are no exceptions,
whatever appearances may induce to the
contrary. No great mind ever performed
its greatest works under surfeit OF eating.
No great mind ever was aided to its no
best exercise by indiscrininate use of
food. No great mind ever did realize its
highes conception except under the con-
dtion OF care il respect to diet. Not,per-
haps, that much conscious thought was
bestowed on the subject, but by natural
harmony, deeper than the profoundest rea-
soning, the appeiites We're subordinated to
the higher functions. 1t is well known
fact that in this way Sir Isaac Newton,
when working out his most remarkable
calculations, or writing his Principal, ate
scarcei y any thing beyond little bread
and water, and upon some occasions hard
Fly knew whether he had eaten his dinner
or not. Such incidents may be doubted,
nay, perhaps must be denied by those who
I have never scared above the routine OF
daily traffic, aud would not omi: heavy
repast at the appointed hour for all the
mathematical problems which ever were
or will be solved. 1t might however be
worth the attempt for inferior students just
TO reverse the process and TO make the at
tempt ....:. -.= ."...
AS Newton, in order to let his intellec.
tuaI nature shine forth in unclouded
brig Illness, found it necessary to keep a
clear and clean stomach, it is possible that
other minds might at least comprehend
little Of what he has said, by adopting a
like process. If this plan were pursued
there might be less ignorant admiration Of
great men, but there would certainly be
more admirable greatness. H..
f. DR.. Johnson, though All indn gent per-
son, did not exercise bis abilities by induI-
gence, nor In the usefulness Of the table,
bat previous to them or iD spite of them.
1t is a we'll known fact tina. he comaenc-
led his career in great poverty aud his
) subsequent grossntss may be parity ow-
!, ing to some idea of compensation lurking
j, IN his mind. :.... r.
But ia reconsidering the state of this
f undoubtedly great mind, the thought &C.
, cars, whether we NAV not attribute that
unusual fear of death by which he vas
haunted, to these unsuitable habits. La
t that dIreful, habitual melancholy and Iren-
, bling anticipation concerning future life
/ he appears TO have paid the penalty for
5 these violations of law which cannot be
J broken uurequited. Let men treat the
. !su6J,ct as they may, the compensatory
: Iprinciple, which characteristics all creation
. makes them needless sufferers for need
/ less iudu gence. There is no esca pc from
! this law, which is as mercifli as it is just
n L men foster and feed their lower caPaci'
e ties and natures In preference 10 their su
2 EperIor oaes, they will Of course grow am
strengthen, while the latter will be dlInin
IF ished and weakened. Al the same time
i the higher delights are lost, because tht
5 lower are unduIY sought. The man VIII,
if carries his idea of pleasure no higher thar
: a slice Of beef and newspaper, is wonttt
Iridicule the assertion that the beauty ii
n bread and mathematical problem Is ia
J. more excellent. Sill less can he eompre
y ! bend the happiness in an entlrely simpl
t. life, unworried by commercial cares, ant
in all things elevated to poetic excellence
u This is. a. best, deemed to be day dream
Il in which, in the intervals of gastronom
/. safety, We may wander in the vapor,
a realms of Imagination; but as an aetua
!. attainable reality it is moi 10 be regarded.