The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-02-14
For The Cecil Wing.
Longevity.

Of interest, inasmuch rs our soiourn here, is al
best, but of limited duration, and our lives are
held by so uncertain a tenure. No truth is more ,
frequently excmplfed, than s'lhat in the midst
of lie we are in death.''
Yet the fact is not to be disguised that the
imprudence Of mankind tends greatly to produce
disease, and consequently to shorten life; and
the greatest bencfactors OF mankind in all ages,
have been careful TO guard the human family
against those burlful excuses into which men
have ever been prone TO plunge themselves.
! The fact seems well established BY experience
that active exercise is conducive to health of
body aud tranquility of mind Hence we find
! that human life does not attain its greatest
length in mild climates. beneath proptious
sky, where bonntiiul nature supplies the wants
OF man without labor, and where he may luxu-
riatc in indolrncc; but in a rigorous climate and
on an unprom>ing SOIL where his bodily powers
as well US the faculties OF his mind, are brought
into active exercise, TO procure the neccssarics
OF life. On the cold and rugged mountains of
Scotland. the average length of human life is
greater than in any other part of Europe, and
nearly double that of sunny Italy.
! 1t comporiS with observation in all ages and
countries, that exercise aud temperance are
conducive 10 health and length of DAYS; and
while tic indolcnt and Incorporate are brooding
over imaginary evils, the active man dissipates
all these melancholy illusions, and by prcscrv-
ing an active and cheerful mind, adds greatly TO
that stock of bodily health which wards Off the
attacks OF disease, and under sickness rallies
and supports the powers of life.
There can be no doubt. that intempernnce
tends greatly to shorten life, not only eiccting
the inehriate himself, but his offspring. DR..
Darwin, who is great authority on all subjects
connected with life, says, 1t is remarkable that
all diseases arising from the use Of ardent spirits
are liable to become hereditary, even to the
third generation; gradually increasing if the
cause be continued until the family becomes
extinct" ''I.c no man tell me- says Carnaro,
''that there are numbers, who though they live
irreeularIy. attain in health and spirits those
remote periods Of human life attained by the
most sober. for besides being founded on a case
full of uncertainty and hazard. and which more
over seldom occurs. as TO look more like a
miracle than the work Of nature, men should
not suffer themselves TO be deceived thereby.
nature having been too liberal to those who
have done so without suffering by it--a favor
which very few lave any righ, to expect"
According to the London bills of mortality.
one half the children born in tia, metropolis
die before attaining their third year, and of the
chilrcn of the Society Of Friends, class re-
markablc for sobricly, and regularity of all
kin's, one half actually attain the aye Of forty
seven years. and while among the general popu-
laiion OF that city only one pelson IN forty at
tains the age OF four score, yetamong the Friends
or Quake'S not less than one in ten atans 10
| that age-a most striking difference.
ssThcir equal DAYS
Feel not the alternate fits OF icv'rsh mrth,
And sick detection.
Blest with divine immunitrs from ais,
Long centuries they live, their onl, late
Is ripe old age, and rather sleep than death. y
But this difference is not altogether attributable
TO temperance in drinks, but to the generally
early rising, comfortable clothing, plain ant
substantial food, and intcrmarriage with persons
of sound health.
Children feel an inclination to sleep as soor
as night has set in, particularly in the warn
season of the year, and there is no doubt but
sleep is much more refreshing in the carly rar
Of the night. 1t is observed by an author O
' great credit "tlat carly rising, is the only cir
cumstancc attending longevity, to which he
, never knew an exception"
II is well established fact, that diseases de-
scend from the parent to the child, and that O.
all diseases, those ofan hereditary faint are the
: most invcteratc, and incurable; and the limo
cent offspring are doomed TO suffering and early
death.
In some countries laws have been enacted
forbidding the marriage of unhealthy and dis
eased persons, as tending TO the deterioration o
the State, by producing race of invalids ant
, dwarfs, unfit to bear arms in the defence oflhe
country, or to support the hardships of war.
In our country there never can be enactment.
Of this character, yet the subject is worthy of tn,
consideration of individuals, and prudence eve
, will dictate that in forming matrimonial ALI
ances it should be duly considered. may re
sumo this subject in another number.
RAMBL Err.
The expenses of the National Armo
t RES at Springfield, for 1851, amounted
: to 1921 ,50S 33, and at Harper's Ferry
, to $252,OsS GO. Total 1898, 297 o..
Upwards of 1000 fires occurred il
, London during the past year. The