Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-12-29
5flist:elIang.
SLEEP.

From Hufeland' Art OF Prolonging Life,
recently publishedb Ticknor, Reed & Fields,
we copy the following chapter on sleep
9" have already shown that sleep is one of
the wisest regulations of Nature, to check and
moderate, at fixed periods, the incessant and
impetuous stream of vital consumption. 1t
forms, as it were, stations for our physical
and moral existence and we thereby obtain
the happiness of being daily reborn, and of
passing every morning through state Of an
Inhalation, into new and refreshed life
Without this continual change, this incessant
renovation, how wretched and inspid would
not life be- and how depressed our mental as
well as physical sensation The greatest
philopopher of the present age says, therefore,
with justice Take from man hope and sleep,
and he will be the most wretched being on
earth. y --ir..
How unwisely then do those act who imag-
inc that by taking as little sleep as possible,
they prolong their existence. They obtain
their end neither in intensive nor extensive life.
They will, indeed, spend more hours with
their eyes open but they will never enjoy
life in the proper sense Of the word, nor that
freshness and energy of mind which are the
certain consequences Of sound and sufficient
sleep, and which stamp like character ON all
our undertakings and actions.
But sufficient sleep is necessary, not only
for intensive life, but also for extensive, in re-
gard to its support and duration. Nothing ac-
CELEBRATES consumption so much, nothing wastes
US so much before the time, and renders us
old, as a want of it. The physical effects of
sleep are, that it retards all the vital move
ments, collects the vital power, and restores
what has been lost in the course of the day
and that it separates from us what is useless
and pernicious. 1t is, as it were, daily cri-
sis, during which all secretions are performed
in the greatest tranquility, and with the ut
most perfection. Ho1u.s Brr. .a Af lll.
Continued watching unites all the proper
ties destructive of life; incessant wasting of
the vital power of the organs, acceleratlon Of
consumption, and prevention of restoration.
We must not, however, on this account, be-
lieve that too long continued sleep is one Of
the best means for preserving life. Long sleep
accumulates too great an abundance Of perni-
cious juices, makes the organs too facid and
unfit for use, and in this manner can shorten
life Also
In word, no one should sleep less than
six, nor more than eight hours. This may be
established as general rule.
To those who wish to enjoy sound and
peaceful repuse, and to obtain the whole end
of sleep, recommend the following observa-
tlons -.
LIST. The place where one sleeps must be
quiet and obscure. The less our senses are
acted upon by external impressions, the more
perfectly can the soul rest. One may see from
this how improper the custom is of having a
candle burning in ones bed-chamber during
the night.
Cd. People ought always to reflect that their
bed-chamber is place in which they pass
great part of their lives at least, they do
not remain in any place SO long in the same
situation. It is Of the utmost Importance,
therefore, that this place should contain pure,
sound air. A sleeping apartment must, con-
sequently, be roomy and high; neither inhab-
tied nor heated during the day ; and the win
dows ought always to be kept open, except in
the night time.