The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-08-30
a Man of Regular Tfabits.

the counties OF Massachusetts. In fact,
this worthy gentleman had reached, at
the time Of his decease, the extraordinary
age OF one hundred and five years
No little interest, as may be imagined,
had lowered around his slowly declining
days, and this was naturally awakened to
fresher concern at the period OF his long
deferred death. lie had always erioyed
the full esteem Of his fellow-c.lizens and
the medical profession, which naturally
looked up to him as its father and guide.
The peiiol Of his death was one of great
excitement in regard to the temperance
question. and it was felt that some irnpur-
tant lessons tor, the benefit of The cause
could be derived from an investigation Of
the ordinary habits of gentleman of edu-
cation and scientific attanments, whose
life had been protracted to such AN adj
vanced perio1, doubtless owing to the
rigorous adherence TO the laws of health.
as promulgated and enforced by the total
abstinence advocates of the day.
Accordingly, after the lapse of due
season, committee was deputed. on the
part OF the temperance societies. to wait
upon some near relatives of the old gentle
man deceased, in order to learn positively
what had been the course of his life, and
by what means he had so long preserved
an existence in the possession of mental
and physical vigor, until at length it yield
ed to the absolute decay OF bodily powers.
without the intervention of any acute
decease.
The depEation having proceeded to the
ancient phycsian's late place ofresidence,
waited upon II gentleman who was his
grandson, TO obtain from him all the par
tlculars concerning his aged relative. AZ
ter due sentiments of condoement had
been expressed, the suitable inquiries were
propounded. .f tt.l..
. Doubtless" said the chief intoylocu.
tor, your grandfather, enjoying such a
remarkable span OF existence. was a strict
observer of the rules of temperance we
need not express our confidence that he
indnlged in no excess in the use of hurtsu
kinds of drink" ...... 8.
"Oh, no Sir" said the person inquired
of; "you misy be sure of that My
father was a person of very regular
habits" .,t ...., ..'-
" But we would like to know, if you
please" pursued the questioner, g some
thing in particular regarding his mode of
life how, for instance, he began, and
passed, and ended the day .a
"Well, sir, when he first rose in the
morning, he took about half "A glass of pure
Jamaica rum : my grandfather was per-
son of very regular habits this was his
Uniform CUSTOM
This, | suppose" said the inquirer,
twas to give a sort of flip 10 his system,
after the lothargy of heightened ropcse,
made requisite, as an exceptional case, by
his very advanced period OF life. Please
tell us what his practice was daring the
rest of the day "
h" My grandfather, gentleman, was n
person of very regular habits, and took
nothing else Of this sort until eleven
o'clock, and then only glass of Jamaica
rum"
"Indced, Did he drink anything
with his meals ?"
"Not exactly with his meals; about
hall an hour before dinner, he drank Il
mixture TO which he was partial, consist
ing OF half and half of cider and rum.
But after drinking that, it was his custom
to 90 out for short walk and return to
dinner. When dinner was about was
about half through, he would then drink,
say, Il glass Of rum, or whiskey. as the
case might he, and another when dinner
was over. Dinner was always on the
table AT one O'clock; he took TO more
until four O'Clock, and after that small
quantity IN his tea. His practice was not
10 drink anything else until near bedtime,
which was always nine o'clock. when he
"A glass or two of whi>kcy or rum; unless,
indeed, some neighbor or friend came in
to join him. He was very hospitable NJ
ways, and, as l have remarke6, extremely
regular in bis habits" ... ..
The committee looked at one another,
and he,iated about pursuing The inquiry
any further. 1t occurred to them, how
ever, that it would be well so save them
selves, possible, in regard to the use Of
tobacco.
Did DIR. -- ever smoke ;" ask
ed the chairman. l.n -.rf
That - said their host, g was one OF
his most regular habits. lie was not Of
ten without pipe in his mouth, when
not engaged professionally, He did not
smoke in his bed" .... s-
"Surely, " then, he used tobacco in no
other way - suggested the interrogation.
" My grandfather, every Saturday uf-
tcrnoon, gentlemen, purchased a certain
quantity OF pigtail tubacco, say, FROM
twenty-one TO tweniy-three inches in
length this he cut into seven different
portions, one OF which per day, and no
more, he usel ior chewing in the course
OF the seven days Of the week.. My grand
fathers habits as L have. obsevsd--'
"Oh, coufound your grandfather and
his habits !" broke in the qnesiiuner, ont
of all patience. 81 beg Your pardon, sir,
but 1t is not necessary 10 pursue this sub
jecT any further irlI lf.7 "Hf t
. --+-4-- -.------ ..,.-----
Tom Moore, tho poet, used TO tell a
good story bt the gentleman whc, when
lIe WAS short of money and his relatives
were siiniy and refractory, used 10 aror-
.ea his .jampgEith the publication OF his
poems. The ihvariahe Snnd immediate