Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-01-19
''ETy Grandfather was a Person
Of Very Regular EBRbsts.o

ONE twenty-five years ago, or perhaps a
little more, an aged and highly respected
physician departed this life in one Of the
counties Of Massachusetts, In fact, this
worthy gentlemen had reached at the time of
his decepse, the extraordinary age OF one
hundred and five years. No little interest, as
may be imagined had hovered around his
slowly declining days, and this was natursly
awakened to fresher concern at the period Of
his long-deferred death He had always en-.
joyed the full esteem Of bis fellow-citzens and
of the medical profession, which naturally
looked up 10 him as its father and guide The
period of his death was one OF great excite
ment IN regard to the temperance question.
aud it was felt that most important lessons for
the benefit of the cause could be derived
from an investigation of the ordinary habits
Of gentleman Of education and scientific
attainments, whose life had been protracted
to such an advanced period, doubtless owing
to the rigorous adherence to the laws Of health,
as as'promulgated and enforced by the total alb
stinence advocates of the day.
Accordingly after the lapse of a due sea
Fon, committee was deputed on the part of
the temperance societies, to wait upon some
near relatives Of the old gentleman deceased,
in order TO learn positively what had been tie
course Of his life, aud by what means be had
so long preserved an existence, in the possess
sion Of mental and physical vigor, until at
length it yielded to the absolute decay of bodily
powers, without the Intervention of any acute
disease
The deputation having proceeded to the
ancient physicians late place of residence,
waited upon gentleman who was his grand.
son, to obtain from him all the particulars
90. /. 4 4
tlmenis ol condolement had been expressed,
the suitable Inquiries were propounded-
Doubtless, said the chief interlocutor, "your
grandfather, enjoying such remarkable
span Ol existence, was a strict observer of the
rules OF temperance we need not express our
confidence that he INDUCED in no excess in
the use Of hurtful kinds Of drink" "Oh no,
sir, the person inquired of, lyon may be
quite sure OF To It, Ny graulstheI was a per.
son Of very regular habits" "Butw we should
like to know, il you please" pursued the
questioner, something in artcular, regard
M his mode OF life how, for instance, he be
gan and passed and ended the day "Well,
sir, when he first rose in the morning, he took
about halt glass OF pure Jamac rnm; my
grandfather was person ofextremely regular
habits this was his uniform custom" "This
suppose, said tie inquirer, "was to give "A
sort Of FLIP to his system, after The lethargy
of heightened repose, made requisite, as an
exceptional case, by his very advanced period
of life. Please tell US what his practice was
during the rest Of the day" "My grandfather
gentleman, was person Of very regular hab.
itr, and took nothing else Of this sort until II
o'clock, and then only glass of Jamaica rum"
Indeed did he drink anything with hia
meals p "Not exactly with his meals about
half an hour before dinner, he drank a mix
ture to which he was partial, consisting Of
about half and half Of cider and rum But
after drinking that, il was his custom TO 20
out for a short walk and return to dinner.
When dinner was about half through, he
would then drink, say, glass Of rum, or
whisky, as the ease might be, and another
when dinner wns over. Dinner was always
punctually on the table at one clock; he
took no more until ionr clock, and after that
a small quantity in his tea. His practice was
not 10 drink anything else until near bed
time, which was always nine o clock, when he
had a glass or two Of whisky or rum; unless,
indeed, rome neighbor or friend came in to
join him. He was very hospitabe always and
as have re marked, extremely regular in his
habits"
The committee looked at one another and
hesitated about pursuing the inquiry any for.
Their 1t occurred TO them, however, that Il
would be well to save themselves, IL possible,
in regard TO the usa Of tobacco "Did DR..
- ever smoke p asked the chairman. -
That" said their host, was one OF his most
regular habits He was not often without a
| pipe in his mouth, when not engaged profess
sionally. He did not smoke in bed" Surely,