Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-01-31
A MAN OF REGULAR HABITS.

Some twenty-five years ago; or perhaps a little
more an aged and highly respected physician de-
parted this life in one Of the counties of Massachu-
setts In fact, this worthy gentleman had reach
ed the extraordinary age of one hundred and 1--WE
years.
No little interest as may be imagined, had how
cred around bis slowly declining days, and this was
of his long deferred death. he had always enjoy.
ed the full esteem of his fellow citizens and the
medical profession which naturally looked up to
him as its father and guide. The period Of his
death was one of great excitement in regard to the
temperance question, and it was felt that some i'm
portant lessons for the benefit of the cause could
be derived from an investigation Of the ordinary
habits of a gentleman of education and scientific
attainments, whose life had been protracted to such
an advanced period, doubtless owing to the rigor-
GUS adherence to the laws of health, and promulga-
ted and enforced by the total abstinence advocates
of the day.
committee was deputed on the part OF the temper,
ance societies. to wait upon some near relatives Of
the old gentleman deceased, in order to learn posi-
lively what had been the course of his life and by
what means he had 80 long preserved an existence
in the possession of mental and physical vigor un-
til at length it yielded to absolute decay Of bodily
powers without the Intervention Of any acute dis
ease.
| The deputation having proceeded to the ancient
physician late place of residence, waited upon
gentleman who was his grandson, to obtain from
him all the particulars concerning his aged relative
After due sentiments of condolement had been ex'
pressed, the suitable inquiries were propounded.
Doubtless" said the chief interlocutor, "youl
grandfather, enjoying such remarkable span o.
existence, was strict observer of the rules OF tenn
,,oa1 r0nfdanao fho
he indu ged in no excess in the use of hurtful knd
of drink"
"Oh no, SIR said the person inquired OF, you
may be sure of that My grandfather was per
son of very regular habits.
"But we would like to know, if you please" pur
sued the questioner, something in particular re
garding his mode of life how for instance, he be-
gan, and passed, and ended the day"
"Wel, sir, when he first rose in the morning, he
took about half glass Of pure Jamaica rum my
grandfather was person Of very regular habits
this was his uniform custom"
'This suppose said the inquirer twas to give
sort of flip to his system after the lethargy Of
heightened repose, made requisite as an exceptlona
case, by his very advanced period of life. Please
tell us what his practice was during the rest OF the
day, .-..., % ,,o.-, .,,,,,,,
habits, and took nothing else of this sort until
O clock, and then only glass of Jamaica rum
"Indeed! did he drink anything with his
meals?'
s'Not exactly with his meals; about half an houl
before dinner, he drank mixture to which he was
partial consisting of half and half of cider and rum
But after drinking that, it was his custom to &c
out for short walk, and return to dinner. her
drink, say, glass of rum, or whiskey, as the case
might be, and another when dinner was over. Din.
ner was always on the table at o'clock; he took
no more until clock, and after that small guam
tity in his tea His practice was not to drink any
thing else until near bedtime, which was always
clock, when he had glass or two Of whiskey OF
rum, unless, indeed some neighbor or friend came
| in to ioin him. He was very hospitabe always,
and, as have remarked, extremely regular in his
habits
The committee looked at one another and hesi,
tated about pursuing the inquiry any further. Ii
occurred to them, however that it would be well to
save themselves, if possible, in regard to the use Of
tobacco.
"DidDr. eyer smoke ?" asked the chairman.
'That," said their host, "was one of his most
regular habits. He was not often without pipe
in his mouth, when not engaged professionally. "
He did not smoke in his bed" -,
"Surely, then, he used tobacco in no other wayT'
suggested the interrogation
my grandfather, every Saturday afternoon, gen
tlemen, purchased certain quantity OF pig-tai TO-
bacco, say from twenty-one to twenty-five inches II
length this he cut into different portions, one
of which per day, and no more, he used for chew
ing in the course of the seven days of the week.
Ny grandfather habits, as I have observed -
"0h confound your grandfather and his habits :!
broke in the questioner, out of all patience. u
beg your pardon, sir but it is not necessary to pur
sue this subject any further. :"