Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-05-11
=. 81 e. Z = = ! { 2 s ICoAMUN1oATED.

PERTURBATION My J, B. JoHNsoS,
The aged period oflife isthe time at which
mental, disturbance, exercises the greatest IN
auepce on the physical integrity Of the differ
ent organs Of the body. At this stage of exis-
tence, the power Of both endurance and resis-
tsnce, is most incapable of bearing severe
shocks Of excitement, ,or the sudden;reeeption Of
unweleonae intelligence When years place their
accumulated weight upon the brow ot'man, his
muscles lose, their frmness and elasticity The
br4iiln and heart are diminish ed ia their normal
action; and decay so o,mueh impairs theirtstruc-
tlre,athat;the capacity to- withstand even the
ordinary force Of vitality is very much reduc-
ed and an excitation of tthe passions, that
would ID earlier, life; be but pastime or exhilar
alton, becomes, to5age, .fatigu;ng and dangerous
in its consequences. tits in this feeble condl-
tom, that undue emotions sometimes do
their work gob death, asa speedily as we'll
aimed bullet. ioAadiseased heart may SO on for
wears, Il, perform its functions. if no extraor-
dinary pressure 6f blood is made within it, but
if bgg violent passion, an increased volume OF
blood isimpelled into it, its walls ara TOO weak
totexpel it,tand it ceases imme diately,s and
never again resumes itspulsations. The blood
vessels of the brain III aged persons, are ey-
ceedingly frai; and are constantly liable to rnr-
ture,,, and the production Of apoplexy.. If the
mind isr kept composed, the vessels supplying
thesbrain with rblood. will do their oficefora a
long time; but if the action of the heart and
arteries is unduly augmented BY perturbation,,
they become rapidly qdistended, and their at
enuated coatsare toe feeble tooppose the force
of pressure and bursting, their contents to a
greater orless extent, are poured cut upon the
brain, and death is almost always The, result. -
Many an Individual has erinouced his death,
By allowing himself to be the subject of great
mental disturbance. ot a94aa,Lt sd III 3 s .l,7g
Hence, simnatience aud a: bad-temper, ,1should:
never be allowed to keep the system in state
Of excitement Health demands that the func-
tions of.the body and the mind, should be per
formed with calmness; J; for continual excitation
Of even the pleasant affections, often gives rise
oderangemenf Of the mental and physical off. :.
ces, and results ID disease. = An excited ,condif-
tion Of the. passions, renders the system more
liable TO disease, than calm state; and the
fear of death, during the progress Of a malady7
lessons the7chanees of recovery, and frequently
dispOses it to1a fatal termination. This 1nHu7
ence is we'll known ! for every lone, who has a
sick friep6, ,is very careful to keep from him,
the communication of any intelligence that
would be- likely to frettor annoy him. i4.tl
The powers and attributes with which the
Creator endowed man, were for his special
good !. and they can never become Injured un-l
less it is from an abuse of them. i "A badl exer-
else OF the gifts which were intended to pre-
mote ease,N comfort and health, results ID pain,
disquiet and disease. - Fheir .yeaching is to
avoid all excess. and. to harmonic the respec
tive actions in such a manner as to end in quiet
ude, and to augment "a capacity to .shun every
thing that can iDjurc, or mar man relation to-
theoexternaI world Pleasure and pain are the
two opposite conditions which are generated
by the affections and a strong moral educa
ton, is all that IS requisite to teach man 30
receive every incident Of life in philosophical
spirit, and to reserve to himself the best or.
every occurrence that moves, or concerns him.
he should enjoy the good Of life, without seek.
Ing it with eyer-zeal, and learn ito look upon
every extravaganza of passion,, as but the ap-
peara6ee of vice. He ought to regulate his de-
sires by the dictates of nature, and regard all
violence of feeling. rs an expenditure OF energy
that will never be repaid by the acquisition of
an object immoderately sought, and he should
never sacrifice the quiet of his conscience for
the favors Of fancIed advantage, but, be con-
tent with that which God has given him, and
live to moralize himself and to elevate his
kind fess q a =, i -. - - pI'1,
LADIES, AS WORKS OF ART, ~ Protessor
W;netnn,c Iaoin-o o,, tb;r cuh;antJzyos delivered