The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1868-05-05
I.srSKSsE Nv rsK apRR.seE BuRs.
REV 81 LIEE.

REV 81 LEFE.
Bya great many people il is supposed
that the average duration Of human
life IL much shorter now than il for
merry was. and that il win gradually be
reduced 10 a still shorter term, il is
certainly great deal shorter than il
was during the Mosaic record II their
years we're OF the same length as ours,
but that is hardly probable.
All reliable statistics show that the du-
ration Of human life has been gradually
increasing for several centuries past
Hisprsity wen settled that its avorageIn
The middle Of the fifteenth century was
as long again as il was in the twelfth
and thirteenth centuries; and this is
just the result that would be expected,
after careful examination Of the con-
dition Of the people in tina periods
mentioned. Ii was bad enough dur
ing the reign Of Henry VIII, but was
infinitely better than under his prede--
cessors, the Edwards and Richard III.
The great mortality among the peo-
pie was undoubtedly owing in con-
siderable degree TO the want Of proper
food. clothing and shelter. Il was
made matter Of pride and boasting TO
endure all sorts Of privations with
stoical indifference. A story is told Of
Highland chief, Sir Evan Gamer on,
that himself and party Of his follow
ers being benighted and compelled to
sleep in the open air, when his son
rolled up ball Of snow and laid his
bead upon il for pillow, the rough
old man kicked it away, exclaiming.
What, SIR, are you turning stfeminateP,
This illustrates the mistaken views Of
the people with regard TO the effects OF
wholesome food and proper protection
upon the physical powers aud endur-
ance Of the system.
A considerable portion Of the success
OF our armies in the late rebellion was
due TO the feeding, clothing and gen
eral protection Of the soldiers. The
mortality among them was much less,
IN given number than among the
rebels, who were pinchsd by both cold
and hunger.
Whatever tends TO calmness and
equanimity OF mind, undoubtedly pro-
notes health and long life. So what
ever relieves the body from undue ia
hgue has the same effect, for body and
mind have a reflective influence upon
each other.
In this view, fuller knowledge Of
tho arts and sciences, and The introduc-
ton OF an infinite number of labor
saving implements and machines, has
avcrted m immense amount OF human
toll. IL has left the mind free to ex-
pand itself by study, and be lifted into
higher train Of thought and life--and
the body TO find recreation and anus
ement in a thousand agreeable ways,
not accessible in life OF nnremitting
toll
In the very interesting work BY
Charles Knight entitled knowledge
is Power" be says ut has been cal
cnlated that the power OF horses, oxen,
&c, employed in hnsbandry is ten
times the amount Of human power. II
the human power insisted upon doing
all tho work with the worst tools. the
certainty Is that not even one tenth Of
the land could he cultivated. Where.
then, would all this madness end I'm
the starvation Of the laborers themselves
even II they were allowed to sat up all
they had produced hy such imperfect
means They woul be just in the con-
dition Of any other barbarous people.
that were ignorant Of the inventions
that comprise the power Of civilization.
Ihey would cat upthe little corn, which
they raised themselves. aud have moth
ing % gsse IN exchange for clothes. and
Goals, and candies, and SOAP, and tea,
and sugar, and all the many comforts
which these whe are even the worst of
are not wholly deprived Of.
II may be comforting TO those who
suppose that the average Of humA1 life
Is nov bscoming shorter and shorter,
TO be assured that il is on The contrary,
growing longer and longer. This IA.
undoubtedly. the resulted better houses
and clothing. and food--bsiter sduca-
tor. less severe labor and fatigue. a
greater eqnanirnity Of mind and more
healihful and agreeable rscreAsions for
both mind and body.
Poverty ard fifth usually 60 together
In the times Of some % the old kings
and quesns Of our mother England.
who have made great noise in the
world, the people we're proysrhiaily
hfshy. ard daily lived in The midst u
an accumulation Of vile things in com
parts0n TO which III contents OF Fal-
stats back basket were q nOsegsy IL
Is vel known that human longevity haa
been prc2osed b. tie strict attention
OF tee crest body q oiwsliSad nations 10