Vicksburg weekly herald., 1878-06-21

The following letter, written By Mr..
Bryant several years ago, describing
tie habits of lif., TO which he partly
ascribed The wonderful preservation OF
his physical and mental vigor, will be
read with interest now;
NEw YORK, March %, 1871.
ITO Joseph Ii. Richards, L O..
"MY DEAR SIR-I promised sjme
time since 10 give you some account OF
NY habits OF lite, so Tar at least as re.
CARDS diet, ex rcise aud occupations, |
am not sure that Il will be of any use
10 you, although the system which |
have Tor many years observed seems to
answer my purpose very we'll. have
reached a pretty advanced period OF
life, without the usual infrmilies Of
old age. aud with my strength, activity
and bodily faculties generally In pretty
good preservation. How far this may
be the effect of my way Of life adopted
long ago and steadily adhered 10, is
perhaps uncertain.
II rise early, at this time OF the year
about half.past 5; 10 Summer, half an
hour or even an hour earlier. Immp-
diately, with very little incumbrance Of
clothing, | begin series OF exercises,
aud at the same time call into acton all
the muscles and arliculations Of the
body. These are performed with
dumb.bells, the very lightsst, covered
with flannel, with pole, q horizontal
bar, aud light chair swung around
my head. After q full hour, aud some
times more, passed In this manner |
balhe from head TO foot When at my
place in the country sometimes short.
en- my exercises In the chamber, and,
going out, occupy myself for half an
hour or more in some work which re.
quires brisk exercises. After my bath,
il breakfast be not ready, cit down to
my studies till am called.
"My breakfast IL o simple QUE
hominy and milk, or in place OF hon.
my, brown breal or Oatmeal, or
whealen grils, and in the season baked
sweet apples. Buckwheat cakes dc
not decline, nor any other article o
vegetable food, bu; animal food never
take at breakfast. Tea and coffee
never touch at any time. Sometimes
take q cup Of chocolate, which has nC
narcotic thect aud agrees with me yer!
, we'll. At breakfast | often take iruil
. in its natural state or freshly stew"d.
, "Atter breakfast, occupy myself to
: a while with my studies, aud then
, when in town, | walk down to th,
office OF the Evening Post, nearly thre,
| miles distant, aud, after about thre
f hours, return always walking, wha!
ever be the weather or the state Of thu
h. streets. In the country, | am engaged
in my literary tasks till feeling 0
WEAKNESS drives me out into the opel
. air, aud ! go upon my farm or into th
: galden aud prune the fruit trees o
a perform some other work about lheT
= which they need, and then go back /
4 my books. | do not often drive ou
preferring 10 walk.
"In tho country dine early, and
IA ouly at this meal that ] take eithe
Il meat or ilsh, and of these but mOdeT
6 ate quantity, making my dinner mos
}. ly OF vegetables. At the meal whic
4! 10 called tea, take only little brea
r, and butter, with fruit II 1t be on th
l. table. In town, where | dine later,
q make but two meals q day. Fru
II makes q considerable part of my die
}. aud eat it at almost any hour OF th
d day without inconvenience. Ny drin
IlS water, Jet l sometimes, though rart