Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-08-01
BRYANT'S MODE OF LIFE
The Poets Daily Habits ns Desc ribed
by Himself.

Following is a letter written by Mr.. Bry-
ant to friend in 1871. which gives a clear
and interesting idea of the course of life
which he pursued and by which he was
doubtless enabled to attain serene and
well-preserved old age:
! s1iCc to gi|e yo,; some account of nv hab-
It's OF IIie, sU XII, .o..s.,------ry---' -,
exercise and occupation. | am not sure
that it will be of any use to you, although
the system which | have for many years
observed seems to answer my purpose
very well. have reached pretty advance
ed period OF life without the usual infirmi-
ties of old age, and with my strength, ac-
tivity, and bodily faculties generally in
pretty good preser 'ation. How far this
may be the effect of my way OF life,
adopted long ago and steadily adhered to,
is, perhaps, uncertain.
| rise early. at this time of the year
about $50; in the summer, half an hour
or even an hour earlier. Immediately,
with little circumference of clothing, l be-
gin a series of exercises, tor the most part
designed to expand the chest, and at the
same time to call into action all the mus
cles and articulations Of the body. These
are performed with d,mb-bells. the very
lightest. covered with flannel, with pole,
Il horizontal bar. and a light chair swing
around my head. After & full hour, and
bathe from head to foot. When at my
place in the country | sometimes shorten
my exercises in the chamber, and going
out, occupy myself for half an hour or so
in some work which requires brisk exer-
else. After my bath, if breakfast is not
ready, sit down to my studies till l am
called. My breakfast is simple one, hom-
my and milk, or in place of hominy brown
bread or oatmeal or wheaton girts, and in
the season baked sweet apples. Buck
wheat cakes do moi decline, nor any 9TH
er articles of vegetable food, but animal
food never take at breakfast. Tea and
coffee | never touch at any time, Some
times take cup Of chocolate, which has
no narcotic effect, and agrees with me very
well. At breakfast often take fruit, eth
er in its natural state or freshly stewed.
After breakfast | occupy myself awhile
with my studies and then, when in town,
walk down to the office OF the Evening
Post nearly three miles distant, and after
about three hours, return, always walking,
whatever be the weather or the state Of the
erary ar tAe Yasseen sseenptEv an sngased N my ut
drives me out into the open air, and go
upon my farm or into the garden, anu
prune the fruit trees or perform such 9th
er work about them which they need, and
then 90 back to my books. l do do not
very otter drive out or ride, preterrinS 10
walk.
In the country dine early. and it is on
lv ut that meal that take either meat or
fish, and of these but moderate quantity,
making my dinner mostly OF vegetables.
At the meal which is called tea, l take on
ly a little bread and butter, with fruit IT it
be on the table. In town, where tlihe
later. | make but two meals a day. Fruit
makes considerable part of my diet, anu
[ eat it almost any hour of the day with
out inconvenience. My drink 10 water. yet
| | sometimes. though rarely, take glass
of wine. am a natural Temperance man,
finding myself rather confused than eX-
hilarated by wine. | never meddle with
tobacco, except to quarrel with its use.
That may rise early, ] Of course 60 to
bed early in town. as early as ten j.; i'll the
country, somewhat earlier.
For many years l have avoided in the
evening every kind Of literary occupation
which tasks the faculties, such as compo-
sition, even to the writing of letters. for
the reason that it eXcites the nervous sys-
tenn and prevents sound sleep.