St. Landry democrat., 1881-07-30
How Long Man May Live.

TWAS Professor Hufeland's opinion
that the limit of possible human life
might be set down at 200 years, anu
this on the principle that the life OF q
creature is eight times the years OF us
period of growth. That which IS quickly
formed perislles, and the earlier COM
plete DEVELOPMENT is reached the sooner
bodily decay ensues. More women
reach old age than men, but more n.oh
attain remarkable longevity tnan W.
men. Horned animals live shorter ilVes
than those without horns, fierce longer
than timid, and amphibious longer than
those which inhabit the air. Tho vora.
cious pike exists, it is said, to an age OF
$50 wears; the turtle is good tor loo
years or more, and among, birds, the
golden eagle is known to have hVed
nearly 200 years, while the sly and SOM
bre crow reaches the venerable age OF
century.
Passing up in the scale Of life to man,
and skipping the patrlarchs,, we lnu
many recorded instances OF longevity
among the classic Greeks and Romans.
Pliny notes that in the reign OF the
Emperor Vespasian, in the, year 70,
there were 1874 men living in the limited
area between the Apennines and the
Pc of 100 years and upwards, three OF
whom were $40 and four over 100;
Cicero's wife lived to the age OF 1O3, ana
the Roman actress, LnceJa, played III
public as late as her 112th year. Com
ing down to more recent times, the
most notable authentic instance OF great
age is that of Henry jenkins, OF York
shire, England, who died III 1910, 169
years old. He was a fisherman, and at
the age of 100 easily swan across rapid
| rivers.
Another historic case is that of Thos.
Parr, of Shropshire, day labOrer, who
| lived to the age Of 152 years. When
moro than 1870 he married his second
wife, and till 1870 he could swing the
scythe and WELD the fail with the best
of his fellow laborers. In his 152d year
Parr went to London to exhibit himself
to the king. Itproved an unlucky visit,
for, violating the abstemious habit OF a
century and u half, the old man Toasted
freely of the royal victuals that he soon
died, merely Of plethora. On exam
nation his internal organs proved to be
in excellent condition, and there was DO
reason why he should not have lived
much longer save for his unfortunate
taste of royal hospitality. Profess or
Hufeland's roll of centenarians includes
many more remarkable cases.
wspApERs.- Somebody,-if we
knew who, we would give due credit
writes thus tersely and truthfully OF
newspapers and their worth to the
world: "The value of newspapers is
not fully appreciated, but the rapidity
with which people are waking up to tlleil
necessity and usefulness, is one OF the
significant sigps of the times. Few
| families are now content with q single
newspaper. The thirst for knowledge
is not easily satiated, and books, though
useful-yes, even absolutely necessary
in their place, fail to meet the demands
of youth or age. Tho village news
paper is eagerly sought for, and its con-
tents as eagerly devoured. Then comes
the demand for the county news, state
news, national and foreign news. Mex
to the political come tile literary ant
then the scientific journals. Lastly, ant
above all, come the moral and religious
journals. This variety is demanded tt
satisfy the cravings Of the active mind
newspapers are also valuable tx
material prosperity. They. advertise
the village, county or locality. The,
spread before the reader a map OF
which may be traced character, design
hotel, he first inquiries for the villag
newspaper, if a friend comes from
distance the very next thing after
family greeting, he inquiries for you
village or county newspaper, and yo'
feel discounted il you are unable t.
find late copy, and cenfounded if yol
are compelled to say you do not take It..
Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines declares tina
when she gets possession of her propert,
she intends to devote her wealth t.
doing good, especially for the poo
people who bought her land in goo
faith.-[N. O. Times.
1t seems to us that she could do til
most good to them, by letting ther
keep the land.
DIED:
HUTCHINS-Tn the town of Lake Charles o
the Goth inst. VICTORIA HUTCnISs, aged
years and 10 days, daughter of Jesse Hutchin
, ST., and Angeliqhe Letourneur.