The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-09-10

oasI may say very many peoplc-oftcn-
times commit . grave error in this WAY !:
they sit down to table and eat, whether
they be hungry or not. Sit down to
table by all means; bat If you have lit
tie appetite, il the stomach tells you it
needs rest, let it have it, and eat but
very sparingly indeed.
But person not only desires to i've
long, but to retain his faculties and
senses; how, then. are we to do this?
Why. BY exercising them regularly, but
never to the verge Of fatigue. Take
the eyesight, for instance. Would you
preserve it? Well. do not forget that
to a great extent that beautiful optical
instrument, tho eye, is presided over by
muscles which not only alter its direc.
ton. but even its focus the eye, then.
that is used not only to read small print
but to discern objects at a distance, is
the one that, apart from the dimness
incidental to old age, is likely to last
the longest. And the same may be
said Of the ear. Acuteness Of hearing
may DO cultivated in youth BY civilized
beings just as it 10 by savages and
where it is so, it is seldom lost till ad-
vanced old age. This species of aural
exercise, however, is out Of the ques-
ton in towns. But wherever one lives,
the organ Of voice can be cultivated and
exercised. Music of all kinds. and tie
practice Of singing especially, are great
aids to health, happiness and longevity.
Mental exercise is favorable to long
life, and even under adverse circum.
stances u man with well.trained mind
will live longer than . lout; the former
has something to- fall back upon. the
latter depends entirely on external i'm.
pressions. l think that Euclid and
algebra should be (within bounds) as
much studied by girls as by boys; even
the puzzling out Of anagrams. riddles,
eni gmas, etc., should be encouraged,
and above all original composition and
the writing Of verses.
Thousands of people annually ruin
their constitutions by simply swallow
ing too much medicine. 1t NAV seem
a strange thing for medical man to
say, but it is nevertheless fact. It is
dangerous thing to fly with every all
nlent to the medicine chest. The use
of tonics, unless under medical advice,
should be discOuntenanced; q tonic is
sharper than two-edged sword; it is
tool that needs to be used with eau
ton. There are now, am sorry to
say. some aerated waters coming into
use which contain the strongest min
eral tonics, that are apt to accumulate
nthe system with the most disastrous re-
suits. They should therefore not be drunk
al Hbitum as to quantity, or without
guidance as to quality.
Rest should be taken with great req.
ularity. have already spoken of noe.
turnal rest, but one day in seven should
be set apart for the complete rest of
both body and mind. Independent of
this, oil who can afford it should take
an annual holiday. Travelling is cheap,
and two weeks or q months relaxation
from care and business can not make q
big hole in the purse Of one who works
we'll all the rest OF the year, and knows
how to econOmize time. Innocent
pleasure and wholesome recreation con-
duce to longevity. All work and no
play sends Jack to IA early grave.
Recreation 10 to the mind and nervous
system what sunshine is to the blood
a Nysicia", in Harper's Weekly.