Morris tribune., 1881-04-14
Peter Cooper on Health.

On pretty cold afternoon in February,
I rang at Peter Coopers door, and having
entered the house, was shown into his
study on the ground floor. Evidently
had disturbed light slumber, and though
sorrow for it personally, I perceived no
shade of annoyance on Mr.. Cooper's coun-
tenance. Politely as ever he received his
visitor.
AS we sat on opposite sides of the table,
I could not help noticing this venerable
mans hale and cheerful countenance. Not
trace of languer about it, neither want Of
cheerfulness nor want Of health could be
found.
Il am pleased with your paper" began
Mr.. Cooper; something is needed to call
the attention of the public to the import
ancc of your questions. People think that
they can live anywhere, but if they mean to
be happy and live long, they had better pay
attention to their way of living. Now,
drink milk in the morning and at night,
and have milk by my side through the night
1 remember well the story of the old
Scotch doctor, who told his Irish parents
that man mau'n be twoice child and
mau'n ha' twoice a child's food. 1t suits
me well this childs food, and I am sure
owe my excellent health to it. I rise in
good time and go out whenever I can.
take a light lunch, and my dinner at
o'clock. 1t is not so much meat l eat, as
other healthy food. Without pretending
to anything like dietetic method, | am
moderate and careful I never feel indi-
gestion after my meals. 1t is q terrible
thing to see how this disease is spreading.
Whatever the cause, the digestive organs of
the American people are in sad condi-
ton"
Hard work. I replied, constant APP
plication, fast eating, insufficient rest, hot
bread, and too much meat have something
to do with it think"
eyes, I believe many people don't live
right said the old gentleman, land won't
look into it. You rouse up bit, it will do
good; and be sure to let the institute have
the paper; it will teach some one or other
there"
Il feel" I answered, "that here in
America good healthy and palatable food
is a great necessity. The climate and the
anxious life are great exhausters of
vitality, which must be replaced. Your
strength is something very remarkable, and
shows me that am right in thinking we
ought to preserve health and strength to
the last"
Il hope So" said Mr.. Cooper. Il also
believe that man who has lived rightly
will keep up his power to the last"
"Do you take any stimulant Mr.. Coop
err"
mo, do not generally; but it is kept in
tier house in case it is needed. People
sn6ttld be able to restrain themselves. l
fancy, however, since lager beer has been
introduced We have less drunkenness.
Rest assured, sir" said I, that bad
cooking and insufficient food have more to
do with intempeance than anything else.
The system becomes exhausted, and as no
palatable foou is near, people fly to some-
thing which will cheer them up at once.
We'll, I am sure too," said Mr.. Cooper,
that bad cooking deserves all that has been
said of it, and am glad to see efforts to
improve it. 1t was different in my young
lays, when gardens reached up to Cham
bers street, There was better air in New
York then, and people lived healthier, salts
fed with far less.
There is much misery in the
world, and know it, for receive about
fifty letters day aboutit.-Food and Health