The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-01-09
HOW A LITERARY MAN SHOULD
 LIVE.
Luke Sharp, in Detroit Free Press.l

TedCerS now tncy uVe, ana dlSO tO give some particulars about the hours they keep and the method they adopt in do- ing their work. don't know that under ordinary circumstances l would have written an article in reply to this editors communication, which l, in common with other famous men, read but he took some pains to show in his letter that the publishing of these details would be of great benefit to all who are anxious to lead correct lives and more especially to those younger aspirants to faae who might strive to emulate our works even if they could never hope to rival us. This appeal induced me to write the following article, and 1 confess that 1t was with con- siderable astonishment that 1 received back the manuscript, which the editor curtly informed me was unsuitable for his publication. therefore give the subject publicity now, and merely make the fore going explanation of the origin of the article so that my numerous enemies will not charge me with egotism in placing before the people subjects that might generally be supposed to interest myself alone.
 am not an advocate of early rising. believe, however, that every literary man should have fixed hours for getting up. 1 am very firm with myself on that score. l make it a rule to rise every morning in winter between the hours of six and eleven, and in summer from haltpast five until ten. A person is often tempted to sleep later than the limit tie myself to, but a little resolution with persons self at first will be amply repaid by the time thus gained and the feeling one has of having conquered tendency to idolence believe that literary man can get all the sleep he needs between eight o'clock at night and eleven in the morning. 1 know, of course, that some eminent authorities disagree with me, but am only stating my own experience in the matter, and don't propose to enter into any controversy about 1t.
 On rising avoid all stimulating drinks, such as tea or coffee. They are apt to set the brain working and l object to work even in its most disguised forms. A simple glass of hot scotch-say half pint CT so-serves to tide over the period be- tween getting up and breakfast time. Many literary men work before breakfast, but this consider very dangerous habit. try to avoid it, and so far have been reasonably successful. rest until break fast time. This gives person a zest for the morning meal.
 For breakfast the simplest food is the best. begin with oyster stew, then some cold chicken, next few small lamb chops and mashed potatoes, after that a goodsized beefsteak and fried potatoes, then rasher of bacon with fried eggs (3), followed by white6sh or two, the meal being completed with some light, whole some pastry-mince pie for preference. Care should be taken to avoid tea or cof- fee, and think word of warning ought to go forth against milk. The devasta- tion that milk has wrought among liter ary men is fearful to contemplate. They begin, thinking that if they find it is hurt ing them, they can break of, but too often before they awaken to their danger the habit has mastered them. l avoid anything at breakfast except a large tumbler of brandy with little soda water added to give it warmth and strength. No subject is of more importance to the literary aspirant than the dividing of the hours of work. l divide the hours just as minutely as can and then take as few of the particles as possible. owe much of my success in life to the fact that l never allow work to interfere with the sacred time between breakfast and din- ner. That is devoted to rest and thought. Much comfort can be realized during these hours by thinking what stir you would make in the literary world if you could hire man like Hewells for $s a week to do your work for you. Such help l find il very difficult to obtain, and yet some people hold that the labor market is overcrowded. The great task of the fore noon should be preparation for the mid day meal. The thorough enjoyment of this meal has much to do with a mans success in this life.
 Of course l do not insist that person should live like a hermit. Because he breakfasts frugally that IS no reason why he should not dine sumptuously. Some people dine at six and merely lunch at noon. Others have their principal meal in the middle of the day and have light supper. There is such merit in both these plans that have adopted both. 1 take big dinner and light lunch at noon and a heavy dinner and a simple supper in the evening. A person whose brain Is constantly worried about how he can shove of his work on somebody else, has to have substantial diet. The bill of fare tor dinner should include every thing that abounds in the market-that the literary man can get trusted for.
 Alter good rest, when dinner is over, it might perhaps be as we'll to put in an appearance in the office inwhich you are employed. This is delicate concession to the prejudices of your employer. l don't know that, strictly speaking, preju- dices should be humored, still, we must never forget that he is the man who pays the money for our time, and that there may be something to be said for the view he takes about the matter. This is world of conventionalities, and while we are forced to live in such world i, may be judicious to pander to notions that our own best convictions revolt from. IL AL