Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1892-12-30

last illness being also her first.
And this is no solitary instance. 1t
was in those days the rule rather than
the exception
And why?
Simply because our ancestors had
none of the luxuries which now beset
us on every hand. Their dwellings free
ly admitted heavens pure air. There
were no tight, gas-oppressed rooms
to breed poisonous vapors of death and
destruction. Spices and condiments
were unknown. Sauces for the Ape
tite were among the things undreamed
of. What did stomach which could
take three square meals" day want
of anything to stimulate 1t to greater
exertion?
Fashion was not thought of. High
heeled, narrow-soled shoes had not
been discovered. Bustles, pads and
other feminine folderols were not
known.
Corsets and cosmetics were not sold
in those regions. If one had inquired
for them, the nearest approach which
could have been made to supplying his
wants would have been made in the
shape of Goldfish and onions. Five or
six yards of cloth would make a dress.
1t did not require thirty, as it now does,
and there were no elastic carriers and
bands to stop circulation, and no lead
hair-dyes to induce brain disease. If q
mans hair turned gray, he wore it SO,
and thanked heaven for permitting him
to live until he was gray-headed.
Confectionery, and pickles, and pre-
serves did not find their way into these
healthy homes. The quack medicine
men were not born. Doctors lived
SO far away that patient would die or
get well before they could be got to see
him.
People did not sit up all night and
lie abed all day. There was no anxiety
felt about the rise or fall of stocks.
bulls" and "bears" did not exist, ex-
cept those which roamed the forests in
their own coats of hair.
There were no CORNERS" anywhere
unless it might be the pleasant fire.
side corners, where one could sit and
see the twinkle of the stars out of the
top of the broad-throated chimney.
Men and women dressed as comfort
demanded. They feared God in the
good old-fashioned way, and were pro-
foundly ignorant Of the perplexing isms
of to-day.
They ate meat, vegetables and corn
bread, and rye hammock; and pancakes
were a luxury.
When they travelled they rode horse
back or walked; and carriages were not
needed nor thought of.
Wei, says somebody, what would you
ha-s, us do?
Shall we seek out "lodge in some
vast wilderness" and live on roots and
herbs, and eschew civilization and its
delights, in the hope of getting our
livers in order?
By no means. The time for that is
| past We cannot go back to the era OF
our grandfathers. But we can take
a lesson from it.
We can eat plain food. We can avoid
stimulants, shun Intoxicating liquors
| and poisonous cosmetics. We can
dress loosely and comfortably, and yet
be in style; we can keep clean, and be
| temperate in all things; we can go to
bed at reasonable hours and give the
brain rest whenever it is demanded.
No matter if we 90 not leave for.
| tune behind US; it will be just as well
for our probably great deal
better. 1t is not SO much what we can
| do for ourselves as for those who are
to come after US, in this work of health
reformation. Let US make the next
generation hardy men and womenl
Let US keep ourselves pure and clear
in flesh and spirit, tn at nothing unclear
may descend to our children, and lei
us bring up these children to have
healthy bodies rather than overloaded
brains. Education is good-college
education is to be desired; but sound
constitution is worth more to a maj
than a diploma from every university
of learning under the sun.
Give the little ones air, exercise
sunshine, freedom from the restrain
of fashion-give them the presence o
home cheerfulness and home love, ant
Heaven will give them the rest.-Kat'
Thorne, in N. Y. Weekly.