The deadliest foe to man's longevity
is an nu natural and unreasonable ex
citement. Every man is born with a
certain stock of vitality, which cannot
be increased, but which may be ex
pended or husbanded rapidly, as be
deems best. Within certain limits he
has his choice, to live fast or slow, to
live abstemiously or intensely, to draw
his little amount of life over a large
space, or condense it into a narrow one;
but when his stock is exhausted, he has
no more. He who lives abstemiously,
who avoids all stimulants, takes light
exercise, never overtasks himself, in
dulges no exhausting passion, feeds
his mind and heart on no exciting ma
terial, has no debilitating pleasure, lets
nothing ruffle his temper, keeps his
"accounts with God and man duly
squared up," is sure, barring accidents,
to spin ont his life to the longest limit
which it is possible to attain; while he
who intensely feeds on high-seasoned
food, whether material or mental, fa
tigues his botly or brain by hard labor.
exposes himself to inflammatory dis
ease, seeks continual excitement, gives
loose rein to his passion, frets at every
trouble, and enjoys little response, is
burning the candle at both ends, and is
sure to shorten his days.
Niaall Mean.
