LETTER VII.

HEALTH.

THE TOILET, AS CONNECTED WITH HEALTH.

The True Basis of Health--Temperance an inclusive Term --Foundation of the Eminence of J. Q. Adams--His Life a Model for the Young--His early Habits--Vigorous Old Age-- Example of Franklin in regard to Temperance--Illustrations afforded by our National History--The Bath--Varying Opinions and Constitutions--Imprudent use of the Bath--Bishop Heber-- General Directions--The Art of Swimming--Sponging-- Deficiencies of the Toilet in England--Collateral Benefits arising from habitual Sponge-bathing--The Hair--All Fantastic Dressing of the Hair in bad taste--Use of Pomades--Vulgarity of using Strong Perfumes--The Teeth--Use of Tobacco--Smoke Dispellers--The Nails--The Feet--A complete Wardrobe essential to Health--Early Rising--Its manifold Advantages--Example of Washington, Franklin, etc., in this respect--Daniel Webster's Eulogy upon Morning--Retiring early--Truth of a Medical Dogma --Opposition of Fashion and Health--Early Hours essential to the Student--Importance of the early Acquisition of Correct Habits in this Regard--Illustration--A combination of Right Habits essential to Health--Exercise--Walking--Pure Air--The Lungs of a City--Superiority of Morning Air--An Erect Carriage of the Body in Walking--Periodical Exercise--Necessary Caution --The Unwise Student--A Warning--A Knowledge of Dietetics and Physiology requisite to the Preservation of Health--Suitable Works on these Subjects--Riding and Driving the Accomplishments of a Gentleman--A Horse a desirable Possession--Testimony of Dr. Johnson--The Pride of Skill--Needful Caution--Judicious Selection of _Locale_ for these Modes of Exercise--Dr. Beatie's Tribute to Nature--Importance of Temperance in Eating and Drinking, as regards Health--The Cultivation of Simple Tastes in Eating--Proper Preparation of Food Important to Health-- Re-action of the Human Constitution--Effect of Bodily Health upon the Mind--The pernicious Use of Condiments, etc., etc. --YOUNG AMBITION'S LADDER.--Hours for Meals--Dining Late-- Injurious Effects of Prolonged Abstinence--The Stimulus of Distension--Repletion--Necessity of deliberate and thorough Mastication--Judicious Use of Time in Eating--The Use of Wine, Tobacco, etc.--The truly Free!--Dr. Johnson's Opinion--Novel Argument against the Habits of Smoking and Drinking--Advice of Sir Walter Raleigh to the Young--Then and Now--Council of a "Looker-on" in this Utilitarian Age--Erroneous Impressions --Authority of a celebrated Writer--Social Duties--The unbent Bow--Rational Enjoyment the wisest Obedience to the Natural Laws--A determined Pursuit in Life essential to Happiness and Health--Too entire Devotion to a Single Object of Pursuit, unwise--Arcadian Dreams--Attainable Realities--Truisms--Decay of the Social and Domestic Virtues--Human Sacrifices-- Relaxations and Amusements requisite to Health--Superiority of Amusements in the Open Air for Students and Sedentary Persons generally--Benefits of Cheerful Companionship-- Objection to Games, etc., that require Mental Exertion-- Converse Rule--Fashionable Watering-places ill adapted to Health--Avocations of the Farmer, Tastes as a Naturalist, Travel, Sporting, etc., recommended--Depraved Public Taste --Slavery to Fashion--Habits of Europeans, in this respect, superior to our own--Modern Degeneracy--Folly thralled by Pride, 203

ILLUSTRATIVE SKETCHES AND ANECDOTES.

TO GIVE ETERNITY TO TIME.--The Senate-Chamber and the Dying Statesman--The Moral Sublime, 225

JONATHAN'S SINS AND A FOREIGNER'S PECCADILLO.--Celebrities --Dinner-table Sallies--Grave Charges--Yankee Rejection of Cold Meats--Self-Preservation the First Law of Nature!-- A Mystery Solved--National Impartiality--Anecdote--Storming a Fort--Successful Defence, by a Lady, of herself!--A Stratagem--The Daughter of a Gun--An Explanation--The Tortures of Outraged Modesty, 226

Dr. Abernethy and his Yankee Patient, 232

COSMOPOLITAN CHIT-CHAT.--A Heterogeneous Party--The Golden Horn--Contemplations in a Turkish Caique--A Discussion-- "Christian Dogs" and the Dogs of Constantinople--An unpleasant Discovery--A Magical Touch--The Song of the Caidjis--A National Example, 232

THE IMPERTURBABLE GUEST.--A Dinner-Table Scene, 238

The Youth and the Philosopher: Lines by Whitehead, 239