244 An EJfciy on Longevity, 



In regard to exercife, it cannot be too much recommended; 

 and as, from various circumftances, perfons in large' towns, 

 and engaged in various fedentarv occupations, cannot take all 

 that exercife abroad that may be neceflary for their health, 

 they ought as much as poffible to accultom themfelves to be 

 walking about even in their own houfe, inftead of fitting fo 

 much as is ufually the cafe. This rule is peculiarly neceflary 

 to be attended to by literary men ; and though fuch a practice 

 does not make up for the want of exerciie abroad, yet it cer- 

 tainly is the bell fubfiitute for it. 



But the principal object of any extenfive paper on this fub- 

 jecl fliould be, to point out thole habits, or minute particu- 

 lars, which contribute to good health and old age. We fre- 

 quently fee perfons living luxurioufly, and keeping even irre- 

 gular hours, without being much troubled with difeafe. It is 

 not improbable, were the truth known, that this is owing to 

 trifling attentions, the refult of obfervation and experience, 

 which prove of infinite fervicc to them, and which might be 

 of equal advantage to others, were they collected by fome 

 public-fpirited individual, and univerfally diffeminated. 



I believe there is no habit that contributes more to good 

 health and good fpirits,orrendersaman fitter forgoing through 

 a great deal of bufinefs, than that of taking a fufflcient quan- 

 tity of ileep, from fix to eight, and even nine hours, if nature 

 requires it. I underftand that the late lord Mansfield fre- 

 quently inculcated the advantages to be derived from a rigid 

 adherence to fuch a fyftem; and it is well known the quantity 

 of bufinefs he went through, and the good health and good 

 fpirits he enjoyed for a great number of years. To continue 

 long in bed without deeping, is weakening and injurious; but 

 a perfon may take all the repofe that nature requires, and will 

 have time fufflcient, during the remainder of the day, to go 

 through all the neceflary bufinefs, and to enjoy all the real 

 pleafures of life. 



It is generally fuppofed, that early rifing is alfo effential to 

 good health *. Without being an advocate for what are called 

 tafinonable hours, which are carried to fo prepoflerous an ex- 

 cefs, converting night into day, and day into night, fome doubts 

 may be exprefied regarding the propriety of carrying the op- 

 posite fyftem to too great a height. In antient times, when 

 people depended alrnoft entirely on the fun for light, they 

 were under the necefflty of rifing with that luminary, and of 

 going to bed when it difappeared. Hence a prejudice arofe 



* The old maxim was, 



Early go to bed, and early rife, 

 Makes a man healthy, wealthy, wife. 



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