JOG LETTERS TO BROTHER JOHN. 



as well as the first which is called into action in the 

 process of nutrition, is kept in a state of almost 

 perpetual excitement and unnatural activity. How 

 can it be conceived to be possible that the other 

 wheels of the machine can go aright, when this, the 

 very first wheel which is put in motion, and on 

 which the motions of all the others depend, goes 

 wrong ? 



Let this, then, be engraven an inch deep on the 

 tablet of your memory that you cannot injure ONE 

 of the organs of nutrition without injury to the 

 whole. 



I now come to the last law of sensibility which I 

 shall mention; and it is, where all are important 

 the most important. Therefore, my dear John, 

 draw your chair, put your feet upon the fender, 

 snuff the candles, adjust your spectacles, and read 

 with attention : for I deny that any man can read 

 attentively who has not first fixed himself in a 

 comfortable position. 



This is the law ; viz. that SENSIBILITY is always 

 in an inverse ratio of CONTRACTILITY. When CON- 

 TRACTILITY is vigorous, SENSIBILITY is low; and 

 when CONTRACTILITY is feeble, SENSIBILITY is always 

 acute ; and as vigorous CONTRACTILITY is synony- 

 mous with health and strength, the greater or less 



