300 LETTERS TO BROTHER JOHN. 



We have just seen that the present condition 

 of man is not consistent with his moral nature, 

 inasmuch as it is not conducive to his happiness. 

 Let us now inquire, whether it he in consonance 

 with his physical nature : that is, whether a high 

 degree of civilization and refinement he conducive 

 to his physical health and strength. 



If you survey the several grades of society, you 

 will find that the class of men who enjoy the high- 

 est degree of health and strength is precisely that 

 which is the farthest removed from a high degree 

 of refinement ; it is that which approaches the most 

 nearly, in its habits and condition, to primeval 

 simplicity : I mean, the tillers of the soil the agri- 

 cultural labourers. This alone is surely a strong 

 argument that the habits of refined society are not 

 friendly to health and strength ? 



Again : as a proof that a high degree of civi- 

 lization is hostile to health, are not our nume- 

 rous and crowded Hospitals, our multitudes of 

 thronged Dispensaries, and our countless multi- 

 tudes of medicine venders and medical practitio- 

 ners, quite sufficient ? 



Man, in a state of primeval simplicity, inhabiting 

 the temperate latitudes, living almost entirely in 

 the open air, supporting life by the simplest fare, 



