LETTER TO A PATIENT 411 



have thought it the most agreeable way of spending half an 

 hour before I go to bed. Not that my conduct is always such 

 that it merits my own approbation ; far from it, but [rather] 

 the pleasing hope of its being a likely method of growing 

 wiser and better, and of drawing down the favourable regard 

 of an infinitely good and benevolent Protector by a silent 

 appeal to his awful majesty. Thus committing ourselves to 

 his care, we become tranquil and serene ; our repose is un- 

 disturbed, the blood flows with ease, the motion of the spirits 

 is calm and regular, we awake refreshed, without feverish 

 heats, headaches, thirst, or any of those other consequences 

 of interrupted rest and restrained perspiration. 



Exercise we have frequently had occasion to mention, and 

 I dare not enter upon it here, because I should not be able 

 to say enough, or must say too little. In general that exercise 

 is the most healthful in which the mind takes most part. 

 Travelling is of this sort, and that I have often or more than 

 once recommended. 



But I must not omit to make some observations upon dress. 

 I own that with a less impartial person than thyself whatever 

 I might say on this subject would be little regarded, as I 

 discover in my own [attire] what many will naturally look 

 upon as either prejudice or want of taste. But I will endeavour 

 to convince thee that what I shall say upon this head arises 

 less from my particular sentiments about some parts of the 

 dress of your sex than from a just enquiry and consideration 

 of it. 



I am mistaken if the first part which I would mention is not 

 already sufficiently attended to, yet a caution can do no 

 prejudice. I mean an absolute freedom and ease in that part 

 . of your sex's dress which is frequently the most nicely contrived 

 for injuring the health ; not the hoop but the stays. Whilst 

 they support the body with ease, and without closely confining 

 any particular part, they are useful. But if they press upon 

 the stomach, straiten the breast, or imprison the waist, they 

 are the most certainly pernicious of anything that the art of 

 man could have invented in the nature of dress. Nay, it 

 must have been a contrivance of some of your sex ; ours love 

 you too well to have been originally guilty of so much cruelty. 

 In short, if the stays are not perfectly easy, they must, they 

 will be injurious, and I intreat thee, by all the regard thou 

 owes to a most affectionate father, to be just to thyself and 

 to him in this respect. I readily acknowledge that I have no 

 reason in particular for saying this, but I mention it as a 

 caution in general. 



