cxxxiv 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 



I have little or nothing more to add by way 

 of memoir, except that the severe attacks of 

 dysentery, and the former indispositions caused 

 by remaining in unwholesome climates, and by 

 exposure to the weather, seem to have made 

 no inroad into my constitution ; for, although 

 life's index points at sixty-two, I am a stranger 

 to all sexagenarian disabilities, and can mount 

 to the top of a tree with my wonted steadiness 

 and pleasure. As I am confident that I owe 

 this vigorous state of frame to a total abstinence 

 from all strong liquors, I would fain say a 

 parting word or two to my young reader on 

 this important subject. 



If he is determined to walk through life's 

 chequered path with ease to himself, and with 

 satisfaction to those who take an interest in his 

 welfare, he will have every chance in his favour, 

 provided he makes a firm resolution never once 

 to run the risk of losing his reason through an 

 act of intemperance : for the preservation of 

 his reason will always insure to him the ful- 

 filment of his resolution, and his resolution 

 will seldom fail to crown his efforts with suc- 

 cess. The position of an irrational ass, crop- 

 ping thistles on the village common, is infinitely 



