duration. To this may be added, the habit of living, which, doubtless, in the latter period of one's days, contributes to the support of life.*

Hence, it is our opinion, confirmed by that of many accurate observers of nature, that if old age be properly treated and supported, it can be employed in some measure, as a mean of prolonging life; but as this requires deviation from the general laws, we shall here lay down the proper rules to be observed.

The principal parts in this treatment are, that one must always endeavour to lessen and soften the increasing dryness and rigidity of the muscular fibres and vessels, which at length arrest the whole machine; that nourishment, and restoration of what has been lost, must be facilitated as much as possible; that stronger irritation must be communicated to the body, because the natural irritability is so much weakened, that excretion of the corrupted particles must be promoted, which in old age is so imperfect, and which therefore, produces an impurity of the juices, that accelerate death. On these considerations are founded the following rules :

I. As the natural heat of the body decreases in old age, one must endeavour to support and increase it externally as much as possible. Warm clothing, warm apartments and beds, heating nourishment, and

It is observed that the consequence of diminished irritability, is the reason why old people are less frequently attacked with infectious diseases than the young..

when it can be done, to remove to a warmer climate, are all means, therefore, to contribute much towards the prolongation of life.

II. The food of aged people should be such as is of easy digestion, and rather fluid than solid; abundant in concentrated nourishment; and, at the same time, much more stimulating than would be advisable at the earliest period. Warm, strong, and well-seasoned soups are, therefore, beneficial to old age; and also tender roast meat, nutritive vegetables, good nourishing beer, and above all, oily generous wine, free from acid, earthy, and watery particles, such as Tokay, Rhenish, Cyprus, and Cape wines; these, and such like wines, are the best stimulants adapted for old age.

III. The tepid bath. This is exceedingly well calculated to increase the natural heat, prove all the secretions, and diminish the stiffness of the whole frame.

IV. Guard against all violent evacuations, such as bleeding, strong purging, exciting perspiration, indulging in amorous passions. Some mechanical order at this period of life, may greatly contribute to prolong it. Eating, drinking, motion, rest, evacuations, employments, ought all at this time to have their determined periods and successions. Of exercise we have already spoken; and, as regards the passions of the mind, to which we have also previously alluded, serenity and contentment are the primary objects of an old man's consideration; and all around them ought to do their utmost to promote it; and this is best effected by an intercourse with children and young people.

SECTION XXXIII.

REFLECTIONS, &c. ON THE LAST SCENE, 66 WHICH

ENDS THIS STRANGE EVENTFUL HISTORY"

AGE AND DEATH.

OLD

The soul's dark cottage, batter'd and decay'd,
Lets in new lights through chinks that time has made.
Stronger by weakness, wiser men become,

As they draw near to their eternal home;

Leaving the old, both worlds at once they view,

And stand upon the threshold of the new.

WALLER.

"MAN that is born of a woman, hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up and is cut down like a flower; he fleeth, as it were, a shadow, and never continueth in one stay."

Every thing changeth in nature-every thing alters -every thing perishes; the body of man is no sooner arrived at perfection, than it begins to decay. This decay is at first imperceptible; even several years pass away before we perceive any considerable change; yet we ought to feel the weight of our years better than others can reckon their number; and as they are not

mistaken in our age by judging of it from external changes, we should be still less mistaken ourselves in regard to the internal effect that produces them, if we observed ourselves better, and flattered ourselves less.

GROWTH OF THE BODY, &c. AND DECAY.

WHEN the body has acquired its full extent in height and breadth, by the entire expansion of all its parts, it increases in thickness; the beginning of this increase is the first point of its decay, for this extension is not a continuation of the internal increase of each part, whereby the body receives a greater extent in all it organic parts, and consequently more strength and activity, but it is merely an addition of superabundant matter that swells the bulk of the body, and loads it with an useless weight. This matter is fat, that usually takes place about the age of thirty-five and forty, and, according as it increases, the body is less light and free in its motions; its faculties for generation diminish, its limbs become heavy, and all the extent it acquires is at the expense of strength and activity. Moreover, the bones and other solid parts of the body, having received their whole extension in length and thickness, continue increasing in solidity; the nutritious juices which arrive there, and which were before employed in increasing the bulk by expansion, serve only to the augmentation of the mass, by fixing in the interior of those parts; the membranes become cartilaginous, the cartilages bony, the bones more solid, all the fibres harder, the skin dries up, wrinkles are gradually