It was touching, after the simple prayer had been pronounced, to see the old man as his thin and snowy locks swayed gently in the evening breeze, quietly measure with his staff the distance between the newly-made grave and the next one, whose verdure alone-for it was marked by no stone-told that it long since received its occupant..

PAGE 68

NATURE OF CONSUMPTION.

EXERCISE IS LIFE-INDOLENCE IS DEATH.

FROM what point shall we start in this attempt to convey the idea of Consumption, where all is darkness to the general reader? How shall we attempt to enlighten him? Almost every one is quite satisfied, that pulmonary or lung consumption is the result of a common catarrh or cold; and that to neglect that affection when of an obstinate character, is to run the imminent hazard of consumption; and yet, that is very rarely, though sometimes, its exciting cause,— we had almost said, never its originating one.

Reader, we will assure you, even at the hazard of incurring your displeasure for seeming rudeness, that your own views of these matters, unless derived from patient thought, and the most comprehensive and philosophical observation of the other living animals that surround you, are worse than useless; they originate in self-esteem and pride of opinion, and prevent your acquiring that knowledge that can prolong your existence, by attending to the demands of nature.

Your natural and unperverted instincts are constantly endeavoring to convince you of the nature of your affliction, and the only means of combating it. Conceit and physic, from the hands of some ignorant doctor, or designing empiric, will destroy you-air, warmth, nutritious food, water, and exercise, may save you.

Suppose we succeed in showing you that there is a