Since, therefore, it appears that a regular
life is so profitable and virtuous, it ought to be universally followed; and
more so, as it does not clash with duties of any kind, but is easy to all.
Neither is it necessary that all should eat as little as I do—twelve
ounces—or not to eat of many things from which I, because of the natural
weakness of my stomach, abstain. Those with whom all kinds of food agree, may
eat of such, only they are forbidden to eat a greater quantity, even of that
which agrees with them best, than their stomachs can with ease digest. The same
is to be understood of drink. The only rule for such to observe in eating and
drinking, is the quantity rather than the quality; but for those who, like
myself, are weak of constitution, these must not only be careful as to quantity,
but also to quality, partaking only of such things as are simple, and easy to
digest.
Let no one tell me that there are numbers, who,
though they live most irregularly, attain in health and spirits to a great age.
This argument is grounded on uncertainty and hazard, and such cases are rare.
Men should not, therefore, because of these exceptional cases, be persuaded to
irregularity or indulgence. Whoever, trusting to the strength of his
constitution, slights these observations, may expect to suffer by so doing, and
to live in constant danger of disease and death. I therefore affirm, that a man,
even of a bad constitution, who leads a strictly regular and sober life, is
surer of a long one, than he of the best constitution who lives carelessly and
irregularly. If men have a mind to live long and healthy, and die without
sickness of body or mind, but by mere dissolution, they must submit to a regular
and abstemious life, for such a life keeps the blood clean and pure. It suffers
no vapours to ascend from the stomach to the head; hence, the brain of him who
thus lives enjoys constant serenity; he can soar above the low and grovelling
concerns of this life to the exalted and beautiful contemplation of heavenly
things to his exceeding comfort and satisfaction. He then truly discerns the
brutality of those excesses into which men fall, and which bring them misery
here and hereafter; while he may with comfort look forward to a long life,
conscious that, through the mercy of God, he has relinquished the paths of vice
and intemperance, never again to enter them; and, through the merits of our
Saviour Jesus Christ, to die in His favour. He therefore does not suffer himself
to be cast down with the thoughts of death, knowing that it will not attack him
violently, or by surprise, or with sharp pains and feverish sensations, but will
come upon him with ease and gentleness; like a lamp, the oil of which is
exhausted, he will pass gently, and without any sickness, from this terrestrial
and mortal, to a celestial and eternal life.
Some sensual unthinking persons affirm, that a
long life is no great blessing, and that the state of a man, who has passed his
seventy-fifth year, cannot really be called life; but this is wrong, as I shall
fully prove; and it is my sincere wish, that all men would endeavour to attain
my age, that they might enjoy that period of life, which of all others is most
desirable.
I will therefore give an account of my
recreations, and the relish which I find at this stage of life. There are many
who can give testimony as to the happiness of my life. In the first place, they
see with astonishment the good state of my health and spirits; how I mount my
horse without assistance, how I not only ascend a flight of stairs, but can
climb a hill with greatest ease. Then, how gay and good-humoured I am; my mind
ever undisturbed, in fact, joy and peace having fixed their abode in my breast.
Moreover, they know in what manner I spend my time, so as never to find life
weary: I pass my hours in great delight and pleasure, in converse with men of
good sense and intellectual culture; then, when I cannot enjoy their company, I
betake myself to the reading
of some good book. When I have read as much as I like, I write; endeavouring in
this, as in other things to be of service to others; and these things I do with
the greatest ease to myself, living in a pleasant house in the most beautiful
quarter of this noble city of Padua. Besides this house, I have my gardens,
supplied with pleasant streams in which I always find something to do which
amuses me. Nor are my recreations rendered less agreeable by the failing of any
of my senses, for they are all, thank God, perfect, particularly my palate,
which now relishes better the simple fare I have, than it formerly did the most
delicate dishes, when I led an irregular life. Nor does the change of beds give
me any uneasiness: I can sleep everywhere soundly and quietly, and my dreams are
pleasant and delightful. It is likewise with the greatest pleasure I behold the
success of an undertaking so important to this state; I mean that of draining
and improving so many uncultivated pieces of ground, an undertaking begun within
my memory, but which I thought I should never see completed; nevertheless I
have, and was even in person assisting in the work for two months together, in
those marshy places during the heats in summer, without ever finding myself
worse for the fatigues or inconveniences I suffered; of so much efficacy is that
orderly life, which I everywhere constantly lead.
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