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THE laws of life are as real and as true as God himself, and, if fully comprehended, will regulate our actions and lead to happiness. It is an acknowledged fact in the material world that without suitable causes and conditions a corresponding effect cannot be produced; hence, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." It is quite as much so in the case of abstinence, health, and happiness. If the rules required by the laws of health be violated, a healthy state cannot be enjoyed; certainly not so long or so perfectly when only part of the conditions are carried out as would be the case if the whole of the laws were obeyed. If we neglect ventilation and exercise, if we wear too much or too little clothing, or are careless as to ablutions, or if our beverages are not of a simple nature, an equal satisfactory health cannot be enjoyed. It is of the utmost importance then that our valuable moments should be carefully supplied with every appropriate condition for our highest good.

God in nature has provided the night for sleep and retirement to reinvigorate our more or less worn out nerve, or other subservient forces of power, and the day for life's activities, We observe the same punctuality in the laws of the universe, the sun, moon, and stars performing their systematic work with regularity and obedience, giving us heat, light, and darkness for the various developments of the privileges of natural exercises. Proportionally as we obey divine laws as identical with nature's laws will our happiness, spiritual or physical, be. Upon these general principles it is probable we may be all agreed, and in judgment and experience acknowledge their truth. But in daily practice how far we fall short of their fulfilment? Let us ask ourselves, what are our accepted laws of life? One writer puts them down in one word, "punctuality." How often is it the case that our ease, our comfort or convenience, make a breach, and tyrannise over our best principles. We propose to do things, and almost as regularly omit to do

PRICE ONE PENNY. POST, lid.

them. Hence, life is somewhat deranged, vexation caused, temper grieved, peace broken, the mind disturbed. Without punctuality, all kinds of disorder take place. Every time our duty and practice are confirmed, we have a satisfaction which is cheering, and which elevates the mind. But, on the contrary, every time important duties are neglected, and have not been practically carried out in their due time, there is a depression of the spirits. This is very important in the economy and true issues of life.

How refreshing to think of God's order of the night, when the curtain of darkness is drawn around us, when busy nature is hushed into calm peace and stillness, and when the birds and busy tribes of earth and air are in retirement. Morning comes, the light gently dawns, the sun gradually rises in its brightness, the stars imperceptibly pass away, the birds instinctively recommence their cheerful songs of thanksgiving, and begin their daily activities-all pointing or suggesting to man that his hour is also come for action, for his varied duties and thanksgiving, his turn to raise the voice of praise and true worship, acknowledging the goodness of God. All is being wrought out in perfect order and punctuality. The Creator has again withdrawn the darkness, the light is once more restored, and all is now ready for resuming the daily vocations.

If God is so regular and harmonious in his workings, how ought human life to be? It ought to be to follow such laws and prescriptions-principles which accord with nature, and which are true and noble. At the best, the physical powers granted to man, like all animal or vegetable life, are only for a time. After a short period his strength fails him, even in the case of the strongest and the most healthy. When we consider that more lives are lost between one and five years than between five and seventy, we may know how brief is the duration.

Then again, the amount of life differs very much with differing constitutions. We meet with sunny beings possessing the gift of unfailing strength, to whom the allotted journey, with its manifold duties, is uninterrupted pleasure. Let these be thankful, and help the weak. But with the greater number, who are neither ill nor well, vitality has to be carefully husbanded, and if possible increased; and this can be done with the most certainty by a judicious use of Hydropathy under skilful superintendence, and an avoidance of drugs and all quack medicines.

In whatever health, all are doubtless in duty bound to take care of that which God has given to them. We have known cases of people falling into a weak state when young, and who yet, by careful living, with the help of Hydropathy or some such judicious treatment, have succeeded in securing the recovery of health. Some of these have been ill for fifteen or twenty years with functional disease, and yet they have been so

drilled in the laws of health that they have lived on to a good old age, and to see the more robust suddenly cut off or changed from a healthy state to that of a confirmed bodily disease.

Of the vital principle, the real essence, we know but little. Like the gardener tending the beautiful flowers, he knows what will keep them healthy, and what will kill them, but very little indeed can he comprehend of their origin or power of life. In man the vital principle is most perfect, far exceeding any mere animal or vegetable life. The vital principle is not, as some people think, secreted in the nature and quality of the food we eat; yet, to a certain extent, the body is held together by the quantity and quality of food, for without it life would soon. become extinct. Still we should never believe that if we gave food to an inanimate body vitality would immediately spring into existence. It must come into contact with the living organism, and that vital organism must do the work of separating, dissolving, decomposing, distributing, or casting off. The soul is not animal vitality, for we have vitality in plant life without the supposed existence of soul and the power to think. The soul has a vitality, nevertheless, which is divine if wrought or born of God the Spirit. It was and is thought by the majority of medical men that the vital principle emanates from the heart; yet some of them differ very much upon this point. Accepting the neuro-pathology of life and of disease, we should believe that the brain is the base and centre of living force. Through it and the nerves the life fluid is passed, and thence to all other organs, giving action to promote and keep up the circulation of the blood in all the parts. Every part of the organisation must of necessity be subject to the vital principle, or else disease or death will ensue. The hydropathist accepts the fact, and his aim is to tone by raising the nerve powers.

Attention to clothing is of great importance in our changeable climate. We ought to be comfortably warm (yet not overclad), irrespective of fashion, without any sense of oppression. The feet, especially, require to be well shod. It is sometimes troublesome to resume a garment cast aside in consequence of yesterday's sunshine, but obedience to this law will well repay

us.

While on this head a word may be said against the folly of tight-lacing, as by this absurd whim the free play of the heart and lungs is impeded.

In the matter of diet all but the very strongest should select simple articles of food, easily digested and assimilated, always avoiding everything known to disagree; and not only must attention be paid to the quality but also to the quantity of food which we take. A little, eaten slowly and well masticated, will yield more nourishment than a large amount hastily swallowed; and it is a mistaken idea that we must eat very much more on a colder day, or when much fatigued, for, in reality, it is when the temperature is lower, and our vital forces run down that we require to eat sparingly. For further information on this important matter see our dietary in No. 3, for November last. Daily exercise, short of fatigue, in the open air is desirable, to promote the circulation of the blood. When too weak for this, a good hard rubbing will sometimes answer the purpose. To a person in health exercise and activity are as natural as play to a child, and it is a joy to be working, always bearing in mind that brain-work is more exhausting than manual toil,

requiring agreeable change and recreation for the recuperation of physical force.

Pure air must not be neglected, as it is an important factor in the maintenance of health. The simplest mode of obtaining a good supply of this in our homes is to open the windows, top and bottom, in the bedrooms all the day, and in the sittingrooms whenever practicable. If the rooms be small, a ventilator -of the many varieties of which that in the form of an elbow is, perhaps, the simplest-will promote a wholesome current of air. Our dwellings should be on a healthy site, and due regard paid to drainage. By following the rules laid down in this slight sketch of the science of life and health we may venture to promise our thoughtful readers a larger amount of that enviable possession-vitality-than they have hitherto enjoyed.

BRIDGE OF ALLAN HYDROPATHIC.

THE annual meeting of the Bridge of Allan Hydropathic Establishment took place on Friday evening, February 15th. About 130 visitors attended, and were entertained by the Directors to supper, purveyed with great taste. Mr. John Robertson, who presided, said: "Ladies and Gentlemen,-I rise to express very shortly, on behalf of my co-directors and myself, the great pleasure it affords us to see so many familiar faces, as well as so many new ones, on this occasion, being the fifth anniversary of the opening of the concert and billiard room wing of this establishment, in which we have already to-night been enjoying ourselves so well. (Applause.) It is very gratifying to see that notwithstanding the great number of hydropathic establishments which have sprung into existence of late years, that Ochil Park, which has now been before the public for a goodly number of years, and been the scene of much enjoyment to the young and healthy, and of benefit to the infirm in quest of health and rest, is not forgotten amongst its many competitors. (Applause.) Your presence here to-night in such numbers is an evidence that the efforts of the directors and the officials of this establishment are appreciated by you, and encourage us to continue the line of policy we have hitherto acted upon, viz, to do the best we can at all times for our visitors, and merit a continuance of their support. Those of you who have known the establishment in its early days cannot fail to contrast, not only its increased extent, but also the increased elegance and comfortable accommodation now provided for the benefit of those who patronise it, and I have to say that it is our desire to make it still more comfortable and attractive, in so far as we can afford to do so consistent with the interests of our shareholders, and more than this I am certain the public do not expect. As a proof of this, I may be allowed to refer to the latest addition, completed so recently-I mean the beautiful suite of baths, which for completeness, efficiency, and comfort (although less extensive than some) will be found equal to any in the country. (Applause.) Doubtless we have been stimulated to a certain extent by the great exertions (regardless of expense) of our rivals, and they are now neither few nor small; but we are resolved that this establishment shall not be deficient in the means of enjoyment and comfort to those who come for such, and of affording a resting-place and the means of recruiting the health of those who require to leave home for that purpose.

Bridge of Allan has long been distinguished as a place of pleasant residence and of resort for those in quest of health. Of the mildness of its climate, and the attractions of the neighbourhood for grand and beautiful scenery, I do not require to tell you, besides the historical associations of many places very near to our door, the very name of which excite in Scottish hearts sentiments of gratitude, admiration, and pride towards our noble and heroic forefathers, who hundreds of years ago secured, by their prowess and their noble deeds of daring and suffering, our liberties and privileges as a nation. What Scotch heart can fail to swell at the mention of the field of Bannock

burn and the echo of 'Scots, wha ha'e,' &c.? However, that is now an old story, and fortunately we live in more peaceful times, and more especially is our present business happily of a more pleasurable kind. We are met to-night for enjoyment, and I hope that what yet remains of this evening will be spent in such a manner, in the company of each other, as will constrain us to look back upon it with the liveliest feelings of pleasure for many days to come; and I would add that I hope many of you will be able to repeat your visit here frequently during the year on which we have entered, and all be spared to join us at our next annual gathering." (Applause.) Dancing was afterwards resumed and kept up with great spirit till about three next morning, when the festival was concluded by all singing "Auld Lang Syne." This establishment is one of the oldest in the country, having been started as far back as 1865, and has certainly been a financial success. Good dividends have been paid from the first, but the directorate have not considered these as all in all, for they have made additions to the establishment as the number of guests increased, and now, with their recently-erected baths at a large expenditure, the Bridge of Allan Hydropathic can claim to be amongst the best equipped in the kingdom. The drawing, recreation, billiard, reading, and bedrooms are comfortable and handsomely furnished, and the table is liberal. The windows, from the front, command magnificent views, and at the back look out upon a precipitous wooded slope, while the well kept grounds afford abundant scope for exercise. The institution is busiest in spring and autumn, but being equidistant from Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dundee, it has its complement of guests all the year round. One requires only a few hours to know that Mr. Mackay, the house superintendent, is the right man in the right place, and that Miss Paton is the beau idéal of a lady superintendent, and that Dr. Hunter has a very special knowledge of the branch of the profession to which he has successfully devoted himself.—North British Mail.

SOUTHPORT HYDROPATHIC HOSPITAL.

THE plans for the extension of this hospital have been submitted and generally approved. The hospital will derive great advantage from the extension. This institution having been in existence over thirty years, has accomplished numerous cures. After the completion of these improvements, it is hoped greater results may follow. The treasurer, Mr. Barrow, London Street, Southport, would be pleased to receive any help the friends may be disposed to give for these improvements, which go for the benefit of the poor and working classes.

MEDICAL TALK ON LONG LIFE.

A Lecture, delivered at the Young Men's Christian Association, Southport, Jan. 21. BY HENRY BLUMBERG, M.D. LEIPS., L.R.C.P. LOND., Physician to the Palace Hydropathic Establishment, Southport.

Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?" I SHALL have the pleasure, Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, to give you a few hints or general rules in order to enable you to live a long life; and I consider it most appropriate to address myself for that purpose to young men, as it is too late, as a rule, when we have attained to the middle part of existence, to lay those foundations of health which, like the well-spread root of a tree, ensures a long survivance.

But there are two questions at the outset which may be properly asked: First, "What is life?" and the second, "Is it of any use to live very long?" I shall endeavour to answer these sentences, but to show you how difficult it is to answer even obvious questions, I would like to call upon any one present to try to give me a true definition of life.

Well, you have failed, but you have failed in good company. Thousands of philosophers, physiologists, and physicians have endeavoured to define life, and have failed too.

Bichat

Hufeland, who wrote a celebrated "Handbook of the Art of Prolonging Life," says: "Life is a peculiar chemico-animal operation-a phenomenon effected by a concurrence of the united powers of nature with matter in a continual change." This definition is of the worst kind. It leaves the question exactly where it found it. It says "a peculiar operation," but it does not tell us in what the peculiarity consists. says: "Life is the continual endeavour of organised matter to resist death." This is certainly better, but it is somewhat negative. It simply means, Life is not Death. My definition, which is by no means perfect, is: Life is the harmonious working of the separate parts of an organic being for the purpose of preserving the whole. Death stops that working for a common good. There is still chemical life in the individual parts after death, but they are based mostly on binary combinations of the elements, not upon ternary or quaternary, as in life.

But this is only taking a narrow, a purely material view of life. Life is something more than all that. It is the greatest manifestation of the Spirit in the universe of God. The existence of a benevolent Creator has been proved, as you well know, in one of the Bridgewater Treatises, by the wonderful anatomy of the human hand; but I would go farther and saywherever there is a manifestation of life, whether it be in a minute vegetable cell or an infinitesimal microbe, there is a proof of a great Artisan who works with superhuman means. No probe, no scalpel, no chemical test, no microscope, can reach to the source of life or explain its sacred mystery.

Having been endowed with this mysterious gift, is it worth keeping beyond the usual space of time? There was a great debate some years ago upon the question, "Is life worth living?" The agnostics were divided upon that question. On the one hand some adduced the great prevalence of unhappiness, disease, want-of the continual struggle between man and man, of the work day by day, and, as a reward, a shroud! The others answered them by the great utilitarian shibboleth, namely "We work, we weep, we suffer, and we perish; but

every generation does something to improve the next, and though individually we shall be as nothing, the race-the glorious race of mankind-will improve and improve."

This argument sounds specious, but I, individually, would not give a fig for it. What all my endeavours to perfection; my body, my mind, and my soul; all my longings for the noble, all my strivings for virtue, shall be of no avail to me, but they will, forsooth, benefit some future Brown, Jones, or Robinson when I am long compounded with clay! Thank you, Mr. Agnostic, I don't play that game. I ask, with the Irishman, Why should I do all that for posterity? What has posterity

done for me?

No, my friends; the man who sows will himself reap. There is an eternity in life-in individual life. We shall exist, and our thoughts and our actions are imperishable parts of ourselves. We are building up slowly, and with many drawbacks, a habitation, not for some distant connections and far off indistinct generations, but for own inmost and holiest being. This longing for individual happiness and excellence—they may call it selfish if they like—is the reason that we can bear the thousand heartaches that flesh is heir to, the whips and scorns of time, the insolence of office, the pangs of despised love, and the spurns that patient merit of the unworthy takes. We are like the pearl fisher, who has often to dive into an inimical element; but some day he finds the pearl and carries it upwards for a lasting reward. Long life has certainly many and serious drawbacks. Our faculties leave us one by one; we can no longer walk, run, see, or hear as cleverly as before; our memory is chained, things of yesterday are forgotten and things of long ago are remembered; the friends of our youth are often no more, and we find difficulties in making friends in our old age; but with all these shades, life remains desirable as long as we are able to polish and brighten that great jewel in us which remains for ever. In confirmation, it is curious to note that we cling to life the tighter the older we get. This habit of being and doing, as Goethe calls life, seems to take stronger root in us with every revolving year, as we seem to be more loth to part with a garment the longer we have worn it. Life being a good gift, and long life being desirable, how can we attain this object?

I can give you a few general rules, as I said before, but you must not imagine that except you strictly adhere to these rules there is no possibility of long life. There are some constitutions which can do the most outrageous things with relative impunity. There have been men who have lived to an advanced old age, who have violated every rule of macrobiotics. And this leads me to my first hint, namely: Be very careful in the choice of your parents. Choose parents who are strong and well, who have not been married either too young or too old—say, the man from twenty-six to forty, the woman from twenty to thirtythree, who themselves have had long lived fathers and grandfathers, and your first chance of a long life will be good.

2. Be careful how you are fed, clothed, and bathed as infants. If your mother is well and does not choose to give you her milk, bring an action against her. Protest firmly if she puts you in too tight or too warm clothing, or if she stiuts you in the matter of baths and fresh air.

4. The same holds good when you come to that age which is the spring and golden time of life, namely, the age of our young men of the Christian Association. Plenty of physical exercise. Baths-the best is a daily morning cold sponge. Plenty of fresh air, particularly in your bedroom, where you spend the most part your existence. Moderation in food. Total abstinence from spirituous liquors. Early rising, and sleep of at least seven to eight hours. A cheerful disposition, pleasant but not frequent amusements, mental culture-will lay the sure foundation of long life in you.

of

5. As a means of long life I must not forget the love of Nature. Nearly all men who lived to a remarkable old age were fond of communing with Nature. Many of them did more, and were zealous disciples in the natural sciences, particularly botany, mineralogy, or zoology. Gardeners are generally very long lived.

6. I must draw your attention now to what you must avoid in order to prolong your life. I already mentioned alcoholic drink. It is well known that most insurance offices charge a

less premium to teetotalers. As shrewd men of business, they

know that the length of life of a teetotaler is to that of even a moderate drinker like nine to eight.

conscientiously say that it invariably shortens life, since very 7. As for tobacco, I am somewhat in a difficulty. I cannot long-lived men have been smokers all their lives. In some cases, the gentle stimulus of tobacco seems to have even added to their chance. As a rule, however, it is hurtful, particularly at the in which you are. age It irritates the coats of the stomach and impairs digestion, particularly when indulged immoderately. 8. Another difficulty I am in as regards advice in the smaller cases of illness which will attack us all at times. I should not like to put my foot into it, as they say, but I will say in general terms, avoid patent medicines like you would avoid the cholera, avoid many drugs. Most smaller complaints yield readily to rest, baths, and diet.

9. When the proper time comes, and, I must say, the proper person, marry. Married people live about 20 per cent longer than bachelors or spinsters; but like in the choice of your parents, be careful in the choice of your wives. Look particularly to three things: she must be healthy, she must have a good temper, and know something about cooking. These will add to your long life. Avoid all passions. Nothing is more injurious to the chance of long life, as to be like a playing ball, tossed alternately between hope and despair. Envy, jealousy, anger, and hatred are all sure means of shortening our days.

The next question which will come to your mind will be, Now supposing I do exactly as you say, how many years have I a chance to live? That depends greatly upon what your position and your profession may be. If you should become a king or an emperor your chance would be poor. Equally poor if you should become the Pope, as of 300 popes only eight attained to

By J. E. E. WILMOT, BARRISTER.

died in 1635.

But longest of all lived Henry Jenkins, a Yorkshireman, who attained the 169th year of his age. His last occupation was fishing. He was most temperate, and an early riser.

But even Henry Jenkins, the oldest among these old men, must have at last exclaimed, "My life was like a span." What is the longest life compared to eternity? A drop in the ocean!

SPECIAL HYDROPATHIC INSTRUCTIONS.

THE treatment which I have described, or a modification of it is continued daily, unless any symptom develops itself in the patient which renders an alteration necessary. The slightest change is immediately remarked by the superintendent, whose observation is no less acute than his attention is assiduous and

unremitting. Every morning, at half-past six, he comes round the apartments of the patients, and inquires how each has passed the night, and examines his countenance. Sometimes he looks at the tongue where the digestive organs are deranged; less frequently he feels the pulse; the eye is the chief guide of the skilful Hydropathist. At this time he instructs the attendant, who always accompanies him on these occasions, how long the patient is to remain in the sheet or blanket, according to the state in which he finds him; and he gives general directions, according to the nature of the case. The wet sheet, in which the patient usually lies for about an hour and a half, and to which is superadded the packing process of the blanket, used to find the least agreeable operation at Stansted: with some it was very popular, and they had it on alternate mornings. I had two blankets to one sheet, and was quite satisfied with the arrangement, not having so much caloric in me as my friends. The tumbling into it naked at five in the morning from a warm bed was certainly anything but pleasant: but even this penance is regarded by the patient, after a few trials, with comparative indifference. It is curious to observe how quickly the most nervous and sensitive persons become reconciled to the discipline. And let me here pay a particular and well-merited compliment to the fair sex, who not only submit to its inconveniences with more fortitude than the lords of the creation, but also await the result, which, in cases of long standing, must be a work of considerable time, with far greater

But to return to the wet sheet. It is in fevers, and all

2. A bath should not be taken within one hour before or two hours after a meal, unless suffering acutely.

3. The patient should secure full reaction after each bath by walking or saddle exercise. If unable to do this, on account of debility, he should go to bed, or recline upon a couch well covered with wrappers, until complete warmth of the surface is secured and sustained for half to one hour.

4. Patients should dress quickly, or cover up in bed, after each bath, the more effectually to promote speedy and beneficial reaction. This is specially to be observed by those whose vital power is low.

5. Under the water cure, no part of the body should be more warmly clad than is absolutely necessary for the prevention of chill, night or day. Fire and hot rooms to be avoided. The employment of a rug or other covering, when chilled, is far better than approaching the fire. The temperature of the sitting and bedroom should never, if possible, exceed 60. Perhaps no procedure is more productive of debility, or subsequent chill, with all its attendant evils, than over-clothing, locally or general.

It is then renewed every three or four hours, or the patient left to perspire freely in it after it becomes dry. In such cases as these the superabundant animal heat will thoroughly dry the sheet in an extraordinarily short time; while it is obvious that the absorption necessary to produce this effect must quickly lower the pulse. The ablution after the wet sheet is the same as after the blanket, except that where considerable inflammation exists tepid water is used. The temperature of the room, accordingly as it is high or low, lengthens or abridges the period of captivity which the patient undergoes under the process of the wet sheet or blanket. In winter it is always advisable to have a fire lighted early in the bedroom, and thus an hour or two's confinement may be saved. But still one cannot but be of opinion that a more speedy mode of producing perspiration than the tardy, and at all times irksome, operation of the blanket may be discovered; and Dr. Graham hints at his having made such a discovery in the last edition of his work on the water cure.

After three or four days I began to experience the beneficial effects of the treatment in increased appetite and strength. The skin had been scoured into a more healthy appearance;