Class of life seems as little to be the cause of advanced age. Most of the instances of very long life are to be found amongst the labourer, the pauper, and itinerant beggar; yet the lists contain the names of many noble lords and ladies, and of all conditions between the two. Much stress has been laid upon a country life and the free country air; but, I think, more than is just. It is true that most of the instances of great longevity are derived from the country, yet many persons attain a very advanced age in towns. We should rather regard the habits and occupations of the individuals than their place of residence; and it is manifest that, generally speaking, they will be simple and more healthful in the country than in cities. The tables contain very many instances of longevity among paupers dying in poor-houses in London.

Rejecting then climate, social position, and place of

each other in their relative rate of mortality. I take the following from the same writer, as an approximation to the truth. There dies annually in

Whilst these statements show that human life endures longest, where men are most civilised and best clothed, fed, and governed, they also encourage the belief, that a high degree of healthful longevity may be attained by many individuals, and may also be greatly promoted by wise government.

we should supply eie lig van vold yield nutrition, and promote beat, bed met: carefully guard against the period of maturity, designed to maintain that maturity, and to prevent the accession of decay. If we did all this wel or conduct being guided by correct judgment and enlarged experience, we should doubtless be rewarded by producing specimens of animal and vegetable life, far surpassing in beauty, strength, and utility, those ordinarily met with.

The exhibitions at botanical and horticultural gardens, at cattle and flower-shows, at races, fairs, and

market-places, eminently demonstrate the improvements which may be made in the productions of nature by science and skill. If the same care were taken in the producing, sustaining, and perfecting human beings, I do not doubt that the human race would be equally improved, that the duration of life would be greatly increased. Disease would be less frequent, and disarmed of half its terrors. Mankind would become more healthful and vigorous, and the attainment of 100 years of age would cease to be a favorable exception to the usual length of life, and become perhaps the usual period of mortality. Animals well born and well bred very often pass through life without the occurrence of disease, even although in the unnatural condition of domesticity; and men are sometimes met with who have been equally free from derangements. This should almost always be the case; and if we cannot arrive at such complete immunity from ill, let us at least examine how we may best approach it.

By an examination of the tables of longevity, it will be readily seen that a vast number of those who attained a very old age passed through life remarkably free from disease; many never were ill, never took medicine, retained the powers of body and mind in a state of comparative vigour until the very latest period, and

seemed to sink suddenly into the arms of death without passing through any period of decay and decrepitude. This was remarkably the case with a gentleman who is not included in the tables, as he did not reach 100, but died in his 99th year. I knew him well for many years; he was a hale, handsome old man, not looking his age, remarkably healthy, active, and intelligent. He was accustomed to rise early, and walk in the garden before breakfast. One morning about seven o'clock he rang for his servant, said he felt chilly, and wanted to take a cup of tea before rising. Within an hour from that time he was dead. His eldest son, now living, 78 years old, is remarkable for his personal strength. His teeth are perfect, his luxuriant hair retains its original colour, his intellectual powers are vigorous, he is of active habits, walks much, eats freely, but never takes wine, and has altogether the appearance of a well-looking man about 60. His eldest daughter, now 77 years old, retains much of the figure, activity, and appearance of youth, and would scarcely be thought more than 55 years old.1

See also Tables:-TABLE I.-Nos. 101, 122, 145, 158, 204, 228, 324, 425, 471, 528, 536, 575, 637, 650, 683, 687, 770, 778, 815, 823, 836, 843, 858, 870, 872, 908, 917, 921, 935, 936-945, 968-981, 987, 992, 1006, 1010, 1019, 1023, 1026, 1028, 1038, 1051, 1062, 1063, 1074, 1077, 1098, 1326, 1328, 1330, 1331, 1348, 1352, 1363,

Thus, in the endeavour to attain longevity, we are studying also to pass through the period of age with a certain degree of immunity from suffering and disease, and to diminish or annihilate the stage of decrepitude and helplessness. We not only desire to learn to live long, but how to enjoy life up to its very close.

Original Constitution and Hereditary Tendencies.Unless the physical development of the infant be good, it would be absurd to anticipate a vigorous manhood, or a healthful old age. In this respect, unquestionably, "the child is father to the man;" but there are many gradations from a perfect physical development to that state of imperfection which would render the attainment of an advanced age impossible. Referring again to our Tables, it will be seen that a tendency to longevity, or, I ought rather to say, a capability of

1382, 1396, 1397, 1398, 1399, 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1409, 1410, 1415, 1422, 1423, 1425, 1426, 1445, 1450, 1460, 1472, 1474, 1483, 1484, 1485, 1488, 1505, 1506, 1510, 1511.

TABLE II.-Nos. 30, 31, 40, 46, 74, 75, 76, 90, 142, 208, 214, 217, 229, 232, 234, 237, 238, 243, 246, 249, 255, 257, 263, 272, 286, 288, 291, 292, 296, 297, 301, 302, 303, 310, 311, 315, 319, 339, 344, 347, 348, 349.

TABLE III.-Nos. 11, 39, 50, 55, 57, 59, 61, 62, 73, 88, 89.