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Thus, the patient who seeks the waters for health has every advantage-if he chooses to avail himself of them-that human skill can devise; but he must remember that the cure is always conditional upon his own prudence and abstinence, and that, if he violates the prescribed regulations, he may possibly find himself in a worse condition than if he never had lifted the salubrious water to his lips.

In Scotland, while quaffing mineral waters, nobody seems to think that regimen is of the least importance. The natural fluid is considered merely as an equivalent for Epsom salts or the like; and the gentleman whose ailments are really attribut able to a superfluity of toddy never dreams of retrenching his evening potations by the amount of a single tumbler. The sole alteration in his habits amounts to this, that he rises an hour or so earlier than was his wont, floods his stomach with a great deal of unsavoury water, and tries to show, by his performances at the indifferent table d'hôte, that his appetite has been wonderfully improved. Absolutely he had much better have stayed at home, and, at the cost of a daily penny, afflicted himself with an ounce of Epsom. Very different is the system pursued at the German watering-places, where the minutest attention is paid to the proper regulation of the diet. Certain kinds of food, which at other times may be taken with impunity, do more than neutralise the beneficial qualities of the waters-they give rise to new disorders. Thus fruit, however ripe, and uncooked vegetables in the form of salads, are strictly forbidden; and the patient who is rash enough to infringe the rule, very soon experiences sensations which ought to convince him of its strict propriety. Fat and oily substances are also deleterious, and even the use of butter should be temporarily discontinued. For this reason, the richer kinds of fish, such as salmon, carp, and eels, are deemed to be objectionable fare; but by the piscivorous Briton that hardly can

be looked upon as a hardship, seeing that the river fish of Germany are poor even of their kind, and would be quite unpalatable but for the poignant and exquisite sauces with which culinary ingenuity surrounds them. Wine, especially of the lighter kinds of Rhenish, is not expressly interdicted; but the dyspeptic water-drinker ought, for his own sake, to be careful how he avails himself of the licence; for everything that can engender acidity is obnoxious to his cure, and indifferent Rhenish might, at a pinch, be taken as a fair substitute for vinegar. As, however, a stimulant, moderately employed, is in no wise hurtful to the stomach, but rather promotes the recovery of the digestive powers, a thimbleful of cognac in cold water will be found a wholesome beverage. Temperance is the grand rule, and it applies even to the use of the mineral springs. The physician carefully prescribes the amount and number of the doses; and the patient, even though he should be the rankest radical that ever inveighed against irresponsible authority, will find it his interest to submit at once to the Esculapian despotism. It is quite possible for a teetotaller to err on the side of swilling. Many persons besides Ophelia have suffered from unconscionable hydrometrical debauches; and the sin of intemperance may be committed by the most zealous votaries of the pump.

The watering-place to which we were directed to proceed, is famous for its ferro-saline springs, situated in a beautiful valley, close to a palatial town, which, once petty and neglected, has of late years greatly increased in size, and now offers excellent accommodation to the thousands of visitors who, during the summer and autumnal months, flock thither for health or recreation. Extensive pleasure - grounds, with bosky thickets and parterres of the most lovely flowers- quaint old gardens, wherein the orange, pomegranate, and oleander blossom in the open air-sylvan walks through fo

rests of beech and pine, enchanting for their coolness and their shade all are open to the public; and night and morning one of the best assorted musical bands in Germany ministers to their delight. Then there are spacious reading-rooms, balls, illuminations, and various other kinds of amusement, free of any charge or contribution-an instance of princely generosity which, at first blush, utterly amazes the unsophisticated stranger, who marvels from what sources such costly entertainment is defrayed. If he pushes his curiosity so far as to inquire into particulars, he will probably be informed that the whole expenses are undertaken by THE BANK-a joint-stock company, which must drive a tolerably profitable business, judging from the munificence of their outlay. That particular bank has, however, certain notable advantages, for it gives no credit, has no bad debts, and deals entirely in ready money. In short, it is an establishment where rougeet-noire and roulette tables are open all day long. A deplorable state of matters, you say; and the observation is strictly true. There is no worse or more seductive vice than gambling; nevertheless it is not our intention at present to commence a homily on the subject. We have not yet quite forgotten the year 1845, when a very large number of us in Great Britain-staid, sober, reputable, church -going people took a hand in the game of speculation, and played it too with quite as much eagerness and determination as yonder whiskered individuals, who are staking their napoleons on the colours. Let the memory of those times, and the consciousness that we ourselves are anything but infallible, restrain us from Pharisaical denunciations; and-hark in your ear, our scrupulous friend-if you are minded to enter those dens of iniquity, which you hardly can avoid doing as you make your way to the reading-room, see that you previously clear your pockets of every florin, else it is just possible

that the demon may tempt you to hazard a piece or two on the sly, which would be an awful instance of backsliding in a ruling-elder of the kirk.

Most delightful it is on a balmy morning of June to start from your couch ere yet the heat of the day has commenced, and, after a cold ablution, to wend your way through paths lined with flowering shrubs, to the fountain, where the attendant nymphs dispense the sparkling element. No wretched pumping apparatus, like those exhibited on the counters of the gin-palaces, is there. Through a basement of polished pebbles the beautiful clear water bubbles up into the basin, and in the glass it shines and sparkles like diamonds dissolved in dew. Drink it, wasted and weary man !-drink it with a grateful heart, and render thanks and praise to Him who is the giver of all good things!

There is one peculiarity connected with the drinking of the waters which deserves special notice. Exercise, proper diet, and regular hours are, as we have observed, taken in conjunction, almost certain preservatives against dyspepsia. But strong exercise, such as is highly salutary for the body when in sound health, interferes with the effect of the waters. The explanation of this phenomenon probably is, that the waters are intended to have, and ought to have, a specific effect upon the internal organs, which are then in a state of derangement. Violent exercise is calculated to induce an over-activity of the skin, obviously tending to a different form of secretion. Under the hydropathic mode of treatment, which directly assails the cuticle, long walks, during the intervals when you are relieved from the wet sheets, may be of the greatest possible benefit. But very gentle exercise indeed suffices for the recipient of the German spa; who, if he has the needful time at his disposal, and repairs thither early in the season, may hope to be able to take the moors in August, free of all dyspeptic symptoms, and, if he

is so minded, cultivate the calves of his legs until they emulate those of a Highland chairman. This is quite in accordance with hygeienic rule and principle. The strange feeling of lassitude which accompanies confirmed dyspepsia, cannot be overcome by mental resolution. It is a bodily symptom-a clear indication that there is something wrong with the springs of the vehicle, which must be repaired before it will move with its former ease and regularity, and any attempt at over-exertion would probably result in a breakdown.

Thus far and no further shall we pursue the theme. We have attempted to describe the nature of the insidious dyspeptic disease, have shown how it is generated, and have indicated the method of its cure. It is an affection of the body which may be greatly aggravated by mental depression; but, in most instances, it may be clearly traced to sedentary habits, lack of exercise, and an irregular mode of living. It is the malady that peculiarly afflicts students and professional men, and the seeds of it may be sown years before it arrives at a formidable maturity. Parents and guardians, who are ever anxious to stimulate the laudable ambition of their youthful charges, would do well to remember the advice of honest Roger Ascham against overstraining the bow, and to take care that they do not injure the bodily health and enfeeble the intellects of those whose welfare they are desirous to promote, by urging them to undertake tasks beyond their strength and capacity, and by denying them that wholesome recreation which is suitable to their years. "I heard myself," says that shrewd educational writer, 66 a good husband at his book once say, that to omit study for some time of the day, and some time of the year, made as much for the increase of learning, as to let the land lie for some time fallow maketh for the better increase of corn.

This we see, if the land be ploughed every year, the crop cometh thin up, the

ear is short, the grain is small, and when it is brought into the barn and threshed, giveth very evil faule. So those who never leave poring on their books, have oftentimes as thin invention as other poor men have, and as small wit and weight in it as in other men's. And thus your husbandry, methinks, is more like the life of a covetous snudge, that oft very evil proves, than the labour of a good husband that knoweth well what he doth. And surely the best wits to learning must needs have much recreation and ceasing from their book, or else they mar themselves, when base and dumpish wits can never be hurt with continual study."

Observations such as these are of exceeding value at this moment, when the examination system has been pushed to such a length that every man of sense is beginning to discern its pernicious absurdity. If it is expected that the young men who offer themselves as candidates for appointments in some branches of the public service shall really have a competent knowledge of the subjects prescribed for examination, difficult it is to comprehend how they can find time for needful sleep and refreshment. As for teaching them to think, which is the highest aim of education, the possibility of thought is precluded by such an exorbitant amount of cramming, that the amount of knowledge they do receive remains practically useless. Instead of rearing men of intelligence and aptitude, we doing our best to create a race of prigs and pedants, feeble in mind as in body, and certain to show themselves incapable when any extraordinary emergency shall arise. Would that the devisers of such fantastic schemes could appreciate the true meaning of the noble lines of the German poet

are

"Die Geisterwelt ist nicht verschlossen; Dein Sinn ist zu, dein Herz ist todt! Auf, bade, Schüler, unverdrossen

Die ird'sche Brust im Morgenroth." When we behold around us the number of pale and emaciated

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beings who seem to be tottering to their graves ere yet they have reached the meridian of mankind, and reflect how many more have fallen victims to habits of unremitting study, we cannot but deplore a system which leads to such disastrous results. Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth," is an exhortation banished from remembrance; we give no heed to the words of Solomon, wisest of the kings of Israel, "And, further, by these, my son, be admonished; of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh." The youth ambitious of obtaining a kirk buries himself in an attic, and reads from morning till past midnight without intermission, until disease fastens on his frame, and then, instead of mounting the pulpit, he is measured for a grave in the kirkyard. The lawyer in splendid practice looks forward to the dignity of the bench, and meanwhile labours to accumulate a fortune. The work proves too much for him; he allows himself neither rest nor exercise, falls into bad health, disappears from the bar, and lo, in the obituary a notice that the famous Mr Pleydell is no more! Who is that poor fellow coughing by the side of the Lake of

Como? That, sir, is the celebrated author over whose works you have laughed and wept alternately. Pressed by the booksellers, he has wrought himself into a consumption, and never will again behold the primroses blossoming in the lap of May.

Take warning, then, ye men of sedentary habits, and despise not the voice of a friend who exhorts you to take care of your stomachs. Strive to keep health while you have it: and in order to keep it, rise up early in the morning, and take a due amount of exercise; attend to your work with diligence, but not in such exorbitant measure as to fatigue or irritate the brain;, seek cheerful company, be moderate in your diet, indulge not in deep potations, but give not in to the pestilent heresy of the abstainers,- —so may your days be long and happy, and old age, when it comes to you, lay its burden lightly on your shoulders. And, ye dyspeptic ones, for whose benefit these articles have been chiefly written, take heart and despair not, for the cure is yet within your reach. Nature offers to you freely the most inestimable of her gifts. Seek the healing waters, and again you may be whole and sound!

CHRONICLES OF CARLINGFORD: THE DOCTOR'S FAMILY.

CHAPTER I.

YOUNG Dr Rider lived in the new quarter of Carlingford: had he aimed at a reputation in society, he could not possibly have done a more foolish thing; but such was not his leading motive. The young man, being but young, aimed at a practice. He was not particular in the mean time as to the streets in which his patients dwelt. A new house, gazing with all its windows over a brick field, was as interesting to the young surgeon as if it had been one of those exclusive houses in Grange Lane, where the aristocracy of Carlingford lived retired within their garden walls. His own establishment, though sufficiently comfortable, was of a kind utterly to shock the feelings of the refined community. A corner house, with a surgery round the corner, throwing the gleam of its red lamp over all that chaotic district of halfformed streets and full-developed brick fields, with its night-bell prominent, and young Rider's name on a staring brass plate, with mysterious initials after it. M.R.C.S. the unhappy young man had been seduced to put after his name upon that brass plate, though he was really Dr Rider, a physician, if not an experienced one. Friends had advised him that in such districts people were afraid of physicians, associating only with dread adumbrations of a guinea a visit that mis-comprehended name; so, with a pang, the young surgeon had put his degree in his pocket, and put up with the inferior distinction. Of course Dr Marjoribanks had all the patronage of Grange Lane. The great people were infatuated about that snuffy old Scotchman-a man behind his day, who had rusted and grown old among the soft diseases of Carlingford, where sharp practice was so seldom necessary; and no opening appeared for young Rider except in the new district, in the smug cor

ner house, with the surgery and the red lamp, and M.R.C.S. on a brass plate on his door.

If you can imagine that the young man bowed his spirit to this without a struggle, you do the poor young fellow injustice. He had been hard enough put to it at divers periods of his life. Ambition had not been possible for him either in one shape or another. Some people said he had a vulgar mind when he subsided into that house; other people declared him a shabby fellow when he found out, after the hardest night's thought he ever went through in his life, that he durst not ask Bessie Christian to marry him. You don't suppose that he did not know in his secret heart, and feel tingling through every vein, those words which nobody ever said to his face? But he could not help it. He could only make an indignant gulp of his resentment and shame, which were shame and resentment at himself for wanting the courage to dare everything, as well as at other people for finding him out, and go on with his work as he best could. He was not a hero nor a martyr; men made of that stuff have large compensations. He was an ordinary individual, with no sublimity in him, and no compensation to speak of for his sufferings-no consciousness of lofty right-doing, or of a course of action superior to the world.

Perhaps you would prefer to go up-stairs and see for yourself what was the skeleton in Edward Rider's cupboard, rather than have it described to you. His drag came to the door an hour ago, and he went off with care sitting behind him, and a certain angry pang aching in his heart, which perhaps Bessie Christian's wedding-veil, seen far off in church yesterday, might have something to do with. His looks

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