AND THE STUDIOUS.
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pases. About a drachm of it may be chewed every day; or ifthisshouldprove disagreeable, an ounce of bark, with half an ounce of orange-peel, and two drachms of snake root coarsely powdered, may be in-fused for two or three days in an English quart of brandy, and half awine glass of it taken twice or thrice a day, when the stomach isempty. This has been found to be an excellent antidote againstfluxes, putrid, intermitting, and other fevers, in unhealthy climates.It is not material in what form this medicine is taken. It may eitherbe infused in water, wine, or spirits, as recommended above, ormade into an electuary with syrup of lemons, oranges, or the like.
THE SEDENTAKY.
Though nothing can be more contrary to the nature of man thana sedentary life, yet this class comprehends by far the greater part ofthe species. Almost the whole female world, and in manufacturingcountries the major part of the males, may be reckoned sedentary.The appellation of sedentary has generally been given only to thestudious ; we can see no reason, however, for restricting it to themalone. Many artificers may, with as much propriety, be denom-nated sedentary as the studious, with this particular disadvantage,that they are often obliged to sit in very awkward postures, whichthe sudious need not do, unless they please.
Agriculture, the first and most healthful of all employments, isnow followed by few who are able to carry on any other business.But those who imagine that the culture of the earth is not sufficientto employ all its inhabitants, are greatly mistaken. An ancient Ro-man we are told, could maintain his family from the produce otone acre of ground. So might a modern Britain, if he would becontented to live like a Roman. This shews what an immenseincrease ot inhabitants Britain might admit of, and all of them liveby the culture of the ground. _ ,
Agriculture is the great source of domestic riches. Where ltis neg-lected, whatever wealth may be imported from abroad, poverty andmisery will abound at home. Such is, and ever will be, the fluctuatingstate of trade and manufactures, that thousands of people may bein full employment to-day, and in beggary to-morrow. This cannever happen to those who cultivate the ground. They can eatthe fruit of their labour, and can always by industry obtain, at leastthe necessaries of life.
Though sedentary employments are necessary, yet there seemsto be no reason why any person should be confined for life to thesealone. Were such employments intermixed with the more activeand laborious, they would never do hurt. It is constant confine-ment that ruins the health. A man may not be hurt by sitting fiveor six hours a day ; but if he is obliged to sit ten or twelve, he willsoon become a prey to disease.
But it is not want of exercise alone which hurts sedentary people;they likewise suffer from the confined air which they breathe. It isvery common to see ten or a dozen tailors, for example, crowdedinto one small apartment, where there is hardly room for one per-