54 OF THE LABORIOUS, SEDENTARY, kc.
The morning has, by all medical writers, been reck-oned the best time for study. It is so. But it is alsothe most proper season for exercise, while the stomach isempty, and the spirits refreshed with sleep. Studiouspeople should therefore sometimes spend the morningin walking, riding, or some manly diversions withoutdoors. This would make them return to study withgreater alacrity, and would be of more service thantwice the time, after their spirits are worn out with fa-tigue. It is not sufficient to take diversion only whenwe can think no longer. Every studious person shouldmake it a part of his business, and should let nothinginterrupt his hours of recreation more than those ofstudy.
Music has a very happy effect in relieving the mindwhen fatigued with study. It would be well if everystudious person were so far acquainted with that science,as to amuse himself after severe thought by playingsuch airs as have a tendency to raise the spirits, and in-spire cheerfulness and good humour.
It is a reproach to learning, that any of her votaries,to relieve the mind after study, should betake themselvesto the use of strong liquors. This indeed is a remedy ■but it is a desperate one, and always proves destructive.Would such persons, when their spirits are low, get onhorseback, and ride ten or a dozen miles, they wouldfind it a more effectual remedy than any cordial medi-cine in the apothecary's shop, or all the strong liquorsin the world.
The following is my plan, and I cannot recommenda better to others.—When my mind is fatigued with~tudy, or other serious business, I mount my horse, and■•ide ten or twelve miles into the country, where I spenda day, and sometimes two, with a cheerful friend; afterwhich I never fail to return to town with new vigour,and to pursue my studies or business with fresh alacrity.
It is much to be regretted, that learned men, whilein health, pay so little regard to these things! Thereis not any thing more common than to see a miserableobject over-run with nervous diseases, bathing, walking,riding, and, in a word, doing every thing for healthafter it is gone; yet if any one had recommended these