-
https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/25778/archive/files/aade708e818095f72c220b73f6729984.pdf?Expires=1712793600&Signature=esoY7ejnvfe1rguoYOR81TuTVbtRVpaSTLvSx55mXVvYRd9JrqnD21v71B-hFBN6SU5G-UbKQvRgKR1znCVijpblYsY9JMscXzfuqQhhN1C8JXeqRWzqVv6hQ2b9OJT5F0pr6zB6IadrucY%7EkoHkcApEhEdaP0CkKPnf8UOu%7EOT-xJMrgqFjewJD2Km1zwOJCs5YBOENU0JRgXMGfmB9BVaj7IRN0Lt%7EYyhtJw1Zb4FGMt2to4dnG2acMuwozH1p4Y9efF9-sI-WpCwi7-qA5q3wHzY2PC7wvMnMTFqzQM10CWCmlYH0uCBmrYkCfmXc4aHwxYTSC1kKS8pWrp%7E7nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM
a39b9b4d471d81d7be08e2c9b43e7db7
PDF Text
Text
A NEW DISCOVERY:
OR,
PROVISION IN OUR NERVOUS SYSTEM FOR THE
CONTINUANCE OF YOUTH.
BY S. E. L. SMITH.
LONDON:
&
S. E. L. SMITH, 5, Newman’s Row, Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
�LONDON:
PRINTED BY CHALONER AND COOKE,
OXFORD ARMS PASSAGE, E.C.
�OR,
J^OVISION IN OUF. JTER.VOUS ^YSTEM FOR THE
^Continuance of ^outh.
thousands of years a mysterious and terrific
gel, with sword of flames,' has stood guard at
the portals of the Tree of Life. The earth is drunk
with the blood of his victims. His footstool is a
Golgotha. Those cruel flames have ®emo^elessly
devoured every aspirant to the realm whose gates
they cover.
Sweet infancy, witlta heaven’s own smile on its
rosy lip, has dropped shuddering ’neath their scorch
ing blight. The merry Song of childhood has been
rudely changed to the choking rattle, as the tender
sufferer breathed but its life! The lovely maiden
and the young hero in the pride and joy of blooming
love, have perished like bright blossoms before the
Simoom. The noble mother, with her glorious wealth
of devotion, and calm strengh, has been stricken by
the same fatal weapon, and slept to wake no more
a2
�4
The proud father, with his generous love, and his
ripe wisdom, has been forced to bow and bite the
dust in death, even as the vile worm that fed on his
sacred remains !
The song of the morning stars that greeted the
birth of humanity has been long drowned in the
wail of sorrow for those who
“ Come again no more !”
The most charming legends of mythology have
their ground work in the imperishable faith and
yearning of humanity for continuous youth. Gifted
beings have sung to listening crowds of the bright
promise which their strong glance could see in
the far future, but whose star of hope would light
only their quiet resting place. Some of the most
beautiful creations of prose and poetry have taken
their fairest colours from this inspiration, and every
truly pure and wholesome nature has shrunk with
instinctive horror from violent decay of life.
Many of the most heroic explorers of past ages
have been inspired by the hope of continuing their
youth.
From their efforts, results which have
benefited the race on the grandest scale have been,
accomplished.
The fair land of America was first espied by
chivalrous men who dared the unknown deeps, in
search of El Dorado, and the land of eternal youth !
Long, long years passed ere the fond hope perished,
and in some sunny fields of the bright South, even
now, the quiet dust of those lofty heroes sleeps
�5
among the shades where they sought their trea
sures ! What numbers have watched, and experi
mented in sure faith that some wheie, in some
hallowed moment, the wondrous power would disclose
itself to the long suffering race, and the blessings
of continuous youth be welcomed amid such songs
as never yet floated on the air of heaven.
We ever think it strange when important facts
in science or art are recognised, that things so
simple, truth so apparent, could have been so long
overlooked by the faithful wise oiies, who preceded
the happy discoverers.
The boy Watt, attracted by the steaming urn; the
philosopher in his homely garden, idly watching the
ripe fruit fall to the earth; each almost stumbling
on a truth that seemed to have been long waiting
and wooing to be accepted, might well have sug
gested to us that the truth indeed lay in and around
and very near us all the time.
Only a month or two ago, one of the most distin
guished hygienic authorities now living, declared in
*
speech and writing, that some of the most important
principles of his favourite science would doubtless
be picked up by some simple student in the byways
of life, with no grand title to herald his name, and no
previous prestige to make him an object of interest.
It is thus that the present writer steps from the
* Brown Sequard, of Paris,
�6
rank of the educated laity, to offer a few facts, very
simple, and yet in their bearing of such mighty im
port that every ear may well be caught in rapt atten
tion, and as intelligence and conviction are aroused,
each auditor thrill with emotions of relief and joy that
no other announcement could possibly occasion !
Is it strange that the most important distinction
between a living human being and the inanimate
objects about him is his wonderful nervous sys
tem ?—the delicate compound of oxygen, phosphorus,
and fat—that this substance is capable of expand
ing and contracting ?—that during its period of ex
pansion it more readily absorbs nourishing particles
from the blood-vessels connected with its tubes, and
that during contraction it throws off the dead and
effete particles which have accumulated, discharg
ing them into the blodd ?
Examine nerve matter with the microscope by
vivisection during the waking hours, and you find it
in an expanded almost liquid condition.
Examine it during sleep at night, and you find a
coagulated mass :—one portion contracted, and the
rest a thin liquid, something like milk that has been
churned, and, when the butter has come, has been
left to stand a little ; a watery portion called whey,
is at the top.
How natural is it that the motion of contraction
should aid the precipitation of dead and foreign
matter from the elastic palpitating particles, in the
�7
form of a liquid, which is more readily absorbed by
the blood, leaving the remainder fresh and pure.
Nor is it less simple and natural that the expansion
of the delicate particles during the day, pressing
against the blood vessels, should facilitate their ab
sorption of nourishment from the blood.
Yet simple as these facts are, and with all the
careful observation which has been given to micro
scopic investigation, their discovery is very recent.
The regular and perfect operation of these mo
tions of nerve matter, in expanding to absorb
nourishment, and contracting to dislodge and throw
off dead and foreign particles, is of the first impor
tance in preserving its substance fresh and pure.
Of course the blood must be good, and ready to
supply the nerves with wholesome nourishment, but
however good the blood may be, if the nerves are
clogged with effete substance they cannot absorb
that nourishment. Also, foreign matter not dis
charged injures the elasticity of their particles, so
that they do not expand or swell out, to absorb
nourishment.
The object and purpose of the expansion and con
traction of nerve matter being clearly understood,
the next point of interest is the time at which these
motions occur.
Nerve matter is only found lo be contracted during
sleep at night. This is a simple fact which stu
dents will of course verify by microscopic exam
inations for themselves. People generally will
�8
accept the statements of scholars whom they trust,
without further examination, but the least learned
have one unfailing test which nothing can deprive
them of, or deceive them in observing ; and that is,
the delightful sense of freshness and thorough in!
vigoration after a full refreshing night’s rest. The
feeling of elasticity, of perfect command of all one’s
physical faculties is too complete and delightful to
be misunderstood. The nerves, the very fountain of
our vitality, have discharged the useless particles
which cumbered them, and are expanding to absorb
fresh nutriment from the nourishing blood. They
have put away dead matter, and are all alive, new,
pure, and vigorous. Death has accomplished its
work in
but the sweet flower flourishes uncon
sumed amid the flames !
The celebrated Electricians, the Drs. Baird of
Washington and N. York, have at length established
a formula for the ebb and flow of the electric currents
in the American north temperate zone.
*
These pe* English electricians have not yet been able to formulate the
currents for this country. Local disturbances seem to embarrass
and retard the investigation more here than in America ; but
we are indebted to an English physician of great celebrity for
the discovery of the contraction of nerve matter during sleep at
night. For those that favour the belief that these changes of
matter are due to the presence or absence of the sun’s light and
heat, and not to the ebb and flow of the electric current, there
will be a very trifling difference in the system of living, because
the alterations of the electric current so nearly correspond in
time to the appearance and disappearance of the sun.
�9
nods seem to follow somewhat the presence and ab
sence of the sun, but are not coincident with them,
The flow is estimated to commence about four a.m.,
with a slight ebb about mid-day, followed by an in
crease of current until about six p.m., when the long
ebb commences, which is not changed until four a.m.
again. Observation has not yet disclosed the causes
which occasion and control these fluctuations of the
wonderful tide, whigh, like a throb of divinity itself,
thrills through all nature. But our chief interest in
them is their influence upon the vital processes in
our own bodies,.
Now the fact has been established by the incontes
table proof of examination, that nerve matter con
tracts perfectly only during the permanent ebb of
the electric current, between 7.30 p.m., and about
four o’clock the following morning. Therefore
this is the period of rest. True as the needle to
its Ruler in the skies, intelligent humanity must
respect the seasons and influences which control
its vitality.
When the electric current is thrilling and ex
panding our elastic nerves, the Hours of sensation,
of observation, and action have arrived. Then
man can pursue all objects of happiness and in
dustry.
But another Hour is struck on the grand Har
monium of nature, and now the wondrous current
ebbs from its delicate receptacles, and they must be
left to shrink and discharge from their pure parti-
�10
Q
cles everything dead and effete, that thus them
vitality may be preserved in all its freshness.
But not only must the proper seasons of rest
and action be loyally observed, but those habits
which excite expansion of nerve matter during
periods when it should be contracted, or which
diminish its power of expansion when the proper
time has arrived, must be avoided.
Heavy dinners, or indeed any full meal taken
within three or four hours before six o’clock p.m.
will force the digestive organs to hard work and
free latent electricity, which will keep the nerve
matter unduly expanded, no mattW how strictly the
proper hour of retiring has been observed. Undue
muscular action, and great excitement during the
latter hours of the day will produce the same
results.
If we rise between four and five o’clock, and
have a wholesome comfortable breakfast not later
than six, our substantial dinneTabout one o’clock,
and some light nourishment about five o’clock in
the afternoon, the digestive organs will have fully
accomplished their wbrk by half-past seven. And
if all the most energetic and exciting labour is
performed, and recreative amusement partaken of
during the earlier portions of the day, we are pre
*
pared for the thorough contraction of the nervous
system during sleep at night.
�11
It is important that the necessity of exertion,
during the season most favourable for the expansion
of nerve matter, should not be under estimated.
Great attention has been called of late years to
the beneficial effects of the use of electrical charges.
Quite a school of this department is in operation,
and its teachers claim that many chronic diseases,
hitherto regarded incurabte, have been entirely re
moved by the judicious and frequent use of the
electric battery, magnetic appliances.
The value of electric charges to the nervous
system consists in their increase of the expansion
of nerve matter.
Where nervei matter is not sufficiently ex
panded by exertion during proper hours, a feeling
of heaviness, and incapacity for successful work,
is experienced, which is felt to be delightfully
relieved after a reasonable supply of electricity has
been received from the battery.
But as all natural processes, where it is possible
to provide them, are more" wholesome than any arti
ficial system of forcing that man’s ingenuity can
contrive, so healthful work, and sufficient variety
of new sensations and emotions/are the surest, sim
plest, and most effective means of encouraging the
expansion of nerve matter during the season of the
flow of the earth’s currents.
Still, there are numberless cases, especially among
women, where habits which produce a torpid con
dition of nerve matter have been persisted in (from
�12
necessity or carelessness), for which magnetic apl
plications are doubtless the simplest, and most effica
cious mode of relief. Also where diseases have been
induced by this abnormal condition of the nerves.
We are all familiar with the pleasure afforded by
new scenes, by objects of curiosity and interest, and
by change of surroundings, &c. The pleasure is a
very wholesome one, because the nerve matter is
expanded more fully than it was able to become
without these conditions. This change of nerve par
ticles developes latent electricity, which is felt to be
as grateful in its effects as when we receive it from
an electric battery.
The collecting together of numbers in towns and
cities excites the increase of electricity, which is
often remarked on by observers from the difference
it causes in the very contour of the faces and ex
pression of the features of towns people and country
people.
But we also remember that if we indulge in too
much variety, too much excitement, our satisfaction
is marred even at the time, not to speak of the
serious and fatal results which sometimes follow;
just as if we had received from an electric battery
too heavy a charge.
The relief and enjoyment that are often experienced
from attending large and interesting exercises dur
ing the evening and night are due to the same cause.
The nerves have not been properly expanded by
wholesome work and active interests during the
�13
proper season, and when at last they receive their
needed stimulus, there is a most grateful sensation
produced. But such enjoyment is abnormal and
unwholesome, because the very best season for the
contraction of nerve matter has been violently appro
priated to its expansion, and the arrangement of the
sacred laws of lifejilJ not be violently altered to
balance the disorder.
Industry, action, enjoyment, are no less im
perative for us during the seasons of the electric
flow than perfect solitude, quiet, and repose during
its permanent ebb at night.
And in regard to the world of business,—the great
mass of really active induswious workers.
With business hours commencing about eight
o’clock in the morning, and with an hour recess at
noon, closing for the day at three o’cloS p.m., would
there be any significant difference between the
length of the daily working term, and the hours
now observed from about ten a.m. to four or five
p.m. ?
And again, suppose a league of business men in
any department, either mercantile, or professional, re
solve to confine their business labours strictly within
the hours determined most Mavdurable for nerve
expansion, and consequently for vigorous activity,
could they not well afford to bide their time, in
rivalry with the heads of other firms, who by reck
lessly violating the laws of their physique, would
�1'4
in thirty years hence be decrepit, and incapable]
fiddle the members of the health league would be
in the full vigour of life and youth ?
But there is a large class of workers, dependent
on others for the regulation of their hours of labour
and rest, and to these the question comes in a differ
ent form.
If the possibility of the preservation of youth is a
simple demonstrable fact, how shall they estimate the
importance of every effort possible to be conceived
of, to obtain for themselves even the simplest sub
sistence, which ensures them the security of living
in accordance with those sacredly important laws ?
Pride, morbid ambitipn, and a desire to make a
glaring display before our associates, will all have
to be laid on the altar of Truth and Reason, and con
sumed like the dross whichphey truly are. A change
of their mode of labour, may necessitate even severe
retrenchments, and an almost painful simplicity of
habits of living, but if they are intelligent, persever
ing, and courageous, this season of denial will be
comparatively briefland then the glory and fruition
of the reward, will cause the very memory of past
privation to perish, in eternM oblivion.
It is proper to state that the attention of the
author was first called to the remarkable effect on
increase of vitality produced by following the system
�15
of rest, meals, &c., proposed in the preceding pages,
by the prescription of an eminent city physician in
Lynchbnrgh, Virginia, U. S., some years ago.
A young person was afflicted with a severe dis
order, which it was feared would become chronic,
and the sole prescription insisted on by the family
physician was the exact hours of rising, retiring,
eating, and active industry (as far as it could be
pursued), advocated in this treatise.
The physician utterly refused„to treat the case if
his directions were not rigidly followed, and would
give no medicine of any sort, except occasionally,
when acute symptoms developed, some light herb
tea. The rapid restoration of the patient was re
markable.
The doctor candidly admitted t that, he could not
explain how the habits he so strictly insisted on
could increase vitality, an^j enable the system to
throw off such an amount of disease, but that he
had seen it accomplished in such a number of the
most testing cases that his faith in its efficacy was
confirmed.
Since that time, the present writer has witnessed
a number of remarkable recoveries from severe dis
eases by the sole observance of these habits of living.
In one case the patient was not only a chronic in
valid, but had been for months so reduced as to be
almost incapable of the simplest bodily movements,
and yet there was in a few months more, such a great
increase of vitality, and such a wonderful reduction
�16
in the force of the disease, that the patient was quite
able to perform the ordinary duties of life.
The satisfactory explanation of the phenomenon,
afforded by the appearance of nerve matter in vivi
section,—its contraction during sleep at the proper
hours of the night, throwing off diseased or useless
particles, and its expansion and liquefaction during
the flow of the electric currents during the day,—has
been so recently obtained, that of course the physi
cian referred to above was ignorant of it.
Whether it would be possible for the system to
throw off the accumulation of morbid and dead
matter that constitutes the disease of greatly pro
tracted <{ old age,” is, of course, the subject of future
experiment..
And if many who are .ready to spend their thou
sands on accumulating enervating luxuries for
themselves, and trying the most expensive medicines
to relieve their chronic complaints, and preserve
their youth, would make an hone® persevering effort
to carry out the habits indicated in the preceding
pages, they would save their money for other truly
valuable purposes, and bestow a great benefit by
their wholesome example, not to speak of the sure
prospect of securing health and continued youthful
vigour.
If the two essential elements of preserving youth
are really provided us in the organic structure of
our being, what but our disobedience to the laws of
�17
■t'ffip?1 orgarflffln is to prevent our enjoyment of the
blessing ? The power to appropriate and vitalise
foreign particles absorbed from the blood, and to
discharge useless and effete matter into the blood, is
as inherent to the substance filling our nerve vessels
as the power possessed by our blood of purifying
and reinvigorating itself with the air which reaches
us in our lungs.
We have long known the'fact, but the times and
condition in which these mostBntensely interesting
changes take place have been ignored, and we have
drifted on one after another by the myriad, while,
like the weird flame of the avenging sword of some
mysterious and awful Nemesis, each one has been
blighted, withered, andjconsumed.
Death in Life ! Inseparable twins ! Strange
indissoluble union ■
It is only by this union, only by the full operation
of the power of Death on tie ^useless and foreign
particles that collect witmg us, j$hat we may pre
serve the sweet flower of Life ever fresh and bloom
ing amid the fiery wave of Azrael’s flaming sword ;
but if we trifle with the JKos of Death in Life, we
are shrivelled and consumed!like a flaxen thread !
There are doubtless many points of physiological
law yet to be discovered,, which will give life a more
perfect developments a richer enjoyment. Many
forms of disease yet exist which, when once con
tracted, defy the most skilful efforts to remove
them. There are many cases of deformity from
B
�birth; many terrible accidents occur which cause
instant death, or mutilate so severely that, though
existence may be protracted some years, it is only a
slow blight of the vital forces which must terminate
fatally. But these Sad facts cannot dim the bright
ness of the glorious truth that there is provision in
the human structure, under reasonably favourable
circumstances, for the preservation of the freshness
of youth through an indefinite period.
There is no intention of preparing a full theolo
gical harmony of this physical law with the accepted
Biblical records, The child of God who believes
with the Psalmist, “ Thy hands have made me and
fashioned me I” will not have his faith disturbed by
any new discovery of science in the wonderful do
main of his heavenly Father’s works. Youth may
be preserved, or youth may fail; but to his eye of
faith, in either case, it is the power of the Divinity
whom he worships that causes the results.
Others will remember those wonderful and mys
terious words spoken of the beloved disciple: “ If
I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to
thee ?” Shall not the Author of our being do what
He will with His own
But why was not a truth of such intense impor
tance revealed to man from the very beginning ?
Have God’s revelations to us ever dealt with facts
of mere physical science ? Surely not: the whole
aim and burden has been to declare His Sovereignty
�19
over all His wonderful works, and the necessity for
man to reverence and obey Him, leaving to the slow
development of our faculties to discover all the
marvellous arrangements and provisions for our
happiness.
During all the years of the divine ministry of “ Him
who spake as never man spake,” no word of enlight
enment on hygienic or sanitary laws ever passed His
lips, though His life was spent in a country and
climate where thoSands fell victims to what we
now understand were the grossest violations of
physiological laws.
But “ Death passed upon all men, for that all
have sinned.” Did Enoch die?—Did Elijah die?
The tradition is, that the beloved disciple did not
see death. If death was the inevitable doom of
every human creature,, how could these have es
caped ? And is it not possible that Death was
known beforewhe fall of man as well as after, and
that the real penalty for sin is the.
death
which the apostle refers to so frequently, even while
speaking of the physical death of the body ?
But if sinners can preserve continuous youth of
their bodies, how can the penalty of spiritual death
and the destruction of the lost spirits be their por
tions on this earth ?
To this it may be replied, that it cannot be less
possible for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe to
remove suddenly from the earth, and without the
change of death, those who, while for their selfish
b 2
�20
ends yielding strict obedience to the physical laws
of their being, defy and outrage God’s spiritual
Sovereignty, than it is for Him to translate to the
immediate glory of His presence those whom He will.
And if death is the inevitable penalty of all human
creatures, why is it written that “ Then those who
are alive at the second coming of the Lord, shall be
caught up to meet Him in the air!”
If death was their inexorable portion as descen
dants of their sinning primogenitor Adam, then
death would surely overtake them ere they entered
into the joy of their Lord.
When a sinner, no matter how outbreaking, though
it might be criminal, lingering out his sentence in
gaol, is overtaken with some virulent disease, the
pious physician does not hesitate to give him every aid
of science for restoring his health, and preserving his
life. And need one fear the operation of any laws
which the Supreme 'Creator has ordained, or dread
that they will conflict in the slightest degree with
the grand purposes of His Government ?
*
When the possibility of preserving youth is gene
rally understood, the rage of rivalry in meretricious
show and unwholesome amusements will disappear,
like miasma from a district where sanitary arrange
ments are properly attended to. Life, fresh, vigorous,
enjoyable Life, will be recognised as the highest
earthly good of man, and the observance of those
habits which alone can insure it, will occupy the
full attention of every one.
�21
Intelligent men and women will not permit them
selves or their children to wear any styles of cloth
ing which can impede the generous flow of the
sacred stream of life through its appointed channels.
Nor will they hesitate to sacrifice any mere tran
sient gratification of the senses or of social display
and amusement, if it in any way interrupt the opera
tion of those wonderful laws by which their Hea
venly Father directs their physical being.
A man or woman who recklessly violates the laws
of health will be regarded as an enemy of society,
no less than his own enemy, and public punishment
will be inflicted on him, and ►restrictions thrown
around him, as in the case of moral criminals^ that
.his pernicious example may not affect the rising
generation, or cause suffering to his fellows.
The present persistent and increasing stagnation
of trade is due to the diversion of capital and interest
to the development of resources which, however
intrinsically beneficial and delightful, are not our
immediate pressing necessity.
Just as if the body were suffering for food, while
the attempt was being made to relieve the cravings
of hunger by diverting the attention to light amuse
ments. The result would be the continuance of the
suffering, indeed its aggravation, until a more sensi
ble course was adopted, and the necessary food
provided, after which recreation could be heartily
enjoyed.
�22
Q
The entire race is suffering for the prime neces
saries of Life:—
Pure Air always.
Plenty of wholesome Work.
Preedom to observe loyally the laws of Health.
These are the great desiderata. No amount of
gold can buy them. They are the peerless jewels
of which no potentate, however mighty or sacred,
can possess himself without paying their price. The
birthright of every human being, yet remaining the
grand luxuries which no human being has properly
obtained.
Por instead of these being the objects of universal
desire, and calling out our first and most vigorous
efforts, they receive comparatively the barest recog
nition amid the empty tawdries that have usurped
their sacred places.
An apathetic ignorance weighs like a leaden cloud
on the public mind, where they are concerned, and
we rush on in suicidal anxiety and toil after glitter
ing fancies, crushing at each step the tender blossoms
of our true life !
Even the Church of the living God, while spend
ing thousands to multiply edifices and bring religious
instruction within the reach of every creature, can
not show a half dozen temples the round globe over
that are constructed on the hygienic principles of
our Houses of Parliament; the only decent, not to
say wholesome, place foT a building where crowds
are to assemble for hours.
�23
And the hours of public services are systemati
cally, in a great degree, as dissipating and utterly
contrary to the laws of health as many gambling and
drinking places. Ministers, Fathers, and Rabbies,
mingle not only in religious but secular assemblies,
at all hours of the night, or rather early morn,
quieting their consciences, when they have any intel
ligent activity, by the fallacy of violating the most
sacred laws, in order to win others to reverence
their Divine Author !
After such mournful instances of moral defalcation
in the Princes of our race, the very salt of humanity,
we feel the shock lessened, when we find the chief
ministers of state, the high dignitaries and fathers,
and the ladies of Jheir circle, occupied during the
entire hours of the night in feasting, dancing, conver
saziones, clubskgbusiness meetings, or the debates of
the parliamentary sessions!
Our highest Wentific authorities are equally
culpable; and many of our physicians indulge in
habits in as utter disregard of the laws of health as
the most stupid idiot that occupies a cot in their
hospitals.
And in short, where will you find, in the whole
realms of church, science, stage, or general society,
one half-dozen persons who intelligently and loyally
observe the laws by which our Heavenly Father
has constructed our human 'bodies to be pre
served ?
Echo answers,—“Where?”
�24
When we behold the blind and reckless rush of
the multitude, until the crime of Suicide is almost
canonised, instead of its votaries being debarred
interment in holy ground :—
When we see the prime necessities of life regarded
with a contemptuous apathy that might well disgrace
a heathen :—
When a man or woman, in the early prime of life,
and with splendid endowments of mind and phy
sique, will look you carelessly in the face, and
declare that even the partial and brief attention to
physiology necessary to give us that solemn impres
sion of the sacredness of the laws of life, and the
savage barbarity, not to say crime, of tampering with
them,—is quite distasteful to them, and a matter
which they resign entirely to the faculty who are
paid to attend to it, and that as to visiting a post
mortem room, under any conditions, the idea is too
shocking to be entertained !—
(Meanwhile, the® own suicidal habits, and the
contemplation of others perishing slowly right before
their eyes, are scenes whose annoyance and repul
siveness may be endured. The process of Dying is
quite inoffensive to their perverted sensibilities, it is
only its consummation in Death that is permitted to
repel and disgust) : —
When we see such gifted gentlemen as Mr. Thack
eray and Mr. Dickens indulging in habits of con
tinued mental over-excitement, electrifying the world
with their tender and brilliant humour, while, as it
�25
were, they pull down, over their own devoted heads
the black cap of Death, in the very face of the throng
who hang delightedly on their lips :—
When we see their literary peers and successors
persistently following in their footsteps : —
When we observe in the business world the results
of this general apathy, in its trifling advances towards
vigorous organisation; the aimless drifting of capital
and interest in any direction that some blind or
narrow personal ambition may direct, instead of
its powerful and steady flow : first, to the sanitary
arrangements on which the very breath of our being
depends ; next, the proper care of all the diseased;
and next, the instruction in mind and morals of the
ignorant : leaving the emotion of all structures
exclusively ornamental (ckcept the memorials of
our sacred dead), and all forms of industrial enter
prise of a similar nature, to be developed after we
have attained the full posj^fesion and enjoyment of
the grand essentials, our birthright inheritance,
without which other comforts cannot be really
enjoyed:—
When we see our poor bodies in many cases the
mere hulls of disease, devoted to the sole end of
milliners’ blocks, and tailors’ stands without the
slightest regard to the sacred laws of Temperature,
Weight, and Vigorous Motionis"t not humiliating
and saddening!
To behold the sweet fruit of the Tree of Life
paving in full sweep, within the reach of all, while
�26
at the same time a torpor, or reckless wilfulness
blinds their sight and paralyses their desire to obtain
it, is truly a form of Tantalian agony that no poet
could have conceived! Truly it is a survey appalling
enough, to gratify the most morbid greed of the sen
sational !
Q
“ The wheels of the gods grind slowly,” beautifully saith the olden scribe; and slowly humanity
arouses itself from the long slumber of infamy and
ignorance. Quicker and stronger throb the full
pulses of its own natural life, and little by little it
observes and comprehends itself and its surround
ings. Its movements are at first weak and vacillat
ing, its ideas exaggerated and crude; but as Time
speeds on, its grace and power develope, its reason
matures, and its actions display intelligent force.
The hour of its full vigour draweth nigh !
All nature waits and sighs, and trembles with joy
at the approach of tfie instalment of her new sove
reign ! On every hand tokens, whispering of a bright
morning, and the ushering in of an era of progress and
development undreamed of before, are appearing !
The discovery of the Law by which Nerve Matter
preserves its freshness and purity is the Heraldic Star
of that golden day, dissipating the darkness of our
long, long night!
'
Happy the man or woman who accepts with
thoughtful attention the angelic prognostics, and in
�27
simple, reverent devotion to the Sacred Laws of Life,
awaits the fulfilment of the Glorious Promise!
The impulse, which an acceptance and observance
of the principles advanced in this little treatise
must produce on all activities of life, will be ap
parent to every one.
Trade, business of all kinds, either professional or
mechanical, will receive a spring from the sense of
security, of hope, andgreliance on the future, that
no other influence could! effect. The transient and
trifling disarrangement of business hours attending
the introduction of better physical habits, would
be scarcely noticed in the bright dawn of a long
and golden era of prosperity.
The steady flow of capital and interest to the
important sanitary movement already introduced,
and others no less essential, would swiftly remove
many noxious influences now destroying the health
and lives of thousands.
All social customs which impair the health would
be rigidly discountenanced, and those which coudnce
to it, generously encouraged^
Those modes of jEess 'which unnecessarily em
barrass physical activity, and impede wholesome
circulation of the blood, would be promptly con
demned and discarded.
In every instance of death where scientific ex
amination of the remains would contribute invalu
able information for the benefit of humanity, such
�28
investigation would be unhesitatingly afforded by
the relatives of the deceased to proper authorities.
An enlarged liberality would be displayed to
provide means of instruction in the most vital and
important laws of health, to those who lacked
such knowledge; recognising the fact, that, within
a given area, every life is held (to an alarmingly
serious extent) at the mercy of the loyal observance
of sanitary laws on the part of our associates.
But, says the little ten-year-old miss, who has
been out till two o’clock at a baby’s ball the previous
night, and is languidly turning over the leaves of
this little pamphlet, which “Bub” carelessly left on
his seat at the table, as she sips her rich chocolate,
and still richer cre'am toast,'—
“ Does the wretch mean that everybody must go
to bed at six o’clock ?”
[No, my much enduring little maiden, I mean
that you must have all your day’s work and amuse
ments, even to eating your light supper (which
must by no means be more than a moderate piece
of bread, without butter, or a drop of liquid, except
water), over by six o’clock. After that hour you
must be quiet, and, except the interchange of some
simple kindly words with the friends of your house
hold, and preparation for your night’s rest, you must
be ready to lay your happy head on your fresh pillow,
�29
least by half-past seven o'clock, and from that
moment you must, if possible, go quietly to sleep; if
you cannot do this, you must be as still and keep
as quiet as you possibly can. This will of course
do away with all evening dinners, and oblige you to
dine not later than 2 p.m. ]
“ 0 dear!” screams young mistress ; “ how ex
tremely absurd I” and by this time, Mamma, and Elise
the grown belle of the family, have reached the
breakfast-room, and condescend to inquire how it is
possible for any creature to exert themselves so
much at that hour of the morning. (It is at least
ten o’clock!)
“ 0, Mamma ! 0, Elise I do for pity’s sake listen
to the most absurd book that ever was heard of.
Only think ! go to bed at half-past seven o’clock, and
you will live for ever, and be immortally young and
beautiful!”
“ NonsenseJ child,” says mamma; “ why that is as
old as the hills :—
‘ Early to bed anil early to rise
Makes one healthy, wealthy, and wise,’
is an ancient saying.”
“But that does not promise to preserve youth and
beauty,” suggests thejovely Elise, who even now has
a reasonable dread of having her charms fade in old
age.
“ 0, of course, that is, as Nannie says, ‘ too absurd
to be dreamed of even.’ ”
�30
££ What book is it, Nannie ?” asks Elise.
“ The title is the £ Angel’s Talisman; or, The
Provision in our Nervous System for continuous
Youth.’ Bub dropped it from his pocket, I sup-'
pose, for I found it where I have often found one of
his treasures—on his chair here.”
“ Let me see the book, child.”
££ No, no ; it is too absurd for you or Mamma to
peep at even; I shall examine it more thoroughly
before I trust it in your hands,” replies the saucy
puss.
But Papa comes in and captures his pet and her
book, and while she returns his morning caress with
full interest, she finishes by grasping his whiskers
and looking steadily in his eyes as she says,
“ How would you lifee, sir, to live for ever, and be
ever as beautiful as you are now, you old precious,
not to mention what you were when you entrapped
my poor abused Mamma into marrying you.”
“ I protest, Mamma,” says Elise, sotto voce;
££ Nannie is indulged too much.”
But Mamma oiily smiles feebly, and Papa makes
eyes at his darling, and tells her he hopes to live to
dance at her wedding.
And somehow that brings the little maiden down
from her heroics, and she seems to be quite thought
ful now, and drawing her breakfast to her father’s
side sits down by him, and asks with deep earnest
ness,
“ But, darling Papa, would it not be lovely if you
�31
could always love me just as you do now, and neve
Hrow one single day older ?”
“ Of course it would, pet, and I have not the
slightest objection. Come, are you going to turn
fairy, and confer immortal youth on me ?”
“ I have the ‘ Angel’s Talisman ’ here,” says Nan
nie holding up the little book at arm’s length; “‘The
Angel’s Talisman to preserve youth.’ ”
But Elise has dextrously caught the coveted
treasure from her sister’s hand, and exclaims,
“No, I am your fairy,. Papa; I have the ‘ Talis
man,’ and I will preserve the youth and beauty of
all my happy subjects.”
“ Ah, sis, if you wilfi preserve his youth,” says
tender-hearted Nannie, “ you may be the fairy.”
“And what is the Talisman,” queries Mamma,
with an old time flash stealing back to her fading
eye.
“ Wisdom and obedience!” promptly answers Miss
Nannie.
“What wisdom, what obedience?” says Miss
Elise, twisting the leaves, and groping through
their contents.
“ 0 lots of things—principally though, retiring
precisely at half-past seven, and not eating your
dinner later than 2 p.m.,” answers Nannie, amidst a
most unusual burst of laughter for that hour of the
day, at that table.
“ It certainly is absurd,” says Papa.
“Yes,” but pleads pets nestling closer to him,
�32
“ only think of saving your youth, dear; and having
you to love me always.”
“ If everybody approved it,” says Elise, “ there
might be some reason in trying it; but then no mor
tal could imagine such a state of things.”
“ 0,” shrieks Nannie, “ there goes Mr. Roscoe’s
bell, and the crack of my doom ! Alas I woe is me,
unless this precious knight delivers me from the
ogre !” and she clasps papa’s arm, and assumes the
pleading look which has so often gained her cause.
“What does Mamma say ?” says poor Papa, will
ing to get somebody to help him to be naughty.
“ Mamma says that she cannot make such a
distinction between the oldest and youngest daugh
ter,” says jealous Miss Elise. “Ah, Papa, you
never excused me from lessons as often as you do
Nannie!”
“ I am afraid, love, you will have to go,” whis
pers Papa.
“ Not if my gallant champion defends me,” re
plies his saucy little daughter.
“Papa, papa,” says Mamma, shaking her head
reproachfully, “ you ought not to parley with the
tempter.”
“Ah, dearest, let poor Roscoe come in to break4fast; I am positive his poor head aches at the very
thought of me, as mine does at the mention
of his name; and a cup of this delicious chocolate
would revive him,” pleads the cunning little witch ;
and Papa says, “Off with you, then, you little
�33
gipsy,” amid cries of “ Oh! shame, shame ! ” from
Mamma and Elise. And soon Miss Nannie is seen
marching in, locking arms, with a large and cheerfullooking gentleman, whom she seats in triumph on
the other side of Papa.
“You won’t let me have any bread and butter,
Mr. Roscoe ?” says Papa; “ I am such a naughty
boy.”
“ No, feir,” replies the gentleman; “ I shall only
stipulate that you will excuse my sharing your
delightful breakfast, as I had mine at six this morn
ing, and shall dine at one.”
“ And what time will you takeisupper?” says gush
ing Nannie.
“ At five,” replies Mr. Roscoe.
“ And retire?” pursues the young inquisitor.
“At half-past seven,” quietly replies her tutor,
and is amused at the merriment which follows his
simple remark.
“ 0, you old dear,” says Nannie, reaching over
Papa to give him a pinch. “ You are the fairy after
all, and will keep my Papa alive for ever, beautiful
as he is this moment, to love me.”
“ Mr. Roscoe will despair of ever civilising you
during Papa’s natural life,” says Miss Elise, whose
jealousy has made her a little harsh.
But Mamma begs that Mr. Roscoe will permit
her to explain the mystery, or he will think them all
naughty. And then tells him of the little pamphlet
that had caused such an unusual excitement at the
c
�34
breakfast table. Miss Nannie takes note that Mr.
Roscoe is confused at mention of the book, and her
curiosity aroused, opens the battery again by inquir
ing if her tutor has seen the book.
Yes, Mr. Roscoe has seen it. But Nannie is not
satisfied.
<c You surely do not believe in it, sir?” says the
young lady, dropping into one of her sober moods.
“ I very surely do, dear Nannie,” replies Mr.
Roscoe, in his soberest earnest.
And Miss Nannie lets her cup drop in the saucer
with a clang that makes Mamma shiver, and Elise
frown on the impetuous young maiden. But Papa
rises to go, and stoops to kiss “his baby” good-bye.
“Not yet, not yet, dear Papa; do wait, just one
moment, and let Mr. Roscoe tell you what the
£ Talisman ’ means.”
“01 know that by heart already,” says Papa,—
“ 4 Wisdom and obedience.’ ”
“Yes, but how it can make you preserve your
youth ! Come ! down, down, sir ! you must hear the
finale I” and the petted child pulls him back in
his chair, and ensconces herself safely in his lap.
Elise draws near with interest that she scarcely dis
guises ; and Mamma’s pale face grows bright with
expression.
“ Come, Mr. Roscoe, I believe we are booked for
the performance, and you are the leading actor;
there is no help. Let us have Act 1, Scene 1,” says
Papa.
�35
((Prepare yourself, then, sir, for the curtain falls on
the lovely tableau that now cheers my sight,—The
loving parent with his pet on his bosom, the mother
lending a sympathetic ear, and the blooming young
sister.
“ The dark, dark curtain falls on these, and
rises on a wide lone plain, where, under the velvet
green, the strong father lies cold, and still for ever !
Near him his pet yet nestles, but in her dumb grave,
and the fond mother and tender sister lie not far off,
blighted for ever in death I A young man walks
among those graves and weeps above them. 0,
would to God ! those dear ones could have given
heed to the sacred laws of their being I then might
I be this moment gazing upon their loving faces,
instead of shivering above their lonely graves ! ”
“ 0 hush I hush 1” cries Nannie ; “ it is too horrid !
—you must not shock me so.”
But Mr. Roscoe remorselessly continues : “Alas,
they mistook the value of Life and sweet Youth when
they bartered them for a few brief years of unna
tural excitement, and to say the least, unwholesome
pleasure! Where are their gay feasts now ? Where
are their saloons filled with joyous, brilliant beings ?
Empty of all life and beauty, and only filled like
these cold dumb graves, with the ghosts of their
sacred remains!
“ Even their seats in the house of God shall never
more be occupied by their reverent forms; but
strangers will fill them, and chant the worship of
�36
n
that Majesty, whose physical laws they perchance
are as heedlessly ignoring ! ”
“ Very severe,” bursts from Papa.
“You authorised the performance, sir,” says Mr.
Roscoe, courteously ; “it will continue only at your
pleasure.”
i( Go on, go on, then, we will try and hear it,” says
Papa, but a strange look of deep feeling is gathering
in his honest eyes, and the arm around his little
. daughter tightens its grasp.
“ The public cannot easily be attracted to Divine
service during the day,” continues the orator, “ and
therefore for their salvation, protracted night services
must be provided them, at the cost of the sacrifice of
their vigorous youth, and not theirs only, but that of
the mistaken zealots who love their souls. Forgetting
that the odious term debauchery, really signifies any
exercise of the physical faculties which vitiates and
blights them.
Forgetting too, that the loving
Majesty of heaven would not have endowed his crea
tures with generous capacities for the enjoyment of
their human lives, and then constantly required
them to be sacrificed in His service.”
But Papa peeps at his watch, and finds that an
engagement which he cannot neglect is nearly due,
and Nannie understands that this is really the good
*
bye kiss, and her most interesting reprieve is over.
<e Go thy way for this time ; when I have a more
convenient season I will call for thee,” says Papa, as
he bids Mr. Roscoe good morning ; and Nannie
�37
takes care to stuff “ The Talisman ” in his coat
pocket, where he will be sure to find it in some
spare moment, and doubtless examine it with
thoughtful attention.
And the little girl’s face flushes with joy as her
Father whispers,
“After Elise is married next month, and fairly
started on her tour, and we old folks, you and Mamma
and I, have the house to ourselves, we will try the
1 Talisman ”
For Nannie knows Papa always keeps his promises.
In closing, it is earnestly hoped, that no expres
sion which has been employed, may be understood
as lacking in admiration or reverence for those
bright examples of religious faith who adorn and
bless our age. A traveller found asleep on a
crumbling precipice might well pardon the hand
that snatched him from the perilous spot, however
awkward or rough the grasp.
��39
N olden story, it is sung
That heavenly bright a garden grew—
And o’er its beauteous streamlets hung
Full many a tree most fair to view !
But all those shining trees among,
One glorious stood,—supremely bright
As if its towering branches flung
A radiance caught from heaven’s own light I
The balmy leaves their fragrance shed,
A grateful joy to touch or sight,
A mystic healing influence spread,
And all it reached was safe from blight!
But ah,—beside that glorious Tree !
An Angel veiled,—majestic stood,
His right hand bore a flaming sea,—
A sword that fed on human blood !
For human effort all were vain,
To pass those flaming blades of fire—
The blooming Tree of Life to gain,
The goal of every fond desire.
�40
The years roll on,—and nations come,
And crowd the spacious globe around,
But none save two, escape the doom,
Of all that dwell on earthly ground !
“ 0 spare my babe ! ’’(one pleads in vain,)
“ See ! heaven’s own light hath on it smiled,
Its spotless soul has known no stain ;
Ah, thou wilt spare my only child !”—
Even while she prays a ghastly light
From that stern sword falls on its face,—
Ah ! sad to see such total blight
Consume for aye such charming grace !
A valiant hero leads the throng,
To loftiest deeds for human weal;—
By grace of God kept pure and strong,
And filled with ever fresh’ning zeal:
Relentless falls that fiery blade,
His noble head drops on the sod—
While mourning friends around him plead,
“ Take us ! but spare this child of God !”
And some go mad with fear and grief,
And bitter curses fling to heaven,—
Then reckless grown of all relief,
Upon those surging flames are driven !
�41
And some go madder still for gain,
And clutch at all within their reach ;—
The orphan’s cry of bitter pain,
No tender thrill their hearts can teach !
These gather crowds of wretched forms,
Who shiver in the wintry blast,
And deep in dark unwholesome mines,—
In labour’s rank they chain them fast.
Or yet more quickly wealth to win,
They gather babes with hardship old !—
And force their tender hands to spin,
And earn their masters gold,—more gold !
And some drown thought in heartless mirth,
The drunkard’s cup, the gambler’s stake,—
And laugh to scorn the sacred hearth,
Which wedded love delights to make :
And others yet, even as the brute
Besotted, wild with ignorance,
Of long neglect the wretched fruit,
Devour young babes, ’mid song and dance !
Sweet saints whose souls are free from blot,
Pass to and fro, with tender care,
For others’ woes (their own forgot),
Each sufferer’s grief to soothe or share:
�42
They may not solve the mystery,—
No answer give the mother’s prayer,
The Angel’s face they cannot see,
“ But simply trust, God must be there !”
“ The Father could not be unjust,
His mighty power none may withstand !—
Like little children we will trust
Our times and seasons in His hand.
“ God’s word the promise surely gave,
‘ Redemption of the body ’ here ;
His whole creation He will save,
Which ‘ groaneth ’ till the hour draw near !—
“ The earth is full of richest good,
That struggles all its wealth to unfold,
Man’s heart responds, as if it would
Within itself all blessings hold !”
Meanwhile a lovely child appears,
It scarcely seems of human mould,—
So bright-eyed, strong, and free from fears,
It seeks all mysteries to unfold !—
Its wondrous powers develop swift,
Each hour some conquest fresh it makes ;—
Man’s burdens it doth slowly lift,
And nature to new life awakes !
�43
It counts the wealth of every sea,
It reads the stones of every land,—
For messenger most sure and free
The lightning’s flash it doth command !—
And now it lifts the mystic veil,
The Angel's face so long hath hid,
With firm resolve that will not fail,
By no blind doubt or fear forbid !—
The sacred law, so long concealed
From ignorance and mistaken zeal,
Shines forth, its glory full revealed,
With richest gifts for human weal.—
The tender tide that thrills our frame,
Obeys the force that lights the sun,
Swells with its flow, fresh food to gain,
Shrinks with its ebb, sweet rest begun !
While cheering light doth flood the earth,
Man must his work and pleasure seek;
When ebbs the electric current's warmth,
His shrinking nerves in slumber keep !
The Angel's sword reaves to consume
Only the dross that would impede
The thrilling flow of life's pure stream,—
Toth prove a precious gift indeed.
�44
The Tree of Life ! The Tree of Life !
Its Angel guard aids us to win—
The Tree of Life ! The Tree of Life !
Its Balm is felt ! Its Glory seen !
Now happy parents may rejoice
To watch their darling’s blooming grace,—
And all who make God’s law their choice,
Find strength to run their earthly course !
The dead that rest in hope, meantime,
God surely will to us restore,
When dawns the day of that bright clime,
Where sun and moon are seen no more !
Let earth be filled with songs and praise,.
All nations His great name confess !—
Acknowledging in all their ways,
The God who deigns their life to bless !
*
Chaloner cC Cooke, Printers, London, E.C,
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Victorian Blogging
Description
An account of the resource
A collection of digitised nineteenth-century pamphlets from Conway Hall Library & Archives. This includes the Conway Tracts, Moncure Conway's personal pamphlet library; the Morris Tracts, donated to the library by Miss Morris in 1904; the National Secular Society's pamphlet library and others. The Conway Tracts were bound with additional ephemera, such as lecture programmes and handwritten notes.<br /><br />Please note that these digitised pamphlets have been edited to maximise the accuracy of the OCR, ensuring they are text searchable. If you would like to view un-edited, full-colour versions of any of our pamphlets, please email librarian@conwayhall.org.uk.<br /><br /><span><img src="http://www.heritagefund.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/attachments/TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" width="238" height="91" alt="TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" /></span>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Conway Hall Library & Archives
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Conway Hall Ethical Society
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Original Format
The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
Pamphlet
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
A new discovery; or, provision in our nervous system for the continuance of youth
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Smith, Susan Ellis Laura
Description
An account of the resource
Place of publication: London
Collation: 37 p. ; 21 cm.
Notes: From the library of Dr Moncure Conway. Printed by Chaloner and Cooke, London.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
S.E.L. Smith
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
[1876]
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
G5332
Subject
The topic of the resource
Health
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/"><img src="http://i.creativecommons.org/p/mark/1.0/88x31.png" alt="Public Domain Mark" /></a><span> </span><br /><span>This work (A new discovery; or, provision in our nervous system for the continuance of youth), identified by </span><a href="https://conwayhallcollections.omeka.net/items/show/www.conwayhall.org.uk"><span>Humanist Library and Archives</span></a><span>, is free of known copyright restrictions.</span>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Language
A language of the resource
English
Conway Tracts
Health
Neurophysiology