The Virginia Gazette

Extract from the Gentleman's Magazine

Mr. URBAN,
The Gentleman's Magazine is at present the best Vehicle for the Communication of an useful Hint to Society, I desire a Place in it, for the following Instance of the Misery produced by excessive Sloth, that every one may guard against the first Approaches of that Habit, which robs Strength at every Step, and subjugates all over whom it prevails, to Poverty, Shame, and Disease.
I am Yours, Gc. J. R.
At a Place called Munt, in Essex, within about Six Miles of Colchester, lives one John Montague, a Man aged about Fifty. He has a common Share of Understanding, is of a strong and robust Make, and has not any natural Defect in his Form, or Limbs; he was greatly inclined to Sloth when Boy, and the Habit was suffer'd to increase by the foolish Indulgence of his Parents; his Temper grew sullen and morose, and at length he took to sitting upon a low Seat almost double, from which neither Threats nor Persuasions could raise him for any of the ordinary Offices of Life. In Time his Knees and Elbows bearing on the Floor, he quitted his Seat, and hath lain in this grovelling Posture upwards of Twelve Years, and he must do for the Remainder of his wretched Life : for I endeavoured to draw his Legs out, but found it impossible, his Sinews and Muscles having shrunk, and become rigid, and inflexible; which is not to be wondered at, since a skilful Anatomist informs me, that after a Man's Arm had been bound down to his Side for Six Months, the Parts for Want of Use had become so stiff and callous, that he could not lift It to his Head, when the Bandage was removed. The Father of Montague is appointed by the Parish to attend this useless Member of Society, who cannot be suffer'd to perish without offending against the Laws of a Christian Country. When he wants Food, it is brought in a Wooden Vessel, and put under his Nose, out of which he rapaciously devours it, not much unlike a Hog.