Morning Star

From the Journal of Health.

REGULAR SLEEP.

The press of various matter has made us delay longer than it was our intention, the following communication of our respected correspondent in North Carolina.—

John Wesley, from experiment, determined that six hours sleep in the twenty-four, was the quantity adapted to the support of his system, and he never devoted any longer period to repose. (See Vol. I. p. 213-14. of this Journal.)—Wesley lived eighty-eight years, and retained a good degree of mental and bodily vigor to the last. He was of a thin spare habit of body, and possessed great mental excitability. Such persons require less sleep, than others of less vivacity of temper. Regular habits in regard to repose, are highly salutary. The custom of sleeping six or at farthest eight hours, when first adopted, may appear to afford an insufficient degree of rest; but the habit of devoting so many, and the self same hours, to sleep being persevered in, they will be soon found to be amply sufficient. The repose of the system would be more complete—in fact a greater amount of sleep would be enjoyed in a shorter period, than when ten, twelve, or more hours are spent in bed.

A Spanish nap, I have found very useful; but then to be refreshing it must not be on a bed or cushion, but on a wooden frame, or three chairs, and better if with boots and hat on, and a whip in the hand. Under these circumstances, I have found in the western wilderness, a log form a delightful couch, from which, awakened by my servant after fifteen minutes of the most profound sleep, I would rise and pursue my travels with renovated vigor.

"There is now living in Wake forest, a man of the name of Arthur Wall, born in this state, (N. C.) who will be one hundred and nine years old on the fifteenth of September next, (1830) and who, excepting a hernia, has enjoyed excellent health up to the present time. He is a tall thin man, has lived by his labor, but has not been a very hard worker; has used spirituous liquors only occasionally, when he has visited the store or muster ground. He had the prudence to keep out of harm's way in all the wars, and never endangered his health by bullets, tainted beef, or wet lodgings.—He is a moderate eater, and always a regular sleeper, habit, as he never being diverted from the hours.' He told me, 'of going to sleepies of life, nor experienced the want of has never enjoyed the necessaries—he is poor, content, and cheer, gout is as much produced 'I am convinced and sufficient sleep in the by want of who are subject to that disease, as bons vivante things that are usually charged by the g I think I know one case of strong with prdonment of card playing, and other amuse ments and business that were incompatible with regular hours of sleep,—Colds and ca- tarrhs will adhere pertinaciously to one who sits up late, that would be speedily removed by early going to bed."