he human will,
is very great. But she was one of those persons who cannot, or think
they cannot, leave off a habit gradually, in the way I proposed. She
must "go the whole figure," as it is said vulgarly, or do nothing at
all.

Judge then, if you can, of my surprise, when about two months afterward
I learned, from a source which was perfectly reliable, that the very
next day after I saw her, she abandoned the whole herd of extra
stimulants, both solid and liquid, and betook herself to water. Nor had
it, so far as I could learn, at all injured her.

No sooner did I hear the news of her reformation, than I took my horse
and made her a visit. There she was, nearly as well as ever she had been
in her life, though perhaps a little paler and thinner. And oh, what
rejoicing she had in her freedom! It would have done you good to see
her. She had now no fears for the result. "True," she said, "I suffered
for a few days, but the agony was soon over."

One thing should be mentioned, since it doubtless added to the dangers,
real and imaginary, of her condition and trial. It took place during the
middle of a very cold winter--one of the coldest which we of the North
ever experienced; scarcely, if at all, behind those of 1855-6 and
1856-7.

But all persons have not Mrs. N.'s faith, nor her deep-abiding religious
principles. These, it is presumed, greatly aided her in the terrible
conflict. No one ought to attempt such changes, at least in life's
decline, unless most fully convinced of their importance and necessity.
Yet, _with_ this conviction, and strong faith in addition, all becomes
comparatively easy.

Mrs. N. died a few years after her reform; but she died a free woman,
and not a slave to her appetite. Some few there were of her acquaintance
who appeared to think that the sudden changes to which she had subjected
herself several years before, hastened her dissolution. But I do not
believe there was a particle of evidence to be found that such was the
fact. Reader, remember Mrs. N., and if you are in the road of error, and
not more than seventy years of age, go and do likewise. If you have not
_lived_ free, resolve at least to have the pleasure of dying so.

FOOTNOTES:

[G] This error has been met and refuted in the happiest manner, by the
late lamented Dr. John C. Warren, of Boston, in his little work,
entitled, "Hints for the Preservation of Health." Also, by Dr. Alcott's
new work, "The Laws of Health."

CHAPTE