in it, alike operate to enervate both body and mind. Probably every
constitution may be safely brought between five and eight hours. Of this
you will judge by making a fair trial. That period of sleep which
renders both body and mind most energetic and vigorous, should be
adopted. But, if possible, take all your sleep in the night. Fix upon an
hour for retiring, and an hour for rising, and then conscientiously keep
them. Let nothing but stern necessity tempt you to vary from them in a
single instance; for you may not be able in a week to recover from the
effects of a single derangement of your regular habits. We are the
creatures of _habit_; but if we would _control_ our habits, instead of
suffering them to control us, it would be greatly to our advantage. It
is also important that the hours of retiring and rising should be
_early_. Upon the plan proposed, early retiring will be necessary to
early rising, which is a matter of the first importance. Early rising
promotes cheerfulness; invigorates the system; and in many other ways
contributes to health. It also assists devotion. There is a solemn
stillness before the dawn of day, in a winter morning, peculiarly
favorable to devotional feelings; and nothing is better calculated to
fill the mind with grateful and adoring views of the beneficence of the
Creator, than the refreshing sweetness of a summer morn. Whoever sleeps
away this period, loses half the pleasures of existence. To sally forth
and enjoy the calmness and serenity of such a season; to listen to the
sweet warbling of the birds; to behold the sparkling dew-drops, and the
gayety of the opening flowers, as all nature smiles at the approach of
the rising sun; to join the music of creation, in lifting up a song of
softest, sweetest melody, in praise of their great Author, is no common
luxury.

4. _Spend at least two hours every day in active exercise in the open
air._ This time may be divided into such portions as you find most
convenient. The proper seasons for exercise are, about an hour either
before or after a meal. This you may do without regard to the weather,
provided you observe the following precautions, when it is cold, damp,
or wet:--1. Exert yourself sufficiently to keep moderately warm. 2. Do
not stop on your way, to get chilled. 3. On returning, change any
garment that may be wet or damp, before sitting down. This course will
not only keep up your regular habits, but produce a hardiness of
constitutio