Man, as a rule, desires to live. It is part of his nature to do so; and
exceptions to the rule are rare and unnatural--so much so that they in
all cases imply a certain degree of mental alienation. Even the
weariness, lassitude and despondency which lead some to talk of death as
a release is mainly to be met with in the pampered and the idle. Such
feelings, no doubt, take possession also of the poor and the lowly; but
that, mostly, when there is no work or no incitement to it. There is
always joy and happiness in work and in doing one's duty.
It is then the normal condition to wish to live, and a most abnormal one
to wish to die; and with many there is even a further aspiration, and
that is to prolong a life which, with all its drawbacks, is to so many a
desirable state of things.
Examples of rare longevity are carefully treasured up and even placed on
record. As whenever a human being is carried away, causes from which we
are supposed to be free, or against which we take precautions, are
complacently sought for, so instances of longevity are studied to
discover what habits and manners, what system of diet, or conduct, and
which environing circumstances, have most tended to ensure such a
result.
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