lose your veracity, and sink into base, downright lying; for, "the second vice is lying; the first is running in debt," as poor Richard says; and again to the same purpose, "lying rides upon debt's back; whereas a free-born Englishman ought not to be ashamed nor afraid to see or speak to any man living. But poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue. "It is hard for an empty bag to stand upright." What would you think of that prince, or of that government, who should issue an edict forbidding you to dress like a gentleman or gentlewoman, on pain of imprisonment or servitude? Would you not say, that you were free, have a right to dress as you please, and that such an edict would be a breach of your privileges, and such a government tyrannical? And yet you

are about to put yourself under that tyranny, when you run in
debt for such dress! your creditor has authority, at his pleas-
ure, to deprive you of your liberty, by confining you in goal for
life, or by selling you for a servant, if you should not be able
to pay him. When you have got your bargain, you may, per-
haps, think little of payment; but, as poor Richard says,
"creditors have better memories than debtors; creditors are
a superstitious sect, great observers of set days and times."
The day comes round before you are aware, and the demand
is made before you are prepared to satisfy it; or, if you bear
your debt in mind, the term, which at first seemed so long will,
as it lessens, appear extremely short; time will seem to have
added wings to his heels as well as his shoulders.
"Those
have a short Lent, who owe money to be paid at Easter." At
present, perhaps, you may think yourselves in thriving circum-
stances, and that you can bear a little extravagance without in-
jury; but

"For age and want save while you may,
No morning sun lasts a whole day."

Gain may be temporary and uncertain, but ever, while you live, expense is constant and certain; and, "it is easier to build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel," as poor Richard says; so, "rather go to bed supperless than rise in debt."

"Get what you can, and what you get hold;

'Tis the stone that will turn all your lead into gold."

And when you have got the philosopher's stone, sure you will no longer complain of bad times, or the difficulty of paying

taxes.

IV. This doctrine, my friends, is reason and wisdom; but, after all, do not depend too much upon your own industry, and frugality, and prudence, though excellent things; for they may

all be blasted, without the blessing of Heaven; and therefore ask that blessing humbly, and be not uncharitable to those that at present seem to want it, but comfort and help them. member Job suffered, and was afterwards prosperous.

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And now, to conclude, "experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other," as poor Richard says, and scarce in that; for, it is true, we may give advice, but we cannot give conduct;" however, remember this; "they that will not be counselled, cannot be helped;" and farther, that "if you will not hear reason, she will surely rap your knuckles," as poor Richard says.

Thus the old gentleman ended his harangue. The people heard it, and approved the doctrine; and immediately practised the contrary, just as if it had been a common sermon, for the auction opened, and they began to buy extravagantly.-I found the good man had thoroughly studied my almanacs, and digested all that I had dropt on those topics during the course of twenty-five years. The frequent mention he made of me must have tired any one else; but my vanity was wonderfully delighted with it, though I was conscious, that not a tenth part of the wisdom was my own, which he ascribed to me, but rather the gleanings that I had made of the sense of all ages and nations. However, I resolved to be the better for the echo of it; and, though, I had at first determined to buy stuff for a new coat, I went away, resolved to wear my old one a little longer. Reader, if thou wilt do the same, thy profit will be as great as mine.

XVI. ON THE USE OF FRUIT.

THERE are a great many opinions current with regard to the use of particular kinds of food, which are not founded in truth; and these opinions frequently contribute in no small degree to injure the health and diminish the comforts of mankind. We intend to refer at the present time to a prejudice generally entertained against the use of fruit as an article of diet. It is commonly believed that it contributes to the production of summer and autumnal diseases; especially in warm climates. That many diseases of the stomach and bowels in summer and autumn are produced by the improper use of fruit, that is, its use in improper quantity, in an unfit state, or at improper times, cannot be denied; but it is, on the other hand, undeniably true, that its proper use, is, with some exceptions, rather preventive of those same diseases.

The tendency of the warm weather of summer, particularly in southern climates, is to increase the discharge of fluid from the skin, and as a natural consequence to lessen the quantity which passes off by the internal parts of the body, namely, by the bowels, with their accompanying secreting organs, and by the kidneys. The first effect therefore of the heat of summer is to produce a degree of torpidity in the stomach, liver, and bowels. Hence arise the bilious complaints, as they are called, of the latter end of spring and the beginning of summer. It is not pretended that this is the only cause, and perhaps it is not in any considerable degree the cause; but the fact is certain, that there is apt to be, at this period of the year, a torpid and inactive state of the bilious and digestive systems, whether the cause assigned for it be the right one or not.

As the season advances, a reaction takes place, and instead of this torpidity, diseases of an increased activity manifest themselves in these same organs. Hence cholera, diarrhœa, and dysentery prevail towards the latter part of summer and the beginning of autumn, and are far more severe and intractable diseases than those which have preceded; indicating that their cause has been longer in operation in the system.

Now the use of fruit we believe to be the natural remedy, intended by that Providence, which always compensates the evils which arise in the course of events, by corresponding provisions of good, to counteract that state of the system, which, from some cause or other, arises during the warmer part of the year. Thus we observe, that in proportion as the climate is warmer, the heat more intense, and the tendency to these diseases more decided, fruit is produced with greater facility, and in greater abundance. Hence in tropical countries, it requires but little cultivation; it is in fact almost the spontaneous growth of the soil; it is produced during almost the whole year; and exists in more numerous and more delicious varieties. This may be taken as an indication, that Nature, who provides nothing in vain, intended that it should constitute in these climates a large proportion of the food of man. Another circumstance which indicates the intention of Nature in the same respect, is the common preference which exists for a fruit and vegetable, over an animal diet, during the hotter months. The taste of fruit is then always grateful to the palate; and its effects upon the health of those who indulge with moderation, are generally salutary. It obviates the tendency to disease which has been before spoken of, from its supplying by its juicy texture, its slightly acescent and laxative qualities, that want of secretion and of action in the digestive organs, upon which the diseases

in question depend. It maintains, by means of these qualities, a regular, equal, and moderate state of the alimentary canal. It acts as a gentle stimulus to the digestive organs, constantly keeping up in them a sufficient activity to prevent their falling into that state of torpor which has been spoken of; and thus also to obviate that excessive reaction which is its natural consequence.

It may be asked then, why it is, if the use of fruit be thus salutary, that there is so general a prejudice against it, and why it has obtained the reputation of producing those very diseases which we assert that it has a tendency to prevent; and why in fact it does often prove very injurious, and sometimes fatal in its effects? We answer that this arises from its abuse. Few persons understand the right manner of using it; and, in general, all the evil consequencès which arise from it may be ascribed to its use when of an improper quality or in an improper state; in an improper quantity; and at improper times.

A great deal of fruit is eaten of an improper quality and in an improper state. In large towns where early fruit bears a high price, it is brought to market before it is fairly ripe; in a crude, green state, not possessed of its natural taste or qualities. When ripe, fruit consists chiefly of acid, sugar, and mucilage; when green, the acid predominates very much over the other ingredients, renders the whole mass of it indigestible and irritating to the stomach, and thus excites disorder. When fully grown, some kinds of fruit may be plucked from the tree, and ripened afterwards, as well and often better than if it had not been gathered. But when this is done before it is fully grown in order to force an artificial ripeness, its qualities, as an article of diet, though less injurious than when it is absolutely green, are far from beneficial.

Fruit, therefore, to be healthy as food, should be well grown and well ripened. When it is not in this state it is positively injurious, especially if eaten raw; though its bad qualities are in some measure obviated if it be well cooked. Indeed if good fruit cannot be had, the use of in this state, in small quantities, is probably rather beneficial than otherwise.

Fruit, however, even if perfectly ripe, and of a proper kind, may injure from being eaten in immoderate quantities, and at improper times. People generally regard it as a luxury rather than as an article of food, and hence they are apt to indulge in it, at all times of the day, between their meals, and late in the evening. The consequence is that they eat, in the first place, their usual quantity of other food, and then fill themselves with an additional allowance of fruit; which, from its delicious taste

and texture, they are able to force down upon a distended stomach, when they could eat nothing else. In this case the stomach having more to do than it can readily accomplish, becomes gradually disordered by a continuance in this excess, is finally irritated and oppressed by its load, and either relieves itself by vomiting, or passes the undigested mass downward, and a diarrhoea, or even dysentery, may be thus created.

In order to answer a salutary purpose in the system, fruit should take the place of part of our other food, and should be eaten at the same time with it. This is the most important and essential particular to be regarded in its use. Generally it should be eaten at our meals, and for our meals, and not at odd times between them. There is an old saying, which like many other ones is founded in truth; "Fruit is gold in the morning, silver at noon, and lead at night." The best time for eating fruit is at breakfast, and for breakfast; that is, as constituting a part of that meal. There is no objection to its forming a part of our dinner. It is a common opinion, indeed, that fruit is better before dinner than after. This is only so far true, as it depends upon the fact, that if we begin dinner with fruit we shall in some manner satiate the appetite, and hence be able to eat a less quantity of other food. Whereas if we make a dessert of fruit, we shall first make a full meal of the usual articles, and then indulge to excess in fruit. Neither is there any objection to a moderate indulgence in fruit at supper, under the same general principle, that we are to regard it as nourishment and not as a luxury; and to partake more cautiously and sparingly at that meal, for the same reason that we should do so of all other kinds of food; since at the period of the day when this meal is generally taken, the digestive powers are less active, and the system stands in need rather of repose than of nourishment.

It would be well if fruit were never eaten except at the regular meals. Those particularly who are of feeble constitutions and subject to disordered stomachs, ought by all means to avoid it at other times. The strong and hearty may perhaps indulge with impunity at all times and under all circumstances; but their example must not be followed by those who truly value their health, since the strongest constitutions are sometimes undermined by a continued disregard of the rules of moderation.

It is a common impression that wine or spirits are necessary after eating fruit, in order to prevent its injurious effects. This is not true of wine, which so far from preventing, often increases the bad effects of fruit. Brandy and spirits do