A knowledge of the laws of health, and their practice, cannot be learned all at once, but only progressively--the same as we learn a trade, an art, or a science--by observation, study, and experience.

The human constitution has its laws of order, as definite and certain as those of astronomy; yet, they are even more difficult to learn; for the human constitution is the most complex and perfect of all created existence. Hence, what we can here say is only suggestive and fragmentary.

CHEERFULNESS -- and good-will are of the first importance to human health. Therefore, take the generous side. Study benevolence and the welfare of others for earth's sake as well as for heaven. He whose tendencies are all centrifugal or outward can hardly be sick.

SUNLIGHT-is as essential to animal as vegetable life. A celebrated physician says, the number of patients cured in hospital rooms exposed to the rays of the sun, were four times as great as those confined in darkened rooms.

FRESH AIR. The air is the only agent which keeps the blood pure and enables it to circulate and impart life-power to the system. It no less sustains life, by imparting this wonderful property to the blood, than by expelling the impurities or worn-out matter which the veins have collected and brought to the lungs for expulsion, and which, if left in the system but  a very few moments, would cause death.

EXERCISE--is best if taken in some employment for an object. Begin and end slowly. It is well to carry our exercise to the point of fatigue if the system soon rallies from  it; but for health no greater fatigue should be incurred than a night's rest will remove. To sleep well and gain strength, the body must be fatigued.

FOOD. A free use of palatable fruit is essential. We must learn to distinguise between a real appetite and a mere superficial taste. The taste of sugar, for instance, may be agreeable when there is no real need or appetite for it.
Take few varieties of food at one meal. It is well now and then to omit by turns the use of every article of food-even bread, thus preventing the system from becoming tied to any injurious routine. It would not be amiss to make an occasional meal of some palatable fruit or vegetable in its season, when best relished.

WATER. An abundant supply and free use of pure soft water is essential to health. Water is the only fluid capable of circulating in all the tissues of the body, and pentrating its finest vessels without irritation or injury. No other liquid than water can dissolve the various articles of food taken into the stomach. It is water alone which forms all the fluid portions of the blood , and thus serves to convey the nutriment to all parts of the body for its growth and replenishment. And it is water which takes up the decaying particles, and conveys them, by a most complicated and wonderful system of drainage, altogether from the body. When good soft water cannot otherwise be obtained, a small out-lay for cistern and filter will secure an abundant supply of pure rain water, equal to any.

BATHING. Much cold bathing exhausts vitality. Much warm bathing produces undue relaxation and sensitiveness. Hence to secure the best results, avoid these extremes. The temperature of the water and surrounding air should be such as to allow a bath to be taken deliberately. With these conditions, and a moderately coarse towel, a yard in length, to supply the water, a very thorough bath may be taken. The towel bath affords excellent exercise for those engaged in sedentary employments.