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social meetings, wl1ere kind feelings and lively conversation shed a charm upon the repast. It is but
- ' lenten delight" to eat alone. Independently of the
sombre cast of mind so likely to prevail in such a case, the solitary being is very apt to fall into "brown studies/' and, in these fits of abstraction, to masticate his food very imperfectly. Hence, from defective comminution, and slovenly in salivation of the morsels, an additional labour is thrown upon the stomach already he beta ted by the mind's gloom. Occasional solitariness is, I admit, as necessary to the mind's perfect health, as the rational enjoyment of society. No man can be more wretched than he who is, from habit, dependent upon others for his mind's occupation; besides, every man has, in himself, mental peculiarities, which are proper objects of his private study, with which it is his business to become acquainted, in order to acquire a due mastery over his own mind and affections, or to know how to marshal his intellectual forces in his intercourse with his fellow men. To be too much alone, makes a man timid, suspicious, or irascible, in society; to be too much in society, makes him peevish and melancholy when alone.
An occasional change of society and of scene, is, to many persons, absolutely essential to their bodily health. I have, in the course of my practice, met with many instances of elegant and accomplished young ladies, doted upon by their parents, and much indulged at their homes, in some very retired parts of the country, who were not deficient in inward resources, and who were, in family, sufficiently numerous not to be without the solace of cheerful
