He was licensed to practice in New York; but just then fortune favored him: he was asked to do some work on the New York _Evening Post_. The assistant editor had gone to Cuba, and finally died there. So Bryant was soon made the assistant editor, and was allowed an interest in the paper. At that time the paper was favorable to the federal party; but a few years later it became decidedly democratic in tone. So long as Mr. Bryant controlled it, it was an advocate of free trade and a bold champion of human liberty. CHAPTER VIII THE EDITOR OF A GREAT NEWSPAPER Bryant’s life work proved to be, not writing poetry, but editing a great New York daily paper. For many years he went to his office at seven o’clock every morning. He was never strong in body, and he had to take very great care of his health. Every young reader should learn a useful lesson from him, although it is not easy to follow the rigorous mode of life he laid out for himself and followed to the end of his days. He himself tells in a letter what he did: “I rise early at this time of the year (March), about half-past five; in summer, half an hour or even an hour earlier. Immediately, with very little encumbrance of clothing, I begin a series of exercises, for the most part designed to expand the chest, and at the same time call into action all the muscles and articulations of the body. These are performed with dumb-bells,—the very lightest, covered with flannel,—with a pole, a horizontal bar, and a light chair swung around my head. After a full hour and sometimes more passed in this manner, I bathe from head to foot. When at my place in the country, I sometimes shorten my exercise in the chamber, and, going out, occupy myself in some work which requires brisk motion. After my bath, if breakfast be not ready, I sit down to my studies till I am called. My breakfast is a simple one—hominy and milk, or, in place of hominy, brown bread, or oatmeal, or wheaten grits, and, in season, baked sweet apples. Buckwheat cakes I do not decline, nor any other article of vegetable food, but animal food I never take at breakfast. Tea and coffee I never touch at any time; sometimes I take a cup of chocolate, which has no narcotic effect, and agrees with me very well. At breakfast I often take fruit, either in its natural state or freshly stewed. “After breakfast I occupy myself for a while with my studies, and, when in town, I walk down to the office of the _Evening Post_, nearly three miles distant, and after about three hours return, always walking.... In town, where I dine late, I take but two meals a day. Fruit makes a considerable part of my diet. My drink is water.