"'MY DEAR SIR,--I promised some time since to give you some account of my habits of life, so far at least as regards diet, exercise, and occupations. I am not sure that it will be of any use to you, although the system which I have for many years observed seems to answer my purpose very well. I have reached a pretty advanced period of life, _without the usual infirmities of old age_, and with my strength, activity, and bodily faculties generally, in pretty good preservation. How far this may be the effect of my way of life, adopted long ago and steadily adhered to, is perhaps uncertain. "'I rise early; at this time of the year 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 exercises in the chamber, and, going out, occupy myself for half an hour or more in some work which requires brisk exercise. After my bath, if breakfast be not ready, I sit down to my studies till I am called. * * * * * "'After breakfast I occupy myself for awhile with my studies, and then, 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, _whatever be the weather or the state of the streets_. In the country, I am engaged in my literary tasks till a feeling of weariness drives me out into the open air, and I go upon my farm or into the garden and prune the fruit-trees, or perform some other work about them which they need, and then go back to my books. I _do not often drive out, preferring to walk_. * * * * * "'I am, sir, truly yours, "'W.C. BRYANT.'" The same paper also contained the following: "REMINISCENCES OF A FORMER BUSINESS ASSOCIATE. "Mr. William G. Boggs, who knew Mr. Bryant intimately for many years, has given the following reminiscences to a representative of the _Evening Post_: "'During the _forty years that I have known him, Mr. Bryant has never been ill--never been confined to his bed, except on the occasion of his last accident. His health has always been good_.