I was now on a fair footing with them, and soon acquired considerable influence. I proposed some reasonable alterations in their chappel laws, and carried them against all opposition. From my example, a great part of them left their muddling breakfast of beer and bread and cheese, finding they could with me be supplied from a neighboring house with a large porringer of hot water-gruel sprinkled with pepper, crumbed with bread, and a bit of butter in it, for the price of a pint of beer; viz., three half-pence. This was a more comfortable as well as cheaper breakfast, and kept their heads clearer. Those who continued sotting with beer all day were often, by not paying, out of credit at the alehouse, and used to make interest with me to get beer; their _light_, as they phrased it, _being out_. I watched the pay-table on Saturday night, and collected what I stood engaged for them, having to pay sometimes near thirty shillings a week on their account. This, and my being esteemed a pretty good _rigile_,--that is, a jocular verbal satirist,--supported my consequence in the society. My constant attendance (I never making a St. Monday) recommended me to the master; and my uncommon quickness at composing occasioned my being put upon all work of dispatch, which was generally better paid. So I went on now very agreeably. RULES OF HEALTH From Poor Richard's Almanack: 1742 Eat and drink such an exact quantity as the constitution of thy body allows of, in reference to the services of the mind. They that study much ought not to eat as much as those that work hard, their digestion being not so good. The exact quantity and quality being found out, is to be kept to constantly. Excess in all other things whatever, as well as in meat and drink, is also to be avoided. Youth, age, and sick require a different quantity. And so do those of contrary complexions; for that which is too much for a phlegmatic man, is not sufficient for a choleric. The measure of food ought to be (as much as possibly may be) exactly proportionable to the quality and condition of the stomach, because the stomach digests it. That quantity that is sufficient, the stomach can perfectly concoct and digest, and it sufficeth the due nourishment of the body. A greater quantity of some things may be eaten than of others, some being of lighter digestion than others. The difficulty lies in finding out an exact measure; but eat for necessity, not pleasure: for lust knows not where necessity ends. Wouldst thou enjoy a long life, a healthy body, and a vigorous mind, and be acquainted also with the wonderful works of God, labor in the first place to bring thy appetite to reason. THE WAY TO WEALTH From Poor Richard's Almanack