I do not undertake to prescribe for others exactly; but, I do say, that to pour down regularly, every day, a quart or two of _warm liquid_, whether under the name of tea, coffee, soup, grog, or any thing else, is greatly injurious to health. However, at present, what I have to represent to _you, is the great deduction which they make, from your power of being useful_, and also from your _power to husband your income_, whatever it may be, and from whatever source arising. These things _cost_ something; and wo to him who forgets, or never knows, till he pays it, how large a bill they make--in the course of a year. How much to be desired is it, that mankind would return once more, to the use of no other drink than that pure beverage which nature prepared for the sole drink of man! So long as we are in health, we need no other; nay, we have no right to any other. It is the testimony of all, or almost all whose testimony is worth having, that water is the best known drink. But if water is _better_ than all others, _all others are_, of course, _worse than water_. As to food and drink _generally_, let me say in conclusion, that _simplicity_ is the grand point to aim at. Water, we have seen, is the sole drink of man; but there is a great variety of food provided for his sustenance. He is allowed to select from this immense variety, those kinds, which the experience of mankind generally, combined and compared with his own, show to be _most useful_. He can _live_ on almost any thing. Still there is a _choice_ to be observed, and so far as his circumstances permit, he is in duty bound to exercise that choice. God has said by his servant Paul; 'Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do,' &c. What we believe to be most useful to us, though at first disagreeable, we may soon learn to prefer. Our habits, then, should be early formed. We should always remember these two rules, however. 1st. The fewer different articles of food used at any one meal, the better; however excellent in their nature those may be which are left untasted. 2. Never eat a moment longer than the food, if well masticated, actually _revives_ and _refreshes_ you. The moment it makes you feel heavy or dull, or palls upon the taste, _you have passed the line of safety_. SECTION X. _On Suppers._ _Suppers_, properly so called, are confined, in a considerable degree, to cities; and I was at first in doubt whether I should do as much good by giving my voice against them, as I should of mischief by spreading through the country the knowledge of a wretched practice. But farther reflection has convinced me that I ought to offer my sentiments on this subject. By suppers, I mean a fourth meal, just before going to bed. Individuals who have eaten quite as many times during the day as nature requires, and who take their tea, and perhaps a little bread and butter, at six, must go at nine or ten, they think, and eat another hearty meal. Some make it the most luxurious repast of the day.