The Olden Time Series, Vol. 6: Literary Curiosities | Page 8

the following articles, which will interest the reader. The
first is an account of Dr. Holyoke's habits of life, diet, &c., furnished by
him in a letter to one of his friends; the others are a historical
memorandum and a fragment of the Doctor's poetical effusions.
To ---- ---- ---- Williamsville, Person County, North Carolina.
SALEM, Oct'r--1828.
SIR,--I received yours of the 20th ult. on ye 30th, wherein you wish me
to give you some Account of my Mode of Life, &c.--In answer to
which I would first mention that I was providentially blessed with an
excellent Constitution--that I never injured this constitution by
Intemperance of any kind--but invigorated it by constant Exercise,
having from my 30th to my 80th Year walked on foot (in the Practice
of my Profession)--probably as many as 5 or 6 miles every day,
amounting to more than a million[A] of miles, and tho' sometimes
much fatigued, the next Night's refreshing Sleep, always completely
restored me. In early life, between 20 and 30, I used to ride on Horse
back, but being often pestered by my Horses slipping their Bridles I
found it more convenient to walk.
As to my Diet, having been taught to eat of any thing that was provided
for me, and having always a good Appetite, I am never anxious about
my food, and I do not recollect any thing, that is commonly eaten, that
does not agree with my Stomach, except fresh roasted Pork, which tho'
very agreeable to my Palate, almost always disagrees with me; for
which however I have a remedy, in the Spirit of Sal Amoniac. Eight or
Ten drops of Aqua Ammonia pura in a wine glass of Water, gives me
relief after Pork, and indeed after anything else which offends my
stomach. As to the Quantity, I am no great Eater, and I find my appetite
sooner satisfied now than formerly;--there is one peculiarity in my Diet
which as it may perhaps have contributed to Health I would mention; I
am fond of Fruit, and have this 30 or more years daily indulged in

eating freely of those of the Season, as Strawberries, Currants, Peaches,
Plums, Apples, &c., which in summer and winter I eat just before
Dinner, and seldom at any other time, and indeed very seldom eat any
thing whatever between meals.--My Breakfast I vary continually.
Coffee, Tea, Chocolate, with toasted bread and butter, Milk with Bread
toasted in hot weather, but never any meat in my Life--seldom the same
Breakfast more than 2 or 3 days running. Bread of Flour makes a large
portion of my Food, perhaps near 1-2. After Dinner I most commonly
drink one glass of Wine--plain boiled rice I am fond of--it makes nearly
1-2 of my Dinner perhaps as often as every other Day--I rarely eat
Pickles or any high seasoned Food--Vegetable food of one kind or
other makes commonly 2-3 or 3-4 of my nourishment--the condiments
I use are chiefly Mustard, Horse radish and Onions. As to Drinks, I
seldom take any but at meal times and with my Pipe--in younger Life
my most common draft was Cider, seldom Wine, seldom or never Beer
or Ale or distilled Spirits--But for the last 40 or 50 years, my most
usual drink has been a Mixture, a little singular indeed, but as for me it
is still palateable and agreeable, I still prefer it--The Mixture is this, viz.
Good West India Rum 2 Spoonfuls, Good Cider whether new or old 3
Spoonfuls, of Water 9 or 10 Spoonfuls--of this Mixture (which I
suppose to be about the strength of common Cider) I drink about 1-2 a
Pint with my Dinner and about the same Quantity with my Pipe after
Dinner and my Pipe in the Evening, never exceeding a Pint the whole
Day; and I desire nothing else except one glass of Wine immediately
after Dinner the whole day. I generally take one Pipe after Dinner and
another in the Evening, and hold a small piece of pigtail Tobacco in my
mouth from Breakfast till near Dinner, and again in the Afternoon till
tea; this has been my practice for 80 years--I use no Snuff--I drink tea
about sunset and eat with it a small slice of Bread toasted with Butter--I
never eat any thing more till Breakfast.
I have not often had any complaint from indigestion, but when I have,
abstinence from Breakfast or Dinner, or both, has usually removed it;
indeed I have several times thrown off serious Complaints by
Abstinence.--As to Clothing, it is what my Friends call thin; I never
wear Flannel next my Skin tho' often advised to it, and am less liable to
take cold, as it is called, than most people--a good warm double

breasted Waist-Coat and a Cloth coat answers me for