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Some sensual
unthinking persons affirm, that a long life is no great blessing, and
that the state of a man, who has passed his seventy-fifth year, cannot
really be called life; but this is wrong, as I shall fully prove; and
it is my sincere wish, that all men would endeavour to attain my age,
that they might enjoy that period of life, which of all others is most
desirable.
I will therefore
give an account of my recreations, and the relish which I find at this
stage of life. There are many who can give testimony as to the
happiness of my life. In the first place, they see with astonishment
the good state of my health and spirits; how I mount my horse without
assistance, how I not only ascend a flight of stairs, but can climb a
hill with greatest ease. Then, how gay and good-humoured I am; my mind
ever undisturbed, in fact, joy and peace having fixed their abode in my
breast. Moreover, they know in what manner I spend my time, so as never
to find life weary: I pass my hours in great delight and pleasure, in
converse with men of good sense and intellectual culture; then, when I
cannot enjoy their company, I betake myself to the reading
of some good book. When I have read as much as I
like, I write; endeavouring in this, as in other things
to be of service to others; and these things I do with
the greatest ease to myself, living in a pleasant house
in the most beautiful quarter of this noble city of
Padua. Besides this house, I have my gardens, supplied with pleasant streams in which I always find
something to do which amuses me. Nor are my recreations rendered less
agreeable by the failing of any
of my senses, for they are all, thank God, perfect,
particularly my palate, which now relishes better the
simple fare I have, than it formerly did the most
delicate dishes, when I led an irregular life. Nor
does the change of beds give me any uneasiness: I
can sleep everywhere soundly and quietly, and my
dreams are pleasant and delightful. It is likewise
with the greatest pleasure I behold the success of an
undertaking so important to this state; I mean that
of draining and improving so many uncultivated
pieces of ground, an undertaking begun within my
memory, but which I thought I should never see completed; nevertheless
I have, and was even in person
assisting in the work for two months together, in
those marshy places during the heats in summer,
without ever finding myself worse for the fatigues or
inconveniences I suffered; of so much efficacy is that
orderly life, which I everywhere constantly lead.
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