Page:The life and opinions of Tristram Shandy (Volume 5).pdf/132



two great causes, which conspire with each other to shorten life, says lord Verulam, are first

The internal spirit, which like a gentleflame, wastes the body down to death:—And secondly, the external air, that parches the body up to ashes:—which two enemies attacking us on both sides of our bodies together, at length destroy our organs, and render them unfit to carry on the functions of life."

This being the state of the case; the road to Longevity was plain; nothing more being required, says his lordship,