DR TANNER’S FASTING FEAT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 960, 10 September 1880, Page 3

DR TANNER’S FASTING FEAT.

A writer in the Melbourne Herald thus ; discourses on Dr runner’s lute fasting feat : ! —Emulating the prophet of old, Dr Tanner I of New York Ins fasted 40 days and 40 j nights. But then Dr Tanner has had an | advantage over tiro inspired ascetic Tdo | not suppose that he “ took it out ” of him- | self (he certainly put nothing in) in the i wilderness, clothed in a goatskin, and sub- j jocted to the assaults of the four winds of i Heaven—the scattering blast, and scorch- 1 iug sun. Herein, f say, he has had an immense advantage. For warmth, as any pauper will toll you, is food ; shelter is sustenance. I put this forward in view of the contingency that some people of charitable instincts might bo induced to check their actions when prompted to give to the poor. You see, the idea that the starveling before you can do that which Dr Tanner has done might well weaken your desire to relieve ids necessities. You might bo tempted to submit him to cross-examina-tion, as thus ; “ How long have you been without food ? ” “ Nigh upon throe days, your honour,” whines the mendicant. You button up your pockets, as you exclaim, “Pooh ! why Dr Tanner fasted 40 days and 40 nights ; go thou and do likewise.” And really I think that Dr Tanner, while he may have served physiological science, has done id towards poor humanity. But T conjure those who may bo impressed by the doctor’s feat to consider that he undertook it in the certain hope of a glorious feed of peaches, melons, milk and beefsteak. And Ibl bet a “ tanner ” that he liked these better than the task of going without them for 40 days and nights.