Untitled

Southland Times, Issue 1248, 10 May 1870, Page 3

Abstinence of Romaw Women. — The ancient Bomans in some respects were in advance of the present age in their practical physiological knowledge. This was specially the case in the habits of the women. They seemed to be fully aware of the fact that a hardy race must be born of healthful mothers, and consequently any usage or practice likely to affect injuriously the health of women was viewed by the state with suspicion. The muscles were systematically educated. Frequent bathing was required by law. Large bath-houses were established, which were places of common resort. For several centuries of the best ages of Eome, it was a criminal offence for a Roman mother to drink intoxicating liquors. At the time of our Savour on earth, and for a long period after, it was considered infamous for a Roman-lady to taste wine. For a guest to offer a glass of wine to one of the women of the household was looked upon as a deep insult, as it implied a want of chastity on her part. The consequence of this physical training and abstinence from all intoxicating liquor was that the Romans were noted for their endurance and strength. Had we the same habits, with our superior Christian civilisation, we should astonish the world by our physical health and strength. In ancient times the precept was " Know thyself." In modern times it has been supplanted by the far more fashionable maxim, " Know thy neighbor, and everything about him." It is generally believed that Cowper was a Freemason, as he wished to erect | " a lodge in some vast wilderness." I

| "I sells peppermints on Sunday/ i remarked a good old lady, who kept a candy shop, " because they carries 'em to church and eats 'en, and keeps awake to hear the sermon ; but if you wants comfits, you must cone week-days. They're secular commodities." Josh Billings says that " some peoples are fond ovbraggin about their ausesstors, and their grate descent, when in fack, their grate descent is jiit what's the matter OWthem.?': :: :■,..".=■:■ ,;-:■•- -■■ -' ■-•. .;\ " How old^ are you i?" asked a railroad conductor of a little girl whom her mother was trying to pass on a half ticket. " I am nine at home, but in the cars I am only six and -a half." :; .Why is an o artist stronger than a horse ?— Because he can draw a horse. Punch discovers i that the sea is a better house- keeper than the earth, because the sea is more tidy. A Norfolk (Ta.) paper says there is a man in that city so. u<;ly that with six frowns he can kill a bulldog. .