The extreme sensitiveness produced by long periods of utter abstinence made the succeeding debauch more maddening and fatal.

He was like a fine musical instrument, whose strings were every day alternating between extreme tension and perfect laxity.

We have in his Journal many passages, of which the following is a specimen:-- 'I have dined regularly to-day, for the first time since Sunday last; this being Sabbath too,--all the rest, tea and dry biscuits, six per diem.

I wish to God I had not dined, now! It kills me with heaviness, stupor, and horrible dreams; and yet it was but a pint of bucellas, and fish.

Meat I never touch, nor much vegetable diet.