Melancholia is the black bile which the Greeks presumed overran and pervaded the bodies of such persons; and fasting does undoubtedly produce this.
"I once talked with a Rosicrucian about the Great Secret," said Addison.
"He talked of it as a spirit that lived in an emerald, and converted everything that was near it to the highest perfection.

'It gives lustre to the sun,' said he, 'and water to the diamond.

It irradiates every metal, and enriches lead with the property of gold.

It brightens smoke into flame, flame into light, and light into glory.

A single ray dissipates pain and care from the person on whom it falls.' Then I found his great secret was Content." My crown is in my heart, not on my head: Not decked with diamonds and Indian stones, Nor to be seen: my crown is called content: A crown it is, that seldom kings enjoy.
-- SHAKESPEARE.
Yet, with a heart that's ever kind, A gentle spirit gay, You've spring perennial in your mind, And round you make a May.
-- THACKERAY..