The inhabitants of the higher stations of life, the population of
thickly settled communities, are living in an age and under
conditions almost incompatible with longevity. In fact, the
strain of nervous energy made necessary by the changed conditions
of business and mode of living really predisposes to premature
decay.
Those who object to the reliability of reports of
postcentenarianism seem to lose sight of these facts, and because
absolute proof and parallel cannot be obtained they deny the
possibility without giving the subject full thought and reason.
As tending to substantiate the multitude of instances are the
opinions of such authorities as Hufeland, Buffon, Haller, and
Flourens. Walter Savage Landor on being told that a man in Russia
was living at one hundred and thirty-two replied that he was
possibly older, as people when they get on in years are prone to
remain silent as to the number of their years--a statement that
can hardly be denied. One of the strongest disbelievers in
extreme age almost disproved in his own life the statement that
there were no centenarians.
It is commonly believed that in the earliest periods of the
world's history the lives of the inhabitants were more youthful
and perfect; that these primitive men had gigantic size,
incredible strength, and most astonishing duration of life.
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