This is
the well-known philosopher of practical life, Luigi Cornaro, whose
dwelling at Padua, classical as an architectural work, was at the same
time the home of all the muses. In his famous treatise 'On the Sober
Life,' he describes the strict regimen by which he succeeded, after a
sickly youth, in reaching an advanced and healthy age, then of eighty-
three years. He goes on to answer those who despise life after the age
of sixty-five as a living death, showing them that his own life had
nothing deadly about it. 'Let them come and see, and wonder at my good
health, how I mount on horseback without help, how I run upstairs and
up hills, how cheerful, amusing, and contented I am, how free from care
and disagreeable thoughts. Peace and joy never quit me.... My friends
are wise, learned, and distinguished people of good position, and when
they are not with me I read and write, and try thereby, as by all other
means. to be useful to others. Each of these things I do at the proper
time, and at my ease, in my dwelling, which is beautiful and lies in
the best part of Padua, and is arranged both for summer and winter with
all the resources of architecture, and provided with a garden by the
running water. In the spring and autumn, I go for awhile to my hill in
the most beautiful part of the Euganean mountains, where I have
fountains and gardens, and a comfortable dwelling; and there I amuse
myself with some easy and pleasant chase, which is suitable to my
years.
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