| Show WE ARE LONGER LIVED longevity Is I 1 the Cent century chilot abar its if causes what has been the chief characteristic of the nineteenth century no two critics agree nor can they because each prefers a different quality one singles out science another invention as tho the dominant trait A third who looks mainly at the political aspect ot of life says democracy others again say eay pessimism philanthropy doubt or toleration so many features so much diversity argue at least tor for many sidedness says the forum there Is one characteristic however which distinguishes the nineteenth century from all previous cent centuries urles a characteristic velch has become too common to attract the attention it deserves although it really measures all the rest this Is longevity during the past years the length eng th ot of life ot of the average man mail in the united states ant ani in the more civilized parts of 0 europe has increased from a little over 30 to 40 years A multitude of 0 causes mostly physical have contributed to this result foremost among these should lii ie placed 1 whatever man be included under tinder the general term sanitation 2 the moret mora regular habits ot of living which are the direct outcome 0 of industrial life on a large scale these are some ot of the evident means by which life has been lengthened inventions vent ions which have made production cheap and the transportation of all products both cheap and easy have had an influence too great to be computed and no doubt much has been do to a general improvement in methods ot of government although in tho the main there has been much less progress in practical government than Is commonly supposed no great railroad company or banking house or 1 1 manufacturing corporation could prosper it if its off officers leers and employed emp loyes were chosen and kept in office according to the system by which political offices almost everywhere are filled none 0 n e but experts wanted Is the sign written w rit over tho the entrance to every profession trade and occupation except government ern ment dut but whatever governments have done or left undone the tact fact to be insisted on oil here Is that the average man inan today lives almost ton ten years longer than his grandfather lives indisputably put ably therefore the year 1900 finds conditions more conducive to longevity than existed a century ago this Is true beyond question tor for the masses who feel immediately the effects of plenty hunger and cold tho tha gre great a t physical dispensers of life and death |
