(as I know not why we may not) there is (after all the late Contests about Comparative Anatomy) so little Difference in the Structure, as to the Use of those Parts and Vessels destin’d to serve the Offices of Concoction, Nutrition, and other Separations for Supply of Life, _&c._ That it does not appear why there should need any Difference at all of Food; of which the most simple has ever been esteem’d the best, and most wholsome; according to that of the [79]Naturalist, Hominis cibus utilissimus simplex.  And that so it is in other Animals, we find by their being so seldom afflicted with Mens Distempers, deriv’d from the Causes above-mentioned:  And if the many Diseases of Horses seem to [80]contradict it, I am apt to think it much imputable to the Rack and Manger, the dry and wither’d Stable Commons, which they must eat or starve, however qualified; being restrained from their Natural and Spontaneous Choice, which Nature and Instinct directs them to:  To these add the Closeness of the Air, standing in an almost continu’d Posture; besides the fulsome Drenches, unseasonable Watrings, and other Practices of ignorant Horse-Quacks and surly Grooms:  The Tyranny and cruel Usage of their Masters in tiring Journeys, hard, labouring and unmerciful Treatment, Heats, Colds, _&c._ which wear out and destroy so many of those useful and generous Creatures before the time:  Such as have been better us’d, and some, whom their more gentle and good-natur’d Patrons have in recompence of their long and faithful service, dismiss’d, and sent to Pasture for the rest of their Lives (as the Grand Seignior does his Meccha-Camel) have been known to live forty, fifty, nay (says [81]_Aristotle_,) no fewer than sixty five Years.  When once Old Par came to change his simple, homely Diet, to that of the Court and Arundel-House, he quickly sunk and dropt away:  For, as we have shew’d, the Stomack easily concocts plain, and familiar Food; but finds it an hard and difficult Task, to vanquish and overcome Meats of [82]different Substances:  Whence we so often see temperate and abstemious Persons, of a Collegiate Diet, very healthy; Husbandsmen and laborious People, more robust, and longer liv’d than others of an uncertain extravagant Diet.

  [83]——­Nam variae res
  Ut noceant Homini, credas, memor illius escae,
  Quae simplex olim tibi sederit——­

  For different Meats do hurt;
    Remember how
  When to one Dish confin’d, thou
    healthier wast than now: 

was Osellus’s Memorandum in the Poet.

Not that variety (which God has certainly ordain’d to delight and assist our Appetite) is unnecessary, nor any thing more grateful, refreshing and proper for those especially who lead sedentary and studious Lives; Men of deep Thought, and such as are otherwise disturb’d with Secular Cares and Businesses, which hinders the Function of the Stomach and other Organs:  whilst those who have their Minds free, use much Exercise, and are more active, create themselves a natural Appetite, which needs little or no Variety to quicken and content it.