"Yes, health," answered Paul. "I maintain that the old maxim of
'early to bed' says something on that score, as well as on that of
wealth."

"True, but you said that a man must needs be healthy to be happy."

"That's it, and I maintain that it's a pretty good assertion."

"There again we must differ. Happiness should be independent of
bodily conditions, whether those conditions mean outward luxury or
inward ease. I must again refer you to the prize-fighter. But if you
will pardon me, I think you have put the cart before the horse; for
once having granted that personal power, happiness must ensue, and
your health as a necessity follow. First cultivate this occult force,
and we need submit to no physical laws; for inasmuch as the higher
controls the lower, we are masters of our own bodies."

"That is a pretty good prescription for those who are able to follow
it, but for my humble attainments I'd rather depend on physic and a
virtuous life."

"Quite so," answered Ah Ben, thoughtfully, "but, speaking frankly,
this limitation of your powers to the chemical action of your body
only shows the narrowness of your scientific training. Had men been
taught the power of the will as the underlying principle of every
effect, one drug would have proved quite as efficacious as another,
and bread pills would have met the requirements of the world."

"But in the state of imbecility in which we happen to find