For obvious reasons, I do not name my witnesses, who
are numerous; but, although they vary somewhat in the proportion of the
effects which they ascribe to climate and to such domestic peculiarities
as the overheating of our houses, they are at one as regards the simple
fact that, for some reason, mental work is more exhausting here than in
Europe; while, as a rule, such Americans as have worked abroad are well
aware that in France and in England intellectual labor is less trying
than it is with us. A great physiologist, well known among us, long ago
expressed to me the same opinion; and one of the greatest of living
naturalists, who is honored alike on both continents, is positive that
brain-work is harder and more hurtful here than abroad, an opinion which
is shared by Oliver Wendell Holmes and other competent observers.
Certain it is that our thinkers of the classes named are apt to break
down with what the doctor knows as cerebral exhaustion,--a condition in
which the mental organs become more or less completely incapacitated for
labor,--and that this state of things is very much less common among the
savans of Europe. A share in the production of this evil may perhaps be
due to certain general habits of life which fall with equal weight of
mischief upon many classes of busy men, as I shall presently point out.
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