I place cheerfulness next, in the catalogue of essentials to long life and
happiness; before "diet," for, unless a man eats cheerfully, nothing will
agree with him; and if he be constantly cheerful, nothing that he eats
will injure him.
"How shall I be cheerful when all the world goes wrong with me?" asks the
diseased and despondent man or woman.
Put on cheerfulness as a garment. Assume it. Try my suggestion. Use a
little hypocrisy with yourself. Go before your glass, if necessary, and
assume a cheerful countenance. Keep it up, and before long you will be
astonished to find that Mr. Melancholy don't like it, and begins to
withdraw his sombre person. Keep on "keeping it up," and the most happy
results will soon follow your exertions.
Try the reverse, and melancholy will return. This is cheap medicine.
"[R]--A cheerful face, taken daily, feasting."