s of tables which
contain some interesting information about centenarians. Of 52 persons
whom he mentions, at least 11--2 males and 9 females--actually
attained the age of 100. Others attained very nearly to the hundred
years. Only one of the persons reached 108 years, while one died at
the alleged age of 106. Of the 52 persons, 36 were women and 16 men.
Out of the 36 women 26 had been married, and 11 had borne large
families. Of the 26 who had been wives, 8 had married before they were
20, 1 at 16, and 2 at 17.

"Twelve of the fifty-two centenarians were discovered to have been the
eldest children of their parents. This fact, adds Dr. Humphry, does
not agree with popular notions that first children inherit a
feebleness of constitution, nor with the opinion of racing stables,
which is decidedly against the idea that 'firstlings' are to be
depended on for good performances on the course. The centenarians
generally regarded were of spare build. Gout and rheumatism were as a
rule, absent. 'It seems,' says Prof. Humphry, 'that the frame which is
destined to great age needs no such prophylactics, and engenders none
of the peccant humors for which the finger joints (as in gout) may
find a vent.'

"Of the fifty-two aged people, twenty-four only had no teeth, the
average number of teeth remaining being four or five. Long hours of
sleep were notable among these old people, the period of repose
averaging nine hours; while out-of-door exercise in plenty and early
rising are to be noted among the factors of a prolonged life. One of
the centenarians 'drank to excess on festive occasions:' another was a
'free beer drinker,' and 'drank like a fish during his whole life.'
Twelve had been total abstainers for life or nearly so, and mostly all
were 'small meat eaters.'"

The oldest woman in Austria at this time is Magdalene Ponza, who is
112. "She was born at Wittingau, Bohemia, in 1775, when Maria Theresa
sat on the Austrian throne. George III. had then been but 15 years
King of England, Louis XVI. who had ruled a little more than a
twelvemonth in France, was still in the heyday of power, the
Independence of the United States of America had not yet been
declared, Napoleon and Arthur Wellesley were as yet but six years old.
Magdalene Ponza retains full possession of her mental faculties.
Unfortunately she can only speak the Czech language, and she can
neither read nor write. However, she answers questions briskly enough
through the