"Health is the vital principle of bliss,

And exercise, of health. In proof of this,
Behold the wretch who slugs his life away,
Soon swallow'd in disease's sad abyss;

While he whom toil has braced, or manly play,

Has light as air each limb, each thought as clear as day.

THOMSON'S Castle of Indolence.

INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS.

1.

XERCISE and Rest may be said to be the poles around which are found perpetually revolving all the varieties of the animated globe. And thus we see Man,

the crown of all creation's works, lying under the curse pronounced by the Almighty upon original transgression, with his frame beauteously fitted for activity, appointed to sweat under needful toil in order to earn his daily food. Yet the appetite for exertion is found gratefully alleviating the penalty of the primeval sentence; so that, in fact, restless man experiences far more of a curse in idleness and fruitless

B

inactivity, than he actually realizes under the existing urgent instigations to their opposite. Thus may we be reconciled to, and even rejoice over, that election of the kindlier alternative which heaven has made for us in recording her penal sentence attempered with mercy.

2. Man, therefore, loves exertion; not only does his present condition demand and sue for it, but his constitution rejoices in it: and most true it ever has been, and will be, that rest itself is only to be enjoyed in succession to activity—ease is alone relished-sleep is only gratefully welcome-after that

"Toil which does keep

Obstructions from the mind and quench the blood;
Ease but belongs to us like sleep, and sleep,
Like opium, is our medicine, not our food.”

SIR W. D'AVENANT'S Gondibert.

3. Activity is essential to the health of every organ of the body; for, through the use and exercise of the muscular system, the functions of the whole compound being are efficiently discharged-the circulating system is developed and maintained in its requisite force, and in harmony with the nervous as well as nutritive or assimilative systems-the brain receives its nicelybalanced supply-the lungs are expanded, so as to have their inherent elasticities called forth; whilst the heart, acquiring full tone and energy, as the fountain of life, again returns the vital currents back to the muscles, and throughout the varied framework of the body, in order to evolve their corresponding requisite develop

ment.

4. Let us add to the benefits of this muscular exercise, the respiration of the pure mountain air, giving thereby fresh life to the blood, and that sparkling glow of colour to the cheek which is alternately dis

carded and admired, as "rude health," by the capriciously varying tastes of society. Let the mind be emancipated from corrosive care, and in its stead be clad with that cheerfulness which the "country" so invariably excites, and we shall realize health's vital principle-bringing bliss. "Health is the soul that animates all the pleasures of life; and without it a man starves at the best of tables-is poor and wretched in the midst of the greatest treasures. Without health, youth loses all vigour, beauty all its charms; music is grating to the ears; conversation disagreeable; palaces are prisons; riches useless; honours and attendants cumbersome; and crowns themselves a burthen."

5. On the other hand, under the veil of inactivity, lurk the seeds of all manner of bodily and mental diseases; the body itself wastes, or else drags its stagnant bulk along the mental powers languish and become obtuse the animal spirits flag, and, in recoiling again upon themselves, become a prey to ennui and melancholy, with all their attendant train of evils. Hence we find in the higher classes of society, where the necessity for active bodily exertion is least remarked, that the kinds of diseases to which such classes are the most obnoxious, are exactly those derangements of the natural functions which are most directly traceable to habits of luxurious indolence, repletion, and inactivity.

6. Locomotion, then, is manifestly and extensively intended for us by nature; and so important and so various are the objects to be attained by it, and by it alone, in our social condition, whether that be in the simpler or more complex walks of life, that the grand question resolves itself into a consideration of the mode only, whereby healthful exercise and recreation are to be most readily found, and most accessible to the bulk

of society. In well-arranged and agreeable pedestrian excursions, is the reply. The charm of travellingnever so great as when, on foot, each stage of delightful variety is fairly won-has been a fertile theme for the pen of the letter-writer and the poet to descant upon; and not alone these. The graver pen of the medical philosopher has eulogized "sweet travel." It is an untold store of recreation for the mental and bodily constitution of our compound life; it expands the heart in sympathy with either the pleasure or the pain of others, and adds a relish to the mere fact itself of our existence, long ere the chords of our spiritual and intellectual nature vibrate to its successive series of awakening incident.

A modern writer makes the following remarks on the subject:

"In travelling we multiply events, and innocently. We set out, as it were, on our adventures; and many are those that occur to us, morning, noon, and night. The day we come to a place we have long heard and read of is an era in our lives; and from that moment the very name calls up a picture. How delightfully, too, does the knowledge flow in upon us, and how fast! Would he who sat in a corner of his library, poring over books and maps, learn more, or so much, in the time, as he who, with his eyes and his heart open, is receiving impressions all day long from the things themselves? Our sight is the noblest of all our senses; it fills the mind with most ideas, converses with its objects at the greatest distance, and continues longest in action without being tired. Our sight is on the alert when we travel; and its exercise is then so delightful, that we forget the profit in the pleasure."

7. For all those listless and effeminate

persons who

66

see no good in walking when they can ride in a carriage," the following suggestions will be void of interest or profit:-invalidedness, luxury, business, or the want of time, are conditions which it is not in place here to discuss. Where such press, or are supposed to press, their several claims for the convenience and service of a vehicle, these demands must be met according to the circumstances, &c. of the party requiring such aid.

Walking (ambulatio, hence perambulation) is reckoned by Celsus among other exercises which are serviceable for a weak stomach, such as reading with an audible voice (clara lectio), exercises at arms or with the ball, which may include cricket and running. Concerning walking, he says it is better diversified by ascending and descending than in a smooth and even plain, because it stirs the body more, except it be very weak.

It is also better to walk in the open air than under piazzas; and better in the sun, if the head will bear it, than in the shade; better in the shade of walls and green hedges than under a shady roof; and lastly, better straight forward or in a right line, than winding about. (CELSUs, lib. i. cap. 2.)

In his sixth book (chap. 6), he recommends much walking for the dim-sighted, as well as frequent bathing.

"It is generally said that riding is a more healthful exercise than walking, which appears to me an assertion a little too general; for walking is much more effectual in promoting an increase of muscular strength, and in imparting to the fibres a due elasticity, than riding. Upon the whole it may be said that walking is the best for the preservation of health."-DR. JAMES, in a work dedicated to Dr. Mead, 1743.

8. The mountaineers of all countries are always the strongest, and the most energetic and famous for lon

し