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from a conviction of their inutility.* I am satisfied that it is important, such a plan should be adopted in nearly every literary institution; and not only this, but the means for every variety of exercise should be accumulated around them, that every student may consult his own taste, as to the kind; and thus be induced to save himself from debility and ennui. I would not even exclude some military exercises; such as marching, the use of the broad sword, the erection of small fortifications, &c. The different games too, which are not linked, as several of them are inseparably, with immorality, should not be excluded. In short, I would endeavour to make every literary seminary, a University, as to exercise: so that no student should have any excuse for neglecting to strengthen his physical, as well as mental energies. Even in the most inclement weather, there should not be wanting the means of exercise: for ifa man can not exercise, neither ought he to study.

Flesh Brush.

Friction with the flesh brush, is another in-door exercise of great utility. It has often done wonders-Cicero found it among the best means he used for the restoration of his health and the ancients generally valued it so highly, that they would not pass a day without it. And among the moderns, its reputation stands equally high. It should be practiced about half an hour, morning and evening.t

Exercise of the voice.

Literary men should by no means neglect training the voice, and strengthening the lungs, by reading aloud, for an hour or two daily. This practice gives strength also to

Only two rooms in the basement story of the Chapel building have been devoted to this object; and these, it is but justice to say, were fitted up at the suggestion of Prof. Abbott in the year 1826; earlier, 1 believe, than any similar effort in this country.

↑ Note C. C.

the stomach, and wonderfully invigorates all the organs of the chest. The great men of antiquity understood this, and adopted the practice. Mox orationem Graecam Latinamve, says Pliny, clare et intente non tam vocis causa, quam stomachi lego, pariter tamen et illa firmatur.

A seventh rule I have to mention on this subject, is, that CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN, ON A CESSATION FROM EXERCISE, TO PREVENT A SUDDEN SUPPRESSION OF THE PERSPIRATION.

Bad practices.

Some will throw themselves upon the damp ground, or take a station at a window, in a current of air, without any additional clothing, immediately after the most violent efforts. Such persons need not wonder, if stiff limbs, rheumatic pains, and severe catarrhs, follow: they may, indeed, think it strange, if they escape without something more serious. They may suppose themselves, in this way, to be hardening their constitution; but in fact, they are breaking it down. Nature will not bear these violent efforts. Even if they could bring themselves to endure with impunity such exposures; yet it could be effected only by a long course of training: even then, it would be hazardous. The better way is to throw on an additional garment for a short time, after violent or long continued exertion; or to continue to exercise less and less violently, until the system is reduced to its natural condition.

Finally, we should consider it an important rule, not to

ATTEMPT TO MAKE EXERCISE A SUBSTITUTE FOR ATTENTION TO DIET.

Case in which study should be abandoned.

It is true, that vigorous exercise will, in a measure, counteract the bad effects of excessive eating. But in order to accomplish this object, a student must give up study. If he does not join temperance to exercise, as Cheyne says, “the evil will be as broad one way, as it is long the other. For since exercise will create a greater appetite, if it is indulg

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ed to the full, the concoctive powers will be as unequal to the load as they were before."* A single ounce of food too much, taken into a weak stomach, will require a half day's vigorous exercise, above what would otherwise be necessary. The student, therefore, who cannot confine himself to a temperate diet, had better make up his mind to abandon study altogether; and become a farmer, a carpenter, a sailor, a soldier, or any thing else, that will require him to exercise severely from twelve to sixteen hours per day; and then he can, with comparative impunity, enjoy the luxuries of a glutton. If all the use he makes of the vigor and good appetite produced by exercise, is, to furnish an excuse for eating to excess, he never will accomplish any thing in literature or science; and the sooner he exchanges the toga literaria for the frock, or the apron, the better.

Melancholy reflections.

Such are the principal rules of exercise, by which the most distinguished philosophers and literati of ancient and modern times, have been able to sustain their health and vigor, under the most severe and long protracted mental efforts. Had they neglected these rules, their names would never have come down to us, encirled with such halos of glory; but one line would have told their whole historypremature decay-an early tomb. And it is painful to look around upon the rising ranks of our literary youth, and to be compelled to believe, that this line, will be all that will be written on the monumental stone of very many, who are disregarding these same rules. It would not be so painful a thought, did we not know, that many of these have higher aims than to wind the wreaths of knowledge around their brows aims, which look only to the glory of God, and the welfare of their fellow men. For this purpose they have left other pursuits, and are toiling day and night over their books: but alas, they know not the terrible disappointment that

:

* Essay of Health and Long Life, p. 100.

awaits them, unless they wake up from their bodily inactivity, and vigorously cultivate their physical, as well as intellectual faculties. O, that I had the power to break the delusion, that surrounds them; and could thus be the means of saving some powerful minds, and honest, holy hearts, from being buried under the rubbish of a ruined frame! In the language of the ablest medical men, I would say to them : "Throughout all nature, want of motion indicates weakness, corruption, inanimation and death. Trenck in his damp prison, leaped about like a lion, in his fetters of seventy pounds weight, in order to preserve his health: and an illustrious physician observes, "I know not which is most necessary to the support of the human frame, food or motion." Were the exercise of the body attended to in a corresponding degree with that of the mind, men of great learning would be more healthy and vigorous-of more general talents-of ampler practical knowledge-more happy in their domestic lives-more enterprising, and more attached to their duties as men. In fine, it may with much propriety be said, that the highest refinement of the mind, without improvement of the body, can never present any thing more than half a human being."*

"A man," says Sir William Temple, "has but these four things to choose out of-to exercise daily, to be very temperate, to take physic, or to be sick.”

Story of Ogul.

Finally, if the student cannot be persuaded to use proper exercise in any other way, I could wish him to be made the subject of a deception, amusingly described by Voltaire. "Ogul," says he, "a voluptuary who could be managed with difficulty by his physician, on finding himself extremely ill from indolence and intemperance, requested advice: "Eat a Basilisk stewed in rose water," replied the physi cian. In vain did the slaves search for a Basilisk, until they met Zadig, who approaching Ogul, exclaimed," behold * Journal of Health, p. 85. vol. I.

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that thou desirest ;" "but my Lord," continued he, “it is not to be eaten; all its virtues must enter through thy pores; I have therefore enclosed it in a little ball blown up, and covered with skin: thou must strike this ball with all thy might, and I must strike it back again, for a considerable time; and by observing this regimen, and taking no other drink than rose water, for a few days, thou wilt see and acknowledge the effect of my art." The first day Ogul was out of breath, and thought he should have died from fatigue; the second he was less fatigued, and slept better; in eight days he recovered all his strength. Zadig then said to hiro, "there is no such thing in nature as a Basilisk; but thou hast taken exercise and been temperate, and hast therefore recovered thy health.”

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