The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1868-11-27
Fir. Westerns Letter to Rev. Theo. L
Cuyler.
MITRGPoLITAN HoTEI., n. Y.,l
Noro,,,har Stb 1890

I METROPOLITAN HOTEL, n. Y.,l
| u November 5th, 1865.
| Rev. THEo. L. CUYLER. You kin
favor of tie "a inst. is before me
and | am pleased to have an oppol
tunity TO grant your request.
You ask for my "experiencc as {
The effect OF alcoholic stimulants o
those who aim az athletic achieve
ments.' In reply, | am constraine,
TO say that, 80 Tar as my judgmen
and experience are concerned, tn
use oi Intoxicating liquors on the oc
casion Of the performance OF an,
task requiring strength and nerve, i
not only unnecessary, bat wholly il
ljurions. The moments man psrtake
of such stimgfants at SUCH a Lime, h
ceases TO work upon his own strengt
of manhood, and is simply using
false power built upon 4 medicine
for liquor is good for nothing else.
1t may help him for the mement, bu
the effect is of short duration, an,
thea he is worse than before. 1t no
only weakens his body, but his nerve
and takes away his will; and that il
not all, it will take away his appetit,
for food. l know it is a custom prev
alent among those who go into ;
regular course of instruction, o.
training las it is called, } for feat o
pedostrianism, TO give them crackers
soaked in wine at stated Intervals
To my mind this is not only folly ant
a loss of time, but morally wrong
the nan should GtWayS be IN training
(all that is necessary hsve his hab
it's regular, and have care of that
which he eats and when he cats it,
II lie cannot walk fifty miles g day
without taking wine, he certainly viii
not walk long if he makes his prac
tice. AZ .s..-.
Diet is an important consideration
in s walk that places stronger tax
than usual upon the physical system.
And if man desires to excel
in feats requiring endurance and
strength, he must pay strict attention
to diet based upon the primitive
laws Of health. What l recommend
has been proved valuable by personal
experience. Of meats, beef is the
best, and it should be cooked rare,
and then eaten with cold wheat
bread, good sweet butter; potatoes
boiled, mashed or stewcd, and eggs
soft boiled. Too much grease should
be avoided. When you eat, drink
hot tea or coffee. But before eating
at oil, cease walking and rest thirty
minutes at least. The stomach is
heated, and it wants rest as we'll as
the limbs; besides, food should not
be taken into it when heated, for then
mastication is unnatural; instead Of
seizing hold as it were of the food,
the organs are in state of excite
ment which induces exhaustion.
AS a beverage, when on the road,
1 generally use molasses and water,
and with the best results. 1t keeps
the stomach in a measure cool, and
GOODNESS internally is refreshing TO
the whole system. l first used mo-.
iaasses and water on the road to
avoid the unpleasant taste of the
different qualities OF water drawn
from different wells and springs, and
the experiment was so successful
that now | never start on journey
trying to physical manhood, without
it. When on the march oatmeal Cruel
and beef tea are good as as change
from molasses and water. Cold
coffee and cold tea | also use as a
beverage when walking, and the ap-
petite Graves either. Ii | am attack
ed with sudden pain when taking eX-
ercise, lay down fiat on my back,
elevate my feet, and after short rest
swallow two tea-spoonsful OF pepper
mint and sugar with hot water
| mis- does away with the use OF
licohOlic stimalants, since it is the
1niy emergency III which they could |
be beneficial and peppermint, even
n this emergency, / ind the best rem
.iv. -r.ra I... ....t
Protracted walks do not reduce or
Exhaust the physical system under
ny regimen. On nay walk from Port
and to Chicsgo l gained in flesh,
md at the end of the journey felt
more fresh and vigorous than when
started. After the walk there is no
,eriod of depression. The functions |
,i the body continue to work in har-
nOny so long as take moderate ex
,rcise. t...f....
| am well aware that | have but
mperfectly answered your questions,
md as an apology for the want OF
'ullness and clearness, ! must plead |
,he business of arranging for my five
thousand mile march; preparing time
,sblcs, selecting routes and arranging
necessary details have absorbed
nearly the whole of my time. AT
some future day, l will record my
more fully.
/ cannot thank Won sufficiently for
he interest you manifest in my wei
are. Believe me, I appreciate it in
he sincerity of my heart, and, as
you express the hope, will not sane
ion betting in connection with any
rial of endurance in which, hereafter,
I may engage. respect the voice
If the Church, and honor you as one
Of its hoblest representatives.
Faithfully yours,
EDWARD PAYscN WESTON.