New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-11-23
UES7ONS LONG WALR.

Mr.. Edward p. Weston-who walked, year
since, from Portland TO Chicago, and who, dur
ing that trip, failed in two several attempts to
walk one hundred miles within twenty -four
consecutive hours, but who, after decided
failure 10 walk one hundred miles in twenty
three hours on n race-track at Troy. did. on the
9th of last month, walk ten times over meas
ured distance of ten miles 200 miles in alb on
the highway from White Plains to Rye, West
chester CO., y. Y. in the remarkably short time
OF % hours, 10 minutes and 10 seconds, including
two rests of - minutes each. and two of nearly
minutes each--wil start from Bangor, Maine,
on the lst Of December next TO walk 10 st.
Paul Minnesota, and thence by such routes as
he may select to the extent Of 5000 miles,
closing at this City within 100 days from the
time of starting. IA he is to lie still every
hour and minnie OF each of the fourteen in
tervening Sundays he has but eighty walk
ing days in which to traverse tho entire dis
lance nj the sovcrest season OF the year, when
he is certain TO encounter heavy storms and
drftcd roads, and for good part in a most
rigorous climate. He is to have no bet de-
pending on his success, whether total
or partial. nor shall any one who
attends him but Col. Dan Rice, who proposes
the walk, agrees to raise for him by subscrip-
ton not less than 100000 in case he accom-
plishes the feat. To do it, he must average
over 81 miles per day in all weather for eighty
six consecutive weekdays. His feat is a simple
test Of his powers of endurance. We could
wish that good horse carrying no weight,
were put on the track beside him, to deter
mine whether man or horse be really the
1eeter on protracted trial.
We do not approve of any mans attempting
10 walk through twenty -four consecutive hours
or 10 walk 100 miles without rest. He may feel
no injury ut the time, but rheumatism and pre-
mature decay will avcnge such violation of
the laws of nature. But walking is a noble
exercise winch should be more popular than ii
is; and we hope Mr.. Weston's example will
inspire many young men, after little
training, to "let themselves out" for n
stretch Of forty to sixty miles, or OF
ten 60 fifteen hours, as they may pre-
fer. There was far less dyspepsia and nervous
disorder among us when walking was n usual
mode of overcoming long distances; and there
are few young men Of fifteen 10 twenty whose
physical stamina would not be increased 10y
ten TO twenty days lively walking. We are
lust beginning to cultivate systematically our
muscular powers; and walking is the readIest
and cheapest exercise within the reach OF ALL.
If our physicians could afford to prescribe so
many miles instead OF so many grains for Mt
least half their patients, we should have far
less sickness and enjoy longer lives.
We of the cities take far too little exercise
every one confesses it. We are too busy or too
idle; and often tho very incapacty created by
=. 10
glect to cultivate our physical powers Our
very recrcations are mainly sedentary, and send
blood TO the brain when IL should DO drawn
thence by cheerful exertion. Our more fortu-
nate youth study the Greek and Latin tongues,
but neglect the physical training which made
the Greeks and Romans tho foremost
races of antiquity. The debasing excite
ments of tho pugilsts' ring and the cockpit
are more popular with us than the games Of
strength and skill which made the Greeks
models of manly power aud beauty. "A sound
mind in sound body impelled to the creation
of those wondrous products of ancient genius
which remain the delight and marvel Of the
civilized world.
Tho nrC Field aud Farm Of tho 18th inst.
confirms letter from Weston To Rev H. l..
Cuyler. from which we extract tho following
wholesome icsson
"You ask for my experience asto the effect OF alec
hoc stmnlants on thoss who aim at athletic aoh'eyo
ments' In reply. am oonsrniued To say tbat 10 Tar
az my Judgment and experience are concerned the uso
OF Intoxicating liquors ON the occasion OF tho perform
anco any task requiring strength aud nerve IS not
only unnecessary, but wholly Injurious Tho moment
man partakes Of sucn stmulgnts az such time. lao
20 work upon his own strength OF manhood anu
isrlnpy using also power built upon medicine Tor
anor Ia good nothing cseD IL may help him Tor tho
moment but ccot s Of short duration, ana then no
Is than before I not only woakens his body bnt
his nerve aud takes away his Will and that 10 not ALT
will take away his appetite for food know 10 Is n Gus