The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-11-13
The Necessity of Physical Exer-
else.

ton is to develop the brain at the eX-
pense Of the body, and to exercise it ex
cessively, to the detriment or ruin of the
nervous organization. In cities large
class of men grow old before their time.
They olive fast" not alone in the COM
monty accepted meaning OF the phrase,
but in the wear and tear of their sys-
tens, and in the speedy exhaustion of
their physical vitality. They get through
their allotted periods of life more rapid
ly than nature designed, and when they
should be in their strongest prime they
are worn out and ready for the grave.
Many of them realize and regret the
fact, but see no suitable way to save
themselves. The demands of social po-
sition, the pressure of business or pro
fessional duties, and the fierce pursuit Of
wealth and success, allow them no
breathing spells. Life is whirl of ex-
element, a succession Of intense efforts,
and one unceasing round of ventures
and anxieties. In time they become so
accustomed to unnatural activity that
rest is impossible--,epose is torture.
Their bodies may be idle, but their
brains cannot be Sleep deserts them
and stimulants are resorted to. When
a brilliant career is only half run nerv-
Gus exhaustion steps in and the man is
a wreck, or sudden death rescues him
from brief ordeal of misery. This is
the history of some of our ablest, most
ambitious and most successful men.
Under the circumstances many believe
they cannot do otherwise. They are il
the harness and resolve to die there.
Is it necessary to make the sacrifice
Is it wise to eXpend natures most pre-
cious powers like a prodigal, accompa-
MED by no effort to counteract the out
lay? An occasional vacation, that i'm
poses increased responsibility on return
ing to the treadmill, is unavailing. Po-
tons and physic merely postpone the
evil day Is there no natural, conve-
nient and etfectual method of meeting
the difficulty These are questions
which many man who has struggled to
position or wealth has at one time or
another asked himself, and seldom
paused to answer.
A mans seventieth year may b.
more enjoyable than his fortieth, for it
may find him in the serene possession of
wealth, houor and power, and sur
rounded by Descendants whose wei
fare he has firmly assured. The
most triumphant portion of the
late Commodore Vanderbilt's life was
after he had passed the age of 50. In
fact, that age to him was what 30 is to
millions of other men. AT the age OF
63, Warren Hastings retired from II
career of intense activity, and yet there
after enjoyed twenty-three years of ease,
luxury and scholastic retirement. There
is every reason to believe that he found
more pleasure in this long period of re
fined repose than in the lifetime that
preceded it. Examples may he cited
wherein men achieve fame and fortune
in the flush Of youth, but most of the
solid work of the world is transacted by
old men-old in years, but young in
strength and mental vigor with health
and faculties well preserved Byron
and Poe ran through their lives at 81,
whereas, had Milton died at the same
age, his sublimest imaginings would not
now adorn the pages of English ltera-
ture. He was an old man before the
chief part Of them cmanated from his
pen. Rufus Choate fritted away his
splendid powers and died at 50, an age
after which many men achieve their most
profound triumphs. At the age OF G. Bis
marck is in his full enjoyment Of almost
unbounded power, and yet his political
career had scarcely begun at As. Crom-
well was literally unknown at 40 John
Adams attained the age of 81; John
Wesley died at IS, Newton at IS; Vol
taire, Benjamin Franklin. Herschell and
Goethe at 81; John Quincy Adams and
Button at 81. Lord Chesterfield at 20,
Andrew Jackson and Corneille at IS,
Butcher at ~ and Corpernicus at "a
Daniel OConnell was a man of power at
green old age. Wellington passed
life in hard work and excitement and
died al So. No Roman Catholic prelate
can hope to aspire to the Papal chair
until he has exceeded the ages of most
men. Bryant lived to 81, and died from
the effects of an accident OF living men
of prominence, DeLesscps is a. Gortcha-
kotf 70, Victor Hugo -, Garihaldi -,
John Bright 60, Ericsson &c, Whittier
Il, Gladstone 20, Tennyson 60. Longfol
low - and Won Moltke - I, i I'm