The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-02-21

Some SeasonsbIe Hints from the London
Spectator.

nVV ~ AEEf WAhms
Some s~ssonabIe Hints from the London
| Spectator.
Strong exercise, for those who can
take it, Is, no doubt, the best of RENE
dies for chilliness; but thousands suf-
fer from that complaint to whom strong
exercise is attainable only once week
who do not enjoy it even then-and
who find that, although walking pro-
duces an effect, it is one which does not
last half an hour after the exercise has
ceased. The chilliness recommences
rs they pass through the hall of their
own houses, and in an hour they are
suffering almost as miserably AZ ever.
Nevertheless, they have, during the
week, passed through an experience
which, If they would only comprehend
1T, would protect them from one half of
the misery they complain of. They
have not only walked, but they have
walked well clothed. The Englishman,
even II he lives in cities, understands
outdoor life; and, if he walks out On a
frosty day, walks out in thick, close
hitting boots; in a hat which warns his
head, in gloves which protect his hands,
and In coat which, being half an inch
thick and made of wool, protects him
as well as nature protects most animals.
1t IL when he comes in doors that he
dresses himself foolishly. He has still
to guard against low thermometer.
He loses the quickness of circulation
produced by exercise, and he is exposed
to draughts he does not feel abroad !;
but he uncovers his head, uncovers his
hands, partially uncovers his feet, and
divests himself entirely of his outdoor
fleece. A sheep or a bear, which did
the same thing in its house or den,
would die naturally enough of pulmo-
nary disease. No inhabitant of coun-
try where cold is sharp enough or long
continued enough to impart a self-de-
fensive instinct, ever does anything of
the kind, but keeps on rs much of his
outdoor clothing as will keep up the
sense of warmth. The Russian of the
north, if he cannot thoroughly warm
his house, keeps on his sheepskin, as
the Esquimau wears his fur, as if it
were the clothing nature intended him
to wear. The Englishman alone
divests. himself of so many arti-
cles of dress that he feels chill
ly, and then runs to the fire
to warm his hands and feet or enjoy the
higher temperature which fire in the
chimney diifuses for about five feet
from the fender. Warm clothing in the
house would protect him just as COM
pletely as out of the house; but he
thinks it undigniied to wear it, and pre-
fers covering over fire to clothing him
self reasonably, and being accused i'm
mediately of etfeminacy or of coddling
himself. Women are exempt from this
difficulty, and, being aware of the pecul
lar beauty Of shawls as drapery, wear,
when chilly, extra clothing within the
house without scruple, but men, unless
very old or able to plead weakness of
the lungs, would not put on a COM
mon silk skull-cap-the most effective
of all projections against draughts-for
the world, and regard the wearing of
great-coat indoors as preposterous and
impossible. Yet the extra clothing
would warm them completely and pre-
in such habitual dread. No defense
against draughts is so perfect as a COM
mon silk handkerchief tied over the
head, and silk vest or one of wash
leather put on between the shirt and
waistcoat will keep the body more
equally warm than good fire. A wad-
ded coat will enable the chilly man to sit
and work anywhere indoors and so will
an extra suit of thin flannel worn dur
ing the whole active day Just let any
one who doubts what we say try the
very simple expedient, when the chilli
ness becomes unbearable, of putting on
his dressing-gown over his ordinary
clothing, and in five minutes he will be
perfectly comfortable and ready for any
work; while he will not suffer, as he
fancies he will, when he goes out of
doors. The popular notion upon that
subject is mere delusion. You are not
strengthened for outdoor life by shiver-
! ing indoors, but rataer weakened,
habitual warmth, if not too great, being
one of the best preservatives of eonsti-
tutional strength. A chilly man might
as well refuse blankets IN bed because
they would increase his sense of cold
when he got up, as refuse warm cloth
! ing indoors because out-of-doors he
would not be 80 sensible of a pleasant
difference, but to be and to remain
moderately and BEAUTIFULLY warm
to be insensible, in fact, to ordinary
differences of temperature, is just what
is needed.