Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-02-04
Walking fer Health.

There is no better authority on walking
than Miss Bertha Won Hillern, whose
pedestrian feats and most agreeable pres
ence will be pleasantly remembered here.
She did what she undertook to do, and she
did not break down, either then or since,
showing that she had the full measure OF
her own strength. Moreover, the money
which was made by her exhibitions OF
walking, was devoted to art study. and she
has spent several years in outdoor sketch
ing among the mountains of Virginia,
with results that have been exhibited at
Earle's Galleries. In that Virginia region,
everybody goes on horse-back-f not the
beggars-at least it is understood etiquette
that one may always borroo horse, in
stead of walking q h2lf mile. Miss Won
Hillern's observations on the :sl=heelth OF
people who never walk, led her to give ad-
vice to q number of women, for walking
as regimen. In = Baltimore journal she
tells the results of hes experience; advis-
ing even consumptiyes to take regular and
gradually increasing walks for the benefit
to the circulation. The Household has
already told the story of the old patrician
Philadelphian who always cured her colds by
going to the washtubs along with her
maids: and if the washtub is not always
axa.labls, the walk is. When there is the
feeling Of having taken cold, the miserable
'all-overishness, ~ Without any localized
sensation, a good walk viii frequently
throw off the clutch of cold. But it must
be a Bertha Won Hillern walk, free, elias
tic, brisk, not an indolent dawdle. Miss
Won Killarn walks with her arms; these in
great activity, Rsld until this has been tried
no one really knows how exhilerating a
walk may be. The chest is expanded, the
breathing comes easily, the work is not ali
thrown on the lower limbs, but a sort of
electrical glow reciads you that-however
well descende l-even. the babies begin life
with walking on call fours." 20 walk
acith all fours, that is with..the arms swinging
in rhythm to the stride, is to take health
walk. This is sure to cure low spirits and
some other things. Miss Won Hiiiern re-
lates how she broke up fainting and
trembling spell in a friend by suddenly i'll
ducing her to take quick run down bill,
thus bringing the circulation into good
play. This, of course, was not case of
heart-failure, which is among the excep
tions that she makes to her general rules
that walking viii cure. Many people who
believe themselves and indeed seem too
weak to walk, might profit by her encour-
agement and reminders Of what real walk
ing does for the body, what sluggish func-
tions it brings into play. 1t is pity there
is not walking rink here for women, who
will probably not begin to swing their
arms in the street, unless they shall have
plenty Of company, or some princess should
set the fashion. Whenever sitting room
feels too chilly, in the autumn or spring
days while it is not considered cold enough
for a fire, Miss Won Hillern recommends to
take brisk scamper of few minutes out
Of doors, before settling down to sewing,
with the result that the good glow will
continue and keep you in comfort for hours
afterwards Pill. Ledger.