Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-05

The Benefits OF Walking and the Proper
Way to Walk.

From Harper's Bazaar.
An old Swiss guide conducting small party
to one Of the heights near Chamonix, from
which the view Of the grand, silent Mont
Blanc is superb. gave one Of the truest and
soundest lessons in the simple matter Of walk
ing ever heard 1t was early morning when
we set forth, the dew was on the grass, the sun
shone brightly but gently, o herd Of goats with
tinklng bells, followed by idle, lettering boy,
kept Us company for some distance along the
brawling little stream that separates the village
from the heights We were fresh and eager,
and with the strength Of the nights rest sped
along far in advance Of old Jacques, who came
on at a steady, even pace.
"Mesdames," he said at last, as he quickened
step and came up with a smile and droll twin
kie in his eve, ''yon make me much surprised
l thought IN America the ladies ride all the
time IN carriage; mais VOLTA! you are great
walkers; so quick, so actif. 1t may be you are
long time in Switzerland; you have climbed
the Matterhorn, and the few miles to La Flegere
ct La Brereute is small matter; une petite
promenade. n est-ce pas?'
His manner was SO respectful, so courteous
that for a moment We were embarrassed with
the compliments to our pedestrian powers. but
soon we caught the naive and delicate sarcasm
Of his words and humbly confessed it was our
first climb or even lengthy walk in Switzerland
We had been advised to do it, in preference to
the Jogging mule ride. by young Scotch
woman at our hotel, who had much experience
among the mountains.
But madame" continued old JACQUES
"Mademoiselle Cookie comes to Switzerland
these three summers; and at home in Scotland
she keeps herself in the practice to walk Et
maintenant you begin today. You 60 at full
speed; your strength will fail the first half of
the journey; you will wish to be dead before
you como to the end. You talk with your friend
all the time; you keep the mouth open; you
will rasp the throat with the breath. For the
steps, you go first short, then long, and from
the side to the side, vOia Steady, even step,
CONNIE ca; deep. quiet breath through the nos
trils the lips closed. Eli bien vous etes en-
haut de bonnie heure sans fatiguer'
We did not, of course, follow this good advice
more than nfteen minutes, and then reiapsed
to our careless, wilful way. As predicted, the
exhaustion OF the day was such that it was the
hrst and only experiment in serious walking
and climbing during our stay. But old Jacques
was right; his years of experience had given
MIN the science o. walking IN a nutshell.
METHOD AND PRINCIPLE.
1t is no new thing to say that method and
principle are the secret springs of success.
Every practical worker knows that from sew
ing machine to a steam engine the foundation
OF SKIN IN Its management lies first III brain
work-a comprehension Of what is to be done
and how to do it-rather than in an immediate
and blind use Of muscle and machine The
artist sees his picture, lays it ont before his
minds eye, masses the light and shade before
ne touches charcoal or color to canvas. The
athlete, the swimmer, the rover knows first
the effect of each various stroke, with its length
OF curve and direction. Unconsciousress in
voluntary action comes later bringing dizziness,
abandon, grace and strength. This analysis of
technique-regard of first principles-may, in
the matter of recreation, have a touch of the
Englishman's habit Of taking ones pleasure
seriously, but il means life, as a whole, taken
strongly and always at its best
NEED OF EXERCISE.
Exercise, with both men and women. is n
question Of intelligence consideration of
kind and quality rather than of degree. The
subject has for women peculiar embarrassments
anc limitations, particularly in the close
house-bound life OF the city. In the country
there are the natural morning duties w 18th
open windows and flooding sunlight; the walk
to the depot or for the mail quiet and calming:
the long plazzas. In the city nine women out
OF ten are victims to morning gown and slip
pers. mans hat, coat and gloves hang in the
hallway, always i'll readiness. What would he
say II boots. trousers and coat were to be
changed, after an hour, before he could got
out for a breath of air? While MANY women
still Dllow the traditions Of delicacy and help
iessness that have for so many years enshrined
and enteebed their sex, vet they have come.
all the same, to understand, through the eff
forts Of many of their sisters who must per-
force be strong, that poor physique puts q
woman at odds and at the mercy of others
when the stress of life comes In the new
creed to which women are giving allegiance it
Will come to be an article in time that weak
ness. unless inherited. is sin. The young wo-
man of the future will fulfil the poets ideal:
"She gave him her hand; it was not helpless
one."
WALKING AS AN EXERCISE.
Walking brings into play a greater number
of muscles than any of the simpler modes OF
exercise. but to walk correctly and easily is as
much matter OF study and practice as to exc
cute brilliant piano-forte sonRtG-the one a
training of arm, hand and fingers, the other of
limb and foot There comes first the poise of
the body; next, the manner of breathing: then
the swing OF the limb from the Improvement
as to direction and length of step; lastly, the
carriage of arms and hands, This is the detail
OF walking. 10 insure good walk and car
rage each must be considered and practiced
In turn. Standing firmly ON both feet, the
poise Is given by elevating the chest and ap-
parently leaning forward until it is on q line
with the toes. Apparently only because this
IS the true balance of the human figure 1t
gives sense of firmness at the waist line in
the back, contracts the muscles across the
shoulders, lifts the head ana places its weight
upon the neck, where it belongs; throws the
arms to the front instead of against the sides.
and adding to the width of the body. which is
awkward. Try this position. and a sense of
power, OF command. of freedom is instantly
felt. 1t Is like an inspiration. The Greeks
we'll understood this law of balance and il is
that knowledge which gave the impress of
nobility, Of strength and Of grace as we'll to
their statues. The games, the festivals the
life In the open air, gave them, too, no lack of
models
THE BREATHING.
The position secured, breathing with the
muscles below the diaphragm-the lips closed,
except for an occasional respiration to free the
lungs, never an Inspirations a matter of
practice which in time becomes habit. 1t will
keep one erect and give strength when nothing
else Will. The movement Is straight forward
with slight turn of each foot to the right and
left, the weight of the body balanced on the
bail or spring of the foot. If the touch is too
far forward it gives a .'skippy" walk: il too far
back there is a constant thud Of the heel which
jars the walker with every STEP The swing of
the limb is from the hip not from the knee,
which is but slightly bent The arms are to be
carried as necessary appendages in walking
swinging from the shoulder. the elbows oblit-
Grated, with no more motion in the hand than
to ball on the end of q length of cord-easy,
not stiff.
The principles we'll in mind. with the daily
practice comes uncOnsciousne.s pleasure, de-
light at long stretch of by-path or roadway.
One learns just ones strength; how far to test
muscle and nerve without strain or injury
The enthusiasm is contagious; three, four, half