Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-16


duetion. Of the brain, we're great walkers and
lovers OF nature.
LIrERARY MEN As VALERA
II Il calculated that Wordsworth, natures
poet, walked during his lifetime distance Of
nearly 200 900 miles. and what splendid use he
made Of his sauntsrings!
Our own Emerson was an interchangeable
pedestrian, and what inspiration he drew from
naturel
Poor Southey. whose life was not the hapui-
est, was wont to repair to the country, where
| he found contentment in natures sympathetic
company.
John Wilson, better known in literature a.
christopher North" was Q robust walker.
| forty or eighty miles tramp was no unusual
undertaking for him. He often walked at the
rate OF hye miles an hour for a whole day and
| at the end of those long walks would write off
columns Of the brightest things that adorned
| the pages OF his Edinburgh Review.
The nimltable Dickens was another enthusi-
| astic country walker, and his thorough knowI-
works, from 'Pickwick" to edwin brood"
Henry Fawcett, the political economist, de-
lighted in walking, and even during the wears
OF his life when he was totally blind his inher-
emit love OF the fields impelled him to seek the
Charles Lamb and John Stuart Mill were also
devoted to the country.
Henry D. Thoreau almost literally lived in
the neids and woods and on his favorite Merri-
mack river. and we are indebted to his intelli-
gent devotion to nature for rich fund Of in
formation, beautifully told, concerning plant
and animal life.
George William Curtis, one Of the most Wig
| orous and versatile of authors, spends three
hours daily walking in the open air, and this
mas been an al-life habit Of his, which has
yielded the best results.
Henrick 1bsen is a methodical walker So
fond is he of his daily walk that he takes it rain
or shine, and the cotton umbrella which he
always carries has become part Of his indi-
viduality. His favorite time Tor walking is an
hour before twilight. He writes necessarily all
day and adopts this method Of resting his tired
brain and body. His well-knit, muscular
frame sttests his good health and he can stand
any amount OF literary work. 1t is said of
next
THE EFFECTS OF WALKING.
healthy system Of open-air exercise, such
as walking, tends to preserve to the features
their youthful appearance, imparting to the
skin clear, healthy color. The old flesh is
constantly giving place to new, thereby pre-
venting the accretion Of surplus fat. In like
manner the limbs made symmetrical and
the muscles compact. Physical development
Is the great promoter of physical beauty
Fiabby flesh is not pleasing to look upon,
healthiest and most vigorous persons of my
acquaintance are men Of light build, whose
muscle, though small, is compact and strong
from exercise.
The idea Of cultivating taste for walking
cannot be too strongly urged. Clubs with this
object in view should be formed everywhere.
Every school teacher ought to be an active
agent in the work. The destinations surround
ing country walking, not to speak Of the bene-
fits to be derived therefrom, can only be real
IyQ6h al IN
are waiting to connect themselves with such
clubs and little encouragement and instruc-
ton is all that is necessary to make them en-
thusiasts in the cause.
A few years ago induced city bred friend.
after much entreaty, to accompany me upon
one OF my tramps into the country. This
friend had no taste whatever for walking and
he had seen but little Of the country. He
hardly knew one tree or flower from another
Like Wordsworth's hero
"A primrose by a rivers brim
And 1t was nothing more"
He didn't manifest any great degree Of en-
thusiasm over his first walk, but l thought L
could discern in him some slight symptoms of
interest in the matter. And was not mis-
taken, for before a week hadl passed he was
throwing out hints that q repetition of the
walk would not be distasteful. From that time
on, for more than q year, we took numerous
walks together, my friend finally becoming an
enthusiast on the subject. He is now an au-
thority on botany. In a letter of recent date
he learnedly discussed theory concerning the
dissemination Of the seeds Of forest trees and
the succession Of forests.
Outdoor recreation is the mortal enemy Of
brain trouble of every kind to which the de-
The sensible thing, therefore, for the brain
taxed. hard-worked man to do, Ia to take fire.
quent systematic walks into the country for
getting for the time all about ledgers, coupons
and bank accounts in the study Of the beauties
OF nature breathing into his depleted system
fresh, hfe-giving air. 1t would insure sound
sleep, improve the appetite for food and
strengthen the digestive organs.
Wealth without health cannot be enioyed,
But how many there are who sacrifice not only
health but life itself in the struggle for gold
This eagerness to acquire wealth rapidly is sap
ping the very vitals OF our mental and physical
manhood. Men rush along pell-mell neglect
ing the simple dictates OF duty in their blind
devotion to lucre.
If people would do more walking there would
be less rheumatism, rheumatic govt and dys-
pepsia; they would be better looking and hap
pier. walking In the open air is conducive to
hardness OF the system, making one less sus-
ceptible to fatigue and colds.
lhe more we are exposed to sunshine and air
the more sunshine and air will there be in our
thoughts and feelings. Pure air and plenty of
1t Is the tonic that will surely produce health
and a high degree Of vitality.
LIZ. 1lail, III MS admirable book. "HeaIth bV
Good Living" says:
1.-THE consumption Of a large amount Of out
door air. and the employment of a large
amount Of muscular activities in this outdoor
air, are the great highways to a vigorous appe-
tite. good digestion, high health and exemp-
ton from disease, as well as to the cure of half
the ordinary maladies of humanity. The sue
cessive steps to the earthly elysium Of vigorous
health and long life are air, exercise. appe-
tite and digestion Of good food, prepared in
the best manner"
can imagine nothing half 80 delightful as a
walk with congenial companion over an in
terestlng stretch of country on q fine spring or
autumn day. Pleasant company is always de-
slrable on country walk. but it is not indis-
pensable to enjoyment, however, for one finds
delightful companionship in nature-in the
trees and plants and flowers and birds.
SOME SUGGESTIONS TO WALKERS.
Very long walks are not to be recommended.
especially in an enervating climate. Twelve to
fifteen miles ought to be the limit A walk to
be beneficial must be enjoyed, hence fatigue
should be avoided. Walking, when employed
us a laeans Of testing physical endurance-in
other words, when it becomes a task-loses its
charms and ia positively injurious
The best walking shoe is q snug-fttiup calf
gaiter Qace or button) with flexible oak tanned
leather soles. The soles should not be over
heavy. Round toes are preferable to square
ones
To secure good gait in walking the body