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

Physical Culture which Brings Delight
The Advantages Of Walking Over Mschani-
cal Means Of Muscular Development-Lit-
erary Men ~ Pedestrians.
Written for The Evening Star
THERE CAN BE NO HAPPINESS OR CON-
l. tentment without health. Hence health
and long life are the great desire and hope Of
mankind. How to attain these blessings has
been the aim aud study Of the sages of all ages.
But notwithstanding all that has been done in
the interest of health and longevity-to pro-
mote more perfect development Of the hu-
man systematic physical condition Of man, as
he exists today lin the cities at least), seems to
be degeIerating instead of advancing.
Not long ago there appeared in one Of our
leading monthly magazines some valuable sta
tistics touching the subject of human longev-
ity. The author of the publication sent out
into all parts Of New England some I, Zoo cir
cular letters asking for detailed Information
concerning the occupation, habits, &C., during
life of persons over eighty years OF age, male
and female.
The inquiries were quite thorough and some
interesting facts were furnished in the $500
answers that he received. The following
among other facts were clearly established:
1. That longevity, without regularity Of hab-
its, is rare.
Z. That physical activity is conducive to long
life.
8. That bone and muscle are the basis and
main support of health and long life.
4. That excessive flesh is rarely found in
healthy old age.
ripe old age is greatest among farmers, or
those leading active lives in the country.
/ The statistics also showed a very low COM
parative health rate for the cities, in spite of
the fact that cities and largo towns enjoy the
benefits of all that science can do in the wav
OF improved hygienic appliances. In the cities,
too, was found the greatest degree Of physical
degeneracy.
These unsatisfactory conditions are due
largely to the inactive, lazy habits of city
people, who take insufficient exercise. Street
railways and cheap cab lines are responsible
for good deal of it. / once heard a WELL
known physician declare that every street car
was recruiting Office for the hospital and the
poor house. Lazy peopleride when there is no
necessity for 1t, and when it would be a
save their money. Inclemency Of the weather.
being unwell, tired or in a hurry are the only
conditions which can excuse a ride in . street
car.
The important question, therefore, is, how
can this tide of physical degeneracy which is
stayed? The answer is simple-outdoor recrea-
ton il the cure.
THE RISING GENERATION.
Nowhere is this evil moro apparent than in
the ranks of the rising generation. Boys and
girls are growing up misshapen under their
present careless and listless manner Of carrying
themselves. The physical culture of the youth
OF the land is a question Of vast importance
and 1t is one that is now occupying
good deal Of attention. The estab-
ishment in the public schools of depart
ment for training the pupils in the art Of walk
ing and other health giving exercises is being
vigorously advocated. This would seem to be
capital idea. for the true end of education
should be development, the right adjustment
OF mind, body and character. The need Of
some such system is unauestioned, especially
in the interest Of girls, who are more limited
In opportunities for physical culture than boys.
Among the field sports, base ball, croquet
and lawn tennis ought to be encouraged. These
games furnish healthy diversion for both mind
and body. Base ball and croquet bring into
play every joint and muscle of the body, and
they are particularly efficient in promoting a
healthy development of the organs Of vision.
Next to walking they are the best exercises for
boys and girls.
The fact that tennis players. as . rule, use
but one arm is an objection to the game, for it
tends to promote uneven development. Lovers
of this graceful, fascinating sport should
encourage the use Of both arms.
The scheme Of extending public aid to the
physical culture Of the youth is right in prin-
ciple and if carried out viii prove economical
return in a decrease Of expenditure for the
care and treatment Of mental and physical
wrecks in the public charitable institutions.
THE GYMNASIUM
Athletic exercise ought to be encouraged.
Clubs like the Columbia Athletic Club of this
city, whose principal efforts are in the direc-
ton Of healthy outdoor sports. should receive
the enthusiastic support Of the people. The
grounds of this club, on historic Analostan
Island, are very attractive and the highest Or
der OF excellence is maintained in every one of
its various departments, which include base
ball, lawn tennis sprinting and many other
popular sports.
That rational exercise is essential to healthy
condition OF the human system will be ad-
mitted by all, but people are not so well agreed
regarding the best method to be used. The
relative merits of each of the various rechan-
ical devices now employed are fruitful source
of discussion. Each method has its advocates
as well as its critics. That each possesses ad-
vantages as we'll as defects cannot be denied.
1t must be said. however, that want of pure
open air and a natural tendency to over-exer-
ton and straining are Objectionable features Of
the gymnasium.
The bicycle, too-the upright or large
wheeled variety especially-must be objected
to on account of its bad influence on natural
physical development. 1t tends to curvature
of the spine and other malformations Of the
system; and the boy or girl who takes to the
wheel at an early age is apt to become stoop-
shouldered, weak-chested and bow-legged un-
less great preventive care is taken. The legs
are abnormally developed at the expense of the
arms and body and grace and symmetry of
figure are destroyed.
THE ADVANTAGES OF WALKING.
The superiority of walking over any mechan-
icaI method is SO marked as to place it beyond
the range Of rivalry.
Walkers may be divided into two classes:
First Those who systematically walk for
physical development, health and recreation,
and
Second. Those whose walking is an adjunct
to some other object.
To the second class belong botanists and
naturalists generally, whose style OF walking is
well expressed by the word saunter-''saunter-
ing through the woods and over the hills and
fields" as one of their number expresses it.
In this sense eminent naturalist once de-
clared that he never met in the course of his
life more than one or two persons who under
stood the art of walking. Professional walking
or pedestrian effort which merely tests ph ysical
endurance is, Of course, foreign to the object
of this Treatise