The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-13
Originator of SiX-Day
Walking Contests
GIVES TIMELY OPINION.
Strong Argument in Favor OF Walk
ing as an Exercise.
LONG DISTANCE BIKE RACING.

Mr.. Edward Payson Weston, whose
former home was Providence. after criti-
cising the six-day bicycle contest. gives
his views on ped sstrianism rs the ideal
exercise. in the New York Herald, as fol.
lows:
having inaugurated that 'pastime' my
self some twenty y-tive years ago. / main
tam that, properly conducted, and
without the Use OF artificial or alcoholic
stimulants. they are not cruel, or the
least Injurious 10 health. On the contrary,
l maintain that the man who runs so
many yards In 80 many seconds does his
vital organs more harm, and tie action
OF the heart is tenfold more Injurious
than IL would be IL he were to walk loo
miles In twenty y-fnur hours once "a month
for each of the twelve months in the year.
4 have nothing TO say against the bicy-
cle used in moderatioD. but l do think
that the great Creator gave 20 each of us
the implements TO use for taking much
needed exercise
Walking as an exercise cannot be over
estimated. Riding, rowing and swim
ming have always been mighty reco1l-
mended as health restorers, Gut walking
has generally been more or Tess over
looked. Then some one inyonted base
ball, ana Immediately began to expat-
late on its rscreative powers. After
ward, lawn tennis came In vogue, and
tho gymnasium; and now, the bicycle
anj football
Doubtless thess are all amusing ana
healthy exercises but as not more than
one person in q hundred can afford To
indulge in them, what are the ninety
nine 10 doy Now. walking costs moth
ing. In fact, considerable money might
be saved in the way of doctors bills and
car fares did this simple harmless exer-
else become fashionable.
But no; oae of tho unwritten. laws
that govern this world Is, Favor every
thing that Is expensive: desgise every-
thing that is cheap" Many persons, too
are Interested in promoting any sport
that requires accessories the selling of
which insures them good income, while
walking benefits no one but the indiviu-
ual who INDUCES in it, and the dividends
of horse car companies ana elevated roads
might grow very much smaller did pedes-
trianism lind favor with the multitude.
And yet it Is n pitiiul sight TO go
around In summer hotels and boarding
houses and sea the ladies' sitting on the
piszkas from morning until night. There
ara charming walks To the north. south,
east and west, but unless they ara
wealthy enougp To hire carriage they
will go hume rs ignorant of the sur
rounding country as when they came.
The young ladies will tell you Ii is ''too
hot TO walk " Zoo hot TO walk, but not
too hot to row all the morning on the
lake. beneath "a burning hot sun, nor to
play lawn tennis all the afternoon, nor
TO danes all the evening. When | hear
"A girl soy that she is not strong enough
to walk aud then am told that she is the
best lawn tennis player in her sex or the
finest dancer in the ball room find a
difficulty in making the two statements
coincide.
A woman that had some organic affec-
tion OF the heart or lungs might find the
violent exercise of tennis or the rotary
motion and excitement of dancing harm
full, but a brisk walk every day would
never do her any injury.
Shoes of course, are an important fac
tor in walking They ought TO be made
TO order. The common sense boots are
good, IL they ut, but everyone is not flat
footed enough To wear them. The boots
should be laced so that the ankle will
give, and the heels must be low and set
on sduarely. The soles Of walking boots
should no very thick and slightly project
ing; they thea protert the soies OF the feet
ia way that makes tho walking much
easier.
Great care should also he taken to rut
the right boot OIL the right foot Some
people have an idea that there is no rignt
ana left TO lace boots. which Is a great
mistake. Ii is impossible for boots TO fit
properly III they are worn on either foot.
'kubhers" are an abomination. 1t Is
impossible TO walk in them tfor any dis
tance without getting sore feer, but. of
course. lncemert weather makes them a
necessity at times. Tho feet require great
care ana attention. Witness the number
OF persons who suffer from corns and
hunions. Walking boots ought always TO
be- made Of fine French oalfskin but those
made for ladies often have glove Kid
upDers.
Many persons fall into the error of TAX :
Ing too long walks. For instance, n lady
try takes daily constitutional OF 20
miles, which is the secret of her beautiful
complexion. Now, this may be true or
may not, but the fair reader Immediately
puts on her boots what will n woman
not do for the sake Of her complexion
ana walks and walks until she is exhaust
ed comes home and Is sick for "A week or
maybe month, then tells her experience
10 sympathiZing listeners.
or course they say that Mrs Langtry
may do it, but that no ordinary woman
can walk any distance ut all. Tnen they
hail horse car and ride home-ilve blocks
away. Twenty miles Is quite long walk.
hut many "a woman can taks 10 without
feeling any ill effect, only she must train
up % it. Begin with n half mile. and
gradually, day by uay increase the dis
tanoe.
Few know the correct position of tho
body while walking They either bend
forward or backward. whereas the spinal
coiuinn should ne kept absolutely perpen-
diuular. This position throws the weight
OF the body where 10 belongs. Also people
must learn 20 turn their toes out. Many
turn them In or put the foot forward in
straight line, thereby making their move
ment awkward ana devoid of oil grace.
Walking Is attended 10y no excitement.
therefore it Is the very best remedy for
headache brought ON by overstudy or
close confinement for it takes tho surplus
blood from the train and causes it 60
circulate freely through the BODY.
Almost all Americans Oyerwork, and
the disease most prevalent In this cOun-
try rs nervous prostration. Now. nervous
lr0stratlon dues not come SO much from
over work as from lack ~ exercise Nor
chants. professional ana newspaper men
mechanics-io fact, mon Cf cyery grade
and occupation-climb on elevated roads
and hOrss cars In thcir has.e 90 get To
business. whereas they would keep their
health and temper much better did they