The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-05-01
a CURIOUS CHANGE DESERVING
OF NOTICE.

There is a reaction in the north to
same extent against that tremendous
fAd known as physical culture"-the
development of ones muscles. 1t is
all the go in Britain and this country
IN practice physical exercise, and tho
belief is it conduces to longevity. The
athIetics-the ball-kickers-do not par
ticularly show up in this claim so ur-
gently made. but it is 4 great rage in
drei schools and universities to devote
much time to games of many kinds.
And now comes proof that there is as
much of health and longevity in gentle
exercise as there is in base ball. foot
oaIl pugilism, gymnastics generally.
Their are many instances of longevity
and health among the people who do
not practice what is called now with
much admiration physical culture"
We find this in an exchange, but do
not know lis origin:
THE assertion that regular and sys-
'tematic exercise is necessary to health
Is boldly disputed.
1T is recorded that the noted law
yer, William NJ. Evarts, when asked
to what he ascribed his long life and
health, replied, ITO lack of
exercise" This was supposed at the
time to be one of Evarts' jokes, but it
mas since TRANSFERRED that he meant it
seriously. He was a thin, spare man,
and he made it a rule never to waste
any of his vitality in unnecessary ply
steal eXertion- Joseph Chamberlain, the
British statesman, is a ma of another
physical type. He is ruddy and we'll
nurtured. He is still strong and Wig
sNrOrC and arnarEah lu y-nnnO LOOKING
although considerably past so, and he
has also made it a rule to spare him.
self all physical effort so far Is he can.
Senato Hanna, a obust man be-
tween so and 20 years of age. is also
quoted as another who believes in and
practices the Utmost physical repoSe.
These men all believe that physical.
added to mental effort, will result in a
waste of tissue and a shortening of
life. Especially do they decry violent
exercise"
We can name a town in North Caro-
lima in which a large PERCENTAGE of the
men and women who died between 1910
n 1870 attained to from 81 to 81 years
of age, and we doubt if five of them
ever practiced the games or gave them
selves to physical exercise beyond the
everyday life. Those we remember to
ave seen indulging in games are all
gone, but two of the number went
above 20, and most of them died earlier.
But we are not ~contending that the
northern theory is so certain as to
practically defeat the contention for
violent exercise as a means of health.
The same paper says:
1T may be noted in this connection
a teachers of physical culture nave
greatly modified their systems within
n past dozen years, substituting mild
Tor violent exercise, light clubs and
-oumobells for heavy ones Inc often
olScarolng appliances altogether and
substituting a set of fiexionS of the
oody and limbs. This is a concession
co the growing dislike of athletics by
people engaged in ordinary avocations.
Iney think they get all the exercise
cney need In walking about. climbing
stars, jumping on and off street carS
shaking hands, speaking, writing. etc.
some go so Tar as to pronounce the
physical exercise cult a superstition
Others say it IS merely a matter of
daolt, ana once begun must be KEEP
mp. or else very gradually discontinued
The truth seems to be that most PEG.
ple engaged in active life get exercise
enough in the round of their daily
duties and pleasure"
Some time ago We gave the opinion
nj q Greek poet some 800 years befor,
Christ, and he ridiculed the boosted
athletics Of his country. 1t is certain
that a great many persons have beer
seriously injured for life and not a few
have died from the exercise Of games
eRf a violent kind.