THE VALUE OF EXERCISE. cro THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.']
SIR,—I am induced to make a few remarks upon your article
on" The Value of Exercise," encouraged to do so by the impres- sion your paper always gives me of being written not by per- functory leader-writers, but by men who believe intensely and take an intense interest in what they write. I have lately also received a very gratifying fthough anonymous) letter of reply to a letter of mine on another question, showing that in this estimate I am not in error.
I quite agree with your article, on the whole, and for the best of reasons, that I have had ample experience of both states of body,—the state of muscular hardness and exulting bodily strength, when the mere fact of living was a " positive " pleasure ; and the state of studious want of tone, or rather of tone pitched in a low key, in which the body is perfectly healthy, but placidly incapable of much exertion. Each of these states has lasted for some years, and I can say of my own certainty that they are absolutely incompatible. • For years I was a regular attendant at the Oxford Gym- nasium, and "as hard as nails" in consequence ; and for years after lived on horseback, riding all day and every day. Now, my circumstances are so happily changed as to allow of the cultivation of the mind and brain, and all my efforts are directed to keeping the body in such a -state that it will least hamper thought and study. This I find to be a condition of -rest and. quiet, very little exercise, no knocking-about.
Each man must, of course, be his own physician and a law unto himself; but still I think that this principle is right,— that mind and body are more or less (within limits) antagonistic. If you cultivate the one, you must restrain the other. Flannel, or rather stocking-net, I thoroughly believe in, and always wear. Dr. Jaeger is next my skin at this moment, but he shrinks shamefully in the wash. Smoking in moderation I consider most valuable; and on the whole, I prophesy that "W. W." has exchanged for his tricycle not only his headaches, but his brightest and best ideas.—I am, Sir, &c., L. E. SCARTH.
65 Lenham Gardens, Kensington, W., June 8th.
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