A COUNTERBLAST TO SIR JAMES CRICHTON BROWNE.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—I was present at the University of London on Wednes- day last, and was, as usual, delighted to see so many young men and women receive prizes and degrees as the reward of study. But the appearance of the young men was such as to cause apprehension and alarm. Many of them were under- sized, very obviously overworked, and there was a look of ex- haustion, both of physical and nerve power, which was really distressing. They trembled and turned pale as they advanced to the platform ; their demeanour formed a striking contrast to that of the young women, and their abject looks to the bright and pleasant smiles which passed between Lord Derby and the pretty young women. Groups of young men in the corridors, the streets, and even at railway-stations could not fail to excite remark.
Now, the health, strength, even the good looks of men, are of such infinite importance to the human race, that surely some inquiry should be made as to how far the health and well-being of men are injuriously affected by study,—whether overwork, either alone or in part, is answerable for results which all must deplore ; and whether the same results would be found in an equal number of youths and men serving in shops, or engaged in trades making no demand upon the intellect.
The deterioration of the male is certainly an ominous and alarming spectacle, especially when it appears to go side by side with a gigantic increase in the physical proportions of the female, not unaccompanied by mental vigour.
It would be difficult to say off-hand whether it would be better for this great Empire that Englishmen should be healthy and strong than that they should be educated; but an inquiry as to how far mental training and the development of brain-power are the cause of physical deterioration in men could not fail to be of great service at the present time.
Allow me to commend the subject to the open mind of the
editor of the Spectator.—I am, Sir, &c., M. F.
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