HOW TO GET STRONG
But for a third of a century, there has been at work, in that same Massachusetts, a man hardly yet showing silver in his hair; one not so favored with facility for scientific research, and what books may teach; but who, in actual practice right upon the battle-field, in the thick of the struggle, side by side, and shoulder to shoulder with his pupil, has put his whole heart and soul into making that pupil get all the good he could do him. You can feel the touch of a man like that. He gets, and rightly, a mighty hold upon you; for you see that he is indeed your friend; striving to do you good, as surely as did the great Founder of our religion whom he reveres. Would you like to look at him? Well he is not so big. Or rather he is a big little man. Five feet six only; but forty-three full inches about the chest—enormous for that height; fifteen at the flexed arm; fifteen at the calf; and twenty-four at the thigh. Of what material? Well, what do you suppose he used to lift? A horse? Yes, practically two of them; 2200 pounds at least of dead weight. Almost a long ton. And if you would like to see him, you can. do so upon the cover of this little book. A rare model indeed. An object-lesson. No wonder the artists make him stand; and Dr. Bowditch, and Dr. Dwight, and others who know a rare man, never tired of studying him. A statuette of him in each gymnasium and gallery of art would be eloquent of the best type of nineteenth century physical manhood. Read here some of Mr. Roberts's sayings and doings; gleaned from ripe experience, the only field that could hear such golden grain:
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