HOW TO GET STRONG
cially quick in detecting the physical defects in his pupil; in knowing what exercise will cure them; zealous in interesting him, in encouraging him on; what incalculable good he could do! Every student in that College would practically have to be made over. Long before the four years, or even one of them, were through, that instructor would have made all the men erect (as is daily being done with the West Pointer). But his pupils, instead of being like the latter, developed simply in these muscles which his business called into play, would each be well developed all over; would each be up to what a well-built man of his years and size ought to be in the way of strength, and skill, and staying powers, and—a most important thing—would know what he could do, and what he could not; and so would not, as is now every day the case with many, attempt physical efforts long before he was fitted for them.
If he wanted to go into a contest, the director would be his best friend; and would point out to him that the only safe way to get one's heart and lungs used to the violent action which they must undergo in racing, for instance, especially after the racer gets tired; would be by gradually increasing his speed from slow up to the desired pace; instead of, as too often happens, getting up to racing-pace before he is half fit for it.
But he would also show him how one-sided it would make him; developing some parts, and letting others remain idle and fall behind in development; and—more important still—how brief and ephemeral was the fame which he was working for; and the risks of overdoing which it entailed.
Let one college in this land graduate each year a class of which every man has an erect carriage and mien; has the legs and arms, the back and chest, not of a Hercu-
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