THE FLESHY, THE THIN, THE OLD
with his spring and activity in such a green old age? Does it not look almost as if he had, half a century ago, read something not unlike the following from Maclaren:
"The first course of the system may be freely and almost unconditionally recommended to men throughout what may be called middle life; care being taken to use a bell and bar well within the physical capacity. The best time for this practice is in the early morning; immediately after the bath; and, when regularly taken, it need not extend over a few minutes."
Whether Bryant had ever seen these rules or not, the bell, the bar, and the morning-time for exercise make a noticeable coincidence.
Looking at the benefit daily exercise brought in the instances mentioned, would it not be well for every man, who begins to feel his age, to at once adopt some equally moderate and sensible course of daily exercise; and to enter on it with a good share of his own former energy and vigor? He does not need to live in the country to effect it; nor in the city. He can readily secure the exerciser suggested elsewhere[1] for his own home, wherever that home is; and so take care of his arms and chest, indeed of the whole of him. For foot-work there is always the road. Is it not worth while to make the effort? He can begin very mildly; and yet in a month reach quite a creditable degree of activity; and then keep that up. And if, as Mr. Bryant did, he should last till well past eighty; and, like him, keep free from deafness and dimness of vision; from stiffness and shortness of breath; from gout; rheumatism; paralysis; and other senile ailments; as he put it himself, "without the usual infirmities of old age"—indeed, with his
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