GREAT MEN'S BODIES
It was next to impossible for a man of that stamp not to have had a body which, instead of hindering, constantly helped him in accomplishing his great life's work. And the most casual look at his body showed that this was true. Listen to one who knew him for many years, and had rare opportunity in his later life for judging of his physical as well as other equipment. For he says:
"New York, April 14, 1898.
"In reply to your note of March 30th concerning Mr. Dana's physique:
"He was one of the most symmetrically formed men I ever saw. He had the best of health I ever knew. Throughout his entire life he was absolutely free from moments which are generally called 'ailing.' He never felt unwell, or had a headache, or a derangement of the stomach. He was strong, and could endure fatigue. When he was a boy he worked on a farm; but the only exercise I ever knew him to take was riding on horseback and breaking his horses in the high-school. In that he was thoroughly trained. He never raised his hand for exercise. He never walked for exercise. He was no athlete. He had absolutely no athletic accomplishments. He never played any athletic games in my time" (the second half of his life), "and the only thing I ever heard him speak of of the sort was kicking foot-ball on the Harvard delta.…
"Although of great physical vigor and without ever a trace of nervousness in mind or body, he could not drink coffee, except when engaged in such out-door work as being with the army. He never smoked; and his use of alcohol, while always free, was always extremely moderate. I looked upon him as a unique case of physical and mental perfection."
And well he might. For the rich native outfit; the steady habits; the work on that farm; the handling of horses; and the years of army-life; would readily help
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