EXERCISE.

71

exercise than they otherwise would do, and are of the great-est service to such as are not under the necessity of laboringfor their bread. As active diversions lose ground, those of asedentary kind seem to prevail. Sedentary diversions areof no other use but to consume time. Instead of relievingthe mind, they often require more thought than either studyor business. Every thing that induces people to sit still, un-less it be some necessary employment, ought to be avoided.

The diversions which afford the best exercise are hunting,shooting, playing at cricket, hand-ball, &c. These exercisethe limbs, promote perspiration, and the other secretions.They likewise strengthen the lungs, and give firmness andagility to the whole body.

Such as can ought to spend two or three hours a day onhorseback ; those who cannot ride should employ the sametime in walking. Exercise should never be continued toolong. Over-fatigue prevents the benefit of exercise, andweakens instead of strengthening the body.

Every man should lay himself under some sort of necessityto take exercise. Indolence, like all"*other vices, when in-dulged, gains ground, and at length becomes agreeable.Hence many who were fond of exercise in the early part oflife become quite averse to it afterwards. This is the caseof most hypochondriac and gouty people, which renders theirdiseases in a great measure incurable.

In some countries laws have been made obliging everyman, of whatever rank, to learn some mechanical employ-ment. Whether such laws were designed for the preserva-tion of health, or the encouragement of manufacture, is aquestion of no importance. Certain it is, that if gentlemenwere frequently to amuse and exercise themselves in this way,it might have many good effects. They would at least de-rive as much honor from a few masterly specimens of theirown workmanship as from the character of having ruinedmost of their companions by gaming or drinking. Besides,men of leisure, by applying themselves to the mechanicalarts, mis;ht improve them, to the great benefit of society.

Indolence not only occasions diseases, and renders menuseless to society, but promotes all manner of vice. To saya man is idle, is little better than calling him vicious. Themind, if not engaged in some useful pursuit, is constantly inquest of ideal pleasures, or impressed with the apprehen-sion of some imaginary evil. From these sources proceed