Walking as a Fine Art 
In walking, the best results are secured when ,there is no 
burden upon the mind. The man who carries the load of daily 
care with him when he walks derives less benefit from the act 
than the man who dismisses all concern and simply gives 
himself over to the act. It is a mistake to suppose that it is an 
advantage in walking to have some definite object of pursuit. 
The woman who is advised by her physician to walk should not 
select as her path some busy street upon which she is certain to 
be diverted by the opportunity to unite with her exercise a 
number of shopping excursions. The man who goes out to 
walk should not choose a much frequented part of the town 
where he is sure to meet business friends and acquaintances. 
The person who desires to derive the best results from his strolls 
should select a retired spot in park or country where the “ mad¬ 
ding throng” does not resort. It is hard to make Americans 
realize the importance of these suggestions. The demand is 
forever that exercise, if taken at all, shall have an aim ulterior to 
itself, in the pursuit of which the upbuilding of the system shall 
take place as a collateral incident. The popularity of golf is due 
to the fact that it answers the demand of a great class of persons 
to be amused while they are being invigorated. It is one of the 
least objectionable forms, in which the pill of exercise is sugar- 
coated for consumption by a race which is slowly but surely 
working itself to death in office, mill and factory. 
Walking for its own sake is pursued to a far greater extent in 
England and in Germany than in America. We may well learn 
to imitate our cousins on the eastern side of the Atlantic in this 
regard. . r. ; ; 
If walking is to be pursued with an object, there is nothing 
which may be chosen as an aim better than the pursuit of that 
knowledge which is the end of the naturalist. To become 
acquainted with the fields and the flowers which bloom in them, 
with the forests and the myriad forms of animate life which 
frequent them, is an aim which leads far away from the cares 
and pursuits of the weary, workday world. I met the other day 
a friend, who, with quick step and alertness depicted in every 
feature, was hurrying along one of the avenues in the capital. I 
marveled at his gait, for I knew that the winters of fpurscore 
and five years rested upon his head. “How is it that you have 
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