164 STATE rOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



improvement of the mind and of tlio lieart. It ^vill be the sowing- of the seed, 

 wliicli jiresently springs up, and in maturity bears an abundant fruitage. 



The need for esthetic culture is but but too obvious in any journey we may 

 take in almost any section of the country. It is almost never that we meet 

 with that degree of order and neatness of taste, and adaptation to local con- 

 ditions which circumstances readily admit of without any increased expendi- 

 ture of time and means. I am thoroughly convinced that no system of educa- 

 tion will be complete which does not carefully provide for the efficient culture 

 of the esthetic (qualities of the mind. 



4. Another point on which wo can not too often or too strongly insist, is the 

 need of careful and intelligent physical culture. As has been remarked, "the 

 first requisite to success in life is to be a good animal ;" and Herbert Spencer 

 adds: ''To be a nation of good animals is the first condition of national 

 prosperity." Xo one fails to admire that harmony which exists between a 

 sound mind and a sound body; indeed, it seems well nigh impossible for the 

 one to exist without the other. 



Untiring efforts, intelligently directed, sliouldbeput forth, until the methods 

 for attaining the highest ])ossible physical vigor and strength are understood 

 and practiced by every youth in the land. No doubt this sort of culture should 

 commence with the parent so that the offspring may be endowed with that con- 

 stitutional vigor, without Avhich perfect physical conditions arc unattainable. 

 And I suspect that in this connection some valuable lessons might be learned 

 from the methods pursued in the rearing of choice breeds of domestic animals. 

 Two or three years since I chanced to attend the show of tlie Highland Agri- 

 cultural Societv near Edinburg. It was a wonderful sight to witness the 

 perfection to which the numerous breeds of animals had been brought, the 

 symmetry of form, the sleekness of hide, the strength of muscle and of limb, 

 and the beauty and docility of the eye, and above all tlie reinarkable adajjta- 

 tion of each breed to tlie particular wants it was intended to supply. And after 

 the prizes had been awarded it was a someAvhat fanciful but rather impressive 

 spectacle to see the prize animals gaily decorated with ribbons marching to the 

 music of the band in grand procession through the avenues bordered with 

 thousands of spectators. But it was difficult not to contrast the apjiearance of 

 the people with that of the sleek and comfortable looking animals. Evidently a 

 large proportion of tlie former had come out from factories and workshops, 

 from mines and iron mills to enjoy a rare and infrequent holiday. They were 

 too often pale and thin, wearing upon their countenances an expression of dis- 

 content, if not of want; it was only too obvious tluit there was too little of the 

 sunshine and the Held, and generous board for them, and too much of privation, 

 and of the confinement of the workshop and the mine. If Scotland could 

 only find means for giving to all her people that degree of physical culture 

 which she gives so perfectly to her favorite breeds of domestic animals, she 

 would set a noble example which every nation might well imitate. 



In every correct system of physical culture I should not place either the 

 gymnasium as ordinarily conducted, or contests of manly sports (so called), 

 such as tiiosc which of late prevail at Saratoga, as of high value. While well 

 enough in themselves, they are, — not to mention more objectionable features, — 

 apt to prove absolutely injurious by overdoing that which if moderately pursued 

 might be beneficial. 



Among the various suitable means of physical cullure, and also greatly favor- 



