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. 



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 fourscore 

 and five years rested upon his head. "How is it that you have 



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