Addresff of the l''i'eiiide)if. 15 



the health of the body. Lord Stanley, when lately 

 opening the Gymnasium at Livei-pool, dilated on the value 

 and necessity even of muscular exertion for the continuing 

 of health. The mecluxnical exertion of a gymnasium is a 

 remedy, and is undoubtedly useful, especially in a large 

 town, where getting out to the open air is impossible or at 

 least inconvenient, but in smaller or less populous towns, 

 where close work may be as common, a gymnasium is not 

 always attainable. Our five summer excursions are a good 

 substitute, and the scaling of Colvend cliffs will assist in 

 strengthening the limbs, while a straightforward w^alk up 

 Hartfell or Criffel will materially help the expansion of the 

 chest. 



The byegone season has been a remarkable one, perhaps 

 the most so for a long period of years. The long-continued 

 heat, accompanied by little moisture, great electricity, and a 

 close atmosphere, has acted on both animal and vegetable 

 structures. The condition of the atmosphere produced a 

 want of energy, a certain lassitude, and a want of strength 

 to resist particular affections, in fact a tendency to decom- 

 position. Vegetation, especially where one series of plants 

 was gi-own in quantity together, could not receive the usual 

 nourishment from the lack of moisture, and was more easily 

 exhausted by the attack of parasitic fungi, which finding 

 weak and suitable subjects, spread and extended themselves 

 over large areas. This was particularly apparent among the 

 turnip and bean crops. In coming out of turnip fields with 

 dark trousers the dress and shoes were quite white. In 

 gardens the same was observed.* 



Our district has also been visited by an ususual and 

 extreme amount of disease among animal life. We may 

 consider this as brought about by God as a dispensation 

 wherewith he is pleased to try us : if so, it has been brought 

 about by the working of natural causes, and not by any im- 



* " Rust (anuredo) has been particulaily almndant this year upon grass, 

 giving sometimes a decided tint to whole fiefds, and covering the clotlies and 

 slides of those who walked through it with a thick coat of ora'ige jiowder." — 

 Hard. Chroii., Xor. 2'j, 18G5. 



