262 MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE. 



but that they do not yet understand the art of playing' 9 

 This is undoubtedly true, the newness of our country, 

 originally, and some parts of it at the present time, 

 making it necessary for all classes to labor more or 

 less with their hands, and to this circumstance the pres- 

 ent prosperity and vast enterprize of our nation is in a 

 great measure owing. It is from the same cause also, 

 that as a nation, we have acquired the almost universal 

 sentiment, that a man ought to labor constantly, and 

 with little, or no relaxation, so long as he is able, let his 

 occupation be what it may ; and this opinion is follow- 

 ed by a practice nearly as universal. Now so far as 

 muscular labor is concerned, this practice is not incom- 

 patible with the prospect of a long life and robust health, 

 and therefore, whether followed from necessity, or for 

 profit, or pleasure, seldom so deranges the balance be- 

 tween the muscular and nervous systems as to induce 

 premature evil to either. But if, instead of depending 

 upon foreign authors for our literature and science if 

 we are to look to the pens of our own sons, and daugh- 

 ters, for books of instruction for the rising generation, 

 and for even but a small portion of the mental food 

 which this vast republic requires, then it is certain that 

 so far as this class is concerned, the sentiment requiring 

 perpetual labor must be changed, for as we have- abun- 

 dantly shown, the Creator did not form man for inces- 

 sant mental labor. 



PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EDUCATION OF YOUTH. 



The proper use of the muscles consists in their alter- 

 nate contraction and relaxation, and this is one of the 

 most imperious laws of the animal economy. If the 

 muscles are allowed to remain in a state of relaxation 

 for any considerable time, they become incapable of vig- 

 orous contraction, as we have already stated. The 

 cases of prisoners long confined in cells, or in chains, so 

 that they could not use their Kmbs, have often presented 

 lamentable illustrations of this principle. Such persons, 

 without any positive disease, become unable to walk, 

 or even to stand from mere debility of the muscular sys- 



