132 DIFFERENT KINDS OF EXERCISE. 



hurry on the premature development of consump- 

 tion by excessive fatigue during the shooting sea- 

 son, in cases where, by prudent management, they 

 might have escaped it for years, if not altogether. 

 The principle already laid down, of not exceeding 

 the point at which exercise promotes nutrition and in- 

 creases strength, will serve as a safe guide on all oc- 

 casions, and indicate the rate at which it may be 

 extended. Old sportsmen know the rule by expe- 

 rience, and generally prepare themselves for the 

 moors by several weeks of previous training. 



Since writing the preceding remarks, I have been 

 made acquainted by a friend with a melancholy but 

 instructive proof of their general accuracy. He 

 says, " A young gentleman, whom I knew, was 

 employed as a clerk in one of the banks in Ediri* 

 burgh. He was closely confined to his desk during 

 the summer, and, towards the end of July, had be- 

 come weak and emaciated, from deficient exercise 

 in the open air. His strength continued to decline 

 till Friday the 12th of August, when he went to 

 shoot on Falkirk Moor. On Friday and Saturday he 

 was much fatigued by excessive and unusual exer- 

 tion, and on Sunday evening was feverish and heated, 

 and perspired very much during the night. In this 

 condition he rose about three or four o'clock on 

 Monday morning, and returned to Edinburgh on the 

 top of a coach. When he reached home he felt 

 very unwell, but went to the bank. At two o'clock 

 he became so sick as to be unable to sit at his desk. 

 He was then bled by a medical gentleman, but with- 

 out much effect ; and after passing three months in 

 a feverish and sleepless condition, he died in the 

 beginning of November. He was previously of a 

 healthy constitution." It is more than probable that 

 this young man's life became a sacrifice to his igno- 

 rance of the structure and functions of the human 

 body. 



Riding is a most salubrious exercise, and, where 



