DIFFERENT KINDS OF EXERCISE. 133 



the lungs are weak, possesses a great advantage 

 over walking ; as it does not hurry the breathing. 

 It calls into more equal play all the muscles of the 

 body, and at the same time engages the mind in the 

 management of the animal, and exhilarates by the 

 free contact of the air and more rapid change of 

 scene. Even at a walking pace, a gentle but uni- 

 versal and constant action of the muscles is required 

 to preserve the seat, and adapt the rider's position 

 to the movements of the horse ; and this kind of 

 muscular action is extremely favourable to the 

 proper and equal circulation of the blood through 

 the extreme vessels, and to the prevention of its 

 undue accumulation in the central organs. The 

 gentleness of the action admits of its being kept up 

 without accelerating respiration, and enables a deli- 

 cate person to reap the combined advantages of the 

 open air and proper exercise, for a much longer pe- 

 riod than would otherwise be possible. 



From the tendency of riding to equalize the cir- 

 culation, stimulate the skin, and promote the action 

 of the bowels, it is also excellently adapted as an 

 exercise for dyspeptic and nervous invalids. 



Dancing is a cheerful and useful exercise, but has 

 the disadvantage of being used within doors, in con- 

 fined air, often in dusty rooms, and at most unsea- 

 sonable hours. Practised in the open air, and in 

 the day-time, as is common in France, dancing is 

 certainly an invigorating pastime ; but in heated 

 rooms and at late hours it is the reverse, and often 

 does more harm than good. 



Gymnastic and callisthenic exercises have been in 

 vogue for some years, for the purpose of promoting 

 muscular and general growth and strength, but they 

 are now rather sinking in public estimation ; en- 

 tirely, I believe, from overlooking the necessity of 

 adapting the kind and extent of them to the indi- 

 vidual constitution ; the consequence of which has 

 been, that some of the more weakly pupils have 



