THE CALL OF THE LAND 



ment of it one must be able to endure like 

 a Titan. 



Someone will object that valetudinarians 

 now and then accomplish great things. A 

 few such can no doubt be pointed to; but if 

 you inquire carefully you will in nearly 

 every case find the fact to be about this : 

 Some initial frailty in the man led him to 

 take such excellent care of himself that after 

 a time, though apparently feebler than most, 

 he was really tougher and heartier than 

 most. The occurrence of influential valetu- 

 dinarians does not disprove our reasoning, 

 but rather confirms it. 



Health is an inconceivable aid in intel- 

 lectual activity. It gives sweep, compass 

 and volume to mental work and mental 

 stores. When perfectly well we learn 

 longer lessons, master each point more easily 

 and thoroughly, and remember better. 

 Brain will not do its best if blood is impure 

 or stagnant. When you are ill the mind 

 wearies easily, mental exertion being a 

 drudgery, and therefore relatively valueless 

 even while it continues. Reasoning be- 



88 



