282 LETTERS TO BROTHER JOHN. 



for the course. They are made to undergo more 

 and more exertion, day by day, until the requisite 

 degree of strength has been achieved. Reflect on 

 this : they strengthen these horses by making them 

 daily undergo severe labour. They do not rest them, 

 in order to strengthen them ; they work them, in 

 order to strengthen them. " Aye, but," says some 

 wiseacre, " a horse is a horse, and a man is a man." 

 Blockhead ! What then ? We have but to exchange 

 the race-course for the prize-ring, and the argument 

 still remains in full force. 



The prize-fighters will also furnish us with an 

 example of the fact before stated ; viz. that the high 

 degree of contractility consequent upon an ener- 

 getic circulation is hostile to, and incompatible with, 

 much sensibility; these fellows becoming almost 

 insensible to blows, unless dealt with an energy 

 capable of felling an ox. They furnish an exam- 

 ple, too, of another fact, which I have already 

 stated (p. 156, in a note); viz. that well-filled arteries 

 and a vigorous circulation are highly conducive 

 I believe absolutely necessary to equable and 

 amiable tamper; for these men are remarkably 

 easy and well-tempered fellows. On the contrary, 

 if you seek a perfect example of pettish, irritable, 

 quarrelsome, unforgiving, querulous, snappish, cat- 



