HORSE-BACK RIDING. 1 07 



and, supporting his theory on historical evidence, he 

 placed it between 90 and 100 years. 



Hufeland, more recently, following a different 

 order of ideas, arrived at conclusions almost identical 

 with those of Flourens. 



Leaving this digression, for which we ask pardon 

 of the reader, let us briefly show the influence horse- 

 back riding may have on the prolongation of our ex- 

 istence. 



Whatever the average duration of life may be, the 

 fact remains that most men die from disease ; few if 

 any from old age. Now as then the statements, 

 ** Non accepimus brevem vitam sed facimus " (Seneca) 

 and ** Inaction weakens the body, exercise fortifies it ; 

 the first brings on premature old age, the second 

 prolongs adolescence," are true. 



An examination of the physical structure of the 

 body, its admirable mechanism, the flexibility of its 

 articulations, and of the quickness and strength which 

 exercise gives, leads us to conclude that it was not 

 made for inaction. Frederick the Great's saying that 

 ** When I look closely at our physical structure, I am 

 almost tempted to believe that nature intended us 

 for postilions rather than for men of erudition," may 

 not be so very wrong after all. 



We trust, then, that we will no longer be accused 

 of riding a hobby when we advocate with what 

 strength we can the claims of an agent which at the 

 very least exercises a conservative influence upon the 



