236 FORMS OF EXERCISE. 



consequence of trespassing on the laws of hygiene. Thus 

 one defeats his own ends in life, and robs the world of the 

 debt he owes it, that of returning to it, in his riper years, 

 something for the help it gave to him in his early years while 

 he had not yet reached the fullest mental maturity. It is sad 

 enough that so magnificent a structure as the human body 

 must perish and become part of the common clay. But it is 

 infinitely more sad to think that it has not fulfilled its pur- 

 pose when the end comes in what should be mid-career. Each 

 of us should leave the world better than he found it, and our 

 ability and opportunities for doing this increase as we reach 

 middle life. 



Forms of Exercise. In selecting the kind of exercise 

 the old lines fit well : 



"In whate'er you sweat, indulge your taste; 

 The toil you hate fatigues you soon, 

 And scarce improves your limbs." 



Of course this does not mean that a boy should refuse to 

 saw wood because he dislikes it, and spend all his time playing 

 ball. But for older persons, especially those of sedentary oc- 

 cupation, exercise that exhilarates is far more beneficial than 

 that which is not enjoyed. One may take a walk and carry 

 all his cares and anxieties with him, but he is not likely to 

 think of such matters when placing tennis with a good oppo- 

 nent. Whether it be horseback riding, cycling, boxing, boat- 

 ing, or other form of exercise, choose, whenever a choice is 

 possible, that which you thoroughly enjoy. 



Most of the games of school children are excellent kinds of 

 exercise. Cases have been reported of injury from excessive 

 skipping the rope. But in moderate degree it is a good exer- 

 cise. Tag, snowballing, racing, the various games of ball, 

 jumping, hopping, and other games may be played on the school 



