252 MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE. 



sation, which, after a while, predominates over the mental 

 feelings of the keenest the most ardent sportsmen, and 

 the cold dinner is taken with the keenness of appetite, and 

 a degree of enjoyment, known only to those whose gastric 

 organs have been prepared by such means. 



795. After the day's sport is over, still the interest does 

 not cease, for the parties recount to each other, on the way 

 home, the pleasures and circumstances of the day. And 

 finally, after such a day of exercise, both of mind and 

 body, there follows such a night of repose as the stayer-at- 

 home cannot appreciate and such a breakfast in the 

 morning as princes seldom enjoy. 



RIDING. 



796. " Of all exercises," says Dr. Ticknor, " riding is 

 most conducive to health, and to vigor of the constitution, 

 but as a good thing may be improperly or imprudently 

 used, so riding sometimes produces an effect contrary to 

 what is intended. Those who are not accustomed to 

 riding, are most apt to suffer the pleasure and exhilara- 

 tion being so great, that fatigue or exhaustion is induced 

 when it is least expected. In cold weather, people 

 unused to carriage exercise, are apt to think the same 

 quantity of clothing necessary in walking, w r ill be an ade- 

 quate protection wlien riding. Often a person will not 

 experience a sensation of cold, he will not be aware that 

 his body is becoming chilled, till he alights from his car- 

 riage, or till he approaches the fire, when he becomes fully 

 sensible that his ride has been too protracted. Those who 

 are in good health, do not often experience any more than 

 a temporary inconvenience from this cause, but in the deli- 

 cate, it insufficient to be followed by a serious illness. In 

 summer, a drive toward nightfall, is truly delicious, and it 

 is believed to be conducive to health and so indeed, it is, 

 with due precaution but at such times females are gen- 

 erally thinly clad, and a thin dress affords little protection 

 from the damp and chilly air of an evening." 



797. " There seems, in the present age, a wonderful 

 propensity to be hurried through the world ; not only is it 

 convenient for the man of business to be transported by 



