290 APPENDIX. 



with the toes raised sufficiently to avoid impediments, 

 but no higher, for no position of the foot in walking, is 

 more graceless and vulgar, than that of placing the heel, 

 with the toes so elevated, as to give them an apparent 

 dread of the ground, as though they were covered with 

 corns. Such a lifting up of the toes, together with their 

 parrot-like crossing of each other in walking, form a gait 

 which no well-bred person will practise, unless compelled 

 to do so by deformity, for with common attention it may 

 be avoided. 



929. Pedestrianism. With respect to the style of 

 walking which gives the greatest velocity, with the least 

 muscular expenditure, pedestrians have learned by expe- 

 rience to adopt a manner peculiar to themselves. Capt. 

 Barclay, who performed the extraordinary feat of walking 

 a thousand miles in a thousand successive hours, inclined 

 his body so as to throw the centre of gravity a little for- 

 ward of the centre of the base, thus making its weight 

 rest chiefly on the front of the knee-joints. His step was 

 short, and he raised his feet only a few inches from the 

 ground. Any person, it is said, who will try this plan, 

 will find his pace quickened thereby ; at the same time 

 his walking will be more easy to himself, and he will be 

 better able to endure the fatigue of a long journey, than 

 by taking the erect posture, which throws too much of 

 the weight of the body, it is said, on the ankle-joints. 

 Capt. Barclay always used thick-soled shoes, and lamb's- 

 wool stockings. The former he found indispensable, and 

 had them so large as to avoid unnecessary pressure. Ev- 

 ery sportsman of the least experience understands this, 

 never venturing on an excursion, however dry the walk- 

 ing may be, with thin-soled boots. 



SITTING. 



930. The postures which we take in sitting, are ex- 

 ceedingly various, and, on some accounts, of the highest 

 importance, especially to youth. Thus we may sit on the 

 ground with the limbs extended forward ; or upon a low 

 or high seat, with or without a back, and with the feet 

 touching, or not touching the floor, &c. 



