FOOTPATHS 177 



wonder to see anybody walking in this country 

 except on a wager or in a public hall or skating- 

 rink, as an exhibition and trial of endurance. 



Countrymen do not walk except from necessity, 

 and country women walk far less than their city 

 sisters. When city people come to the country 

 they do not walk, because that would be conceding 

 too much to the country; beside, they would soil 

 their shoes and would lose the awe and respect 

 which their imposing turn-outs inspire. Then they 

 find the country dull; it is like water or milk after 

 champagne; they miss the accustomed stimulus, 

 both mind and body relax, and walking is too great 

 an effort. 



There are several obvious reasons why the Eng- 

 lish should be better or more habitual walkers than 

 we are. Taken the year round, their climate is 

 much more favorable to exercise in the open air. 

 Their roads are better, harder, and smoother, and 

 there is a place for the man and a place for the 

 horse. Their country houses and churches and 

 villages are not strung upon the highway as ours 

 are, but are nestled here and there with reference 

 to other things than convenience in "getting out." 

 Hence the grassy lanes and paths through the 

 fields. 



Distances are not so great in that country; the 

 population occupies less space. Again, the land 

 has been longer occupied and is more thoroughly 

 subdued; it is easier to get about the fields; life 

 has flowed in the same channels for centuries. The 



