64 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



happens, it finds itself sadly handicapped. Though the soul tides may 

 at times rise very high in those of frail physical nature, the ebb is 

 always lower and more prolonged than in those possessed of greater 

 vitality. The handicap of weakness and ill health has been most recog- 

 nized by greatness itself, and we have eloquent comment upon the value 

 of health and strength from such men as Plato, Bacon, Locke, Mon- 

 taigne, Addison, Wesley, Spencer, Moliere, Franklin, Carlyle, Beecher 

 and others. 



The handiwork of an artist or executant musician is, in a way, a 

 record of his physical condition, and for him to do consistently good 

 work health must be equally constant. Even Michelangelo failed as a 

 sculptor in his later years, though he flourished as an architect. The 

 combination of brain and hand work is in itself conducive to better 

 health than brain work alone, which may also help account for what, 

 in our brief preceding list, would seem to indicate the superior health 

 of such men. 



The pursuit of religion, philosophy and science may be more spas- 

 modic, but even here health and strength add greatly to the product, 

 in both quality and quantity. Had the more vigorous men of the 

 middle ages devoted their talents to spiritual affairs, the reformation 

 might have come earlier or might not have been necessary. To-day 

 the church recognizes that the adequate unfolding of the bodily forces 

 is necessary to the full use of the mental powers with which one may be 

 endowed. Asceticism has given place to temperance. Crusades for 

 the sake of a sepulcher are succeeded by crusades against conditions 

 which war upon physical sanity. 



It is inspiring to know what has been accomplished under heavy 

 handicap, but it is sad to contemplate what the same mental powers 

 might have accomplished had the handicap never existed. There are 

 quite enough other agencies for tempering and annealing the soul with- 

 out preventable sickness and infirmity, and an untimely end rings down 

 the curtain before the possibilities of the player are fairly exhibited. 



One can not distinguish a fool from a philosopher by either his 

 appearance, physique or vegetative capacity, but, given the finer mental 

 endowment, he in whom that equipment is backed by superior physical 

 balance and endurance is sure to prove the man of larger accomplish- 

 ment in every sphere of endeavor. 



