[March, 
156 On Brain-Work and Hand-Work. 
to its intensity, we should find the men whose brain-work is 
devoted to origination stand highest in the list. As such I 
should undoubtedly rank discoverers in science, inventors in 
the industrial arts, poets, musical composers, and painters 
(not of portraits). But the third proposition entirely clashes 
with this conclusion. Dr. Beard tells us that of all brain- 
workers, clergymen are the most long-lived. Yet they can 
scarcely be called the hardest brain-workers, since what is 
demanded from them is not origination, creation, but expres- 
sion. If a clergyman initiates new dodtrines he is in danger 
of becoming a heretic. He is expressly forbidden to do what 
is expressly demanded from the man of science or the author. 
Indeed, till a comparatively recent date, the life of an 
English country clergyman has always been considered as 
one of the easiest of all careers, making no heavy demands 
either upon brain or muscle. 
Indeed, Dr. Beard, when he undertakes a formal explana- 
tion of the great longevity of the clergy, makes some very 
important concessions. He remarks that “their calling 
admits of a wide variety of toil,” — “In their manifold duties 
their whole nature is exercised,” — “ Public speaking, when 
not carried to the extreme of exhaustion, is the best form of 
gymnastics that is known.” Dr. Beard here admits what 
I also maintain, that the most healthful work is that which 
duly and harmoniously calls into play all the various faculties 
of a man. Brain-work is in. itself good and wholesome, — 
undoubtedly better than pursuits which exercise the muscles 
alone, leaving certain regions of the nervous centres inactive. 
But it is still inferior to work which exercises the entire 
system. Whatever calling effedls this most thoroughly and 
equally, will be the ideal vocation. But it may be said that 
the duties of the physician call a wide circle of powers into 
play. Why, then, is he less long-lived than the clergyman ? 
In his case there is wanting any physical exercise which 
may take the place of public speaking, and he is more ex- 
posed to death from contact with malignant disease. 
As an instance of the especial benefit to be derived from 
an exercise of the whole system, I may glance at the lessons 
to be gathered from the experience of exploring expeditions 
in unhealthy countries. The first to succumb are porters, 
guides, muleteers, private soldiers and sailors, &c. Next 
come military and naval officers, whilst the doctor, the 
botanist, the geologist, &c., hold out to the last, their sole 
advantage being a more thorough exercise of the whole 
system, muscle and brain alike. 
Dr. Beard gives another reason for the longevity of the 
