Laws of health should be studied.-Effect of a change of employment.

nature of his pursuits, have a strong tendency to bring on an irritability of the nervous system, a depression of spirits, and a prostration of the digestive functions; but it is also believed, that, by following strictly and systematically the known laws of health, this tendency may be successfully resisted, and the teacher's life and usefulness very much prolonged. The importance of the subject, and a desire to render this volume as useful as possible, has induced me to ask leave to transfer to its pages, with slight abbreviation, the very judicious and carefully written chapter on "HealthExercise-Diet," contained in the "School and the Schoolmaster," from the gifted pen of George B. Emerson, Esq., of Boston,—one of the most enlightened educators of the present age.

HEALTH-EXERCISE-DIET.

It may

"The teacher should have perfect health. seem almost superfluous to dwell here upon what is admitted to be so essential to all persons; but it becomes necessary, from the fact that nearly all those who engage in teaching, leave other and more active employments to enter upon their new calling. By this change, and by the substitution of a more sedentary life within-doors, for a life of activity abroad, the whole habit of the body is changed, and the health will inevitably suffer, unless precautions be taken which have never before been necessary. To all

Exercise.-Teacher specially needs it.-Walking.-How?

such persons-to all, especially, who are entering upon the work of teaching with a view of making it their occupation through life; a knowledge of the laws of health is of the utmost importance, and to such this chapter is addressed. I shall speak of these laws briefly, under the heads of Exercise, Air, Sleep, Food, and Dress.

"EXERCISE. So intimate is the connection between the various parts of our compound nature, that the faculties of the mind cannot be naturally, fully, and effectually exercised, without the health of the body. And the first law of health is, that which imposes the necessity of exercise.

"The teacher cannot be well without exercise, No other pursuit and usually a great deal of it. requires so much,-no other is so exhausting to the nerves; and exercise, air, cheerfulness, and sunshine, are necessary to keep them in health. Most other pursuits give exercise of body, sunshine, and air, in the very performance of the duties that belong to them. This shuts us up from all.

"One of the best, as one of the most natural modes of exercise, is walking. To give all the good effects of which it is susceptible, a walk must be taken either in pleasant company, cr, if alone, with pleasant thoughts; or, still better, with some agreeable end in view, such as gathering plants, or minerals, or observing other natural objects. Many a broken constitution has been built up, and many a valuable life saved and prolonged, by such a love

President Hitchcock.-Riding on horseback.-Garden.

of some branch of natural history as has led to snatch every opportunity for a walk, with the interest of a delightful study,

'Where living things, and things inanimate

Do speak, at Heaven's command, to eye and ear.'

The distinguished geologist of Massachusetts, Presi dent Hitchcock, was once, when teacher of a school, reduced to so low a state by disease of the nerves, which took the ugly shape of dyspepsy, that he seemed to be hurrying rapidly towards the grave. Fortunately, he became interested in mineralogy, and this gave him a strong motive to spend all his leisure time in the open air, and to take long circuits in every direction. He forgot that he was pursuing health, in the deeper interest of science; and thus, aided by some other changes in his habits, but not in his pursuits, he gradually recovered the perfect health which has enabled him to do so much for science, and for the honor of his native State.

Riding on horseback is one of the best modes of exercise possible for a sedentary person. It leads to an erect posture, throws open the chest, gives a uller breathing, and exercises the muscles of the arms and upper part of the frame. In weakness of the digestive organs its efficacy is remarkable. *

"A garden furnishes many excellent forms of exercise, and the numerous labors of a farm would

260

Farm labor.-Rowing.-Sawing and splitting wood.-Warren Colburn.

give every variety, if the teacher could be in a situ
This is not often
ation to avail himself of them.
When accessible, the rake, the pitchfork,
the case.
moderately used, cannot be too highly recommended.
A garden is within the reach of most teachers in
It has the advantage of supplying
the country.
exercise suited to every degree of strength, and of
being filled with objects gratifying to the eye and the
The flower-garden and shrubbery

Το

taste.
commend themselves to the female teacher.
derive every advantage from them, she must be
willing to follow the example often set by the
ladies of England, and use the hoe, the rake, the
pruning-hook, and the grafting knife, with her own
hands.

exercise.
in the frame.

*

Rowing, when practicable, is a most healthful It gives play to every muscle and bone * When the river is frozen, skating may take the place of rowing; and it is an Driving a chaise or a excellent substitute. sleigh, is a healthful exercise, if sufficient precaution be used to guard against the current which is always felt, as it is produced by the motion of the vehicle, even in still air.

"Sawing and splitting wood form a valuable exercise, particularly important for those who have left an active life for the occupation of teaching.

"Exercise should be taken in the early part of the day. Warren Colburn, the author of the Arithmetic, whose sagacity in common things was as remarkable

In the morning.-In open air.-In the light.

as his genius for numbers, used to say, that half an hour's walk before breakfast did him as much good as an hour's after. Be an early riser. The air of morning is more bracing and invigorating; the sights, and sounds, and odors of morning are more refreshing. A life's experience in teaching declares the morning best.

"Exercise must always be taken, if possible, in the open air. Air is as essential as exercise, and often, in warm weather particularly, more so. They belong together. The blood flows not as it should, it fails to give fresh life to the brain, if we breathe not fresh air enough. The spirits cannot enjoy the serene cheerfulness which the teacher needs, if he breathe not fresh air enough. The brain cannot perform its functions; thought cannot be quick, vigorous, and healthy, without ample supplies of air. Much of the right moral tone, of habitual kindliness and thankful reverence, depends on the air of heaven.

"Exercise must be taken in the light; and if it may be, in the sunshine. Who has not felt the benignant influence of sunshine? The sun's light seems almost as essential to our well-being as his heat, or the air we breathe. It has a great effect on the nerves. A distinguished physician of great experience, Dr. J. C. Warren of Boston, tells me that he almost uniformly finds diseases that affect the nerves exasperated by the darkness of night, and mitigated by the coming on of day. All plants growing in the air lose their strength and color when excluded from light. So in a great