although the clothes may be coarse, much mended, unfashionable, and even somewhat soiled. But the finest dress will not prevent a want of cleanliness from being disgusting to us. 3. It is also important to health that the quantity of clothing should be sufficient to keep the body comfortably warm, and to secure from taking cold. It is a reproach to a young lady to expose her health to injury by wearing shoes too thin for the season, or by going out in the dampness and chillness of evening, without enough clothing. 4. A suitable degree of exercise is necessary to the well-being of the body. It is a law of physiology, that all the powers of the body are strengthened by use, and weakened by disuse. The best way of getting exercise is to engage in some work that is useful, and at the same time interesting to the mind. Those who are not obliged to labor for their own support still owe to themselves this duty. It is a mistaken notion, that labor is derogatory, especially to a lady. The time has been when ladies of the first rank were accustomed to busy themselves in domestic employments. Homer tells us of princesses who used to draw water from the springs, and wash with their own hands the finest linen of their families. The famous Lucretia used to spin, and the wife of Ulysses em Third law? What is a reproach to a young lady, in this respect? Fourth law? What law of physiology? Best way of getting exercise? What mistaken notion? is related by Homer? What of Lucretia and Penelope? What ployed herself in weaving. It would be better if some of the ladies of this day engaged more in sweeping, ironing, and other household duties. But even these cannot supply the place of exercise in the open air. Gardening, in its season, affords a good and a very pleasant opportunity for this. Walking, also, is one of the best modes of out of door exercise. Young girls would do well to accustom themselves to walk long distances. They would soon cease to feel any fatigue from it, their health and spirits would be improved, and the feeling of independence attending it would be very agreeable. 5. Perfect temperance in all things is a prominent law of health, and one which cannot be violated without suffering a painful penalty. It is the command of God, "to be temperate in all things." We should entirely abstain from everything which intoxicates. Even what might be called a temperate use of intoxicating things is very unsafe. The best rule is, not to taste at all, because, if the appetite for them is once formed, it is almost impossible to resist it. We should not associate with those who are in the habit of using stimulating drinks. Though we were to join them with the strongest resolutions of re In what would some of the ladies of the present day do well to engage more? What exercises in the open air are recommended? Fifth law of health? Command of God in reference to it? From what should we entirely abstain? What is very unsafe? Best rule? Why? fraining from the evil practice, before we were aware, we might yield to their ridicule, or to their urgency just to taste, and a love for it would be acquired which might prove our ruin. The evils of intemperance are but too well known. It excites bad passions, and leads to quarrels and crimes. It is attended with expenses which are needed for better purposes, and brings misery and disgrace into families. The mind is stupefied by it, and the man becomes a mere brute, entirely unfit for his duties as a man. The health is ruined, and the body is rendered a loathsome and disgusting object. The use of tobacco, in whatever form, is injurious to health, incompatible with cleanliness, and offensive to decency. It predisposes to insanity, and its influence upon the brain and nerves, when used excessively, is as bad as that of ardent spírits. A Board of Education in the State of New York has determined that any man who habitually uses tobacco is disqualified for being a teacher. If men cannot be induced to abandon its use, let children be saved from contracting a relish for it. It is hoped that every boy into whose hands this book may fall will do what he can, by his own example and influence, to prevent Why should we not join those who use intoxicating drinks? Some of the evils of intemperance? How is the mind affected? The body? What is said of the use of tobacco? Its effect upon the brain and nerves? What has been done by a Board of Education in the State of New York? What is hoped from the boys of our country? his companions from forming the habit of using tobacco; so that, in future, our country will not be notorious, as it now is, for this vile practice. There may be intemperance in eating as well as in drinking. This exists when we take greater quantities of food than are necessary. We cannot do it without weakening the powers of the body, and impairing the energy of the mind. Highly seasoned food, and stimulating beverages, such as tea, coffee, and the strong kinds of beer, and all hot drinks, are prejudicial to health, and they might well be dispensed with. We should eat slowly, and should take food only at stated times. 6. Rest is necessary to the health of both body and mind. The best time for sleep is during the darkness and stillness of night. It should begin early, and not be continued late. It is a good rule, to "rise with the lark, and with the lark to bed." One serious objection to parties and balls is, that they interfere with the usual hours of rest, and are attended with ill effects upon health. But besides the time devoted to sleep, there must be hours of entire relief from all sorts of obligation to do anything, when we can be still and muse, or simply seek diversion and recreation. Neither our minds nor bodies will long When are we intemperate in eating? What is the effect? What articles are prejudicial to health? What is said of the time and manner of eating? Sixth law? Best time for sleep? What is a good rule? What is necessary besides the time devoted to sleep? Why? remain in a state of health, under constant application. To the scholar, especially, these times of relaxation are necessary. Children, when very young, can understand and begin to obey these rules which have been given, and by so doing they will lay the foundation for good health and long life. A sickly person can have very little enjoyment in himself, and he is the occasion of much trouble and anxiety to others. And when his ill health proceeds from the violation of those wise laws which are implanted in his constitution, he is guilty before God for the wrong done to the perfect workmanship of His hands. CHAPTER II. PURITY OF MIND. "Let thy mind's sweetness have its operation By purity of mind is meant freedom from all that is low, indelicate and vile. Purity is to the mind what cleanliness is to the body. As cleanliness permits no soil to rest upon the person, so purity allows nothing obscene or immodest to be cherished by the mind. This quality Are children able to understand and practise these rules of health? For what will it lay the foundation? What is said of a sickly person? Subject of Chapter II.? What motto? What is meant by purity of mind? How does purity compare with cleanliness? |