Manual of British Rural Sports

448 GENERAL TRAINING OF MAN. undertake the severe work and strict diet­ ing which training for any match will require. Both are likely to be considerably stouter and heavier than the weight at which they will be best able to exert their powers; but this is not always the case, as it sometimes happens that the man who has been indulging to excess in every kind of temptation has lost weight to a con­ siderable extent, and regains it on sub­ mitting to the loss of those stimulants which have upset his stomach. 293. The Ovee-Stcdiocs Man .—Before proceeding to the treatment of the over- studious, let me earnestlyremind those who are desirous ofexcellingin literary pursuits, that without bodily health the mind is unfitted for exertion in acquiring know­ ledge. It is true that many men, who have already stored their brains with facts, are enabled, even after becoming complete valetudinarians, to impart knowledge to others; but no one can grapple with difticuities for himself while in that state; much time is often lost, and strength squandered, through over-anxiety inread­ ing; but I am fully and firmly convinced, that ifeight, or, at most, ten hours a-day are well employed—thatis to say, if any man really works hard during that time— he will have done all of which his mental powers are capable. This will leave him seven or eight hours for sleep, and six or seven for meals, exercise, &c. Few men, however, of ardent temperaments and studious habits arecapable ofthus portion­ ing their time; butthey may depend upon the fact that, beyond the hours I have named, they will gain nothing by poring, over mathematical problems or classical authorities. If this advice were acted up to there would beno occasionfor thedirections I am aboutto give; but, from the consti­ tution of the human mind, it is not likely to be followedin many cases. It isneedless for me to remark, that ina mind upset by literary study or mercantile accounts, the best plan, ifpracticable, is togive up reading and writing entirely, for a time; butthis is seldom to be effected; and if not, all that can be done is to improve the health ofthe body as much as possiblewhilst the strain upon the mind continues. In tiie case of a man who can arrange his own hours of study, and hasonly acertain object to effect by a given time, I should strongly recom­ mend him in no case to exceed eight hours a-day, and, if possible,not more than six. This will leave him ample time for the pro­ secution of any bodily training which he may require; and if the health has not been much impaired, and the constitution is naturally strong, he will find that in pro­ portion as he isable to increase the amount of bodily exercise, so will his mental recover their tone. But to proceed to detaik Few reading men determine upo preparin,' for a course of training until they pxJ deal upset by confinement, and in them some littlecare is necessary. First and foremost, I should insist upon their givto; up smoking, green tea, and coffee,txce;t at meals.There should bo no over-stimu­ lation of the brain; but whatwork is d.ne should be done without any unnatural stimulus. It will be found a very goo to have two readiug-desks—one ol for sitting to, and the other adapted lo: standing. Then, when drowsy, or unab:e to fixthe attention to the sitting-desk, let the change be made to a standing and in this way the necessity for or wet cloths to the head, may be avoid Next, I should advise that the hoursci study should be divided into two equal periods—the first commencing immediatel after breakfast, and the second im after tek.In this way all the middle day may be given up to recreation, dinut and exercise; and the following hours ar those which I should lay down as proper, though of course they may K slightly varied to suit particular circum­ stances:—Breakfast, at 8; reading, 8.^''' 12.30; light lunch, on biscuit or sandwich, and glass of bitter beer, or sherry and water; exercise, from 12.30 to 4 .30; dinner, at 4O relaxation of body and mind till 6 .30. w t take a cup or twoof coffee orblack tea then read for two, three, or four hour.', according to circumstances. Then go . bed. When first these hours are adopt the exercise must be very gentle, amusing character; if on horseback, much the better, though this kind ofexerc^i. is not sufficient for the purposes oi except as a preparation tor walking running. Many men are able to a nap after dinner with advantage to tn " selves; but, generally speaking, it i= judicial. If, however, the mouth fe on waking,and there is no palp JU ' the heart, or flatulence, I am s ' fon f • opinion that it does good rather th; It is the natural instinct of all . i sleep after eating, and certainly it • man. The reason why sleep after is said to disagree with everybcxl> h . it is so often I terrupted, that it se ' d t( fair play.Now, disturbed sleep be prejudicial at any hour; a 0 "' . j ter , be obtained without much chan tll{ , r , ruption, it s better to avoid ' ^ It; however, an hour, or rather ^. agTee be devoted to a nap, and it is wi with the individual trymg ' , alU: be refreshed as well as the ' j^.- |.> a cup of teaor coffee, the stunts