Pedestrianism

FAVOURITE PURSUITS. 207 , * ^ manner, retarded the improvement of his estate. And whatmay appear difficult or im­ possible to a man of ordinary frame, is to him quite easily accomplished. His usual rateof travelling on footis six miles an hour, and to walk from twenty to thirty miles before break­ fast, is a favourite amusement. To aperson so constructed bynature and habit, long jour- nies on^foot or on horseback—the chase, or gymnastic sports—are nothing mortehan that moderate degreeof exercise which is necessary to the preservation of health. His style of walking is to bend forward the body, and to throw its weight on the knees. His step is short, and his feet are raised only a few inches from the ground. Any person who will try this plan will find, that his pace will be quickened, at the same time he will walk with more ease to himself, and be bet­ ter able to endure the fatigue of a long journey, than by walking in a posture per­ fectly erect, which throws too much *)f the weight of the body on the ancle-joints. He always uses thick-soled shoes, and lambs-wool stockings.