Pedestrianism

CHAPTER VI. O N T R A I N I N G . THE artof training for athletic exercises, consists in purifying thebody and strengthen­ ing its powers, by certain processes, which thus qualify a person for the accomplishment of laborious exertions. It wasknown to the ancients, who paid much attention to the means of augmenting corporeal vigour and activity ;and accordingly, among theGreeks and Romans, certain rules of regimen and ex­ ercise were prescribed to the candidates for gymnastic celebrity. We are not, however, in possession of any detailed account of the particular kind of DIET in use among the Greeks previouslyto the solemn contest at the public games; but we are assured, that the strictest temperance, sobriety,