Pedestrianism

226 ON TRAINING. every partof the firmest bones is successively absorbed and deposited. The bones and their ligaments, the muscles and their ten­ dons, all the finer, and all the more flexible parts of the body,are as continually renewed, and as properly a secretion, as the saliva that flows from the mouth, or the moisture that bedews the surface. The health of all the parts, and their soundness of structure, de­ pend onthis perpetual absorption and perpe­ tual renovation ;and exercise, by promoting at once absorption and secretionp,romotes life without hurryingit, renovates all the parts, and preserves themapt and fit for every ofliceV When the human frame is thus capable of being altered andrenovated, it is not surpris­ ing thatthe art of training should be carried to a degree ofperfection almost incredible ; and that by certain processes, the BREATH, strength, and courage of man, should be so greatly improved as to enable him to per­ form the most laborious undertakings. That such effects have beenproduced is unquestion- * Code of Health, vol. ii. p. 84. able.