Pedestrianism

POWERS or MAN. 255 gined." And it isalso evident, that English­ men possess more strength than Frenchmen ; a fact that has been proved as often as oijr soldiers have charged the French armywith the bayonet. The strength and activity of the human frame arise from the muscular conformation of its parts, and their constant EXERCISE.-— Those habituated to carry burdens will bear a load of from six to eight hundred pounds ; while other men, of the same weight and ap­ parent strength, would find it difficult to carry more than one hundred and fifty, to two hun­ dred pounds. This difference is the effect of practice; as nature proportionally augments the power of those parts of the body which are most exerted. From the same cause, watermen, fishermen, and sailors, who are accustomed to the use of the oar, acquire great strengthin their arms ; but, indeed, the position of the rower is the % * I best calculated of any, for exerting and in­ creasing the muscular power of the body, as every part must be employed at thesame time. Accord-