Pedestrianism

26 ANCIENT GYMNASTICS. Neither the inclemency of the weather, nor the scorchingbeams of the sun could affect them, as their bodies by continual exercise had become morerobust, and less liable to be injured, than the natural frame of ordinary men. The Grecian mannerof fighting required bothstrength and agility, as the long spear of the 44 firm phalanx ,, could not be easily wielded, and the occasionally rapid marches of the Greek armiesover a rugged country, sufficientlyevince the utility of active habits. To the PRACTICE of the gymnasia, the Greeks owe all the glory they acquired in war; and it was the opinion of Plato, " that every well " constitutedrepublicought, by offeringprizes " to the conquerors,to encourageall such ex- " ercisesas tend to increasethe strengthand " agility of the body*." The admirable symmetry of the Grecian statues, establishes, beyond controversy, the * West's Diss. p. 243. just