The Code of Health and Longevity

ON ATHLETIC EXERCISES. 149 I do not know that the human powers can go beyond it, in fome inftances, that I have feen with my own eyes; yet an Englifh failor, though he could probably climh a rope better, could not dance uponone, as I have feen the people at Sadler's Wells. The fuperiority, therefore, of the South Sea Indians in wreftling, boxing,and row­ ing, I attribute merely to proBice. It was alfo in their own way that Cooke's Tailors contended with them. In a fair boxing-mktch, I have not a doubt but Mendoza or Humphries would have triumphed over at leaft twenty of them in fucoeflion. By the way, from what I have learned of amateurs, refpefting thefe pugilifts, no per- fons can lead more diflblute lives, exceptin the article of exercife. With this exception, that thofe among them who drink moderately, (and moderation with them is free-living amongother people) are the ftrongeft. On a fubjeft where I am more at home, my obferva- tions will lead to the conclusion, that the fimpleft mode of living is the moft conducive to bodily health and ftrength. Though very young when I purfned cock- fighting, from nice obfervation, which enabled me to i 3 judge jnecifely in tlie Eagliih manner. A quartermaller, avery ftout man, and a Ikiltul boxer, indignant at feeing liis companions knocked aBout with To little ceremony, determined to try a r&und or two with one of the ftouteft of the •natives,although flrongly diffuackd from the attempt by his officers. The blood of the native iflsnder being warmed by the oppofuion of a few mi­ nutes, lie broke through all the guards of his antagonifl, feized him by the thigh and (boulder, threw him up, and held him with extended arms over his bead, for a minute, in token of triumph, and then daflied him on the deck •withfuc'h violence as to fradlure his fkull. The gentleman added, that he never law men apparently jjoffefledof fuch mufcular ftrength. Our flout­ ed failers appeared mere fhrimps compared with them. Their mode of life, conftantly in vigorous »<flion in the open air, and undcbilitated by the ufe of ftimulating food or drink, may be confidcrcd as a perpetual ftate of train­ ing. E D,