The Code of Health and Longevity

(163)5 APPENDIX. have fo fmall a claim to your attention. I fhall, howi ever, be happy, if any thing Ioffer lhall in the fmalleft degree contribute towards the elucidationof any part of ib important a fubjeft as that of Athletic Exercifes. It appears to me, that the effeft of the art of fencing, upon the human frame, has not been confidered in the view which it deferves. The refult of the other athletic exereifes, re- fpe£ling which you have made fuch extenfive inquiries, is their refpeftive advantages of adding ftrength to the body. But the queftion is, howfar will thefe, in their operations, tend to the promotion of health and longevi­ ty ? Let us examine this point. Both byanalogy and induftion, it is found, that lthough all exercifes ftrength- cn the body, and promote health, yet there are fome more extenfive in their effedils than others. On theone hand, the large mufcular arms of the blackfmith, the broad flioulders and thin legsof the drayman and waterman, the mufcular legs of chairmen, the arms and ftioulders of pugilifts, &c. have been remarked by every one. On the other hand, the fe ble ftate of the mufcularpowers of mechanics, the contra£led ftate of their chefts, and, in the great manufaduringtowns, the ftiort duratioij of their lives, have not efcaped obfervation. Now, all thofe, who, from their feveraloccupations, have an increafe of mufcular ftrength, no doubt will derive that increai'e, in proportion as thole mufcles have been exercifed. Let ustherefore confider the operation of the mufcular fyftem in fencing ;with refpedt to its pofition, motion, and therefult of fuch pofition and motion upon the ani­ mal economy. ijl y The po/itions of the body in fencing, have for their objeft, Erednefs, Firmnefs, and Balance ;therefore the cheft, neck, and fhoulders, are placed in pofitions themoft beneficial to health. id. The various motions ofthe arms and limbs, while the body ft illmaintains its ere6t polition, not only con­ firms