The Pedestrian's Record

THE PEDESTRIAN'S RECORD. 57 ciples, will prevent the occurrence of injury, and " drive " maternal " dull care away." The remedy for these evils is within our grasp ; the work at a gymnasium would have the effect of developing every part of the body, and of making men not only runners but all-round athletes. The Greeks and the Romans always trained so as to produce general and not local perfection ; and if it was necessary for them, surely it is quite as necessary for Englishmen, who fancy they are the most enduring men in the world. In running, the lungs undergo severe strain, which the muscular system can assist only according to its degree of development; a weak-chested man can seldom perform without evincing symptoms of dis­ tress, neither can a strong man, unless his costal muscles are as powerful in the other regions of his body. During all acts of exertion the lungs play an important part, and in no instance so markedly as whilst running. Respiration, the effort of inspira­ tion, when pure air is drawn into the lungs, and expiration, when impure gases are expelled from them, is a function which has more to do with the general health of the body than any other, for by them we live and breathe, and have our being ; it such be the case, it follows that the surrounding- structures should be in a healthy and powerful state, so as to assist them in the hour of need, i.e., when the acts of inspiration and expiration rapidly succeed one another. To receive inspired air the capacity of the chest is