J. F. Campbell Collection > Address to the middle classes upon the subject of gymnastic exercises

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the British youth to repose. Guardsmen are em-
bosomed in the arm-chairs, formerly reserved for
the solace of helpless decrepitude. The present
standard of comfort is far above the ancestral stan-
dard of luxury. Travelling, which once was a
fatigue, is now barely an exercise. All classes, ex-
cept the poorest, are whirled from one end of the
kingdom to the other without personal exertion or
personal exposure. The most delicate woman can
now perform with ease in a day, journeys which
once demanded a week's incessant toil. The omni-
bus relieves the legs of the citizen from the trifling
transit from his house to his office. Life is thus
spent in an arm-chair or vehicle. All this may be
a source of pride to the patriot, of congratulation to
the statesman, of approbation to the philosopher.
These may be the trophies and triumphs of civilisa-
tion. But if not met by counteracting influences,
this excessive multiplication, this universal diffusion
of the conveniences and luxuries of life may be the
prolific parent of innumerable evils. It may increase
the number and virulence of distempers, it may debi-
litate the body, above all, it may enervate and
emasculate the mind. It may tame and subdue that
indomitable energy, which has been the distinguish-
ing feature of the Englishman's character, which
has taught him by enterprise to command prosperity,
by fortitude to conquer adversity, to bear his arts
and his arms to every recess of the globe, to defy
the frowns of P'ate, and to maintain a stern and
victorious struggle against the malice of Fortune.
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