THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.
Bodily ſtrength from being the diſtinction of heroes is now ſunk into ſuch unmerited contempt, that men, as well as women, ſeem to think it unneceſſary: the latter, as it takes from their feminine graces, and from that lovely weakneſs, the ſource of their undue power; and the former, becauſe it appears inimical with the character of a gentleman.
That they have both by departing from one extreme run into another, may eaſily be proved; but firſt it may be proper to obſerve, that a vulgar error has obtained a degree of credit, which has given force to a falſe concluſion, in which an effect has been miſtaken for a cauſe.
People of genius have, very frequently, impaired their conſtitutions by ſtudy or careleſs inattention to their health, and the violence of their paſſions bearing a proportion to the vigour of their intellects, the ſword's deſtroying the ſcabbard has become almoſt proverbial, and ſuperficial obſervers have inferred from thence, that men of genius have commonly weak, or, to uſe a more faſhionable phraſe, delicate conſtitutions. Yet the contrary, I believe, will appear to be the fact; for, on diligent inquiry, I find that ſtrength of mind has, in moſt caſes, been accompanied by ſuperior ſtrength of body,—natural ſoundneſs of conſtitution,—not that robuſt tone
