come in time to take it just because we like it. If we must mix, let the quantity of spirit be indeed small; we can pledge our friend in a glass gently tinged, as heartily as we can do in a stiffener. Many, I am satisfied, have ruined excellent constitutions just by this habit of drinking,-and

"What then avails, that with exhaustless store
Obsequious luxury loads thy glittering shrine;
What then avails, that prostrate slaves adore,
Or fame proclaims thee matchless and divine!

Can gaiety the vanished years restore,
Or on the withering limbs fresh beauty shed!

In health how fair, how ghastly in decay,
Man's lofty form!"

Next to a proper attention to diet, a proper attention to exercise is required. There is nothing, perhaps in any climate, so likely to keep up the proper balance of the system, and keep all its parts in healthy action, as a due quantity of motion; nothing so likely to let the system fall, as an undue inactivity, and therefore to take all the exercise we can, should ever be a

chief point with us in India. Of course, there it is impossible to be much in motion during the day; the heat is then certainly too oppressive. But in the mornings and evenings, and especially in the cooler months, exercise can very well be taken; and to a certain extent it very generally is taken. Almost every one keeps a horse, or a vehicle of some kind or other. There are few indeed, who have not the means of doing this; and from day-break till the sun is well above the horizon, and again in the evening for an hour after he has gone down, all are seen out taking the accustomed ride. This, to be sure, is so far well; but I do not think this is enough of exercise, or as much as might be taken. It is the fashion to ride, it is not much the fashion to walk, or walking for the same length of time would have better effects. There can be no doubt but walking is by far the most natural kind of exercise; and surely for him at least, who has perhaps for the first fifteen or twenty years of his life been in the habit of walking some miles every day, a little of it is requisite even in

pre

the warm climate, and ought perhaps to be ferred to any other mode of taking exercise. There must be a change produced in the system very much for the worse, if from such a state of action we enter into one of almost perfect inaction; if we do as many do, scarcely ever put a foot to the ground. So that the European who is anxious to preserve health, when he becomes a sojourner in India, though he may have it in his power to ride when he chooses, will also occasionally make use of his own limbs; he will not forget altogether, for all fashion may set before him, his earlier and more natural habit. We can walk, too, at home in our house-under our virandah, often in seasons when the weather does not admit of riding out.

There is, however, one kind of exercise which I do not much recommend. I mean sporting. In such a country as India, we would hardly expect this recreation to be in use. But it is true that the gun and dog are there in very considerable demand. There are not a few to be found, who will not only engage in the sport

during the cooler parts of the day, and in the cooler seasons, but who will engage in it at all times, and in all seasons. It is a general belief, and I dare say a belief founded on good observation, that exposure to the strong rays of the sun during the day, is apt to be productive of very serious disease. It is, I believe, too true, that many have untimely come to their end by such an exposure. But whether it be true to the full extent or not, even allowing this dread of the sun to be a little more than is necessary; still, it is well, when we can, to keep on the safe side, and not wantonly throw ourselves in harm's way. But with the sportsman all fear seems banished; although at other times, he would be afraid even to put his head out of his palanquin, or carriage, if the sun was appearing, yet when he enters on his favourite amusement, he minds sun and danger no more; but travels heedlessly on through jungle, and marshes, and paddy fields, exposed to damps and exhalations of every description, and thus undoubtedly may perish. When an hour or two's shooting, morning and

evening, can be conveniently taken, it is all very well; but no danger should be encountered for it. And I would also add, that when we do sport, we should not, as some do, have recourse to the brandy pamy to quench thirst; for this perhaps kills about as many as the sun does.

Neither does dancing seem an exercise well suited to India. In England, and climates like it, I do believe dancing, in a moderate degree, to be a healthy amusement. But in countries within the tropics, I must deem it prejudicial even in any degree. Yet, in India it is about as common, I think, as in Europe. I have seen in Calcutta, and not in the coldest season either, male and female a full hour in the dance; and no doubt such a system may sometimes be followed for a considerable time without much appearance of injury. But it cannot be without bad effects; the chance is that sooner or later its ill consequences will come to be felt; and therefore the prudent will either altogether avoid it, or at any rate indulge very cautiously.

The clothing worn in these climates is of course

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