Capt. Barclay’s mode of living is plain and unaffected. His table is always abundantly supplied, and he is fond of society. His hospitality is of that frank and open kind which sets every man at his ease. With a condescension extremely agreeable, he directs his attention alike to every person, and, in consistency with the rules of good-breeding, the perfect liberty of speech and action is enjoyed by every one who surrounds him. He is well acquainted with general history, the Greek and Latin classics, and converses fluently on most subjects that are introduced in company as topics of discussion. He has stood a candidate for his native county, which his father so honourably represented in three parliaments; and in his political sentiments he is moderate and independent. As far from violently censuring those whose political conduct he does not approve, as from blindly following the opinions of those with whom he publicly acts or personally esteems--he thinks for himself, and judges of measures by their efficacy, or tries them by the legitimate deductions of rational probability. In private and in public life, Capt. Barclay has ever evinced inflexible adherence to those strict principles of honor and integrity which characterise a gentleman; and, whether as transacting with mankind, individually, or as a public character, responsible for his opinions and conduct at the shrine of his country, he has always proved his sincere respect for the rights of others, and his unfeigned attachment to the British constitution. CHAPTER VI. ON TRAINING. The art of training for athletic exercises, consists in purifying the body and strengthening its powers, by certain processes, which thus qualify a person for the accomplishment of laborious exertions. It was known to the ancients, who paid much attention to the means of augmenting corporeal vigour and activity; and accordingly, among the Greeks and Romans, certain rules of regimen and exercise were prescribed to the candidates for gymnastic celebrity. We are not, however, in possession of any detailed account of the particular kind of DIET in use among the Greeks previously to the solemn contest at the public games; but we are assured, that the strictest temperance, sobriety, and regularity in living, were indispensably requisite. The candidates, at the same time, were subjected to daily exercise in the GYMNASIUM for ten months, which, with the prescribed regimen, constituted the preparatory course of training adopted by the ATHLETÆ of ancient Greece.