+Tobacco a serious injury to growing persons.+--On this point all
teachers are unanimous. Statistics taken at the naval school at
Annapolis, at Yale College, and elsewhere, show that the use of tobacco
is the exception with scholars at the head, and the rule with scholars
at the foot of the class.
Shortly after we began to take statistics on this point in Bowdoin
College I asked the director of the gymnasium what was the result with
the Freshman class? "Oh," he said, "the list of the smokers is
substantially the same as that which was reported the other day for
deficiencies in scholarship." A prominent educator, who had given
considerable attention to this subject, after spending an hour in my
recitation room with a class of college seniors, indicated with perfect
accuracy the habitual and excessive smokers, simply by noting the eye,
manner, and complexion.
Tobacco, used in early life, tends to stunt the growth, weaken the eyes,
shatter the nervous system, and impair the powers of physical endurance
and mental application. No candidate for a college athletic team, or
contestant in a race, would think of using tobacco while in training.
Every man who wishes to keep himself in training for the highest prizes
in business and professional life must guard his early years from the
deterioration which this habit invariably brings.
THE PENALTY.
+These vices bring disease and disgrace.+--These vices put in place of
physical well-being the gratification of a particular taste and
appetite. Hence they bring about the abnormal action of some organs at
the expense of all the rest; and this is the essence of disease.
A diseased body causes a disordered mind and an enfeebled will. The
excessive and over-stimulated activity of one set of organs involves a
corresponding defect in the activity and functions of the other
faculties. The glutton or drunkard neglects his business; loses interest
in reading and study; fails to provide for his family; forfeits
self-respect; and thus brings upon himself poverty and wretchedness and
shame. He sinks lower and lower in the social scale; grows more and more
a burden to others and a disgrace to himself; and at last ends a
worthless and ignominious life in an unwept and dishonored grave.
CHAPTER II.
Dress.
Next in importance to food and drink stand clothing and shelter. Without
substantial and permanent protection against cold and rain, without
decent covering for the body and privacy of life, civilization is
impossible. The clothes we wear express the standing choices of our
will; and as clothes come closer to our bodies than anything else, they
stand as the most immediate and obvious expression of our mind. "The
apparel oft proclaims the man."
THE DUTY.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account