ide as well as to walk.

DANCING. Notwithstanding the fact that dancing has been perverted to the
basest purposes, has been made the fruitful source of dissipation, and
has often laid the foundation for disease, it is yet capable of being
made to minister to health and happiness. As a means of physical
culture, it favors the development of the muscular system, and promotes
health and cheerfulness. When practiced for this purpose, Jacques terms
it "the best of all indoor exercises," as it brings to bear upon the
physical system a great number of energizing and harmonious influences.

MENTAL CULTURE.

The brain, like all other organs of the body, requires alternate
exercise and repose; and, in physical endurance, it is subject to
general physiological laws. When exercised with moderation it acquires
strength, vigor, and an accelerated activity. Excessive mental exertion
is liable to result in softening of the brain, and various nervous
diseases, sometimes culminating in insanity, and in many instances
proving fatal to life. The mere votaries of pleasure who avoid all
effort of the mind, fall into the opposite error. In all cases of
intellectual activity, the exertions should be directed to some subject
interesting to the student. In this manner duty will become a pleasure,
which in turn will re-invigorate the mental functions.

When the mind in confined to one subject for any considerable length of
time together, it becomes fatigued, and requires relaxation, recreation,
rest. This may be obtained by directing the attention to some other
subject, either study or amusement, the latter of which is preferable.
The amusement, however, may be of an intellectual or physical character
or both combined, and will, if properly conducted, restore vigor to both
mind and body.

Prominent among physical phenomena is the mutual relation between the
brain and the organs of nutrition. Mental exertion should be avoided for
at least one hour after a hearty meal, and all mental labor which
requires concentration of thought ought to be accomplished in the
earlier portion of the day, when the brain is refreshed and repaired by
the night's repose. Mental, like physical endurance, is modified by age,
health and development. A person accustomed to concentration of thought,
can endure a longer mental strain than one inured to manual labor only.
One of the most injurious customs, is the cultivation of the intellect
at the expense of the phy