THE FLESHY, THE THIN, THE OLD
But the difference is more marked in more matured men, who naturally run to flesh, than in students. A prize-fighter, for instance, in changing from a life of indulgence and immoderate drinking, will often come down as much as thirty, or even forty pounds, in preparing for his contest. It should be remembered that; besides other advantages of his being thin; it is of great importance that his face should be so lean that a blow on his cheek shall not puff it up; and swell it so as to shut up his eye; and put him at his enemy's mercy.
But most people do not care to take such severe and arduous work as either the amateur athlete, or the prize-fighter. If they could hit upon some comparatively light and easy way of restoring themselves physically to a hard-muscle basis; and could so shake off their burden of flesh without interfering seriously with their business; they would be glad to try it. Let us see if this can be done.
Some time ago the writer met a gentleman of middle age, whom he had known for years; and who has been long connected with one of the United States departments in New York City. A very steady, hard-working officer; his occupation was a sedentary one. Remembering him as a man, till recently, of immense bulk, and being struck with his evident and great shrinkage, we inquired if he had been ill. He replied that he had not been ill, that for years he had not enjoyed better health. Questioning him as to his altered appearance, he said that, on the eighteenth day of the preceding January, he weighed three hundred and five pounds; that, having become so unwieldy, his flesh was a source of great hinderance and annoyance to him. Then he had determined, if possible, to get rid of some of it. Having to be at work all day; he could only effect
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