Testimony in Favor of Temperance.
A NUMBER of the Turf, Field, and Farm contains a letter from Edward P. Weston, the famous pedestrian, to Rev. T. L. Cuyler, of Brooklyn, from which we extract the following wholesome lesson:— “You ask for my ‘experience as to the effect of alcoholic stimulants on those who aim at athletic achievements.’ In reply, I am constrained to say that, so far as my judgment and experience are concerned, the use of intoxicating liquors on the occasion of the performance of any task requiring strength and nerve, is not only unnecessary, but wholly injurious. The moment a man partakes of such stimulants at such a time, he ceases to work upon his own strength of manhood, and is simply using a false power built upon a medicine (for liquor is good for nothing else.) It may help him for the moment, but the effect is of short duration, and then he is worse than before. It not only weakens his body, but his nerve, and takes away his will; and that is not all—it will take away his appetite for food. I know it is a custom prevalent among those who go into a regular course of instruction, or training (as it is called,) for a feat of pedestrianism, to give them crackers soaked in wine at stated intervals. To my mind, this is not only folly and a loss of time, but morally wrong. The man should always be in training (all that is necessary,) have his habits regular, and have a care of that which he eats and when he eats it. If he cannot walk fifty miles a day without taking wine, he certainly will not walk long if he makes that his practice. “Diet is an important consideration in a walk that places a stronger tax than usual upon the physical system. And if a man desires to excel in feats requiring endurance and strength, he must pay strict attention to a diet based upon the primitive laws of health. What I recommend has been proved valuable by personal experience.”