Let him never enjoy the air but when it is in a condition to do him good; nor venture upon the ground but when it is fit for his feet.
No country house is without a garden; and the best part of this will be a good smooth gravel walk. Let this be open to the south-west, and well defended from the dangerous quarters. Let it be laid tolerably round, that the water may not lodge; and let it be kept well rolled, hard, and even.
In very favourable weather he may walk in pathways in the fields: but in such as is not so fair, this garden-walk will be highly useful: but let him never come upon it till the dew is off the grass; and let the setting sun be the last object he sees there: even in the best weather.
The air of early morning and of late evening are both cold and unwholesome; but some hours of the foremost part of the day, passed constantly on such a walk, will add many years to life; and what is much better, will give health with them.
CHAP. VI.
Of exercise for old men.
Air has led us to mention already the first of exercises, which is walking; and for those who have strength to indulge themselves in this, there is none better: but feeble limbs, and various accidents, often deny its use to those who most of all want motion.
In this case, riding on horseback is the next in excellence: and the fittest hours of the day must be chosen for that, in the same manner as for the other. In severe weather it will be necessary to ride under shelter; and at all times to avoid damp or bleak places.
Many diversions afford also excellent exercise: bowling is one: but the same care must be taken, that this be done at a proper time.
A chariot may supply the place of a horse, to such as are more feeble; and for those who are so weak as to find even this too much, there will arise a great deal of good from being driven along in those chairs which are made to run upon gravel walks.
To such as are fond of gardening, nothing affords so happy, or so constant exercise. We do not mean that they should dig, or weed the ground: but to use such employment as will give exercise without labour; and such as no hand will so well perform as that of the master.