EX'ERUISE, the exertion of the body, for health, amusement, labor, or the at tainment of any art.. Exercise increases the circulation of the blood, attenuates and divides the fluids, and promotes a regular perspiration, as well as a due se cretion of all the humors ; for it acceler ates the animal spirits, and facilitates their distribution into all the fibres of the body, strengthens the parts, creates an appetite, and helps digestion. Whence it arises, that those who accustom them selves to exercise arc generally very ro bust, and seldom subject to diseases. It should never be forgotten by those of studious habits, that the delicate springs of our frail machines lose their activity, and the vessels become clogged with ob structions, when we totally desist from exercise ; from which consequences arise which necessarily affect the brain ; &mere studious life is therefore equally prejudi cial to the body and the mind. We may further observe,. that an inclination to study ought not to be carried to the ex tent of aversion to society and motion.
The natural lot of man is to live among his fellows; and whatever may be his sit uation in the world, there are a thousand occasions wherein his physical energies may be rendered serviceable to his fel low-creatures, as welL as to himself. Many rational causes have therefore giv en rise to the practice of particular exer cises; and those legislators who deserve to be called the most sagacious and be nevolent, have instituted opportunities for enabling youth who devote themselves to study, to become expert also in lauda ble exereises.—Mental exercise is the ex ertion of the mind or faculties for im provement, as in the various branches of literature, art, and seience.—Military exercise consists in the use of arms, in marches, evolutions, &c.—Naval exercise consists in the management of artillery, and in the evolutions of fleets.