Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 June 1879 — The Physique of Americans. [ARTICLE]

The Physique of Americans.

It used to be a common remark that Americans were lacking in physique, and as a nation they were called lank, lean, and of too nervous temperament. But time, with increased comfort, prosperity, better food and clothing, and other concomitants of civilization, has worked wonders for our people. Dickens, who was an unusually keen observer, remarked a vast improvement on his second visit to this country in the looks of the people, especially the women. Other evidence might be cited to the same effect. But let each judge for himself. Walk along Broadway or any other thoroughfare when the crowd is densest; stand on a packed ferry-boat, or in front of one of our large churches or theaters when the audience is leaving. Are not the mass of people who pass robust, well-fed and substantial-looking? Do you see many cadaverous, slab-sided persons? Do not they look, on the average, as well as people pf any other race? The fact is, and the statistics of the Examining Surgeons of our enormous army during the war prove it, that the American is taller and larger and larger round the chest than his Saxon, Celtic, or Teutonic cousin. Dwellers in cities are usually puny. The Londoner, the Parisian, and the New Yorker are all small men; but the Maine lumbermen, the farmers from the far West, and the men from the border States are huge, powerfully-built fellows. Take the United States Senate or the House of * Representatives, and how many fine physiques will be found among their members! In the last three Cabinets there was an unusual proportion of large, vigorous men. Chase, Seward, Stanton and Blair were not pigmies, nor are Hayes’ supporters lacking in bone and muscle, excepting Evarts and Schurz. Thus it may be accepted that Americans have size and strength sufficient for their needs, and it is a mistake to suppose otherwise.— Sanitary Engineer and Plumber. A Dorset (Vt.) youngster of 4 eloped with a 3-year-old sweetheart recently, but the couple were captured before they had gone a mile from home.