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A topic still remains—­one perhaps more urgently demanding consideration than any of the foregoing.  It is asserted by not a few, that among the educated classes the younger adults and those who are verging on maturity, are neither so well grown nor so strong as their seniors.  On first hearing this assertion, we were inclined to class it as one of the many manifestations of the old tendency to exalt the past at the expense of the present.  Calling to mind the facts that, as measured by ancient armour, modern men are proved to be larger than ancient men; and that the tables of mortality show no diminution, but rather an increase, in the duration of life, we paid little attention to what seemed a groundless belief.  Detailed observation, however, has shaken our opinion.  Omitting from the comparison the labouring classes, we have noticed a majority of cases in which the children do not reach the stature of their parents; and, in massiveness, making due allowance for difference of age, there seems a like inferiority.  Medical men say that now-a-days people cannot bear nearly so much depletion as in times gone by.  Premature baldness is far more common than it used to be.  And an early decay of teeth occurs in the rising generation with startling frequency.  In general vigour the contrast appears equally striking.  Men of past generations, living riotously as they did, could bear more than men of the present generation, who live soberly, can bear.  Though they drank hard, kept irregular hours, were regardless of fresh air, and thought little of cleanliness, our recent ancestors were capable of prolonged application without injury, even to a ripe old age:  witness the annals of the bench and the bar.  Yet we who think much about our bodily welfare; who eat with moderation, and do not drink to excess; who attend to ventilation, and use frequent ablutions; who make annual excursions, and have the benefit of greater medical knowledge;—­we are continually breaking down under our work.  Paying considerable attention to the laws of health, we seem to be weaker than our grandfathers who, in many respects, defied the laws of health.  And, judging from the appearance and frequent ailments of the rising generation, they are likely to be even less robust than ourselves.

What is the meaning of this?  Is it that past over-feeding, alike of adults and children, was less injurious than the under-feeding to which we have adverted as now so general?  Is it that the deficient clothing which this delusive hardening-theory has encouraged, is to blame?  Is it that the greater or less discouragement of juvenile sports, in deference to a false refinement is the cause?  From our reasonings it may be inferred that each of these has probably had a share in producing the evil.[7] But there has been yet another detrimental influence at work, perhaps more potent than any of the others:  we mean—­excess of mental application.