friend, Omar, and others, I can never see that a man is worse off for
never having been drunk, and I am even Puritanical enough to think that he
is better off, and, moreover, he has more self-respect, to say nothing of
the respect of others. Nobody ever loses caste by refusing to drink. It is
a difficult thing to do sometimes; but you know the old adage, that any
man can lead a horse to water, but a hundred cannot make him drink. It is
a pity that men should be inferior to horses in that respect. You will
think that this is becoming a temperance lecture. Perhaps it is; but never
mind, it does not call for total abstinence.


TOBACCO?

I can see no advantage to be gained by tobacco; and you will find that it
administers to your comfort, and that is the only advantage that it has.
This in itself is a very damaging kind of an advantage, as, without
advancing your object, it endangers your freedom, as all comforts do.


ATHLETIC PROWESS?

By all means cultivate this and in every form possible, but even here have
an eye to moderation. Do not develop your heart and lungs to such an
extent that, when you have taken up a more sedentary life later, they will
suffer a reaction. Almost all the great athletes suffer a few years'
discomfort while adjusting themselves to a less athletic existence than
was theirs in college. Therefore, be moderate and specialize in this, so
that in after life you may do what you are best fitted for, and in the
attainment of athletic success make a test case of your proficiency of
attainment. Do not fear to be prodigal of energy concentrated on the right