Mr. Robert Knox, of England, somewhat known as an ethnological lecturer and author,—­a thinker in a sort, though of the “slam-bang” school, of far more force than faculty, and of a singular avidity for ugly news,—­dogmatically proclaims that all Americans are undergoing a physical degeneration, involving, as he thinks, an equal lapse of mental power, proceeding with swift fated steps, and sure ere long to land them in sheer impotence and imbecility; and he appeals to the common loss of adipose tissue and avoirdupois as proof.  This author belongs to a class of well-meaning gentlemen, so unfortunately constituted that the distractions of their time induce in them an acetous fermentation (as milk sometimes sours during thunder); and from acid becoming acrid, they at length fall fairly in love with the Erinnyes, and henceforth dote upon destruction and ugliness as happier lovers do upon cosmical health and beauty.  Concluding that the universe is a shabby affair, they like to make it out shabbier still,—­and so, seldom brighten up till they have an ill thing to say.  They are not persons toward whom it is easy to feel amiable.  Dogmatism is ever unlovely, though it be in behalf of the sweetest hopes; but chronic doubt and disbelief erected into a dogmatism are intolerable.  Yet Mr. Knox’s misinterpretations of the facts are taking root in many minds that do not share his fierce hypochondria and hunger for bitter herbs.  That the American has lost somewhat in animal resources is incontestable; but Mr. Knox’s ever-implied premise, “The animal is the man,” from which his Jeremiad derives its plaint, is but a provincial paper-currency, of very local estimation, and can never, like gold and silver, pass by weight in the world’s marts of thought.  The physical constitution of the New Man is comparatively delicate and fragile; but as a china vase is not necessarily less sound than a stone jug or iron kettle, so delicacy and fragility in man are no proof of disease.  The ominous prognosis of this doctor, therefore, seems no occasion for despair, perhaps not even for alarm.  But to perceive what different harping can be performed on this string, hear Carus:—­“Leanness, as such,” says the master, “is the symbol of a certain lightness, activity, rapidity, and mental power.”  Thus the adipose impoverishment, which to the yellow-eyed Englishman seems utter bankruptcy, is at once recognized by a superior man as denoting an augmentation, rather than diminution, of proper human wealth.

But while the typical American organization is of this admitted delicacy and lightness, it is still capable, under high and powerful impulse of extraordinary feats of endurance.  This has of late been admirably illustrated.  Not long since, there returned to our shores a hero who—­as Dante was believed by the people of Italy to have entered the Inferno of Fire—­had actually descended into the opposite Inferno of Frost, and done unprecedented battle with the demons of that realm.  Dr. Kane