THE EFFECT OF CULTURE ON VITALITY. [To THR EDITOR Or
TER " BPEOTATOR."3
SIR,—After reading your interesting article on the above subject in the Spectator of April 15th, it occurred to me that Shakespeare had the identical thought in his mind which you suggest in the remark : —" Whether the brain can actually give power to the muscles is not certain, but that it can mate- rially affect vitality is quite certain." On referring to Antony and Cleopatra, act iv., scene 8, I found the passage. When Antony returns in triumph from the skirmish with Cassar's soldiers under the walls of Alexandria, he says to Cleopatra:— " My nightingale,
We have beat them to their beds. What, girl! though grey
Do something mingle with our younger brown, yet ha' we
A brain that nourishes our nerves, and can Get goal for goal of youth."
Farther comment is unnecessary.—I am, Sir, ,Fec., NEIL MACLARTY.
Clyde Villa, 59 Shelgate Road, Clapham. Common.
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