Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/369

Rh same air to re-enter the lungs, which has before been respired, and has become at length totally unfit for supplying the vital principle. Thus, they deprive themselves of the most beneficial cordial of life, namely, fresh air, and exhaust the source of vitality as much in one hour, as was perhaps destined by Nature for the support of weeks, or even months. Instead of following such an irrational practice, they ought either to remove to another atmosphere, or to open the window or door, to admit a supply of pure air, rather than to destroy themselves by an obstinate or indolent perseverance in their former habit.  BREECHES, a part of the dress of most Europeans, worn by males, and reaching from the waist to the knees. The Romans had no dress corresponding with our breeches. This article appears to be a habit peculiar to the barbarous nations of the North: they were worn by the ancient Gauls, Germans, and Britons; and were also introduced into Italy, as early as the time of, where they afterwards grew so fashionable, that and  thought proper to restrain them by a law, and to expel the breeches-makers from Rome, under the idea that it was unworthy a nation which ruled the world, to wear the apparel of barbarians.

With respect to the construction of this article of our dress, it may be useful to observe, that if made too tight in the waistband, or of improper materials, they must necessarily occasion uneasiness, and prove injurious to the body. The form most to be preferred, and now very generally adopted, is that of pantaloons: these ought to be of a sufficient width, of a thin substance in summer, and of warm cloth in winter. Breeches made of leather, and so narrow as to fit exactly the shape of the limbs, are liable to many inconveniencies: they benumb the hips and thighs, occasion a painful pressure upon the parts, especially the abdomen; and, by the close texture of the leather, in a great measure impede perspiration.  BREEDING of Cattle: As the different circumstances to be attended to in the management of cattle, will be stated when treating of the various kinds of useful animals, we shall here only observe, that the first thing to be considered is beauty of form; the next is proportion of parts, or what may be called utility of form; the third, which has engaged the attention of midland breeders, is the texture of the muscular parts, or what is called flesh; a quality which, however familiar it may have been to the butcher and consumer, has not in general been attended to by breeders. In short, it is a rule applicable to all sorts of live-stock, to breed from straight backed, round bodied, clean, small boned, healthy animals; carefully rejecting such as have roach backs and heavy legs, with much external appearance of offal, &c.

To the late Mr., of Dishley, who was undoubtedly the most scientific breeder of his time, we are indebted for many new and important improvements in the art breeding cattle. His principle was, to procure the best beast, that would weigh most in the valuable joints; and thus, while he gained in point of shape, he also acquired a breed much hardier, and easier fed, than any other.

With respect to the breed of