"In equal proportion to man's moral and mental strength, so should he be
well-balanced physically," proceeded Arletta. "In fact, he cannot accept
his greatest opportunities unless perfectly sound and healthful. The
mind derives its power of conception from the body, as well as the body
secures its impetus from mind, therefore, the development of the frame
should at least keep pace with that of the intellect, if not exceeding
it. There is nothing more delightful to behold or conceive than a
perfect physical man, whose features manifest strong moral and mental
attributes, as exemplified by the portraits of the Sagemen."

"Excepting a perfect woman as depicted by yourself," thought I, with
uncontrollable rapture, as I feasted my eyes upon her exquisite form and
lovely countenance. Taking notice of my passionate cogitation, she
interjected, "Nature created the male and female, and in order to
perpetuate life itself, the union thereof is necessary; therefore, the
highest aim of each should be to win and hold the love and companionship
of the other. To do this successfully, each must strive to reach the
very highest point of physical, as well as mental and moral excellence.
Our men adored women as the most sacred and beautiful objects of life;
the women revered men as the grandest things extant.

"According to the philosophy of Sage--who, by the way, was the founder
of our government, and the first to expound the principles of Natural
Law--men belonged to the community, and not the community to man. He
contended that it was just as essential to the general welfare of the
public for the individual to build himself up from a healthful
standpoint, and likewise make himself pleasing to the eyes of others, as
it was to construct sanitary and artistic houses.

"Health and beauty are natural; disease and deformity are acquired, and
are therefore crimes against mankind. There are three good reasons why
it is criminal for one to neglect health. First, by going contrary to
Natural Law, he unfits himself to give his best labors toward the
progress of his species. Second, by breeding disease in himself, he
forces it into the community. Third--the most heinous crime of all--he
passes down to his offspring the ghastly inheritances resulting from his
own degraded weaknesses, which, in turn, are handed down from generation
to generation.

"Intemperance, such as over-eating, over-drinking, over-work, over-rest,
and many other forms of o