The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-08-14 00:00:00

GYMNASTICS AT ALDERSHOT.

One of those entertainments which, while retaining
their essentially military. title "Assault at Arms," are
yet universally popular in every separate detail, at-
tracted a large company to the Gymnasium of the
North Camp, Aldershot, on Monday aftetnoon, the
chief inducement
.being an opportuning of adding to
the Atalanta relief
.fund. It is hardly necessary to
say that this athletic re-union had the hearty sup-
port of Lieutenant-General Sir Daniel Lysons,
K.C.8., commanding the Aldershot division; the
gallant officer, accompanied by Lady Lyons, being
present on the occasion.. His Serene Highness the
Duke of Teck also gave his personal approbation to
the excellent scheme which had been projected by the
staff-instructors of the Aldershot Gymnasia, and,
entering the building just as the sports had begun,
took his seat by the side of Sir Daniel and Lady
Lysons. Among the officers present were General
H ammersley, the first inspector of military gymnasia,
in England, and their strongest advocate before that
post was offered him; Colonel F. Middleton, and Cap-
tain Cotton director of the garrison gymnasium at
Portsmouth.
A welcome accession to the programme was an-
nounced at the eleventh hour, a deputation of the
Stockholm Gymnastic Club, to the number of forty-
one members, inclusive of the president, Lieutenant
Balck, of the Nerikes Regiinent of Infantry, having
offered to take part in the proceedings. The repre-
sentatives of the Swedish Club, in addition to several
military officers, included a large number of the gen-
tlemen of various professions and students of the
university. When about to take part in the trials at
the Gymnasium, they changed their uniforms or pr.i-
vate clothes for loose white suits of canvas, naval in
character, with blue edgings, and scarves of the game
hue. Thus attired, they were, on presenting them-
selves in the body of the hall, loudly cheered.—The
Daily Telegraph gives the following account of the
athletic performances :
After an overture had been played by the band of
the 42nd Royal Highland Black Watch, whose spirited
music, with the occasional addition of the pipes,
helped to enliven the proceeding, a squad of the let
Battalion Rifle Brigade went through some dumb-bell
practice, after which the sword exercise of a sergeant
and three corporals and men of the sth Dragoon
Guards elicited general marks of approval. Major
Barrow, C.M.G., 19th Hussars, then stood up with
Chief Instructor Adams in a joint display of
vigour in the handling of the Indian clubs. Next
came the Swedish officers, in a squad exercise, first
with the foils and then with the broadsword. Their
style was much admired, both for dash and finish,
the manner of attack being peculiarly brisk, and
the left-hand play as good as the right. Here
the Swedes have a decided advantage over those
fencers who are restricted to the use of one hand. The
only rivals in this ambi-dexterous swordsmanship,
whom they met yesterday, were the sailors of her
Majesty's ship President, whose sword and cutlass
drill and single-stick metee gave evidence that in the
English navy a true " handiness" is cultivated, which
at present is denied to our army. However, the
Swedish officers and gymnasts, who came to see us as
well as to show feats of strength and skill, were not
disappointed. It was a fair case of give and take in
the matter of valuable hints; and everybody agreed
that many very useful and important lessons had been
gained on both sides. The Swedes are somewhat re-
stricted in their system and method of gymnastics,
and much that they saw yesterday was quite new
to them. They looked with delighted astonish-
ment at the splendid performances of the staff-
instructors on the parallel bars, and gave vent to
their satisfaction with unmistakable earnestness of
applause. The feats on the horizontal bar like wise
called forth their unbounded commendation; and the
acrobatic gyrations of Chief Instructors Bunting and
Chesterton excited many pleased expressions of wonder.
On the other hand, the skill of fence manifested by
their officers is undoubtedly remarkable; and the
force and earnestness thrown into their sword-play,
ven when no protection was worn on head or body,
caused a thrill of excitement among the spectators,
more than half of whose number were ladies. All the
Swedes, civilian and military, are surprising jumpers;
and their leaps, in quick succession, caused a con-
tinuous tumult of applause. Dispensing at first
with the use of a spring board, they vaulted
with great ease, and with skilful turns of the
body, over a hobby horse four feet eight or
nine inches high, on which first one, then two, and
then three of their comrades sat astride. Among the
nimblest vaulters is a gentleman whose weight is six-
teen stone. Perhaps the most interesting exhibition,
in an educational point of view, afforded by the
Swedes, was their extension drill, which is no other
than the series of movements taught in all the 70,000
State schools apportioned to Sweden's 5,000,000 in-
habitants, and, with some slight modifications, to girls
as well as boys. It is a pity that the short stay of the
Stockholm gymnasts will not allow more than one or
two opportunities for parents, guardians, school-
masters, and school mistresses to profit by a sight of
those quaint and pretty as well as salutary
manceuvres.

In the military encounters by the Swedes, a spirited
combat with sword and bayonet was watched with
breathless interest; and a yet more remarkable contest
recalled the old way of fighting with rapier and dagger.
At the end of the pleasant little tourney, the Swedish
officers received the warm thanks and congratulations,
first of Sir Daniel Lysons, then of the Duke of Teck,
and lastly of General Hammersley. Lieutenant Balck
responded cordially, and called upon his companions
to give their national cheer, which has a most stirring
effect, and which called from General Lysons the
remark that they all appeared to have good sound
lungs. Of course, a volley of English cheering was
given in return; and the members of the Stockholm
Club then took their leave of Aldershot.