The Express.
London, England, 1863-08-27 00:00:00

THE GERMAN GYMNASTIC SOCIETY en?
LONDON.

The second anniversary of this society 111.4
hinted yesterday at the Crystal Palace, sod in spite
most unfavourable weather, it was on the whole a wont
sucoessor of the inaugural festival which took place at tb
same place last year. In originating this institution, u,
German residents in London followed an example wine
has for some time been conspicuously exhibited in Germain
and have proved that, though denizens of • foreign lan_
they are still moved by the most ardent patriotic eeir
meets. The gymnastic exercises which the society fo.ten
are at coos a manly form of recreation, and a pretext
periodical gatherings in which the national sentiment tint
enthusiastic expression in a foreign land.
Two o'clock was the hoar tined for commencirg th,
gymnastic sports. At that hour the rain was c,,inint
down pitilessly ; but, notwithstanding this drawback,
was determined that the programme should, if poesiUr, h,
observed. Accordingly • procession was formed in tht
north wing of the F'alsce, whence it proceeded w th,
gymnasium in the cricket-ground. The prociantoo, stud
was headed by the band of the Loodon Irish Rifle Corp•cos.
sisted of the members of the Festival Committee, the deputies
of the German Singing Clubs in London, and a largeoniaber
of members of the Gymnastic Society. The procession
having arrived at the cricket ground, nothing daunted by as
incesiant shower, the President of the society, Yr. Rama.
stein, addressed those who were anembled. lie ra
(erred, in terms of satisfaction, to the progress male
by the society during the last year. It was nom
he said, the most important amongst the sissy
German societies of London, and had found favour apt
only amongst the Germans,but also mom* the Englim.
Souse format English members had now tetablishad a
society of their own, with which, u• matter of comae,
the mart cordial relations existed. He thee alluded to the
gnat inniportanoe of physical education to the future of
Germany. Mental development did not suffice. A Dania
to be powerful most have under its will the strati
arm to carry out the behests of the mind. If a Wince
between physical and menial development could be secured
for Germany, it would stand at the head of all natioos.
The competition for prizes—that being the form which the
etriotly part of the festival assumed—was this
with, °militias chiefly of vanities over 'media
Dress and bars, the climbing of ropes, long and high leap
ing, and running. Wrestling, which was included in the
programme, was omitted in consequence of the slippery
state of the ground. The immediate result of the compete.
lion, which lasted about two hours, was that prises
and honourable mentions were awarded to the folloWiag
Priam : 1. Diets, Holstein ; 2. Buttock. Trine ;3.
Bohm, Thuitaic ; 1. Grossman, Switzerland; 5. Lade
huger. Gleidistz ; 6. Grotkass, Aloes. Honourable roe.
tioos : Bolle, Itchrrnoser, FrUschels, Wolff (Englishman).
After the termination of the contest io the gymnasium a
vocal concert took place in the coecert-room of the Palace,
the performers being members of various German stwas
clubs in London. Under the direction of Mehl,
number of part songs were sung with great spirit.
The last of these was the celebrated Germs
song, " Was ist des Dentachen Vaterland "—what is the
German's fatherland—which was sung with as electric
enthusiasm that extended even to the Euglish portion of its
auditory ; while the German listeners glowed and glaussi
with enthusiasm. In response to irresistible encores it en

repeated.
Shortly after seven a banquet took place in the .ouu
wing of the Palace, and was attended by about 350 perms,
including a considerable number of ladle', who had pre
vioualy braved the elements to witness the igiariasi:
display.
The Chairman (Mr. Rsvenstein) in proposing the
first toast, namely, " Germany, the Fatherland," re.
marked that there was a time when Germans *brad
were almost ashamed of their fatherland, but now, it
consequence of its altered position, they were proud
of it, And he hoped that those who had that day
shown their powers of eedurance in the spec* in the
midst of discouraging weather, would, whenever called
upon, display a similar spirit and energy in behalf of their
native country. The toast was drunk with great enths.
sisam, and was followed by the national song of the Vette-
land. Herr Heiotzmsnn proposed " Old England," at.
pressing admiration of this country, and urging
his countrymen to imitate the patriotic enthusiasm
of Englishmen as evinced in all parts of the world. Where.
ever they were living for the time, let their cry be, " Ger.
many for ever !"
The toast was most heartily responded to.
Mr. Ilerndes proposed. " The Gymnastic Society," which
was also cordially received.
Other toasts followed, and the spirit of the anniversary
was well maintained up to a late hour.
it is an interesting fact in conoexion with this celebration
that an association ha, been formed to erect a ball for the
purposes of the Gymnastic Society, and kindred German
object,. about 6,0001. is required, and it is intended to
vales the amount by shares of M. each. 1,2001. has already
been subscribed, and a site has bees secured in the vicinity
of King's-crone.
It should be added, that in the course of the afternoon
Mr. Bowley, the manager of the Crystal Palace Company,
intimated to the council of the society that, in consequence
of the Weiss of the weather on that occasion, the Palace
would, if they desired it, be placed at their disposal for a
supplementary Me without any charge to the members for
admission. . .

It is bat justice to say, that the ditmer provided on this
oocasiom at a very moderate price, wu highly creditable to
the purveyors.