The Express.
London, England, 1862-08-28 00:00:00

CRYSTAL PALACE.

Yesterday the annual festival of the London,
Tornrerein, or German Op:medic Bockty, was bald in the
grounds at Sydeahein. This emaciation, although it Ms
only jiiat completed the first year of its existence, has already
attained to the dignity of as ofilabd organ—the Drutrk,
Turner-end-Elitsger-Zeitureg. This is • bilingual public•
tion, and it is " registered" in dee form " for transudation
abroad." We cannot, perhaps, do better than transcribe the
leading article of its sixth number, explainiag, as it does, the
history and objects of thenemais :

Thie systemcomprises fns exercise(without apperatu.),
exercises with portable apparatus (dumb-bells, weight.,
clubs), exercises on firsd.apperatits, and athletic sport. cad
games.. Rennin, leaping, climbing, ,evelin-throwing,
balenong, wrestlitig—a are duly j mewed. By some per.
sone, the exercises on the parallel mil the horizontal tam
have been objected to as dangerous and uaeless. These ob-
jections, however, are not valid. Married ou according to the
regulations laid down, progressing from the easy to the more
difficult, there is no danger, whilst the muscular strength
and eelfeonfidence of the " turner" are considerably in.
creased. The acquisition of superior dexterity in performing
these exercises, however, ought not to be looked upon se
the aim and object of amnesties. For a time, German
governments looked with disfavour upon gymnastic eccie.
ties : but that time is past. In most schools, gymnanies
form now • regular branch of instruction, and gymnastic
societies have become a pivular institution of the lard.
There is not • town, soared) • village, without its gymna-
sium (templets), enppectai by voluntary contributions, and
offering facilities to young sad old to cultivate their physical
powers. Gym/melted festivals are held eneuelly all
over the country. The towns selected feel honoured by
the preference accorded them ; they ornament their homes
with flags and festoons ; "Tuners" from other plsces are
received as welcome guests ; and young ladies crown with
ask-wreaths those who have excelled la mealy exanieee.
The GOIIOII3II le London, in emulation of their atuehyeisa
at home, bare also founded • pmeastie eoelety , mustily
swam* its members many Englislumes. Wan eat the
many volunteer corm existing all over the oniatry lone the
nuclei of gymnastic societies? Gyesamties. curried as to
the spirit which has rendered them papaw is Germany,
might induce many volunteers to joie, end would near
them all the more fit, when called upon, to defied their
native country.

Yesterday afternoon at half-pert two the society mastered
in force on the rifle ground, and were Warmed by Mr.
Raveustein, the president, who congratulated them on the
progress which they had made in so short a time, the num-
ber of members already exceeding the hundred. A German
song was then sung in full chorus, after which Mr. Winter,
the kneipwsrt, or president of • convivial dab oceeseted with
the venni, presented a handsomely embroidered 6g to Mr.
Schweizer, the turnwourt, or maskeof the games,wboneived
it in an appropriate speech YU behalf of tfr aodety. The Gag
emulated of the German colours charged with the motto
of the Turners, "Gut hell," over which thorns is • Maltese
cross surrounded by four F's, for " Frisch. Fromm, Frohlich,
Fret"—("brisk, good, cheerful. and free). The whole is
surrounded by the bird of Minerva. On the other side
it of the Beg the inscription, " Deutsche' Toroverein
Loudon, ffeffrunder. Aug., leAil," within a garland of oak
leaver. The whole of the work has been beautifully see-
elated in Germany, and it has cost 3W. The expense has
been defrayed by the Kneipe, ie which it appears there is
a laudable custom of instantly fining the perpetrator of
bad joke.
The afternoon was spent in gymnastic exercises of an almort
inconceivable variety. The feats performed by Mr. Schweizer
and by many of the members were nosily quite astonishing,
and afforded a striking testimony to the efficiency of the
German system. The sports were thecloded by the died.
bution of a number of prizes by Mr. Heintzmann, who was
assisted by several young ladies. These latter, follow*
the precedent of the ancient tourneys, buckled
their own fair hands elegantly ornamented belts round
the waists of those who had shown Nana.
dinary powers or skill. The prizemen
werF-
Messrs. Hannsteio, of OINKS ; Zerstgraf, of Giese= •
Garman, of Zeldkirch ; Csuigher, of rte ; Yntamels!
barb, of Leipzig; Ketch, of Fehrbellin • ltuueck, of Trees;
' Geisow of Frankfort ; Johnson, of asdon • Schmidt, of
Chat ; Nettke, of Konigsberg ; Weiss, of Solothurn ; Ns/
Rube, of Frankfort.
In the evening a large number of the society dined at
Seyd's Hotel, in Finsbury-square. Mr. Heintzmaon spin
presided, and a number of toasts breathing the most local
sentiments towards Fatherland, its English ally, and the
cause of manly games, were most enthusiastically honoured.