Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-09-27

Yet so prone are mankind to res,
satisfied with what time has sanctioned
and custom deemed sufficient, that for
ages one generation after another have
overlooked what little reflection, OF
one well conducted experiment, would
have inferred to be of the highest util-
ity.
If through the whole period OF ex.
istence the value of life is to be measu-
red by its capacities for action and en-
joyment, we shall do well while in the
body, not to forget the body. We have
no right to expect any thing better
than disappointed hopes and imperfect
results while we disregard a primary
and most prolific source of allowable
qualification and profitable effort. We
have passed over the basis, and have
been miserably occupied in rearing
superstructures. For centuries our
wants have been felt and our defcien-
cies and failures unavailingly lamented;
for it is but just now that we begin to
think of retracing our steps and of ap-
plying the only remedy that IS capable
Of preventing or curing the maladies
we have invited or permitted to UNDER
mine our physical, and consequently
much Of our intellectual stamina.
The gymnastic institutions Of the
continent, where their operations and
effects are seen and felt, are every day
gaining new friends and prevailing over
the early objections and doubts which
arose from their novelty, and miscon-
captions of their character and results.
They are already introduced into
England, and will at no distant period,
be seen among US. We have only to
begin soon, and by cautious and steady
movements to extend them till every
village in the country sufficiently pop
ulous to furnish 80 or 40 boys, or as
many girls, shall, like its church, have
its gymnasium and its gymnasiarch,
and above all its healthful, active and
happy gymnies.
But in order that our readers may
more readily comprehend the views Of
the author Of the above named work,
we make the following extract from its
preface in explanation Of them, merely
remarking that his observations will
| apply as we'll TO this country as to En-
gland:
The education of youth is naturally
divided into two parts-mental and
physical. In England, the attention Of
those who have the superintendent OF
education, has been entirely confined to
the former; the latter has been left to
chance and natural necessity for that
exertion which characterizes the hu,
man body in the early stages Of life.
The importance of exercise is uni
versally allowed, but no attempts have
hitherto been made to reduce if to any
system, or subject, it to the guidance
Of experience and judgment. The
modes of exercise, such as games,
plays, SC. have been left to the inven-
tion of children, whose supreme COM
mand over their own sports has never
been denied or molested. The conse-
quence is, that the hours of exercise are
turned to very small account as regards
their original destination. The only
advantage obtained by time spent in
recreation, at present, is the relaxation
of the mind. The body is left to take
care of itself. 1t often happens, thai
plays and games which serve the one
purpose, are injurious to the other fol
a little reflection will convince any one
that the sports practised in schools
and by children in general, are by nc
means we'll adapted to form or invig
crate the muscular powers.-ln man!
instances they are on the contrary, cal
cuIated to injure the frame, and super
induce bad habits and awkward mo
tons. The object Of this work is te
turn the attention Of teachers to thi:
most important branch of physical ed
ucation, and 10 introduce system o
bodily exercise, which, while it form
considerable amusement, and total re
taxation of the mental faculties bring
into full and healthy action, all tn
muscles Of the body. Health, vigor
elasticity, robustness and beauty o
frame, are the rewards which this sys
tenn holds out to those who will perse
, we're in the practice of its precepts.
5 The attempts which have been mad
of late in Germany to revive the an
r Gent exertions Of the Greeks, hav
been attended with complete success
No seminary whatever, in that country
, is now considered perfect, which doe
not admit course Of gymnastic exer
f cises into its system Of education.
But was inDenmark that these exer
. cises were first considered in nationa
point of view. In 1908, the number o
gymnastic establishments in that coun
, try had already amounted to fourteen
. to which three thousand young me
resorted. Since that period, the gov
eminent has issued an order for allot
ting a space Of two hundred sguar