Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-12
From the United States Literary Gazette.

Glnnust;C Exercises IN HARVARD University.
The introduction Of Gymnastic exercises at
the University at Cambridge, has taken place,
through the gratuitous exertions OF two OF the
gentlemen connected with the institution, DR..
FoLLEN and DIR. WEBSTER. Their conviction OF
the great benefits to be derived from these eXer-
cises, induced them to request permission TO
make the experiment with few of the students
and for that purpose the use of one OF the un-
occupied halls was granted them, in which a
few machines were erected So successful was
the undertaking, and all the students became so
DESTROYS Of engaging in these exercises, that IL
was soon found necessary to increase the num-
Der of machines, and to have them placed in the
open air, and to make such arrangements as
should enable all to participate, and at the same
time insure systematic course OF instruction.
The plan adopted has been attended with the
most satisfactory results, and is as follows:
Each class was authorized to choose four Of
its members to act as monitors; thus class of
sixteen was formed, to which theoretical and
practical instruction is given every evening du-
ring the hour Immediately after prayers, and
the monitors are in this way prepared to in
struct their classmates.
The monitors having been so far instructed
in the preliminary exercises as to be able to as
sist in the general instruction, the classes were
divided each into four sections, and monitor
assigned to each section. The hour immedi-
ately preceding dinner was appropriated to the
instruction and exercise Of all the students,
which is done in the following manner.
AT the hour appointed, each class forms in
line, and the monitors take their stations in
front Of their sections; the monitors are then
desired to perform one set Of exercises, which
the sections initiate, the instructors pointing out
wherein the exercise is incorrect, and aiding by
their advice and example.
The exercises of one kind having been con-
tinued sufficient length of time, the word is
given to change, and the sections or classes are
distributed to the different machines; care being
taken that no one continues to exercise any par
ticalar set ofmuscles beyond ten or fifteen min
utes, when the word is again given to change,
and those who were exercising the muscles OF
| the upper extremities change places with those
who had been exercising the muscles OF the
lower extremities, and so on. In this way al!
the muscles are brought into action, and devel,
oped. The exercises close with trotting and
running in line, at first for fifteen or twenty mi
nutes; the time being gradually heightened as
the power OF continuing this exercise increases
from day to day, attention being paid to me
state Of respiration.
Although the system has been in operation
but few weeks, many ofthe students have de
rived great benefit from it; some, whose health
had been impaired, have experienced much re-
lief, while others express sense of great in
crease of bodily strength, and corresponding
ability for mental exertion.
The machines which have been constructed
are the parallel bars, upon which a great varie
ty Of exercises are performed, most OF which
are preparatory to the more difficult exercises
i jumping stands, poles, Sc; vaulting bars, ba.