The Placer herald., 1856-11-29
PHYSICAL Exercise In Education.


heavy weapons of the knights Of old, hung
up in some ancestral mansion, or reading of
the great exploits of our forefathers, we are
forcibly struck with the contrast of the vigor
of the present generation. Where can men
be found now who could don the iron case
of some old baron, and 60 through the ma
neuvers Of a military duty?" Although
the world has advanced in civilization and
knowledge, mans bodily powers have dimin-
ishcd in manner which seems to say, that
physical degeneracy is one of the conditions
of mental development and enlightened pro
gress.
The principal cause of this defect in the
bodily condition of the people, is to be at
tributed to the manner in which they are
nurtured. No means are employed to train
children to feats Of agility and strength.
The strength and powers Of endurance of a
people some centuries back, must be attribu-
ted, in great measure, to their early train
ing. Their early years were devoted to ath-
letic sports, and feats Of arms so as to be
foremost in the chase, and victorious in the
tournament. The result of such training is
seen in the records of their prowess. fphy-
sicsl training developed such vigor in those
days, why is not a similar practice adopted
now, to secure such desirable results? Sure
ly the different calings Of labor require as
much agility and strength as the art Of
COUGHING the lance and the management of
the war-horse.
Every school ought to have some sort of
gymnasium attached, where the children's
muscles, ETC., may be gradually developed,
and their several members improved. When
a child arrives at the age of four or five, it
is sent to school, where it is confined, for
the chief part of the day, in an atmosphere
which tends to check the bodily growth.
This continues for several years, during which
the mental faculties are continually employ
ed. If the body be not duly exercised along
with the mind, the latter, receiving more
than its natural share of nourishment, causes
loss Of vigor to the former. In the COM
mercisl world, supply depends upon demand
so with the different members and parts
of the human body. The supply of nour-
ishment to any part of mans Frame depends
upon the demand there-which demand is
regulated in proportion as that part is called
into action. Therefore, if any member re-
mains dormant for want of suitable exercise,
its undevelopment causes it to lose its natu-
raj strength.
Children, after confinement in school
throughout the day, require something to
call into action every muscle of the body.
The health depends upon it. The majoriy,
if not all of our schools, however, are only
provided with small playground, where
the amuscments are confined to shooting
marbles, etc. Such provision alone will
not satisfy children's wants, and consequent
ly they grow up, i'll numberless cases, puny
and weak, to find herhaps premature grave.
No doubt that many persons think that
working mems children have sufficient call
for bodily development at home. In some
measures this is true, as regards rural dis
tricts, but not towns. In the former places
the poor mans child has plenty to do from
sunrise to sunset But do the children be-
come vigorous and we'll developed men,
Let any one take a survey of our rural popu-
laton, and then make answer, The ma
jority of them seem as unwieldy as polar
bears; some carrying their heads foot in
advance of their bodies; others with misshap-
en- legs and nearly all possessing the most
awkward gait. The towns are far worse off
than country districts, for the means of ath-
letic exercise. Crowded thoroughfares and
dark alleys form their gymnasium, and the
youths wan looks show clearly the benefits
derived
So many young men have been returned
as unfit for military service in France, on
account of some physical deformity, that the
attention of government has been drawn to
it, and means have been taken to remedy the
evil. In this country, the same glaring fact
has hitherto remained officially unnoticed,
though it is sufficiently notorious. While
the cry is now for education, let its prompt
ers, as we'll as teachers themselves, remem-
Der that it is as much their duty to endeavor
to develop the physical powers of children,
as their mental ones; so that in mind and
body they may be fitted to meet the storm
of life. To do this, the proper means must
be connected with every school.
Mr.. Mann, speaking of the Royal Orphan