New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-11-25
Pbvsioal Bxeroisos Ancient and Modem,


BODY and mind of improving the latter also, that
gynasc sports were held id the highest repute and
i the most glorious rewards and the greatest honors
were paid to those who eXceled IN them; and these
we're not confined TO the vctors themselves, utwere
held Co shed glory on their families their friends,
and their country. The Olympic crown, although
composed of laurel, or olive, was the most exalted
mark of appreciation that could be conferred, it be-
ing deemed beneath brave, free spirited conqueroTo
attach any value to gold silver, brother usual gatca
tons Of mercenary and an ambitioussoul Yet the
gymnasia only kind of niatory, or preparatory
school, TO call forth the latent qualities Of great
mind that it might be afterwards employed for the
benefit Of the country, this reward was merely a
pledge ofthe honors, privileges, and mmunties which
were afterwards to be the consequence of being pub
licy crowned or in other words, marked out dis
tingushed objects for further honorable employment
The gymnasia were the schools for statesmen and
warriors, theWise the brave and polite Greeks max
ing even their sports and pastmes as well as their
religious exercises subservient to ewelare OF the
general community,
It was not till the time of the Romans, and among
them in their declining state that these public nsti
tuions degeuerated from the rank of liberal art to
merCeuary profession, embraced only by the lowest
and viest part of society To prepare men for the
business of war was the grand object Of the Greeks,
divided, as they were, into number OF small nde-
pendent States constantly embroed with one another,
and not even to be reConCed by the presence OF over
| whelming hosts of common enemies 10 rear up a
hardy race of warriors was the chief aim OF these
ercises their youth were Injured to toll they were
rendered vigorous, strong, healthy, enerprsing and
fearless They were the trained bands of Greece,
ever prepared for war on the slightest notice. and
the least emergency. The Grecian mode Of warfare
required muscular power and agility, to WELD the
long spear well to enable their soldiers to make
rapid marches and eyOlutiOns rugged country.
1t was therefore, the opinion of that great oracle
Plato that every well constituted republic ought,
by offering prizes to the oouquerors to encourage all
such exercises tended to increase the strength and
agility Of the body"
Is not this maxim equally applicable to our own
countrymen? The bayonet at the end of the musket
is to them what the long spear was to the Greeks.
The British soldier now, the Greeks did formerly,
excel all other men in the physical powers of the
body, and the bayonet generally terminates all con-
tests in their favor Ought not then, gymnastfc ex-
ercses to be held Of much consequence among our
! islanders as with the Greeks2
Unhappiy, training, as one Of the main sinews Of
health and war, has been neglected by the moderns.
This neglect has been, indeed less Injurious to Great
Britain than to any other nation, because her sons,
being all early Injured to habits of industry and hardi
/ hood whether as agriculturists or manufacturers,
more adapted from their childhood to the purposes
OF war than those of any other country, Her armies
principally recruited from the cult yators and till
ers OF the soil and even those from among the man
utacturiDg classes smiths Wheewrights sawyers,
stonemasons, and others, whose trades keep their
| limbs in strong work, and in what may be termed
half training, which gives them that superiority OF
muscular power and advantage in the use Of the
cold steeln
Within few years movement has been made in
the right direction and recruits now 90 through
a course Of gymnastic exercises, which has proved
highly advantageous to them foreign service wit
ness their proves throughout the Grmean war and
Indian mntiny and it has fallen to the lot OF the pre-
| sent general commandinginchief, the Duke of Cam.
bridge, TO carry out plan suggested manyyears ago
/ for the improvement of military education The wI.
| ter thus treated the subject: AS to exercise and
amusement for the pupils in military academy, they
should be all calculated to promote and sustain manly
dispositions. military school should have annual
competitions and prizes for foot races wrestling leap
| ing, fencing, and firing at r target The YictOrs
should be rewarded with the appauses of the public,
the countenance of the great and the patronage of
Government All sports without exception, that pro-
I mote strength and agility, should be encouraged in
/ our military schools Napoleon the First added
4 swimming, no less necessary requirement for the
preservation OF life than Of health necessary not only
| for the soldier, but in every station Of life.
But to every one, as well as the military man, the
proper exercise oil the body is an important object,
as good health and spirits constitute the greatest
blessing Of nature aud without them no pleasure can
be enjoyed Dr. Churchill, excellent authority on
this subject, justly remarks, " that in the formation
OF our frames, aud the very nature of our constt-
tions II was the positive institution of Providence to
create in as an absolute necessity for exercise, in
order to our well-being.p And, further, that g by
! attention to it, the tone and yigor Of the moving
powers are wonderfully increased the nervous en-.
ergy and circulation of the blood are naturally aGce
/ Grated, and this increased impetus Of the blood
through the whole system produces an ehectual de.
termination to the surface Of the skin and free per
SEPARATION Is the consequence. By the same means the
body is disposed to sleep the appetite increased
1 the tone Of the stomach and digestive powers pre-
served and the blood is determinedfro the internal
Yiscera which prevents, as well as removes obstruc-
| tons, and powerfully obyiates the tendency to a
| plethoric fitness of the system. BY exercise the
spirits are eniVened, and the body refreshed or MS
Hppocrates Observes it gives strength to the body
and vigor to the mind and it is an irretagbe truth
that where it is improperly neglected the energy and
strength Of the whole machine fall to decay"
! tits to exercise that is to be attributed the CON
nued flow Of health and spirits the British sports.
man. His character il generally harmless and ama-
BILE Health Of body gives spring and elasticity to
the mind, and never suffers it to be impaired by the
vacancy OF employment or thought Hence it is that
be is manly to his superors, friendly to his equals
atable to his interiors, hospitahle entertainer a
cheerful companion, good husband an atiectionate
father, and a considerate master. There is perhaps
a greater absence Of vicious pursuits in a lover Of
iedsp0rs than in any other character in the world.
Exercise therefore, may be justly deemed no less a
moral than physical virtue. [London Review