Daily national Democrat., 1858-11-12

A GYMNASIUM FOR LADIEs.-An exhibition
which took place few nights since at the
American Theater in which the beneficial re-
suits of physical exercise were shown, has
suggested the propriety of gymnasium for
ladies. The subject is one which deserves n
far more extensive consideration than we are
able to devote to it in the prescribed limits
of a newspaper article, but that such an in
stitution would not only become popular, but
Is really demanded in San Francisco, few who
have given the matter any attention will Dc.
ny. Its value to those of the sterner sex
whose sedentary life denies them the advan-
tage of frequent out-of-doors exercise we need
not discuss and as healthful exercise tends
to lnvigorate the mind and body of men, such
reereations are especially required by ladies,
VINO nave even less opportunities for physical
Development. In the large Atlantic cities,
female calisthenic rooms are generally patro-
msed, and are growing into more extensive
use Our climate, unsolicited to sudden
changes, renders the liability to take cold af-
ter the genial glow flowing from physical eX-
ertion almost impossible, and a volume might
! be penned upon the general and undcnable
benefits certain to result 1t has been often
charged upon Americans and with some
truth, that we are physically deteriorating,
! from the lack of exercise, and that our wo-
men, particularly present singular contrast
| TO those of some European countries, where,
as an offset to the delicate and spiritteIle
beauty Of our bellies, the ladies' are robust and
healthy, justly counting themselves in the
meridian of their charms at forty, while with
us the bloom of womanhood too often disap-
pears at the commencement of matronly life.
Among the audience at the exhibition last
week, were many ladies who manifested the
greatest interest in the feats of agility and
strength and several have asked why they
should be denied similar advantages In this,
they show a commendabe anxiety to preserve e
that beauty of complexion, freshness of color,
and elegance of carriage, which is largely
promoted by physical exercise. Many are
now suffering from what are termed incura-
ble diseases, but which a few months in a
gymnasium would Danish like magic. Grace
and beauty will assuredly follow a steady OBJ
seryance of the rules of the gymnasium the
nostrums of the apothecary are rarely called
for in that family where physical develop
ment is properly cultivated. The teacher
should be female who has had some expert
ence in calisthenics and is able iudiciously to
direct the exercises the usual style of dress
adapted to the occasion should be prepared,
and finally, the rooms ought to be located as
nearly as possible to the central part of the
city, easily accessible to families Such an
insti ion will be organized here before many
months and the sooner the better. Besides
conducting to the health of the present gene
ration, it would form the basis for that of a
future one for upon the physical condition of
the mothers depends to great extent that
of the children who are hereafter to shape the
destinies Of California. VIII not some ladies
ofpraetieal sense and leading social position
give the matter their attention ?-S. f. Times