Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1859-09-21
For the Chronicle.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

tinguishes living beings from inorganic mat
ter, so exercise becomes the law of develop
ment and health.
The human being the most complex Of
all creatures in his structure and functions,
requires the greatest variety of motions,
actions, or exercises to develop his lrhOle
nature and to sustain all his complicated
machinery in its full vigor. 1t is not ma
terial whether ones exercises, be work or
play, whether amusement or utility be their
leading feature, provided both mind and
body are agreeably affected.
But unfortunately, few avocations of
life as usually performed, and very few
methods of teaching now in vogue, are cal
culated to train and educate the achole be-
ing, while the most of professions and
business pursuits, and more particularly ed
ucational institutions, not only disregard
the harmonious cultivation of all the pow
ers, of mind and body, but of necessity, in
duce very unequal development; some or
gans being overtasked and prematurely ex-
hausted, and other scarcely ever brought
into action. The result of this is daily,
hourly seen in the puny frames, gaunt
forms, contracted chests, and defective vital
I organs of large proportion of American
youth.
The rules of universal health, are very
simple and natural, (''for Nature is great in
simplicity and small in mystery'') viz,
plain unmixed diet pure fresh air in abun-
dance, bright, sparkling water, correct bod
lily position, with proper exercise.
To remedy the impe1fection, defects and
deformities arising from the unphysiological
habits of life, and to develop the whole or
ganizatiOn of its vigor, various ways and
plans have been devised. and called sys-
tens; such as Gymnastics, Calisithenics,
kinesipathy, &c.
In ancient history We learn that in Greece
the ancients practieed the Gymnastic exer-
cises as a particular branch of school edu-
cation, and every town had its Gymnasium.
Contrast their healthy, robust forms with
e.sI rcc5ir. sickly Americans The term
Calisthenie is applied to such exercises, as
are more suitable for the family circle, and
school-room. These it is true, have to some
little extent been introduced into some of
the fashionable boarding-schools, and Sem
inarics, (which should be more truly styled
the nurseries of disease) and in connection
with these, are permitted, perhaps twice
or thrice week, to march out in military
order, with their captain at their head, ready
to suppress every smile, and more especial
ly the bOisterous uncouth laugh, (perhance,
they feel disposed to Overstep the awful
bounds of modesty, and break the mOnOt-
Ony,) and merely sip little of the breath
of Nature; instead of quafing freely from
the golden fount, of the '.healing balm of
life
While it is a lamentable fact that in our
lovely and fourishing country, which has
truly been styled the'.fower of the world, -"
this important matter has been so much
neglected, to the ruin and even death of
many of our compromising buds of hope"
yet, it is truly encouraging that our Hy-
gienic and educational institutions arc
beginning to see with a phylosophic eye,
and more and more appreciate the great
Importance of regular systematic exercises;
and may the happy day soon arrive when
in every institution of learning, physical
and mental culture may become twin sisters;
and may the glad time soon come when
every town, village, and also every family
circle will have its Gymnasium, where
healthful exercises and innocent recreation,
will be introduced as well as intellectual
culture into all the institutions, of our be-
loved country.
But. should Physical Education" begin
here. Let it be the first lesson taught by
the first and most important teacher,
mother, in childhood, when the first seeds
are sown. which not only form the charac-
ter for life, but the Physical organization.
Combine the physical, mental and moral
culture together while the mind is young
and tender and so susceptible to the first
impression, and then all will move on in
harmony with Natures laws. Let them
and all persons exercise daily in the open
air, where they can drink freely of the
"pure elixir of health that cool, refreshing
draught which furnishes the body with life
and vigor, adds buoyancy to the spirits.
elasticity to the frame, expands the lungs
and is natures own remedy and preventa-
tive of disease
Gymnastics and Calisthenics are of essen
tial benefit to the muscular development in
order to have perfect and beautiful SYM
metry of form and outline of figure, as well
as to streangth of body and mind.
In past ages, when the schools of Athens,
were in their glory, Gymnastics, Calisthenics !
and Games, were part of the student ed
ucation- They had full developed forms.
robust constitutions, and enjoyed perfect
health, while at the same time they pos
sessed the highest degree of intellect. The
ancient wise philosophers were fully aware
of the Importance of the preservation of the
organs of health, and faculties of the human
system.
Let us learn lesson of wisdom from the