The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-04-12
gymnastics.


practical question. 1t may be that one con-
fessedly an enthusiast on the subject would
tend to magnify its Importance, and draw
large conclusions from limited range of
facts. But the testimony OF the most liberal
observation and experience is explicit and
unqualified in behalf of systematic physical
culture, particularly among the young. And
notwithstanding many have deprecated its
full Importance, it must be very unsatlsac-
tory reflection, that, in this age of the world
We see SO little Of the physical glory with
which man has been endowed, trained into
its noblest development. The possibilities
of physical as we'll as mental culture are new
er fully realized until progressive action
has brought out the latent powers and taught
man the full nobility of his natural cons1itu-
ton. And since every age has given to the
world a fair proportion of physical vigor and
manly development, the necessity, or even
possibility, of improvement, is but partially
acknowledged. Ancient saws come down to
US with boarded wisdom and warning voice,
saying that men should disturb not thecourseS
of things which already are "well enough"
Yet it is reasonable that the fair and liberal
understanding alone should decide whether
existing institutions be at all capable Of I'M
provement; SO that men fall not into the En-
ror of those celestial tea-growers in the Mid
die Kingdom, who for century after century
have cultivated their hereditary acres, with
out so much as permitting p.ow-share to
turrow their fields.
That mental and moral culture constitute
the highest end of human attainment, is ad-
mitted But the intimate relation of mind
and body, and the dependence of each on the
other, involv. also a cultivation of the latter
rs we'll as the former. Something more than
a mere looking after the body-somethins
which partakes OF the nature of discipline
and methoJical action. The truest type of ed
ucation-tie most substantial oW-Iyariny Of
the whole man, is accomplished only by sys-
tematic training of soul, mind and body And
since the Author of life has gifted his ration
Il! creatures with such a stately temple for
the mind, t well becomes them as grateful
and conscientious beings TO build it up into
It's most symmetrical proportions. The
lot, la,l Il - /
hood-;hc supeistructlre should be carefully
moulded and rounded III youth. and firmly
knit and compacled in later life. The idea
Is not fanciful and QuiXotic 1t perfectly
consists with reason and experience And
III these latter DAYS the real utility OF the
. gymnasium as means OF promoting this
physical culture is beginning 70 be more full,
appreciated, even by the intensely practical
spirit so characteristic OF New England Tc
become, however, Of any considerable value
svmnastic exercise must be conducted on
} The same principles which govern our action.
III every other department Of life. Energy
and purpose, regularity ard perseverance,
must be the basis OF :he work, and H., re
suits will uniformly be in exact proportion
to the amount OF labor bestowed.
" It'll the exception Of some suitable resor,
, for physical exercise. aimo>. all the real ne
ocss!tics OF this village have been l;b.raIi,
: net as they have successfully arisen. Tn,
results alc seen n every public undertaken.
rom the establishment, Of public halls an,
: ;Air sroarGs TO the transportation of grave
: banks and the application Of p....; to tn,
fences which enclose the parks And it is .
matter of pride that the wants Of rapid,
/, growing community have been unitorml,
/ met with such readiness and alacrit,-a rea
dlncss that may have exceeded even the laro,
expectations of that liberal minded pioneer
who first opened the forests of the Plain and
:, thong ht to build up a city around HIM. Bu,
The work is not Yet complete Something
T can still be done in tie way Of public i'm
provement. Play ground there is none
! public promenade there is nonc,-park OF
common there is none. which the ordinar,
/! range Of a well projected foot ball would no,
easily span. With every opening spring
ihe shouts of ball-r.ayers at either ed of ,l.t
= street, and about the public thoroushfares
witness to Their enthusiasm over the rova
: game they celebrate. But anon the unwar.
rantable apprehensions Of some plnic-strci.-
+, cn nag. or the njudicious salutat on sent GU,
: to neishborlng window pancs. effect Il per
: emptory veto on these Intermittent bursts of
: Juvenile sort What remains? An oeea.
n >ional tramp on the Hill sides is. 10 most. \.
n like inefficient and aimess. The use of til,
saddle involves very practical pecuniar,
question. The race-boat presuppoS,s broad
cr and smoother waters than ours, and-the
e foot ball on the street is very Justly and u
II unanimously voted nuisance. Yet scores
e young and growing arms are verify ach-
4 ms Tor some means 10 unbInd their latent
force, and develop muscular power, as vet
IN embryo Every man who strap a ska,,
on his foot for the exhilrating sport of the ice
IN winter, needs no less hearty and mani,
4 exercise on the endless gyrations Of the gym
: nasuc ropes. 1t is by no means the studen,
e alone who needs it. Flexibility as we'll pow
: er is an end in gymnastics, and the full grace
of manly figure can be attained only BY a
f union Of elasticity ana strength. Nor is i,