Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-03-01
Gymnastics.

has become an important item ip the ed
ucation Of the "GOumg AmerieaI af the
present day, indeed the science has already
been introduced into very many Of the
best schoais apd academies. especially
those located in cities apd large tSYtiS .aEd
we believe that the day is not far distant
when the teacher Of common schools will
be required to exhibit thorough knowi,
edge Of gymnastics before he cay secure
situation as an instructor Of farmers boys
and girls. A very large number Of our
most learned aud influential public n,eA
have investigated it's claims set f0fta by
pr. Dio Lewis and other distinguished ad-
vocates of the theory. and as the result Of
such investigation they 4aye acknowledged
Its imp9rtanec ID securing both me entalIand
bodily health, without which, eyen educa.
tion would be OF no great value. So ia.
poftant do many parents regard Calisthcn-
lcs in the education Of their children, that
i, has been appropriately styled by ssgs
"muscular Chrlstianity; thus indicating
that no parent can neglect its benefits with
out doing injury to those Who have been
placed IN their care. and for whose cop-
fort they are bound to provide, The Adel-
phi Academy Record for January contains
the following Interesting communication
relative tV the subject under consideration,
VIZ: = '-s
PHYSICAL CULTURE FOR GIRLS.
HE following extracts from letter ad.
dressed t" Mr.. Ellinywood, director of the
ca!isthenic department OF tue Academy,
presents d few truths. which though crude.
arc oi 50 much Importance that We print
them for the benefit Of the class considered
and FOR the general welfare. ~
have Tor many years had much thought
on the subject OF exercise for girls in your
eXctlleut aud we'll ordered calistheneuni,
and must add, your conscientious caro-
in the guidance ot the exercises, have real
lied to MY mind this long sought for good.
1t has seemed to be settled but very
erroneous impression that bqys need gym
uastic exercises. 5iit girls do not. | shall
presently ;ell YOU how this idea became
rooted III parents minds SSti.ing ca.-
be more at variance with truth Boys Of
| themselves will usually find exercise, and
in after life, their occupations aa i ruie
take them iuto the Opct, ;iir. They arc
comparatively safe though advise them
to go through the drill Of your classes.
But the susceptible f,ame of the girl.
aud tile necessary draft on her health i'll
her after'litc render it All important aa
ty, that parents should build at the found
alton that stamina. necessary for after
years. This process cannot leytp tos
car V.
My opinion, after many years' study Of
this matter, is that gymnastics, in the or
dinarily received sense of the word.are not
suited to girls. This idea. before alluded
to, the public have shown by Withholding
/ hpi ~ b,,1 nj,
scs III our City, there was nothing to take
Your light gymnastics, ia.d desire to
keep that word ,l-iGhr' in large and gold.
en- letters as indicative Of exercises gradu.
ments and perioEfne1 to agreeable and in
this great want s our city; i. c. something
over-taXed sche6l girls. By personal in
spection. and also the good fruit gathered
by my own child, can speak most favor
ably Of your caiistheneum. l would urge
ON you the duty of making your lessons
more known, by pamphlet or otherwise.
as daily sermon On this overlooked text,
that God is writing plainly all around us !;
The duty ef muscular chris.iauity.' layw
much 81 iierng comes from ignoring this.
is sadly seen in our daily walks. O5eii
encc would bring such blessing! Aud ii
parents Do not iced his plain teaching. be
you hot one to withhold from them this
: l4fc and health giving knowledge, to urge
them To a better performance of their du-
ty aud love. The public begin TO DE aware
low much spiritual and worldly 'gGoa 'tyy
depend on the hq4se We live in.' ''' Wv
l see m better way to gain this great
boon for our chldrep than your exercises :;
and how many, if they hut once saw
i them, would return viii their children and
others. Make, tte4., the 1hing as we'll
/ known here as it is in Sweden, Engaa444
and Bostor, Of or own land.