The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1867-11-30
Opening of the Gymnasium.

Tuesday evening last was Designated FIR the
opening of the new Olympic Club, located ia
Nuuanu street. just below the first bridge. The
notice given that a public lecture would be de-
hyereI on the occasion by His Excellency Stephen
II. Phillip, drew out an audience which nearly
filed the house. The capacity of the building,
however, i larger than appears at first glance,
and il will easily accommodate comfortably three
hundred persons. The whole lower floor,
eighty feet in length, i fitted with various ap-
Iaratus required in gymnastic practices, strongly
made and firmly put together with iron bolts,
eLl-p-, &c., wherever required.
The second door. occupying the front third Of
the building, i tastefully fitted up for n reading
room. with hanging lamp, tables. chairs. &c.
BY folding doors it opens 70 the practicing room, %
that spectators can here witness the exercises
without interfering with them. This also forms
4 gallery, where u portion of the audience can be
accommodated on tie occasion of public lectures.
The arrangements are very complete, and will
prove to be admirably suited to the purposes they
are intended for.
IL Is the purpose Of the Club, which now num-
bers seyenty-fye, 10 have Lectures delivered once
9 month, or as often a. speakers may be obtain
ell. Thus u two-fold benefit will be derived from
the institutiOn-the improvement of the mind rs
well as the body. In the matter of lectures there
has always been u deficiency in Honolulu. and
we trust the opening of this hall may be the
turning point. If a short lecture and gymnastic
exhibition can be combined, it might prove more
attractive than the lecture alone.
On the occasion referred TO, the meeting was
called to order by a. F. JrDD, Esq, who, after
a few remarks referring to the origin of the en-
terpEise, cOet Of the building, &c., introduced the
orator Of the evening, Mr.. PHILLIPS. As bis re-
marks will he read with interest throughout the
islands, We have requested a copy, and insert
them in full:
GENTLEMEN OF THE OLYMPIC GLIB II eongratu-
late you upon the successful Inauguration Of your en-
terpEise, and sincerely hope that it may enjoy con-
tiHuei prosperity, AMI coRduce to the permanent
improvement. physical AMI intellectual, Of the younger
portion Of our community. But it i By no means
certain tina. its aiyantages wiu he confined to gentle
men Of any particular age. Like all institutions or
gInizel for the mutual Improvement Of Its members,
II i hoped that II Will exert u permanent and widely
diffl-el influence, and secure for itself the thanks
and good wishes Of all.
When | contemplate the objects Of your Organizl-
ton, / am forcibly reminded Of the Tenth Satire Of
Juyenal and its precepts Of immortal wisdom. The
Incompatible satri-t descan;s upon the vanity Of
human wishes, and demonstrates the futility u earth
y ambition by a series Of memorable illustrations.
delineatel Sith the art Of a pet and the wisdom ola
philosopher. In vain Is the herUism VI the soldier,
the IRE Of the orator. the cunning Of the artist. the
brliancy Of genius, the charm Of beauty. All Is
vanity. There i no good without alloy. Finally the
SItirist declares the only true object VI human aspi-
rations TO be a sound mind in a sound boly-"-usHs
s4Ha ia eoTp0Ts sano.' For this all may deyOutly
wi,h.
I understand tina; your society hope to accomplish
By all o. the spirit Of association a healthy physical
aud intellectual culture, more especially by exciting
just pride and u laudable spirit Of emulation among
yourselves.
There Is much to be said in favor Of the disposition
the present age to promote physical education and
In fact, by the mOlern educational systems
love for manly exercises las come to lie encouraged;
the healthy development Of the human frame is
rs an indispensable and by no means insight
h-lnt part ola proper preparation for life. II Is TO lon
ger thought wise that youth should be reared in clOis-
and closets, exposed to hotbed pressure in the way
Of intellectual training, but neglected as TO their phys
condition, and consequently reaching that age
when their talents can be available TO their fellow
men, Onl. - perish from the severity Of the prepara-
On the contrary, in every part Of the globe, the in
iisPensable necessity for a physical education has
come to be conceded. On the continent Of Europe,
the classic name Of the German Gymnasia bears Wit
to a high appreciation Of physical culture. In
the great Universities of England, the standard Of
discipline is at the highes, point; but the
influence which public opinion attaches to
the manly exercises upon the Cam and Isis. album
~ 81. I =
In the United States of America, where n
whole continent is instinct with new life, and all the
human faculties are reused into tremendous energy.
by the influence Of free Institutions and the ample
scope which is given to all human aspirations, the
.1me spirit appears, and in every considerable college
II the country, n course of gyrnnastic training is con-
,iiercd an Indispensable part of the educational sys-
At old Harvard. Professor Molyneaux is quite
Is influential as Professor Agls&z, and the students
4 Yale are quite as anxious to be considered cool
DOatmen and cricketers, a. to be profoundly versel
n the mysteries Of the calculus or elegantly accom-
plished in the huinaniiies.
In all this, the educational systems Of the present
lge are but reproducing the wisdom Of classic Greece.
Your associative name suggests the memory Of those
renowned games in which the prou1est and most illus
rious Of the Peloponnesus contende1 for laurel gar
anis or chaplets Of oaks leaves; and that nstion whose
e.thetic principle was developed to unequalei sub
unity, until it could endure no errors in sculpture or
architecture and no false taste in any department Of
Art, excited by n severity Of public opinion, from all
,lasses and conditions Of mankind, an obedience TO the
Of physical culture which secured the perfect
yPe Of human symmetry which painting and -;ulp-
.ure comedies 90 Greece.
This instinct for physical culture does not indicate
he performance Of merely selfish aims. Ideally, it
night be satl that the love Of harmony and just pro-
5orti1n both in the animate and inanimaie world is
,onsisten; only with the lofie-t ideas Of tru;h.-and