National Republican., 1874-05-16
FILTRATION or ROHEy.

It is proposed, just now, to assimilate the
Of girls mort. and more tothat Of
boys. If that means that girls are, merely to
learn more lessons, and to study what their
brothers are taught, then it is to be hoped, at
least by Psychologists and patriots, that the
scheme will sink into that limbo whittier, in
free and tolcrably rational country, all imper-
feet and Il-considered schemes are: sure to
gravitate. But if the proposal be s<BossG ti9e
one-then Il must be borne in mind that in the
public schools of England, and in. all private
schools, presume, which take theirto from
them, cycket and football are more or less
compulsory, being considered integral parts of
an Englishman's education; and that they are
likely to remain so, in spite of all recIamations:
because masters and boys alike know that
games do not, in the long run, Interfere with a
boys work; that the same boy VIII very often
excel in both; that the games keep him In
health for his work; that the spirit with which
he takes TO his games when In the lower
school, is fair test of the spirit with which he
will take to his work when he rises into the
higher school; and that nothing is worse for
boy than to fall into that loading, tuck-shop-
haunting set, who neither play hard nor work
hard, and are usually extravagant, and often
vicious. Moreover, they know well that games
conduce, not merely to physical, but TO moral
health; that in the playing field boys acquire
virtues which no books can give them; not
merely daring and endursneeSbut better still,
temper, selt-restraint, fairness, honor, unen-
vious appreciation of another's success, and all
that "give and take" of life which stand
man In such good stead when he goes forth into
the world, and without which, indeed, his sue
cess is always MANNED and partial.
Now, If the promoters Of higher education
for women will compel girls TO any training
analogous to our public-school games; If, for
instance, they viii insist on that most natural
and wholesome Of all exercises, dancing, in
order to develop the lower half of the body;
on singing, to expand the lungs and regulate
the breath; and on some games-ball or what
not-which viii insure that raised chest, ane
upright carriage, and general strength of the
upper torso, without which full oxYgenation of
the blood, and therefore general health, Is I'M
possible; II they will sternly forbid tight stays,
high heels, and all which interferes with free
growth and free motion; II they will consider
carefully all which has been written on the
"half-tirne system" by Mr.. Chadwick and
others; and accept the certain ysical law that
In order to renoyate the brain day by day, the
growing creature must have plenty of fresh
air and play, and that the child who learns for
four hours and plays ier four hours, win learn
moro, and learn It more easily, than the child
who learns for the whole eight hours; If, in
short, they will teach girls not merely to un-
derstand the Greek tongue, but to copy some
what Of the Greek physical training, of that
Emusic and gymnastic" which helped 70 make
the cleverest race of the Old World the ablest
race likewise; then they will earn the gratitude
Of the patriot and the physiologist, by doing
their best to stay the downward tendencies Of
the physique, and therefore ultimately Of the
morale, in the coming generation OF English
women.-Charlss Kingsley.