The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-05-05
A Lady Physiologist.
Hiss Florence James by Her Address
Highly Edifies the Physiological Insti.
fufa

From the Chicago Inter-Ocean.
Those ladies interested in mental physi
cal and moral culture, and known the
| Woman's Physiological Institute Of Chica
go, held their bi-monthly meeting yesterday
/ afternoon in the lecture-room of the Athe
naum. Mrs Helen Sheed presided, and
called upon the secretary, Mrs. B. Alldredge
sfor the minutes of the previous meeting,
which were read and other routine details
disposed of
Miss Florence James was introduced as
| the essayist of the occasion. She Is an at
/ tractiYe Young lady, with statuesque face,
/ full bright eyes, fine chest, whole bearing
| strght as an arrow; her voice that of a
healthy person who speaks not mumbles,
I and her whole appearance suggestive OF the
+ healthy mind in the sound body. And on
/ this theme she spoke. Her lecture or essay
/ for it partook of the nature of both-had
this great fault that it was too full OF learn
| ing for the time it occupied. If Miss James
| supplies so much mental food at each OF her
feasts. the guests will be liable to surteit
and indigestion. With this exception the
essay was excellent, and full of valuable
ideas and healthful principles. After speak
ing of the divisions of man with regard TO
his mental, moral and vital nature, she pro
ceeded to give much good advice to the la
dies present on the cultivation of walking.
There are four kinds of walking First, the
student, with stopped shoulders and inclined
head second, the vulgar, with hip and alb
domen meeting, "a gait adopted by most
American ladies' "a remark which caused a
broad smile to circulate through the large
audience) third, the Comedians walk,
kind of strategy strut, and fourth, the mill
tary or correct. In the exercise OF the latter
kind the length of the step was TO be uni
form, each stride being twice the length OF
the foot The head was erect, the shoulders
thrown well back, the arms resting easily at
the side, and the foot poised we'll and raised
for each step.
A Chinese bellies feet were compressed in
early life SO that they were no bigger than
those of an American girl of years Old. An
American bellies waist and chest were com
pressed until they were only as big as little
girls uncOmpressed waist and chest. The
contrast was not favorable to the civilized
vagary of fashion.
Thereupon followed an energetic and we'll
pointed appeal for the fullest freedom from
restraint for the benefit of the lungs. The
diaphragm was begging for freedom and
tight lacing and corset bones and stees were
incompatible with healthy respiration. She
advocated lots of fresh air-open windows,
physical exercise, action of the arms to
quicken respiration and for the same object
humping the chest, not with the palm, but
with the fingers.
Much pertinent matter she gave about
tone, l. E., of the voice. When people had
ideas to communicate they should speak dis
tinctly, with the mouth well open, the
tongue lying fat in the mouth, and the
words well enunciated. The tone should
come from the chest not from the nasal or
gans, as was too often the case with Ameri-
can women.
Physical culture was necessary for mental
and moral development, and the equilibrium
of body and mind the result of fresh air
and exercise.
At the conclusion of the lecture, which
was very attentively listened to by an intel
ligent and appreciative audience, Miss
James expressed her willingness to answer
questions. Thereupon lady in the audience
asked for her views on dress reform. Miss
James, in reply, made a spirited attack on
heavy garments hanging on the hips, or cor
sets aud tight-ftting clothing which restrain
ed the arms in any way.