New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-02
ATHEISTS NEW GTuNASIUM

FROM An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT or THE tribune
AMHERST, Mass. May 29.-Last Saturday
the old Barrett Gymnasium, where The tread OF feet and
sharp click Of the dumb bells has resounded daily Tor
twenty-five years, abandoned and ths Pratt Health
Building" was opened For years il had been the hope
Of Dr. Hitchcock Professor Of Hygiene that some gener
friend would endOv the college with sufficient money
to build a gymnasium suited to the rapidly Increasing
wants Of the students This friend found IN Mr. {.
" Pratt 70, OF Brooklyn n Y. and through his gener-
oty Amherst College has a gymnasium probably equal
10 any in America.
The building is 100 feet long by so feet wide.
covering nearly three times large as the old
gymnasium. Entering by the door the west side
and passing through spacious hallway, the visitor 1nds
himself the main hall for the class drills and general
exercises THIS hall is 80 by 81 feet with side room y
by l. feet filled with special apparatus. The main hall
Is finished wholly in Southern pine Around II ID tue
running track SIX feet wide and supported on iron pillars
This track, twenty-five laps the mile. Il claimed to DO
the finest indoor track in the country The corners VIII
arranged that they be raised or lowered Tor
swift or slow running A special visitors gallery ac-
commodities about nifty. Under the running track VIII
be placed the apparatus, such IL used IN All symasi-
Of which there viii be about $500 worth on the
right OF the main entrance IA The dressngroom contain
ing 800 locks through which yentiating shafts on
the most approved Adjoining are the showel Datn
aud dry rubbing II is hoped that Turkish Da'hs
may DE added eventually. On the left OF the hallway 10
the doctors private and statistics" IoOlA Where
eacn student il required TO submit 10 series ~ an
thruprOmetc examinations three times during us College
hese statistics carefully preserved ana com
pared and repert made out nom time tune -ho"lns ne
Increase IN bodily strength and comenness AHheIS'
claims 20 have originated this sy'teml ,, ,.A
over the entrance Ia the billiard room, tursuei VIZ
three tables. \ merely nominal sum VIII 0e ChaL Hou
lust sufficient 10 Keep the and furniture IN Eou" -
pair. Adjoining are the memorabilia ana OuD rOor' 10
gcther with rooms FOR the iauUrs 90 the uHs' ~ nc
basement there will be- three bowling alleys, spdrihs
room l. by Is ler open 90 Nv 20 ect lot chu
swinging, aud ball room 30 by % tcet the Bulllnb
will be heated by steam and perfectly yenuited me
main hail Wl be lighted by immense sAfusn1 III tno
roof, while the other will have IN UDuhdahto OF
windows. The o the building IA about So0OOo' ana
twill take 100000 more to furnish Il suitably. Inc
contractor promises that II shall be finished by common
cement and the annual dinner OF tue alumni Will De
served there, and the promenade concert VIII prOOaDy
there.
The old gymnasium was built in 1859 and was named
the Barrett Gymnasium, honor OF Dr. samuel Barrett,
OF Nerhamp ton the principal donor Or. Hooker nrst
had charge OF this department but hs health raining ne
was Obliged resign. DR. Hitchcock then elected 70
this DOstOn. which has held since and has been
desorvedy popular He ~ once begun the system OF
compulsory drills which has shown such good re
suits Each class distinctive uniform and chooses
It's gym captain" lead in tho exercise. prize
OF 800 given each year the class that shows the
greatest perfection In drill and marching, decided by
committee ~ public drill This prize was founded ey