Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-26
TRAINING THE GIRLS.
A New Move for Physical Culture In tn
Boston Public Schools.

| From the Boston Herald.
| II wish" said one of the city teachers, "that
| just now when the attention Of the public is
being drawn to the public schools, some of that
attention might be turned to the need Of a
little physical training for the pupils"
''what do you mean?"
''why mean that my girls ought to be
| taught and made to sit and stand erect and to
walk properly. Some of them are growing
| almost mishappen under their present careless
and listless manner of carrying themselves,
| and the matter is growing worse from year to
year. As a class, they are round shouldered,
hollow chested. bowed in the back. eramped,
and crooked generally. 1t is not merely for
the sake of gracefulness that they should be
improved; their health and the health of I'M
born generations is dependent upon it. For
how can they ever be mothers of robust and
healthy children if they are allowed to go from
bad to worse in this way? Surely it is not a
pleasant prospect for our future citizens IL they
are to be the progeny of these weak girls, grown
to weaker women"
The speaker was thoroughly in earnest Fur
Their inquiries revealed the fact that the matter
has been agitated in a quiet way for some
time, several influential and prominent people
have become interested, and the initiative
steps toward reform have already been taken.
Among the first to realize the importance Of,
and become actively engaged in, the move
ment is Mrs. Mary Heminway. She has re-
Gently devoted generous sum of money to-
ward the establishment Of free class for in
structing the teachers in the best and most
scientific methods Of physical training. The
services of DR.. Posse have been secured, and
| such OF the teachers care to avail them
selves OF the opportunity (within certain re-
str1ctlons as to members) may have two les
sons per week Of an hour each. The under
standing is that they will turn their instruc-
ton to the advantage of their pupils. The
class now numbers about thirty teachers,
who dress in such a manner as to allow uniIn-
peded movement of the entire body, and go
through such calisthenic exercise as science
has proved the most adequate and available
for women.
DR.. Posses system is one of free gymnastics
Il e., gymnastics that are practiced without
the need or aid Of any paraphernalia. This
being the case, it is easily within the reach of
the poor as the rich; and, moreover, If it re-
CURED any Of the apparatus of the gymnasium
II would not be so well adapted to the school.
Yet he claims for it even better results than
can be attained with any apparatus, since in
the latter case. physical culture is often sacri-
feed to muscular development
1t is in the girls schools rather than in the
boys that the need of proper exercise for
strength and development is strongly felt, be-
cause the boy derives some advantage from his
outdoor sports which the girl does not have.
In the girls high school calisthenic practice
the most satisfactory results. teacher of
gymnastics has been engaged, a part of three
days in the week are devoted to it, and the
girls are expected to dress in blouses and short
skirts conformably to the requirements of the
work.
what we want" said one Of the teachers
consulted, sis that the mothers should under
stand the importance of this movement, and
lend their aid and cooperation so far posi-
Bile. This question is as important to the girls
"a thA ana. of al fral no 90
much agitated is to the boys. for it means
health and strength, not only now, but in the
future"
How do you expect the mothers to aid
you?"
We'll, one thing they can do is TO dress
their children properly. SO as to allow for
freedom of movement, and make erect posture
and easy carriage, the results of strong muscles.
They commence to dress them in stiff and tight
laced clothing while they are too young. They
should wait till the girls older and so strong
as not to he fettered. If DIR. Posses practice
in calisthenics is to be introduced into the
schools, the girls will simply have to dress in
loose clothing, for it is necessary to the exer-
c;S