The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-06-28
The Muscle as Well as the Mind saossic
Have Their Qualities Drawn Oat.


the thoughtful as demonstrations of
the perfection to which the machin-
cry of man may be brought by con-
slant drill and exercise. The gym
nasts, acrobats. dancers and jugglers
do things that seem almost impossible,
simply because they have for years
trained their eyes and muscles to per-
form limited number of operations
have practiced necessarily and made
their movements almost automatic
II men can do these things, that
simply serve TO amuse other people,
they can, by similar perseverance and
practice, perfect themselves i'll useful
occupations. Leaving out of consid-
Grafton the arts wherein, however,
technical skill is almost as much to
be desired as natural taste or talenD
there is scarcely mechanical occu-
patton that could not be elevated and
improved by such devoted practice
as the professional acrobat gives to his
feats of agility. A juggler practices
certain movements OF the hand al
most necessarily for years before he
becomes so highly skilled as TO be able
to deceive spectators by his sleight OF
hand performances. A mechanic
equally devoted to the business of get
ting his hand trained to do his will
would become remarkable workman
in much less time.
The fact is that too little attention
has heretofore been given TO the pos
sibilities of hand training for useful
work. The stage and the circus ring
have for years shown us that there
is scarcely any limit to be put to what
man may accomplish through the
training of his muscles. Crowds have
wondered at and applauded perform
ers with no greater intelligence than
the average spectator, and have never
thought of applying the lesson to
themselves and making better use of it
than that of posing for tho amuse-
ment of the public. The gymnast, the
acrobat, the juggler are men who
have learned how to use their mus
Giles, who have trained their eye to
quick seeing, their judgment to
prompt decision, who have taught
themselves to keep control of their
wits in an emergency, and who have,
above all, practiced certain move
ments so diligently that they can per-
form them without effort, almost un-
consciously. They have not assumed
that education is to be applied only to
the mind, but, frequently to the neglect
of the latter, have applied educational
methods to the muscles of their body
which other people neglect. One may
easily imagine skilled juggler who
would wonder quite as much at q
schoolboy's ready answer to questions
in arithmetic as the school boy would
at his feats of balancing Or sleight of
hand. The wonderment in each case
is dependent upon the ignorance of
the one and the skill of the other in
fields that are open to both. Until re-
cent years it has been assumed that
the muscles need little training that
cannot be acquired in the ordinary
course of life without snecial instruc-
ton or effort. The results achieved
by specialists should, however, correct
this view.
The Germans have carried this
thought to a logical conclusion by
providing more generally than other
people for the training of hands and
eyes in the kindergarten and for carry
ing on similar exercises in their turn
ers' schools.
The object is not to make gymnasts
or acrobats of the pupils any more
than the teaching of drawing in the
public schools is intended to make ar
fists of all who receive such instruc-
ton. The purpose is to give health
full and useful exercise, to train the
muscles, and lay the foundation for
the development of skill of hand in
any undertaking. This is not done
at the expense of mental education,
but, as experience shows, by pro-
noting the physical health, it quick
ems and Strengthens the mental facul-
ties, at the same time giving them
needed relief from too much strain.
ALI tho tendencies of modern educa-
tional thought are toward a broader
and more liberal education in the di-
rection, not of multiplying mental
studies, but of extending school train
:ng 70 hands and eyes as well as to
memory.-Baltimore Sun.
wAsnrrurvr, June IT.-Tpe FOLLOWING
Consul Generals have been appointed by
President Harrison: Wakefield G. Frye, Of
Maine, at Halifax; Joseph Leonard, of Min
nesota, at Shanghai; Zachary T. Sweeney,
of Indiana at Constantinople; Oliver H.
Dockery, of North Carolina, at Rio dc ia
metro; Oliver II. Simons, of Colorado, at St
Petersburg; George NJ Roosevelt, of Penn
sylvania, at Brussels; Levi W. Brown, of
Ohio, at Glasgow.
WASHINGTON, June 19.-Secretary Noble
has accepted the designations Of John A.
Lacey, T. J. Gamble and H. N. Curtis, men,
bers Of the Board of Pension Appeals, In
terror Department, to take effect June 30
A reduction of the force by three members
was made necessary by the failure Of Con-
gress to make provision for more than
three members of the Board of Pension Ap-
peals
WASHINGTON, June 9.-Commissioner of
Pensions Tanner has ordered the reissue OF
pension to ex-senator Henderson, of Ne
braska, ut an increased rate. This gives
the Senator back pay at the increased rate
from the time his original pension for q
gunshot wound was granted, and will put
something more than "a. 600 in ready cash
In his pocket
WASHINGTON June lathe President has
issued an order extending the time within
which veterans dismissed from the service
of the Government may be reinstated with