The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1889-06-21
THE PHYSICAL MAN.



ery ssay Esc tsreuaht nv Drlil.
Exhibitions OF remarkable skill and
endurance on the stage or In the circus
ring, however useless tho feat per,
formed, mry have certain value to.
the thoughtful as demonstrations Of
the perfection TO which the machinery
Of man may be brought by constant
drill and exercise The gymnasts, &C
robats, dancers aud jugglers do things
that seem almost impossible, simply
because they have for years trained
their eyes and muscles TO perform a
limited number OF operations, have
practiced incessantly. aud made their
movements almost automatic. lfmen
can do these things, that simply serve
TO amuse other people, they can, by
similar perseverance, and practice per-
feet themselves In useful occupations.
Leaving out OF consideration the arts
(wherein, however, technical skill Is
almost us much TO be desired us natural
taste or talenD, there is scarcely a
mechanical occupation that could not
be elevated and improved by such de-
voted practice as the professional aero
bat gives to his feats OF agility. A
juggler practices certain movements
OF the hand almost necessarily for
years before he becomes SO
highly skilled rs 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 work
man in much less time The fact
is that too little attention has hereto
fore been given TO the possibili-
ties OF hand training for use
ful work. The stage and the
circus ring have for gears shown
us that there is scarcely any limit 70
be put TO what man may accomplish
through the trai's'ng OF his muscles.
Crowds have wondered at and ap-
plauded performers with no greater
intelligence than the average spec
tator, and have never thought OF ap-
! plying the lesson to themselves and
making better use OF 1t than that OF
posing for the amusement OF the pub
lie. The gymnast the acrobat, the
| iuggler are men who have learned how
TO use their muscles. who have trained
their eyes to quick seeing. their judg-
ment 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 neg
lect of the latter have applied educa-
tional methods 10 the muscles Of their
body which other people neglect. One
may easily imagine Il skilled juggler
who would wonder quite rs much at a
school-boy's ready answers to ques-
tions in arithmetic ms the school-boy
would wonder at his feats OF balanc-
ing or sleight Of hand. The wonder
ment 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
i recent years it has been assumed that
the muscles need little training that
can not be acquired in the ordinary
course OF life without special instruo-
tion or effort. The results achieved
1 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 tomake
gymnasts or acrobats OF the pupils any
more than the teaching OF drawing in
the public schools is intended 10 make
artists OF all who receive such instrnc-
tion. The purpose is to give healthful
and useful exercise, to train the mus
Giles. 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, ~
experience shows, by promoting the
physical health, it quickens and
strengthens the mental faculties. at
the same time giving them needed re
lief from too much strain. All the
tendencies Of modern educational
thought are toward broader and
more liberal education IN the direction,
not Of multiplying mental studies, but
Of extending school training to hands
and eyes as well as TO memory. Bal.
/ ts.s4...t.. Co.,.