The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-06-19
TIE TURN vERElN.
TopAY's PRACTICAL WORKINGS Or
THAT ANCIENT SOCIETY.

for the Physical aud Mental Education
Of ChIldren-Thc Organization Large and
Growing In the Quilted states.
This Is no new organization; IL was
founded at the beginning Of the century
BIZ Father John in Germany. and named
the Turn Verein. Father John believed
that physical training was the basis OF
true thinking. and after careful study
of old Greceian and Roman games he
evolved a system Of training which he
believed he could teach theoretically to
his countrymen. With him were asso-
ciated Leon and Spies and dozen other
men, who together organized the iirst
Turn Verein and pledged themselves TO
aid each other in rearing people strong
both in body and mind, and recognizing
in the propagation Of universal educa-
ton and in the fostering Of good morals
the sole means Of a thorough reform in
social, political and religious matters
MAKING GERMAN SOLDIERS.
The society grew 50 rapidly that the
government, fearing its proves, en-
deavored to suppress its increase by law,
but subsequently realizing the advantage
Of a militia chosen from n people Of
strength and vigor, they reinstated it in
favor and out Of its teachings grew the
law requiring the practice Of light gym
nastics in all the public schools.
After the revolutions the veterans Of
as. compelled to leave their country,
came to America, and one of their first
acts in the new home was 10 establish
branch Of the old society, which now
numbers in tho United States 81 900
men, divided into $50 or 300 societies, by
whom 10000 children are taught gym
nastic exercises under nearly $50 teach
ers.
Whatever may be the political bias Of
the society. the second article in its act
Of incorporation states that "the particu-
lar business and objects for which such
society or corporation is TO be formed
are the promotion Of physical education
and culture and gymnastics and athletics
in general, and the establishment and
maintenance of a school for the physical,
gymnastic, athletic and mental educa-
ton Of children"
There are $50 children, or turner's, I'm
the New York school, and twice ea6h
week. after the public school closes, the
girl turner's. in dark blue flannel dresses,
fashioned with loose blouse waists and
straps Of bright blue braid, black hose
and white slippers, march up and down
the large gymnasiums belonging to the
society, and are taught to use all the APP
paratus arranged for men and boys
Twice each week, too, in the intervening
days, tho boy turner's, IN dark trousers.
/ light waists. scarlet belts and stockings
and white slippers, are taught the exer-
cisos adapted 20 their years.
HOW THEY ARE TRAINED.
On Sunday both classes meet together
for instruction in German reading and
speaking. which is the only language
used in the school. Children enter the
classes rs soon as they are 6 years old,
and continue the training until they are
Is, when they become members Of the So
ciety if they desire Members Of the
organization pledge Themselves to exer-
else in the gymnasium two evenings each
week until theyar 30 years Of age, after
which they may be excused from active
work. Discussions Of the leading Que5-
tons Of the day, political, social, and
educational, are held each month, IN
which the members participate, and a
library is also owned by the society, and
at the disposal Of the members. The
children are taught in classes of thirty
or moro members; and thirty little las
sizes, in their blue gowns and white slip
pers, are very pretty spectacle, when
not one Of them is less than or more
than 10 years old, and each stands
straight and firm. with pair Of dumb
bells in her small hands.
The most noticeable thing about the
tiny turner's is that they standwell, walk,
well, and carry their heads very proud
IL. They march and countermarch in
single lines, then two, four and eight
abreast; strike graceful attitudes, which
bend and curve their bodies in every
line of beauty; swing the dumb bells
high over their heads and lay them on
the floor without bending the knees, and
when the hours drill is ended the baby
battalion is drawn up in line and marches
sedately out past long file Of girls from
10 to - years old, who enter for their
exercise.
There IS TO be seen again the same
graceful carriage, the free, light step,
and in the exercise which follows with |
the clubs the precision Of motion adds
much to the pleasing effect. Every club
rises and falls in unison. rs if swung by |
the same hand, and, when the drill is /
over, the girls show their muscular {
power in drill with the heavy apparatus |
Meanwhile the baby turner's have |
marched into another room, and are |
kuitters and needle women now under |
the direction of the gentle faced teacher |
and her assistant There are laces Ok /
wool and linen growing in their busy lit |
tie hands, and hens and tucks and
the tiresome 'over-and-over" blocks are /
stitched by the patient little lassies. The /
class of larger girls have embroidories /
and fancy work in progress, and one
large girl is stitching with bright silk the
sleeve of q new gown.
Down stairs the tiniest babies Of all arc
taught the fascinating kindergarten
work, and all the time the steady tramp
Of the marching feet and the chatter Of
the apparatus in the gymnasium may be
heard.
The woman's branch Of the Turn Yer
Elm has also a class in the gymnasium,
but their special work is to interest
themselves in the affairs Of the school
and tho tpining and teaching Of the
children. York Sun.
"Pa amt turning out the sort Of man
expected" said little s-year-old West
Ender as he returned, rubbing his legs.
from a woodshed seance with his father.
"and, ma, the next time he whips us
lets get divorce. "-Washington Post