Wichita eagle., 1889-02-17
PHYSICAL CULTURE.
MISS MABEL JENNESS AT THE GAR.
FIELD YESTERDAY.
Grace, Strength and Health the Essen
tial Points to Work for--An Inter-
esting Lecture Glass to be
Formed Tomorrow.

since, has been quite marked and has re-
suited in eradicating, to noticeable eX-
tent, some of those grotesque and ira
tional accoutrements of so-called fashion
able female dress, which were, in fact. not
only unbecoming, but not beneficial or
conducive to health. The leading local
dressmakers are quoted as saying that
many of the more fashionable and pro-
gressive ladies of the city have discarded
the hustle and other eqnally unsightly APP
pendages, and not few have forsworn the
wearing OF corsets. They have not only
done these things, but have, to a consider
able extent, adopted some OF the more ra-
tional substitutes of their former apparel,
and in all cases say they are perfectly sat
isfied with the change.
Judging by the number of the represen-
tative ladies of Wichita who were present
yesterday afternoon to see and to hear
Miss Mabel Jenness in her lecture, Or
rather in her treatise on Physical Gull
ture," (Which is inseparable from the
proper consideration of Dress Reform, "
the tendency in the direction indicated
must be decidedly on the increase. Of
those present yesterday, while some went
and striking-looking costumes, the large
majority were there for the purpose of re-
ceiving beneficial ideas and with The in
tentiou of taking a thorough course Of
Instructions
When Miss Mabel Jenness stepped upon
the stage at the Garfield opera house yes
terday afternoon at 2:45 o'clock and was
introduced by Miss Laura Woodcock there
were in the auditorium some three hun
dred ladies and some half dozen lonely
looking men, Miss Woodcock's remarks
were very cleverly constructed, gracefully
delivered and to the point. She briefly re-
viewed the advanced interest manifest in
these progressive directions here in Wich-
ita, and stated that Wichita is the only
city in the state of Kansas which has
evinced enough of the proper spirit to
have these needed innovations brought to
the notice of the women of this state. She
alluded to Miss Jenness as "a John the
Baptist" showing the way in the direction
being pursued. In behalf of the w. c. I.
L. and the Frances Willard Y's she then
introduced Miss Jenness, who was attired
in Greek costume of pale failie, that
hung in graceful folds. AS the lecturess
stepped forward, backward or across the
stage, her every movement was watched
with the closest attention and she was in
deed the embodiment of grace.
Miss Jenness is a brunette, above the
average height. While her face is not
one that would be pronunced pretty, still,
as she progresses with her remarks,
especially when answering the manifold
questions propounded by Interested
listners, her face brightens up and is de-
cidedly handsome. Her features are regu-
lar and her voice clear and distinct. From
the time she began to talk the eyes Of her
audience watched her every move. After
invited questions of all imaginable charact-
g, as to the costume she wore, the manner
IN which she acquired such a de-
gree of grace and thousand and one
other things, to all of which the gave full,
explicit and highly interesting answers.
The program of yesterday was intended
only as an indication of the instructive
character of the information to be i'm
parted by Miss Jenness to the class to be
formed Immediately and which will re-
ceive instructions every afternoon this
week, at o'clock, in the Eagle Rifles ar
mory. The terms will be only S. for the
five lessons, which is below the regular
fee. From indications the class will be
larger than at first expected by the ladies
who have procured Miss Jenness' services.
AS to the system of gymnastics she en-
ployed in her physical culture, Miss Jen-
ness said she did not think that it
was best to to confne ones self
to any special method, bnU favored
what is known as the Swedish
system which consisted of light class of
exercises. To indulge in heavy or athletic
gymnastics was considered injudicious, as
it only hardened particular muscles with |
out adding grace or symmetry to the |
physique and was also a severe strain on |
the nervous system and not conducive to |
healthful sleep. Ten minutes exercise in |
The morning, say three quarters of an |
hour after breakfast and ten minutes |
more just before retiring, would in |
month show itself of so much benefit to |
any woman, young or old, or to anyyoung
girl that it would be continued.
Walking is very good exercise. So is
running, in moderation. But she eau
Toned fieshy people, or people liable to be
jroubled with heart difficulties, to run
7ery easily at first.
Dancing for those who are not too weak
o stand it, she favored in moderation and
Urged for children, as she thought it had a
endency to make them more graceful.
Some of the different exercises which
constitute her method were given and
licited much applause, as did also the
legance, simplicity and beauty of numer-
JUS artistic costumes in which she appeared
It intervals.
Miss Jenness gave very graceful illustra-
ions of walking, running, sitting
I0wn or sitting in a chair, going
~ and down stairs, and would
hen in order, to show the contrast,
mpersonate the awkward carriage of
eople we meet every day, when the differ
nee was so visible and the COM
arison so apropo. that many of the
aides hlushed and all applauded
In walking the weight should be kept
over the ball of the foot and
ot over the heel. One can walk we'll,
rho stands well and the following are her
eQuisites for a proper standing posture:
The chest raised, head erect, chin drawn
\ slightly. the ears on line with the
arms loose at the sides, the
ody erect, so that the center of gravity
ill be over the balls of the feet, do not
end the back too far back as the edges of
he vertebrae. will come too close together
nd Jar the nervous system.
She also favors vocal culture for develop
lg the lungs and chest as upon the lungs
rimarily depends all other parts of the
ystem. AT all times keep the chest rails
1 and never allow it to be cramped.
To the unbounded surprise of ala the la