Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-03
PROGRESS OF THE NEW SOUTH
How the Ladies OF Georgia Practice GYM
nastics and Kicking Seven Feet High.

From the Atlanta Constitution
AT this time, when a majority Of the whole
feminine population Of the country are talking
dress reform and physical culture. il is inter-
esting TO know that. as usual. Atlanta IA in the
front rank OF the new movements Her lsdies
are adopting the Jenness- Miller costume with a
zeal Characteristic of the sex. aud they are not
neglecting the opportunities afforded them for
developing their muscles.
The hall, with its numerous windows. high
roof and ample space. makes the best GYM
nasium room IA the south, and the apparatus
BELTS the hall. 1t includes all the pieces re-
quisite IN the finest gymnasium in the country
that Of Harvard-and Atlanta muscles can here
receive the same training given to those Of
Cambridge.
1t is an exceedingly interesting and amusing
sight TO watch n number of people in a gymus-
sum. and when those people are ladies. and
include Atlantas bellies and matrons the in
terest certainly is increased. Some of them
prefer TO swing upon the trapeze. catching
from il the rings or the hanging rope; others
like the inclined ladders upon which they are
learning style of walk most in vogue among
our Darwinian ancestors. The travelling rings
for which the long armory gives full scope at
tract others. In this exercise the performer
passes from one ring 20 another sailing through
mid-air pendent by one arm. This makes the
strongest and best trained are permitted TO at
tempt il.
The horizontal and parallel bars are equally
popular with all and constantly occupied. q
successful and graceful swing or dip being re-
ceiyed with applause by the bystanders while
a more difficult feat, such as the one known as
dlvesting the feline of her extraneous covering
or that called the grasshopper walk evokes the
widest enthusiasm.
Comparatively few Of the ladies take much
hsaN Tg,wlL Al
swaylng motions at the rings. In fact most of
the exercise gwen them is of the Delsarte sys-
tenn and the mllder forms of gymnastics with
dumb bells and Indian clubs and wands. These
give ease OF movement and grace and beauty
OF inquire as well as strength.
Blue skirts. red skirts and black skirts aurrv
around the hall. and slippers of all shades twin
kle IN the air as their fair owners make the cir
cult of the track. The running IL entirely ON
the toes, a method which gives special ease and
spine and head.
When the votaries of Hebe are well warmed
up by this exercise the foot ball is brought out
and then follows a scene which defies adeaunte
description. When TO see a crowd of men PLAY
foot ball eXcites enthusiasm. YOU can perhaps
imagine the effect of seeing a swarm OF pretty
girls do the same thing. Conventionality is
forgotten, bangs are unthought of or unre-
garded, and the way that ball is kept flying
followed by an eager bevy each anxious for a
window panes Occasionally one Of these is
broken, but the expense of replacing il is
trlfng and not to be weighed against the
pleasure.
There is another form Of exercise INDUCED
In at the school of physical culture which the
writer Is almost afraid to mention Alta GER
tam point IN the armory hangs suspended
horizontally in the air a tambourine. The
cord which holds il passes over a hook and is
secured In reach of the hand. SO that the tam
BOURNE may be raised or lowered at will This
instrument is for the practice of the high kick
ana II any one THINKS that il Is safe when il
hangs five or six feet from the floor he is mis-
taken I'm not going 10 give the record here
III you want to know them ask some of the
juvenile class, and if they are not ashamed of
the way they have been beaten they may tell
you
The drill which is funnier than any other is
that gone through with in a recumbent posi-
ton; that Is, II Is funny TO the spectator who
never before saw thirty or forty ladies fiat on
their backs In a row ON the floor gravely and
IN concert gesticulating with heads, legs and
bodies, somewhat after the fashion in which
MIR. March taught Demi his alphabet in Little
women. But, funny though il NAV be- this
exercise is one of the best for Strengthening
the muscles OF the back and lower limbs.
The rowing machines claim a large share OF
attention, the ability to navigate a boat being
very properly esteemed a high accomplishment
The ladies who do the greatest amount of
practising are looking forward either TO a
summer at some watering place where rowing
Is daily INDUCED IN or to moonlight nights
Lake ALBANIA.
On the whole, the impression gained is that
the ladies and children of Atlanta have here a
sure source of health. beauty and amusement