, 1890-10-31
NEW ERA IN ArALgrrcs.

GIrIs n. w'n as Bays NatinE iapIH
Progress In Physical Development.
The Town and Country club. of which
Mrs. julia Ward Howe is president. met
at the summer residence Of Lyman C.
Josephs, of New York. Mr.. John S.
White, head master of the Berkeley
school, New York, read a paper upon the
new athletics. He said in substance that
the new era of athletic training upon
which we have entered bears good It'd
ings Of health and strength to wor1en
even more than men. The improvement
in the physical condition of the Ameri-
cal girls Of today is as striking as it is
gratifying. You no longer zeal the
criticism which was made twenty years
ago by visitors from abroad that the wo-
men of our country are weak and in
ferior in stature.
Almost every girl Of 16 or II years OF
age whom you meet is taller than her
mother. Ten years ago it was not fash
ionable for a woman to have a waist Of
proper size; nowadays too small n waist
is considered n species of physical de
formity. 1t has often been said that
American women as a rule do not walk
well. Close Observers will find, how
ever, hat there has been a very great
improvement in this respect in the last
four or five years, and the majority OF
our girls are ambitious to have n good
figure and a graceful carriage from the
physiological standpoint.
This wholesome change has been
brought about by the better opportun.
tiles which women now nave to indulge
in physical training and exercise. One
year ago the first athletic club In the
world for women wa established in
New York city. The limit of 500 mem
beers was reached in six months, and
already facilities are being added by
which the membership may be increased.
Theinterest which American girls have
begun to take in gymnastic training is at
once n reflection and a counterpart of the
extraordinary development Of athletic
sports among the young men of the coun-
try. If a girl once experiences the ex-
hilHration which comes from physical
exercise, when taken under proper con-
ditions and in a suitable dress which
allows freedom Of motion, you may trust
her never to injure herself by tight lac
ing or by wearing uncomfortable gar.
ments Of any description.
There are three things which every
girl ought to learn how to do-to swim,
to fence. and to hold her weight easily
with her arms. Lawn tennis has done
more to develop among girls II taste for
outdoor sports than nave all other exer-
cises combined. We sometimes hear of
cases of injury from over indulgence in
this sport, but where one is injured
hundred are benefited. The injury isnot
the fault of the sport, but is due to care
lessness and over exertiou at improper
times, n danger which shouad be guarded
against in all exercise.
The old fashioned idea that n girl t.
be ladylike must not run or walk rapid,
is fast disappearing. Until recently
said the speaker. we could not be said il
America TO nave any national system o
gymnastics. The system of heavy gym
nastics Of DIR. Winship, of Boston, an6
the other extreme. the light calisthenics
of Die Lewis, were not altogether sue.
c~essful, although the name of Dio Lewis
will surely hold 4 very high place in the
annals of physical training and in the
educational system of America. for to nc
one individually more than to him is
due the credit of stimulating n keen and
abiding interest in physical exercise
Boston Herald.