Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-09-16

4 ploNtcS III All IudIlN Sports!
The ancient Greeks and Romans were
noted for the symmetrical outlines of
| their forms. While the development of
the male members in this important par
ticular was religiously attended to the
| females of the family We're not neglected.
The sculptured marble representing the
Venus de Milo presents overwhelming
evidence of this fact. According to the
standards of artistic measurement every
line and curve was absolutely correct.
The poise of the head denoted both
strength and beauty, but the waist,
judged by the fashion of the present day.
would of course be considered ridiculous
ly large.
The figure of the Greek woman was
allowed to retain its suppleness uncon-
! fined by band or corset. To this fact
may be attributed much of its beauty.
AT that remote period gymnasiums were
not erected for the use of men alone:
the women of the time were cared for in
the same way. The difference between
| the sexes lay in the fact that the men
made public their wonderful strength
superinduced by athletic training-while
the gentler sex confined itself either to
private gymnasiums or to the pursuance
of the exercise in the quiet and seclusion
of their homes. This state of things con-
tinued for many centuries, and the re-
suits of the practice are perceptible even
to the present day in the descendants of
those historic races. 1t is undeniable
that the Greek women, especially re
nowned for beauty of face and form, owe
much of their gifts to the physical train
ing which their ancestors received.
Time passed, and innovations began to
creep in, and while men to n great ex-
tent kept up the practice it fell into dis
use among women. The history of
medieval times tells us that woman's
sole duty was to make herself as beauti-
full as possible and to be thoroughly
trained in all the arts involving the use
of the needle. Athletic exercises We're
entirely relegated to mon, it being CON
sidered inele~ant and even vulgar for
ladies to employ their time in such a
"basc." masculine manner. The IMAM
nish' woman-the one who would row a
boat, drive a horse or take part in box
ing tournament with her brother-was
looked upon as an abnormal creature
worthy only to be summed.
In speaking thus of that past era re-
fer particularly to the higher side Of So
cial life, for among the peasantry in
many of the continental countries wom-
an has performed more than her share
of manual labor, which may indeed be
classed as a form of athletic exercise.
A couple of centuries or so ago, when
the pilgrim mothers landed on these
shores, notwithstanding the fact that
they had left comfortable and even luz
urious homes, they willingly shared in
the labors of their husbands. Many a
milk white hand, which had never known
aught but idleness, was turned TO such
good account that the struggle for ex-
istence in the virgin land was greatly re-
duced. AS a result Of their self denial,
perseverance and the rugged health
which outdoor labor engendered. asturdy
race of native born Americans was given
to the world.
Among savage tribes it has always
been customary to train their women to
take active part even in warfare. In
the newspapers of today we frequently
see accounts of the amazons of Zululand
and other African countries. These wo-
men, whom the necessities of the time
force into the field of battle, and who
from their childhood undergo thorough
training for the purpose, are said to fight
with greater desperation than husband,
father, brother or lover. They are more
agile than men, and consequently quick
er in their movements. They are also
more fearless, less calculating as to re-
suits and of equal physical endurance.
The courses of training which are pur-
sued in the gymnasiums Of modern civil
lization are to certain extent beneficial
to young women, but great danger lies
in their liability 10 overstrair both nerve
and muscle. The same form Of gym
nastic exercise is not suitable for all per
sons nor for both sexes, but should be
regulated according to the physical status
Of the applicant. For instance, take a
growing girl who has sedulously devoted
her time to study. Through STOPPING
the chest has probably become weak
ened and the shoulders III a measure
rounded. What. then, can be more per-
nicious or hurtful than the attempt sui
denly to draw the latter into normal
position? If this Is undertaken at all. it
should DO done gradually and judi
ciously.
Judging from the large number OF
athletes among men who meet with an
early death, it is evident that the vital
forces Of nasculinity through an excess
OF athletics may be expended within a
very brief period. 4 similar rule applies
to women. but practically TO them the
consequences need not always be so dis
astrous They seldom indulge the sport
with the same violence, and are there
fore not placed under the same eoatinu-
Gus strain.
Open air exercise ia profitable to both
sexes alike. and women, by taking a
brisk walk during the cooler hours OF
the day. with the shoulders thrown back,
the abdomen drawn in and the chest ex-
panded, will find it easy 70 engender a
rugged and healthy constitution. To
obtain the full and proper benefit from
this exercise care should be taken that
the clothing is not too tight nor the
shoes too small. The walk at first
should be only for short distance, be-
ing gradually heightened until the maid
or matron il enabled to cover several
miles of ground without fatigue.
English women have thoroughly IN
derstood and pursued this method Of ex-
ercising for many decades. Hence,
, while their figures may be slender, their
, coloring and physical condition are o:
. the best. Thousands Of American girls
, are now learning and practicing this Sc
! cret Of beauty with the most satisfactory
, results.
i Rowing. lawn tennis and the various
other outdoor sports are equally bene-