The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-16
dur Gymnasium Girls.

The experiment OF organizing Physl-
cal Culture Glass for ladies has been at
tempted number of times in our city,
but until last winter, without any very
signal success. Several OF our larger
schools for girls have calesthenic classes,
but there was nothing of the sort here,
of a very thorough nature, for ladies';
until Professor Schatzel organized
class last autumn. Having devoted
his whole life to athletic training the
Professor is eminently wel-fitted to be
a physical director, and Is specimen
of what athletics will do in the way OF
physical development, he is superb. He
is a native of Vienna, but has resided for
the past eighteen years in New York city
and was, for some time, In charge of
the gymnasium, connected with the
school, established at Islip by Mr.. Van
derbilt.
In October 1893, the Young Mems
Christian Association OF Richmond. Va,
engaged him TO come here and take
charge Of the gymnasium Being an
ardent advocate OF the efficacy OF physi-
cal training for women, as we'll as men,
he persuaded the Secretary Of the Asso-
citation to place in the daily papers an
advertisement to the effect, that anyone
wishing to join q physical culture class
for ladies, might call for further informa-
ton at the Y. NJ. G. A. The president
OF the Auxiliary 10 the ASSOSld-
ton received those who called and gave
them all the necessary information in
regard to terms, requirements and equip
ments. She also kindly consented to act
as chaperone. SO one fine morning the
class opened with four members.
One was awkward and tall,
ore was graceful and small,
And one was afraid Of windy wea Their:
Ii st but not least.
no han all
together
Now, in this, It's second session. the
class contains A. members. Three morn
ings In each week the Gymnasium is re-
served for their exclusive use, all in
truders being effectually debarred from
entering by a mysterious little arrange
ment of the door, known only TO the mi
tiated, and which forcibly recalls "Ali
Baba's open Sesame!"
The Professor Is a rigid disciplinarian.
At the ringing of his bell the class forms
instantly In a lire facing him, making
a pretty picture in their Turkish cos
tunes Of red and blue. 1t is wonderful
10 what remarkable degree OF quicknesS
ard precision he has trained them in so
short a time. They march, "risht!
left ito the rear.' etc, keeping per-
feet time TO his monotonous counting or
occasional whistling OF some barrel-organ
sists upon a perfectly correct carriage
of heads and shoulders. and strives In
every way TO make them walk grace
fully. One OF the class, a very much In
earnest young lady, in a red costume
next leads them through the intricate
mazes OF q beautiful bar bell drill. A
little lady, with Mrs" before her name,
leads in Indian clubs, and so rapidly does
she swing them, that they circle her
golden head like a nimbus. Breathing eX-
ercises, dumb bells, fencing, and delsar-
team movements follow. Then a recess
Is taken, and each one follows her own
particular bent for while. They vault
the horse. fly on the rings, climb the
rope, perform on the bars, jump from
the spring board, and, in short, like Pal
mer Cox's Brownies, seem to be every
where and doing everything at the same
time. How healthy and happy they all
seem. Yet the Professor says, that in
the beginning nearly every one OF them
entered the class because Of some ply
steal weakness.
There In n difference OF opinion as to
which mcinber IL the best all around
athlete. A certain tall. strong, young
lady IL considered by the Professor a bet