The sun., 1894-11-18
AIHLEIICS FOR GIRLS.
Young Women who Are Taught to De
xeIop Their Muscles and Eschew Corsets.

vsiop Their Muscles and Esehew Corsets.
At Lasell Seminary two-thirds Of the girls go
In for military drill under the command OF a
genuine Major. W no goes out twice a week from
Boston for the purpose. The girls are intensely
interested in this branch OF their athletic edu-
cation, and find the exercises of great value in
many ways All the details of full regiment
are carried out. The manual OF arms is
performed together with the sword drill
At the annual competitive drill for bat
talions and individuals there is lot OF
enthusiasm on the part of the fair would
be soldiers. Tho uniform is of navy blue, and
consists of n skirt reaching to the boot-tops,
Norfolk jacket, cadet cap, and gilt trimmingsto
indicate the rank. Each young woman at Lasell
Is expected to take two periods Of exercise of
forty minutes each every day. but II is elective
TO a great degree, and wholly so with the seniors.
One period in doors and one out is the rule dur
ing the winter months; but for brief time,
spring and autumn, both are out Of doors. Once
a week the would be graceful girl dives into the
mysteries OF nerve training. She also has time
for tennis bowling, bicycling. riding, and skat-
ing. Recently canoe club was formed. It's
small wonder, therefore. that the averages as 10
muscular development and strength Just COM
piled at Lasell, are much higher in the senior
class than in the school at large.
Although cOrsets are not in the Lasell girls
wardrobe, her gowns have evidently been htted
over COrSetS. anu the COrSetless ngure - not IN
evidence. as it is for instance, at Wellesley and
many other girls colleges. That one believes in
physical training is no excuse for an ill-htting
gown and IA general air Of sloyenliness; In fact;
a svelte figure, with chest held well forward
and up by firm and no less elastic muscles,
should mark the athletic girl of the period, and
not, as is too often the case, and most unfor-
tunately for the cause, the unattractive dress
which is reform " in name only. IL is possible
the I.asell cir! wishes To be graceful and aesthetic
in attire as well as strong in lIInb and muscle.
French aud English girls who play tennis and
ride bicycles have been using sweaters Just ike
men for overa year Amsrican girls are lust
and fits one like the Old-tme jersey. There are
a sailor collar and deep Cuts. The cOlOrs are
white trimmed with black; blue trimmed with
black; black trimmed with red (his Satanic
Majesty's own ColOrs, by the wayo, and various
other combinations. Girls who have been wear
ing mems sweaters now declare that long.felt
want has been supplied and they prefer those
especially designed Tor them. -
In the Memorial building of the Young Wo-
mems Christian Association IN hrookiyn IS
gymnasium which was opened last season. IL
has been constructed To meet The needs OF young
women who can give only the evening hours To
In addition To the gymnasium hall, with its visit
ors gallery and elevated running track ,ared
ing rooms, bathrooms, and needle baths, For the
modest sum OF y cents, any woman, whether "a
member or not ofthe gymnasium,can have a bath.
ihs work in the gym comprises three grades
CalistheniC, gymnastic, and corrective. Corsets
and close fitting waists are prohibited In all
grades of work. Among the women well known
In Brooklyn society whOare generous supporters
ot the association are Mrs. samuel r. lluryea;
Mrs. Clark Burnham, Mrs. q. IL. Prentlss, and
one of the pretiies, of gymnastic exercises
new one is that in which the line of girls moves
In an elaborate arabeslne or scroll, winding
around In conCentric circles and then unwindlng
10 form a long line moving down the length nt
the room ia skilfully planned curves. The music
grows slower aud slower until the line finally
comes 10 "a stRndstill, when the girls take their
places for other exercises.