Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-21

the PHYSICAL tTdIIliuS pEOpcIs thSy ca =
much Indebted for this superiority.
1.-The gymnastic instruction Is required
for all young officers of the line, In our
sense of the word, and for the men. There
are two principal gymnasia in Great
Britain; at Aldershot and at the Curragh,
rear Dublin. The parent one Is at Alder
shot These are employed not only Tor
local use, but for training non-commis-
stoned officers as instructors In gymnastics.
A gymnasium is supposed to be In opera
ticn at every station.
1.-The gymnastic training of the cavalry
recruit is carried simultaneously with ms
this course. which lasts two months and
must not be interrupted, s hnlsned- IL
occupies one hour day. .,,,
"Ihe infantry recruit begins d1rectiy
after completing his physical training with
the company, which usually Is one month
after joining. The course Is an unlnter-
rupted one of six weeks, an hour ana a
half daily. Recruit officers are to undergo
the same course and at the same ume,
unless found efficient and properly eA-
cused Weak and awkward men are Kept
under this training for three months, aho
If below the standard Of efficiency at tnat
time they are then to be reported 10 the
ad1utant general
Besides training the recruits, gymhasla
are maintained to harden ana strengthen
the trained soldier, so that at least ne
may cover 200 yards rapidly, and then be
in condition for efficient bayonet work. TO
do this with as little interference as pos
sible with the ordinary military duties'
men, according to the size OF the gymna-
stun, but not exceeding one-stxth OF the
garrison, are to be selected and strictly
examined medically. These are then put
into squads for attendance one hour on al
ternate days, not exceeding three mon!ns'
Guards are not to be interiereo Will VIZ,
Men under thirty must attend, but with
men over TT irty the course Is optional SUD
ject to the medical officers approval VOL
untary classes for advanced work may be
formed, but no man may join them until
after one months instruction.
Medical officers serving with regiments
that have undergone gymnastic training
will specially report on the enects OF sucn
training on the muscular development ana
health of the men on their leaving the sta
ticn and as to the general influence OF
gymnastics in producing a vigorous con-
stitution.' They are to visit frequently
the gymnasium and witness the measure
mentS of the recruits on entering ana COM
plotting the course. The principal medical
officer is to refer to the subject In his an
nual sanitary reports, giving the substance
of the information supplied by the medical
officers, and his own remarks on the utility
of the gymnasium.
1.-The gymnasium building at Aldershot Is
not perfectly adapted, on account or size
and some minor matters, for It's purpose,
but the work done in 1t Is admirable. The
apparatus is of the simplest description
and the floor may be cleared without delay.
Parallel bars, light Indian clubs, light
dumb bells, vaulting horse, inclined lad
ders and the like are all. Using these, but
more particularly using them with care,
very capital results are obtained. The
young men develop in chest-girth and mus
Gle. the weak gain strength, the awkward
agility, and the timid confidence. One side
of the room is arranged with very trifling
foothold for perpendicular escalading, up
which men scale successfully, and at one
end of the room is a shelf about eight feet
from the floor, which men are taught to
without other helm than thew can
give one another. The ease with which
every exercise is performed Is delightful to
witness.
The impression received in watching these
exercises was that men with no special
physical gifts were brought up rapidly and
without distress into admirable condition,
and that their military efficiency was great
ly increased thereby. 1t was evident that
the men themselves appreciated and enjoy
ed the work"
At a recent meeting Of the members OF
company B, fifth battalion. First Lieut..
George Phoebus was elected captain; Sec
ord Lieut.. J. w. Leeman was elected first
lieutenant and First Sergt. John E. Small
wood was elected second lieutenant. The
vacancy of captain was caused by the res
ignation of Fabian Columbus.
The President has signed the commits
sions of Leonard H. Mattingly, as captain
of company b, third battalion; Arthur 1.
Flagg, as first lieutenant. company B, third
battalion and James P. LAWN, as first
lieutenant, company D. fifth battalion.
The third separate company, until re-
Gently company A, fifth battalion, has ar
ranged to give a musical and literary en-
tertainment and hop in Odd Fellows Hall,
on Sth street southeast, Thursday evening,
January "a.
he fret drill 0f the naWIv ORGANIZED
third battalion will be held on Monday
evening, January 2S. 1t will be the first
time the battalion has drilled with four
companies.
At meeting of company B. third bat
talon, held on Thursday evening, Frank
K. Newcomb was unanimously elected Sec
Ond lieutenant.
Mai E. r. Campbell Of the fourth bat
talon was summoned to Vermont last
week, because of the serious illness Of his
mother.