The evening times., 1896-08-20
Bells Wheels
Are the Best.
618 9th St. N. w

MFR. Dinwidde was able to gradually devise
more and more elaborate acrobatic tricks
for the little ones, all of which was con-
trolled entirely by his grasp.
Up to the time they were respectively one
and two years old he never let them per-
form these feats independently. Now he
can lift them by their ankles or feet, hold
them straight in the air, require them to per
form all sorts Of soniersaults, swings, bal
anccs and jumps, above his head or under his
arms and legs.
Although no professional acrobat could
obtain better fundamental training than
this, Mr. Dinwiddle says it is to lie put to a
strictly practical iuse. The whole system
of physical culture will be aimed strictly at
muscular coordination and selfpreservI-
tion- 1t will not be carried into absurd
phases whose results are often seen IN the
alIphysical college man.
As a result or this cultivated activity.
one of the children, who fell down steep
flight OF stairs when but year and half
old reached the bottom uDhurt by catching
himself on each step as he continued I'D
roll The little girl. the elder of the two.
can now jump from point sixteen feet
high and fan into her fathers arms with
out a sign of fear. This physical culture
is enjoyed by both little ones more than
are their usua lgames. Both children are
Dow being taught to ride bicycles and to
swim.
WORK Is PLAY
Ever since they have been able 10 no.
tice ordinary objects both OF these chill
dreD have been regularly taken out for
walks or drives, during which expeditions
every object along the way, which might
interest them, has been named and crudely
explained
II has been a regular habit of the father.
In the hours directly preceding bed time.
10 recite to the little ones interesting
stories descriptive of the habits OF all ia
miliar animals and of the uses of the dif-
fercnt familiar plants. AT the table they
are taught the names OF their food in the
natural product.
Although NO efforts have been made to
clog their childish minds with school
book lore, both OF the tots can say their
letters and their figures. The beauty Of
their training, as described to the writer
by their father, is that they always play
at work. The world of nature is made for
them an interesting kindergarten and play
ground combined.
Their parents are their playInates rather
than their taskmasters, and all the disci-
piine and authority weighed out as the
friendly advice Of trusted and more ex-
perienced companions.
Their mental, moral and physical healths,
according To Mr.. Dinwiddie, are to be fur
ther developed by gradually advancing ed
nn1tlpnnl llnriI
they are each eight years old, which age.
in his opinion, will be sufficiently early fol
them to begin school and associate with
other children not known by their parents
THE CHILDREN's HOUR.
Mr. Dinwiddie talked freely with
Times reporter at the Adams Building
this morning. He said that Mrs. Dinwlddie
looks after the children during the day
and when he goes home at evening an
hour is given regularly to their exercise.
They call it doing their tricks with papa"
and it is one OF the events OF the day
with them.
Another is when they go to bed. Their
mother then reads to them or tells them
story. The ordinary Jack and the Bean
Pole'' and the like are considered too weak
and trashy, and stories based upon these or
original. but with a distinct instructive
value, are substituted.
The childrenarc allowed to go barefoota and
bareheaded in summer. They wear only
two pieces of clothing in pleasant weather
this time of the year. Their arms and legs
are brown as farm boys, and their hair
is sunburned like a Saxon's on the plains OF
Central Germany in prehistoric times.
Mr. Dinwiddle lays special stress on
trainingthem to tohavepowcrso of denomination
So as to do thing swith their hands skillfuly.
He wants them TO have specialized mus
cular training, SO as to be expert in USE
full work. His little CIR, Dorothea, can now
cut glass with a diamond in a way thas
would surprise the unpracticed aduis
who would attempt it.