The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-29

Nowhere in America is physical train
ing on a more ideal basis than at Nelles-
ley College This is no doubt partly due
TO its magnificent location. its broad acres
and beautiful lake Offering opportunities
unsurpassed: but in still greater measure
il IS due to the enthusiastic devotion. the
skin, and personal magnetism or Miss
Lucille Eaton Hill, the mead OF the de-
partment.
Miss Hllvs first aim in physical training
Is 10 develop the play instinct which IS
crushed out OF little girls. Her whole
argument is TO keep more closely 10 ma
ture. The little girl is cut of from play
ing with her brothers. from climbing
trees, jumping fences. running, and leap
ng, so that by the time her hair goes up
and her skirts come down The love Of
natural spontaneous movement has be-
come lost sense. 1t Is pathetically true
that II a freshman class were turned
loose out of doors and told TO play they
would not know what to do with them
selves, and Miss Hill is. as a rule, in far
gayer spirits than many OF the young
girls who have hgddled over their books
until the very thought Of physical exer-
ton Is q bore 10 them. In this respect
American college girls are far behind
their English sisters At Girton and
matter OF course a. baths.
Miss Hill feels that teachers have too
long followed the old mechanical lines.
There is at present in America no lack
Of interest In gymnastics. but gymnastics
are simply an artificial means for devel-
oping a normal condition. II girl is
well set up; IL she has a good chest de-
volopment. proper lung capacity. a high
back. we'll poised head, and fine muscu-
lar control; II she has a good carriage;
IT, in fact she has dressed hygienially
and worked normally, she can keep her
self In condition by games alone, and
does not need gymnastics. But with most
girls these artificial forms Of exercise are
necessary TO get them into condition for
games.
Il have not started games at Weles-
ley" said Miss Hill. simply because l
| love them. 1t has been a natural evolu-
ton Of our work, a necessity which has
forced itself upon my observation, the
| prime object of my work being the all
round best development OF the student
| both as q student and as a woman. Ny
| interest in physical training IS first OF all
| educational. II l separate my work from
| the Intellectual life OF the college. l am
not fulfilling the duties OF my position.
| j am here TO assist the mental work, and
| though i dearly love games lyI tuttI own
| sake, / desire above all that the work
| done I'm all branches Of physical training
shall be Of recognized assistance 10 the
intellectual department / have proved
| conciusively In different ways that the
| girls who are out OF doors are the best
| all-round girls. The stroke on the senior
] crew last year was the best mathema-
| ticlan in the class. We train wholly for
| health and vital strength. One OF our
| students. who had rowed for three years
| was obliged 10 undergo an operation for
| appendicitis, and the doctor said that the
| success OF the operation and her conse-
/ Quent recovery were entirely due 10 the
| development OF her abdominal and back
| muscles.
II think that we are In way working
| upon a higher plane than college men.
, We do not strive for fcats OF strength.
and keep no records OF high jumps vaults
| or anything OF the sort. To me that does
not represent the highest plane or work.
| We do. however. encourage legitimate
| compeution In sports"