The courier., 1902-11-22

play and, as trust every child In this
school has, some work to do, they need,
every one of them, other training in or
der to stand properly, to breathe correct
~. and to bring into use, not only par
ticular muscles, but sets of muscles,
and to give harmonious action between
the brain and every part of the body.
The exercises should be varied. Swedish
movements, dumb-bells, Indian clubs.
marching, and dozens of systems. But
the best Of methods can be worse than
useless II gone through in a careless,
slipshod way. II 1t Is exercises to de-
velop the lung capacity, 1t is no use to
take them with the shoulders hanging
forward-the position bad, nor no fresh
air in the room. Nor should they be told
at home that they might better be get
ting their arithmetic lesson. Children
should be encouraged to take pride in
their physical development; 1t Is some
thing Of which to be proud, and we
would do well to encourage it, as was
done centuries ago in ancient Greece.
Harm can be done by over-develop-
ment. Observe the professional gymnast,
and you will see the development to an
exaggerated degree Of the muscles of the
shoulders and back; as a result he has a
round back. Fencing, 1t is well known,
causes lateral curvature of the spine.
But there is no good but that may be-
come an evil. Health and goodness go
together. 1t is much easier to be in a
state of grace when in a state Of health.
As to the place that gymnasiums
should hold, I have never been able to
determine to my own satisfaction. /
know there are good results; have seen
bad; and I mean here not the ordinary
Swedish movements, dumb bells and the
like, but the use Of heavy weights, hori-
zontal bars and trapeze work. AS recrea-
ton 1t may be good, but as a means of
development / doubt IL 1t is the best.
With girls, particularly, we should re-
member that the mechanism is finer, and
until we have had several generations of
better health and physical vigor, the ut
most care should be used not to do
harm that will be impossible to remedy.
I was told that little ones would need
no exercises IL left to their own free will
and considered as healthy young ami
mails. I'll not argue the question; but
one day I walked along street, where
one felt that the middle Of the street
was cleaner than the sidewalk, and 1
said to myself, "Tis pity. tits true" that
we must consider them such when they
are grown. Why do I say this here?
Why bring in discordant element where
there should be talk Of learning and cul-
ture? Simply this, that you who come
from your cultured homes where every
influence is refining, must not forget
that there are children in the schools, in
this school, whose only idea of culture
comes from the school. and ii is their
due, and their right, that in their lives
there should be one place where the per-
feet cleanliness of the rooms, the pic
lures on the walls, and the atmosphere
Of refinement, may counteract the op-
posite that surrounds them in their own
homes. This you are trying to do, this
is your duty.
AS a summary let me emphasize:
Parental conditions that will insure. as
far as possible, strong. robust children;
then fresh air, baths, play. definite tasks,
and systematic rational daily exercises,
exercise that is never omitted. no mat
ter what else is; exercise not through
school days only, but through all the
years, that they may realize "the full
ness Of life and the mere JOY of living"