The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-23

The wand is safe and satisfactory | form of apparatus for the litle people If you are giving the little daughter or hay brother home lessons In physical cuiture. provide them with wands and zee how much their tagging interest will revive. Any apparatus awakens interest, and unless the interest can be kept up the work is practically useless The wand gives grace and strength and it Is always a favoTite with chll- dren.
 Suppose that they are or 10 years old: in that case the wands should measure about three and half feet iD length. .,..-. ....,.
 There Is a touch of military work about the wand drill that will at once appeal to the boyish soul and 1T the vounee man is allowed to wear some of his soldier regalia he will think It All great fun. Let the young lady flourish a cap and few brass buttons. too. Call her a daughter of the regl- ment, and she will be no less interest ed than her brother.
 Give them a few right and left face commands to get them into the true military spirit, then order Forward. marchp' Let the wands be standing against a wall to which they may march and take the wands. holding them. by command, at the position Al carry" This means the wand upright against the right shoulder, it's lower end resting in the right hand which lS Nightly cupped to receive it, the same hand resting against the leg, right arm down at full length.
 Give some marching with the wands at carry a few exercises in facing with them. then commence the real exer- nfe al
 To begin with, it is understood that the children have an erect position and carriage throughout.
 First-Let the wand be held hori- zontalIy in front, as low as the arms will reach with the body erect Now raise 1t. keeping the arms out straight during the swing, until 1t is on level with the shoulders. Return raise count "one. two" for this.
 Second-Raise the wand to the shoulder level, then extend the right arm straight out to the right letting the wand follow it while held horizon tai the wand resting between right thumb and fingers. The left arm fol- lows until it's hand is against the chest. Lower to first position, raise lower. and so on. Then raise to the left, lower, raise Finally, give the exercise alternately in this way: Po- sition, raise to right, lower: raise to left, lower, and so on. This is knoWp as aiming to right and left.
 Third-Raise the wand until 1t rests against the chest. The elbows will naturally bend themselves to sult the need. The wand should be raised nearly to the throat.
 Now teach some simple foot ana leg exercises to be combined with these three motions, SO that the circulation of the whole body may be stirred at once. Rising on the toes can be conn bined benefcially with any or them Pointing the toes, first right, then ieIt- can be used-this means placing the toe forward and holding the heel htgb while the toe barely touches the floor. This, on account of the alternate right and left movement accompanies the second well. The foot is returned to place when the wand is lowered.
 Fourth-Wand in position, which means down, in front and horizontal Bend the trunk to the right as far as it will 20, letting the waist do all the bending. Bend to left. Alternate iD rather slow counts
 Fifth-RAise the wand high apoVe the head until the arms are stretched vertically to their utmost Lower to position. Raise Continue.
 sixth-Raise the wand from posi- fion to level with the shoulders, holding if at arms length in front Rise on toes. lower heels to floor, rise and so on. all the time holding the wand in the same position. The arms will tire soon; do not keep up the work after weariness shows its first symptom. Tn all the work, watch care fuIlv for this. Children fatigue very readily in one motion, although they can keep up the exercise for some time if it is continually shifted from one mart of the body to another. Thus, af- l ter an exercise which throws the chief strain upon the legs. let the leg mus oles rest awhile and make the arms work vigorously. Change to a trunk exercise. and so on.