The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-11

think that it is going
to be irksome. and they dc not like 1t
at first.
Between compulsion and Persuasion, oon-
siderably more Of the latter than the former,
the girls get into the gymnasium habit and
they 60 to the place as regularly as they
20 to their recitation rooms. Thus they
soon get out Of their habits Of Indifference
to exercise.
Gymnasium work at Smith is required OF
the first two Glasses as a regular thing Tour
times a week during the fall up to the
spring recess. In the spring " hours a
week OF work is required.
This work Is for such students as are
physically able to do gymnasium exercise.
The students get q careful physical ex-
animation from the medical staff Of the COL
legs, and from this examination a decision
Ia made as to whether or not the girls should
take up regular work. Fol those who are
not able there is a course Of medical gym
nastics to prepare them to tate up harder
work.
Juniors and seniors have to take two
hours a week of exercise, but this is not
necessarily gymnasium work. II they have
lone satisfactory work in the preceding
two years, juniors and some seniors are
eligible to the fencing classes,
This Is for two hours in the fall term and
for three in the spring. There is also an
advanced course In fencing for the specially
apt.
Swimming, rowing and tennis are put on
the list for all Glasses during October and
the spring term, and a record of hours spent
in such exercises has to be kept and handed
to Miss Berenson from time to time during
the term.
There is one course in which piano play
ing does cut a figure. and that is in aesthetic
gymnastics. This Is made up Of systematic
exercises in arm and body movements
combined with dancing steps that develop
coordination and grace. This is required
Of students of the second year unless they
are excused by the college physicians and
there is an advanced course for those who
have done satisfactory work In the ele-
mentary course.
A careful supervision Ia maintained over
the work that the students do in the classes
and at the first sign Of fatigue the girls are
told to rest. As a matter Of fact, the work
Is 30 planned that the girls are not likely
to be unduly distressed by the programme.
lQe RyI1tluBluIu NOlh at DlIlltn 70 IL LAC BO
of a staff of four women. Mss Senda
Berenson ia at the head. Louise Webster
Rossiter is the chief instructor and there
are as assistants Elizabeth Berenson and
Bessie Fearey. Miss Berenson herself has
been at Smith College since 1892.
She came to Smith the year that she was
graduated from the Boston Normal School
Of Gymnastics. She came to substitute for
a couple Of weeks for the instructor at that
time, who happened to be i'll. The woman
whose place she was taking did not improve
in health and at length 1t was decided to
offer Miss Berenson the place as q perma-
nent affair.
Thus the stay planned originally for two
weeks lasted. out until it is fourteen years
at the present time. When Miss Berenson
frst took charge the gymnasium was still
modelled along old-fashioned lines. There
has been a system Of physical education for
about thirty years, with the old ideas Of
%backboards and calisthenios that obtained
at one time for women.
Miss Berenson changed all this and a
hard task it was at first getting the girls
interested In the newer line of work. But
as the succeeding freshman classes became
educated along the new lines it was easier
and now everything runs smoothly.
The gymnasium at that time was a little
building which now Is used as a sort Of
auxiliary gymnasium. There being 1900
Rirls In the college 1t Ia a hard task to keep
an the glasses going; 30 much 30 that the
present big gymnasium building. given
by the diunrBe 10 open from . COO In
the morning until 10 O'Clock ~ night.