The Washington herald., 1908-01-19
THIS COLLEGE IN A WINDMILL
A Unique Institution in England
School Of Physical Culture.
Retired Army Surgeon Establishes
His Educational Center In oldest
Kind of Home.

Any one strolling through the old-fash-
iOned town Of DuHmow will catch
glimpse in the distance OF a windmill
from which the yanes have been removed.
rising, a picturesque landmark, among the
meadows. says the London Chronicle.
The mill bears the name Of "Thelema"
in large letters. and beneath is the Latin
inscription. "Qui non laborat non man
ducet"
1t is this windmill that Or. c. II Doug
las, who lives in the pretty cottage close
by. has fitted up 10 serve as a school Of
Physical Culture by Cultivation and Of
Cottage Economy" All the rooms IN the
windmill are round in shape: ,he lowest
and largest WIll be arranged as a sitting
room, while the upper ones will serve as
bedrooms. The resident on the top story.
while naturally having the smallest room.
VIII enjoy the privilege Of being able 20
climb by O breakneck ladder onto the
platform whence the vaues used 10 be
worked. where he will have a delightful
view Of the surrounding country.
Or. Douglas, who is a retired army sur
geon, has had ten years farming expert
ence in Canada. and is now cultivating
the small holding that surrounds the MILL
so that his pupils Will have the advantage
Of learning fin the most practical manner
possible small cultivation and the care Of
small stock.
This idea Of mine is no new one IN
America" said Or. Douglas to a Chron-
icle representative: there the value Of
the land as an educational factor and as
a means for the physical training and de-
vel0pment OF children has long been rec
ognized I'm England land has always
been treated too much as an exclusive
possession.
"Of course, some schools have school
gardens, but they are often little more
than a 'sideshow;' they should take far
more prominent place IN the training Of
the children. Ny idea in this scheme Of
mine Is TO help g. create the teachers"
Il is on the physical value Of country
life and work that DR. Douglas lays
special stress. He regards II as far more
beneficial than the games and athletics. on
which so much stress is laid at the pres
ent time
The physical well being Of the children
IS the first thing 20 be considered" said
Dr. Douglas; eve are just beginning 10
see that * is not much use trying 10
cram things into chiIdren's brains when
their bodies JTe starved. The first need
is 20 make Children healthy young ami
mails and for this there IS nothing Ike
work on the land.
IN athletics a man often trains his
muscles at the expense OF his vital pow
ers-of his lungs or his heart. Many an
athlete If set 10 dig by the side Of labor
eT would be beaten easily.
In country work il IS the open afr that
is beneficial, and the slow, gradual nature
OF the eXertlun that trains q mans vital
powers and develops his hsrdihood in a
way short and violent spurts Of exercise
can never do.
Then, Of course, in the country the
powers Of observation can be developed
while BY the care Of animals important
moral training can be given iu kindness
and gentleness.'
So Dr. Douglas hopes that his scheme
may attract school teachers and others
interested in the physical training for
youth and who wish to acquire a prac-
teal acquaintance with agricultural work
Another hope Of his is that he may en-
list as pupils men who are preparing for
holy orders and who are likely to be
taking up country curacies or Iiviugs
To them he thinks some practical agri-
cultural knowledge would be of great
service, since the old-fashioned type Of
parson who farmed his own glebe has
yirfuq liV hacOOa extinct