The Washington herald., 1910-06-19

demand for knowledge that the Turner's
started a course OF instruction for teach
eTs In New York as early as 1866, aIs1 IN
1874 they established q large physical
culture normal school in Milwaukee
The Y. n. c. A. opened a training school
for physical instructors at Springfield, in
1887 and there are gymnastic normal
schools at New York, Boston, Chautau-
qua. and other places. In the American
kindergartens, primary schools, high
schools, colleges, and universities. the
training OF the body keeps pace with the
mental and moral education of the
children and the young men and women
Of the nation.
A striking illustration Of what gymnas-
tics can accomplish among the young IS
furnished by the athletic league OF the
New York public schools, established in
1903 OF which Col Roosevelt is honor
airy vice president The teachers finding
many OF their 600.000 pupils unruly, the
athletic league idea was suggested 10
help them and carried out with the as
sistance Of funds furnished by Carnegie,
Morgan. and other prominent people. A
system of prizes and honor buttons was
established. the rule being that no boy
or girl could compete who failed 70 90
well in the class room. The scheme
worked like magic. Teachers are SAID
to have little trouble now, cigarette
smoking IS a thing of the past, and the
children are much improved generally.
There are frequent baseball games,
races. shooting matches, dances and
other physical contests. The movement
has led TO the establishment OF four mu-
nfcipaI athletic fields at cost Of S4Oo,O60.
II is a welI-known historical fact that
Peter Jefferson, the father of Thomas
Jefferson, was a giant in stature ana
strength It is said of him that he could
lift from their sides TO an upright posi-
ton two hogsheads of tobacco at once
each a thousand pounds weight. Wash
ington was a powerful man and the
power Of has arm was displayed in sew
eral memorable instances; in his throw
ing a stone from the bed of the stream
to the top of the Natural Bridge, another
across the Rappahannock at Fredericks-
burg. Numbers have since tried this
feat but none have cleared the water
OF a remarkable Thracian athlete, Ess-
tory records that the Emperor Severus
halted In Thraee 10 celebrate. with milf
tary games, the birthday Of his younger
son, Geta.
The country Aocked in crowds TO be-
hold their sovereign, and young par
barian Of gigantic stature earnestly So
lcited, IN his rude dialect, that he might
be allowed to contend for the prize OF
wrestling. He was matched with the
stOutest followers of the camp, sixteen
of whom he laid successfully on the
ground His victory was rewarded by
some trifiing gifts and a permission 10
enlist In the troops. AS soon as he per-
ceiyed that he had attracted the En-
peror's notice. he instantly ran up 20
his horse. and followed him on foot,
without the least appearance of fatigue,
in a long and rapid career. 'Thracian,'
said SeVerus. with establishment. art
thou disposed to wrestle after thy racer
Most willingly, sir" replied the I'M
wearied youth; and, almost in breath.
overthrew seven Of the strongest soldiers
in the army. gold collar was the prize
Of his matchless vigor and activity, and
he was Immediately appointed to serve
in the horse guards. who always attended
on the person Of the sovereign.
Henry II Of France was a royal attn
lete. He assembled the throne in the
twenty-ninth year of his age. His sole
accomplishment consisted in a remark
able expertness In bodily exercises. By
the constant practice of wrestling, box
ing. launching the javelin. running. and
swimming, the Roman youth were Injured
from their cradle to that species of life
which a soldier leads in the moss active
campaign IN the field. They were accus-
toned to the military pace; that is. to
walk twenty miles, and sometimes
twenty-four in four hours. During these
marches they carried burdens OF sixty
pounds weight: and the weapons with
which they were armed were double the
weight OF those which were used In the
actual field of battle
Sparta IS known in history for its
strong and intrepid men and warriors.
Among the principal objects of the in
stitutions of Lycurgus. the education OF
the youth OF the republic was that on
when the legislator had bestowed the
most particular attention. Children, az
ter they had attained the age of seven,
were no longer the charge of their par
ents, but of the state. Before that period
they were taught at home the great les
sons Of obedience and frugaHty After
ward, under public masters, they were
taught to despise equally danger ana