The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-02

patients, and many physicians appreciate their value" T read somewhere recently that in Ber- lin there are 300 gymnasiums for women," I suggested
 While in Birmingham there are not over a half dozen," said the director.
 And yet the German womans figure can't compare with the American wom- ans. I declared, loyal to my country's women always.
 That is because of their diet and the amount of beer they consume" laughingly suggested Peggy. Just at this point the class of 70 was lined up, making an attractive picture in their dark blue "bloomers,'' blue silk stockings and white walsts-with big sail or collars.
 The first thing that was done was the American school dances" These are the Gilbert adaptations and include the Butterfly Dance," Bean Porridge," Board Walk" and a number of others.
 The most attractive feature of the pro- gramme was the Irish Lilt," an adapta- tion by MT. J. Edward Miles, which is extremely clever and graceful, and shows that his art is of a high order and well delineated.
 Tn, balance board" drill was then done, and elicited our admiration, for we couldn't see for the life of us how the women balanced and posed and ca vorted about like an amateur Pavolowa
  cause we could recall how hard 1t was in days gone by when we were little bit ties" and lived in the country and used to go to 'crack walkings," and ybu just know that that is the hardest thing that anybody ever tried to do.
 "How few fat women there are in your classes, said Peggy, as she took in the situation. 'I should think they would be the very ones who would come regularly"
 "Oh, we have plenty of fat pupils" laughingly replied the director. "only they won't come out on exhibition days"
 "Stjngy," said Peggy, with mischiev- ous twinkle.
 'T suppose the exercise can be over dOn6, 1 remarked.
 "Oh, very decidedly" said MT. Miles "In fact. that is the reason that gymnas- ium work should never be carried on except under competent instructor"
 At word from the director the basket ball game commenced and enlisted the interest of the audience for some time. Peggy, observing the violent exercise it occasioned, remarked: Ut must take a wonderfully s-rpng woman to play basketball"
 "It is an exercise that is very injurious unless done properly, but I never have had a pupil yet who didn't like it," said MT. Miles.
 | We looked at the "bloomered" young women before us and Pggy, who has a | way of getting her head set on one idea | and never leaving it until she is entire- ly convinced, said. "It is the most curious 1 thing"
 "What?" I asked. I "They are all so slim and svelte and graceful and there's not a fat woman in the crowd she said.
 "Fat women will not exercise and diet and so there you are,' said the director. T know that, because I begged one of my fat chums to come here and she refused, giving as an excuse that she was ashaniAd to be seen in gym suit, l said Peggy.
 l Presently the class was again ready for | one of their drills and they looked as vigorous as young goddesses and quite as handsome.
 | "rhey don't need any 'first-aids-to- | beauty do they?" muttered Peggy as we l got ready to leave. 'I think I could manage to come two mornings out of the week." I said
 Well, I suppose I ought to-, sighed Peggy, flor have gained two pounds l in the last month, and it's time I was doing something to reduce and not turn | entirely to fat"