Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1913-03-14
TYPICAL FORMS OF
PHYSICAL TRAINING
Numerous Theories and Inventors
But Five Basic Principles.
GENERAL FEATURES OF S TYPES.
Derived From Grecian Usage Agonistic
Gymaastic and Athletic the
General Features.

Of these sports end exercises We're
developed the physical training Of
the young page and squire and the
chivairic tournaments and lousts 70
which the knights Of Italy, Germany
and England We're devoted. The
training and these contests were part
ly agonistic and partly athletic In
their nature. The principal sports
were archery. casting the bar and
iavelin and engaging in Jousts.
All the sports or games were OF
heavy nature; men c0ntesting ia
the various game in full armor.
Boucicat, a famous French Medlae-
val champion, could, we are told,
ascend and descend ladders, using
his hands alone, while in full armor.
The physical training Of the page
l-and squire was chiefly directed 10
making him a good horseman, and
to rendering him skillful in the use of
the sword, lance and maule, while IN
the saddle, and the newly dubbed
knight must be able to leap into the
saddle in full armor. The aspirant to
knighthood practieed with his sword
at posts and the Saracon's head, and
learned lancemanship by fitting at the
ring and quintain, beyond these ne
had little use for apparatus.
Unlike the Greek system, the
Mediaeval stood for heavy work,
strength tests instead of grace, speed
and agility. 1t smacks Of the tim IS
and bears the ear-marks of the war;
like age when Drawn and sinew were
more valuable than grace and brains.
About the only thing remaining to-
day, even as a suggestion of the
medieval system, is the wooden
horse, so popular everywhere among
heavy gymnasts. Beyond this it has
left nothing. 1t has left no indelli-
Bile trace or influence. The Mediae
val system was system evolved by
the times and as such was of no Tur-
pose after life's exigencies 70 longer
demanded it.
The British Systematic British
system of physical training resembles
the Grecian and the Mediaeval in that
it is a natural growth. 1t has been
devised chiefly for sports and social
intercourse and not for remedial or
pc lagogical ends. British sports re-
fleet more fully, perhaps, than any
modern system of physical training,
the national spirit of their devotees.
In them we find clearly mIrrored GER
tain traits of British character, such
a marked sltruism, ruled by tradition
and ancient custom, a dislike of theo-
retical aims; liking for strenuous
eXertion and violent methods, mark
ed tendency to contentiousness, and
a preference for what is concrete and
resistant. They are the necessary,
inherited pastimes OF manly, vigor-
Gus, self-reliant ana self-sufficient
folk, and have never fully outgrown
or lost their primitive characteristics.
They have been followed largely for
their own sake and have suffered but
slight modification thru the efforts of
inn waiting educators and thinkers.
Such notifications as have been inevi-
ia Bile are due mostly to efforts to
make them more social and general 10
short more truly popular. La
The widespread and universal inter
est in athletics in England is due { o
the fact that their system stands not
for heavy indoor gymnastics, but for
out-of-d door athletics. This idea is
not only extremely beneficial from the
health obtaining standpoint but is
conducive of a greater national feel
ing and enthusiasm. More people can
witness and hence take part in and
support athletics. There is nothing
so pleasing TO people as to think that
they are contributing their share-ad
communum bonum.
The British system is athletic in its
intent aud purposes Riding, rugby,
rowing, cricket, running and swim
ming are the most prominent forms
of exercise. The national motto is
Muscular activity is more conducive
to comfort than is qui sscence or loaf
iny." Force of public opinion gem
orally, and often the rules of the
school, oblige the English boy to take
part in the school games. Owing to
the combined influence of tradition,
public opinion and the peculiar or
ganization and government of the
school and university which set the
tone In the athletic world; British in
terest in British SPORTS, by reason of
its universally, intensity and intelli-
gence, stands alone.
Every Britisher has engaged or doe
eng age in one or more of the three
great British games rugby, cricket
and rowing. The wealthy classes
contribute untold sums in order that
the sons of toll, as we'll as them
selves, might have Fairgrounds,
swimming baths and gymnasia. The
British system stands for strength and
endurance, rather than skill and ad-
dress. British sports are eminently
social and are marked less by indi-
vidualism and class distinction than
those of any other nation.