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<br />incidental harm ? Some considerable muscular exertion is
<br />needed, in order that the few minutes devoted to this ob-
<br />ject may be sufficient to counteract the effect of confine-
<br />ment to close air, to one position, and, above all, to pretty
<br />severe intellectual exertion. The scholars may be simply
<br />let out to play, run, and shout, according to their own incli-
<br />nation. This has been the more common method hitherto,
<br />and is far better than nothing ; but no one is ignorant of
<br />the drawbacks ; that such play is often rude and boisterous,
<br />too violent for the best results, and, what is more impor-
<br />tant, that it does not secure any exercise for all, and as a
<br />uniform thing. In unfavorable weather, many will not, and
<br />ought not to, go out at all. In the best weather, some of
<br />both sexes, and of those who need the exercise most, a
<br />large part are disinclined to join in rough, irregular play.
<br />In cold weather, many, if left to themselves, will rather
<br />keep around the fire than take any kind of exercise ; a
<br />practice that is positively bad, though perhaps less so than
<br />to suffer severely from cold feet or from general chilliness.
<br />In view of these considerations, see what is gained by the
<br />gymnastics. All the scholars are engaged in them. The
<br />room is set open, so that all gain the great advantage of
<br />fresh air, not only for the time, but after study begins
<br />again. They go through exercises that are severe enough
<br />to try the muscles, to quicken respiration, circulation, and
<br />transpiration, and secure a general glow of warmth ; that
<br />are so orderly and otherwise attractive as to be a real plea-
<br />sure to a very large proportion of those engaged ; that
<br />incidentally create the habit of attention to the word of
<br />command, and of moving in exact time ; and yet, while
<br />they do all this, do not produce in any the violent heat and
<br />exhaustion, with which, in the old way, scholars often re-
<br />turned from their out-of-door play, unfitted, for a length of
<br />time, for any mental exertion. These good results are not
<br />all ; are, in fact, rather incidental to the chief end aimed at.
<br />The system of muscular exercise which is partly carried
<br />out in these performances at the High School has been
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<br />carefully and scientifically devised to secure the most com-
<br />plete exertion of all the muscles, giving a predominant
<br />share of attention to those that are more nearly related to
<br />the motions of respiration, and is thus specially adapted
<br />to counteract the tendency to contracted chests and dis-
<br />eased lungs ; which is the commonest form of imperfect
<br />vitality among us. It is not as mere amusement these
<br />exercises are introduced ; though, if it were, that would be
<br />no reason to condemn them ; for we need amusement, old
<br />and young, as truly as we do food and drink : but, in a way
<br />which partakes of the character of amusement, they are
<br />intended to secure well-developed muscles, erect forms,
<br />healthy lungs, and, in a word, sound minds in healthy
<br />bodies.
<br />There is no reason for confining these exercises to the
<br />High School : they are equally well adapted for all schools.
<br />The apparatus is not indispensable. Especially for little
<br />children, the motions of the hands, arms, and feet, are suffi-
<br />cient. They have been used with success, during the past
<br />year, in the Adams Primary School. No better plan could
<br />be adopted, by one having the charge of a school of little
<br />children, than to cause them, several times each half-day,
<br />to rise all together, and go through a series of these move-
<br />ments. It would relieve the restlessness which childhood
<br />cannot but feel, when kept for a long time in a position so
<br />contrary to its natural disposition as that of the school-
<br />room, and which is often punished as a fault, when the
<br />absence of it would only indicate a low state of health, and
<br />be a subject of well-grounded anxiety. We should be glad
<br />to see these exercises introduced into all our schools.
<br />Those who witnessed the gymnastics must have felt how
<br />much of the charm of perfect order and time depended on
<br />the music of the piano. A still deeper impression, we
<br />think, must have been produced by the sweet singing, in
<br />which the pupils were aided by the same delightful accom-
<br />paniment. We think it right to mention, with the expres-
<br />sion of our gratitude, the service rendered by Miss DAMON,
<br />
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