GYMNASTICS.

GYMNASTICS, a word having reference in its deriva

tion to the nude or seminude condition of the ancient gymnasts when under training, signifies, in its proper classical interpretation, an extended and systematic course of exercises employed for physical education and symmetrical development. The term in this work is applied only to exercises that are done by the aid of apparatus, all others more properly falling under the general title, CALISTHENICS.

It is our purpose in this treatise, as far as possible, to perfect athletic exercises, artfully bringing into play the greatest amount of mental activity combined with the most varied and approved processes of physical training, thus securing a superior fineness of organization, with the subtile qualities that accompany it,-grace, agility, suppleness, a good eye, and a ready hand,-as well as robust health, solid strength, and power of endurance.

As the explanations and directions in Calisthenics, from p. 118 to p. 154, and the various modes of marking time in connection with Movements, from p. 143 to p. 146, inclusive, apply with equal force to Gymnastics, the instructor will require students to secure a perfect mastery of them before proceeding further. The same Music will be employed in Gymnastics as in Calisthenics.

APPARATUS.

APPARATUS, such as is used in our modern gymna

siums, seems to have been almost wholly unknown. among the ancients. Holding as they did, especially in the Grecian States, that there could be no health of the mind. unless the body were cared for, and viewing exercise also as a powerful remedial agent in disease, they adopted the gymnasium as their school, making the public games and festivals its annual exhibitions. Gymnastics, instead of being made a mere appendage in their system of education, occupied a position certainly not inferior to Grammar, Music, Architecture, and Sculpture. The results were, "Living models of manliness, grace, and beauty," an equal development of the powers of the mind and of the body. If, however, with the discus, or quoit; the leaden dumb-bell; their games of ball; the sport called skaperda, in which a single rope drawn over a pulley was employed; and by running, leaping, wrestling, and boxing, such splendid results were secured, what ought we not reasonably to expect, having all the modern appliances of the gymnasium?

Parallel bars, both vertical and horizontal, vaulting-bars, Indian clubs, dumb-bells, peak-ladders, horizontal ladders, weights and pulleys, suspended rings, hand-rings, the wooden horse, the spring-board, the leaping-pole, the wand-in a word, every piece of gymnastic apparatus worthy of the name, probably has peculiar advantages, affording new positions from which interesting movements may be executed that bring into play, more vigorously than any thing else, certain classes of muscles. As, however, our gymnasiums are usually private, and only accessible to the few; and as it is better to know every thing with regard to the use of a few pieces of apparatus, than to know something of many, we have restricted ourselves to those only that are easily secured and cheap; that afford the most and best exercise in the shortest time; that may be used with equal facility under

cover, or in the open air; that may be employed by persons of all ages, either individually or in classes; and that insure geniality and generous emulation alike in the family, the school, and the gymnasium.

The apparatus is all made of wood. If not polished, it should be varnished with SHELLAC, at least three coats. It should be well rubbed with fine sandpaper, both after the first and the second coats of varnish are applied. Thus prepared, the more it is used, the smoother it becomes.

WANDS.

WANDS furnish such an extended course of beau

tiful and peculiarly effective exercises, that they may be regarded as almost indispensable in the formation of a system of physical training. Intelligently and ingeniously employed, they call into play, separately and in combination, all the muscles and joints.

Firm and uncompromising, the wand is only equaled by the Indian club in giving flexibility to the ligaments and muscles of the arms and shoulders. As a promoter of digestion and a curative for dyspepsia, it surpasses all other gymnastic apparatus.

It may be used by persons of all ages, and is alike accessible to the rich and the poor. Any straight, smooth stick of moderate size will answer. A staff from the commonest sapling becomes, in the hands of a gymnast, more potent than any magician's wand; the limbs of the beech, the birch, of nearly all of our forest trees, more precious than fabled boughs, heavy with their golden apples, fresh from the gardens of the Hesperides.

The form of the wand shown by the accompanying illustration is superior to all others. It has eight plane, equal faces, or sides. It is seven-eighths of an inch thick for men and women, and three-fourths for boys and girls. When held vertical by the side, it extends FIG. 2.

from the floor to the lobe of the ear, as in Fig. 7. It should be exactly of this length, as some of the most valuable movements can not be executed with a shorter one.

Any hard, well-seasoned wood will answer for a wand. The best material is white ash.

Though metallic balls at the end of wands may be dispensed with, and should be, for children, they add greatly to the precision and effectiveness of the exercise. These balls differ in size and weight. They should not generally weigh more than three pounds each for strong men. The size better adapted to ordinary purposes than any other, is one inch and a half in diameter, with a hole through the center of the ball of five-eighths of an inch in diameter, in which the well-fitted end of the wand is inserted and securely wedged.

The best balls are cast of iron. They should be japanned, at least three coats, and well baked.

Some of the wand movements are rendered more difficult by seizing the wand near the ends, and others by drawing the hands in so that they are but a few inches from the

center.

DUMB-BELLS.

DUMB-BELLS, all things considered, are incomparably

superior, as a means of physical culture, to any other article of gymnastic apparatus. With a single pair, a man may exercise every muscle and joint of his body in half an hour, if he has sufficient ingenuity in positions and movements. In his hands, as by magic, they undergo a constant change-at one moment, what they appear to be; at the next, a pair of Indian clubs, gymnastic rings, parallel bars, a wand, a foil,-in short, the entire apparatus of the gymnasium, though occupying but little space either at rest or in motion.

The dumb-bell is available at all seasons and in all places, affording the most pleasing, varied, and concentrated of all the athletic exercises, both for single and combined movements, individuals and classes.