wooden ladders in different ways. The single rope, without knots is more laborious than any of the exercises yet named. Exercises may be diversified with poles, masts, ladders, ropes; but when the least giddiness is felt, a child must not climb to the top.

The exercises of the trapezium were introduced into gymnastics by Clias. Although this celebrated gymnasiarch had proclaimed it the best of his inventions, we may say that it is but a variety of the exercise of hanging by the hands, and it is found of great use.

The exercises here described were all made in what was called the portique among the ancients. The portique was in reality the reunion of all the best means of useful and inoffensive gymnastics; ladders of different kinds, ropes, knots, masts, poles; and many of the exercises of the portique are equally adapted for girls, in order to prevent accidents, which may occur in every-day life. Where is the lady who, in going from one boat to another, may not have to climb up a ladder? It is a useful exercise, and one we strongly recommend. It is difficult to find a gymnastic machine more useful than a portique; its form, the diversity of the instruments, the variety of exercises, are of the greatest utility. Colonel Amoros has introduced another machine in the gymnasia, offering all the advantages of the portiques, but not at all adapted for young ladies.

Wrestling.

In all the preceding exercises, children exercise their muscles on inanimate objects, the resisting power of which is all the same; but as progress is made, the strength should be tried with animated beings. Wrestling and equitation resume most of the exercises already described; and when children can walk steadily, and the equilibrium is well maintained, they may then wrestle without fear. Take two children of the same age, and of an equal degree of strength; the one not accustomed to exercise, the other having followed a course of gymnastics, and it will soon be evident which of the two combatants has the advantage. No animosity nor jealousy should be allowed to exist, and wrestling should only take place between boys of the same physical powers.

"One of the advantages of wrestling," says M. Amoros, "is the exercise given to the whole body; there is pressure, impulsion, repulsion, suspension, so that all the muscles of the body are exercised in wrestling.

Throwing,

Is an exercise which strengthens the hands, the arms, the shoulders, and pectoral mus

cles: when combined with aiming at a mark, it exercises the eye. The ancients were much accustomed to throw darts; it was a part of military education: the bow and arrow were also much used, and promoted as an amusement; the skittles or nine pins, have been substituted for the discus, and shooting for throwing darts; but shooting requires few muscular movements, and does not contribute to strengthen the body, but to exercise the eye.

Slinging, or casting stones with a sling is a dangerous game, and should be prohibited in all schools. There is no objection to the game of quoits.

Hand ball or palm play is free from danger, and may be of use to give agility to the body, and quickness to the eye; the balloon or wind ball is still more simple, and suited to both sexes : there are different plays with balls all having the same result or tendency; they may be useful, but having no regulation, they do not contribute to the regular development of the body.

Dancing is one of the most useful exercises of the body; we shall speak of it in the gymnastics of young ladies.

Fencing is an exercise that may be useful not only to develop the muscles of the body and increase the strength, but to teach man to protect himself when attacked; fencing should form part of a well directed education.

When boys have followed the exercises in which they may with skill avoid every danger, it will then be desirable for them to go to a ridingschool, and thus have an opportunity of repeating all they have previously learnt; jumping, climbing, opposing the power of the muscles to the resistance of the horse, by keeping in the rein; in short, riding shews the awkwardness of a bad education, or the pliancy of a well bred gentleman.

Rowing a boat is one of the best exercises for strengthening the muscles of the body, and this knowledge is always desirable for the inhabitants of an island. There is at Eton College an annual boat race or regatta; if this custom be well directed, it will be found an excellent gymnastic exercise.

Natation.

“When an individual has apparently lost his life by drowning, says Salzman, "we think highly of his restoration, and not without reason.

"Institutions for the recovery of such of our unfortunate fellow-creatures are established in various places, and instructions for the purpose are liberally dispersed. Let us then act consistently. Surely to secure the health of millions is of far greater importance, than to recall to life a few individuals.

"For my part, I consider the cold bath as an essential object in a good physical education, and a bathing place, as an indispensable appendage to a public school. A particular building, for the purpose, however, is unnecessary; a safe, retired spot appears to me sufficient. Were

children permitted to bathe in such a place, under proper inspection, they would have no temptation to evade the father's eye, and fill the mother's heart with alarm. How many promising youths are annually lost to their country, merely from the want of such institutions!

“No doubt I shall have many ready to start objections here; such as, bathing is not every where practicable, because water is wanting: who will take upon himself the charge of superintendance? who will defray the expense of bathing dresses? These and similar objections only show, that men do not take up the matter in earnest, and consider education, properly so called, as far as tuition is out of the question, with an indifference little to their honour.

"The advantage which youth would derive from the cold bath, is not difficult to comprehend. I say expressly the cold bath: I would not employ for the purpose the water warmed by the sun of a summer afternoon, but the much cooler stream of the early morning. This braces every muscle, and every nerve; imparts to the body a powerful capacity of supporting cold; steels the skin, on the tensity or laxness of which so much