YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION GYMNASIA. GENERAL CHARACTER. As a class, the gymnasia belonging to the Young Men's Christian Associations are better furnished and officered than those belonging to the two classes of schools above mentioned. Since 1869, when the New York Young Men's Christian Association opened a gymnasium in its new building, "physical culture" has been a prominent feature in Association work. The Young Men's Christian Association Year Book for 1884, p. 141, states that "83 associations report attention to physical culture; 68 of these through gymnasia and 23 through other means, including base ball, rambling, rowing, and swimming clubs, bowling alleys, health lifts, and classes in calisthenics." Since this statement applies to the United States and Canada, and only two of the Canadian associations report gymnasia, 66 appears to be the correct number for the United States, or rather 67, since the Boston Young Men's Christian Union Gymnasium properly belongs in this category, even though its managers and patrons represent a different type of theology from that of the affiliated associations. In the days of primitive Christianity "gymnastical sports and exercises" were classed with the "madness of the theater, huntings, and horse-racings," and those addicted to them were required either to leave them off or be rejected from baptism." Superintendents of gymnasia probably correspond as closely as any class of modern men to the ancient "curators of the common games and practicers in the Olympic games," who, with "charioteers, gladiators, minstrels, harpers, dancers, and vintners," were commanded by the apostolic constitutions either to quit such callings or be rejected from baptism. The gymnasia of the Young Men's Christian Associations in the following named cities have their own salaried superintendents, as is shown by the published lists of officers: Baltimore, Md.; Boston, Mass.; Brooklyn, N. Y.; Buffalo, N. Y.; Chicago, Ill.; Cleveland, Ohio; Indianapolis, Ind.; Newark, N. J.; Newburyport, Mass.; New York, N. Y.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Pittsburg, Pa.; Providence, R. I.; San Francisco, Cal., and Washington, D. C. The Young Men's Christian Association gymnasia, as a class, do not compare favorably with college gymnasia, and chiefly so because they are placed in an out-of the-way corner of the building, and are ill ventilated and poorly lighted. This criticism does not apply to all of them; but in too many cases the gymnasium, even in imposing and commodious Young Men's Christian Association buildings, is placed at or below the level of the ground. The Brooklyn association is to be commended for its plan of erecting a gymnasium annex, which is now building at an estimated cost of between $90,000 and $100,000. It is the intention of the projectors of this Brooklyn gymnasium to make it the best of its class. BOSTON YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN UNION GYMNASIUM. At present the best specimens of the type are those of the Boston Young Men's Christian Association and the Boston Young Men's Christian Union. The Union gymnasium is on the whole the more worthy of the two of imitation, since it contains a large number of the Sargent developing appliances, and is under the medical direction of Dr. Sargent himself. The following extracts from a recent circular indicate what are the distinctive features of this gymnasium: The Union gymnasium is 136 feet long, 22 feet high, and has a floor space of 6,200 square feet, exclusive of dressing and bath rooms. The room is well lighted on every side, thoroughly ventilated, has indirect steam beat, and the exercising floor is above the street level. The dressing rooms are large and spacious, and contain over 900 lockers. The bathing facilities are ample, there being 13 sponge-bath rooms, 8 bowls, 3 tubs, and 1 shower room. A running track has been arranged on the main floor with a course of 26 laps to a mile, unobstructed by apparatus, and open to runners at all times during gymnasium hours. The management aim to make the gymnasium beneficial to all ages and to all conditions. By the use of the adjustable weights and appliances, the exercises can be adapted to the "strength of the strong and the weakness of the weak.” Dr. Sargent will examine those who desire it, and make out a book with specific directions for exercise, diet, sleep, bathing, etc., based upon the data ascertained from the examination. Each book is furnished with a blank form; and those who wish may have their measurements entered, and their condition compared with the average man of the same age, weight, etc. Terms, including the Union membership (one dollar), and entitling to all its privileges: For one year, entitling to use of gymnasium, after 7 P.M., and on holidays For one year, entitling to use of gymnasium at all times when open $5.00 8. 00 50 There is no extra charge for consultation with, and examination by, Dr. Sargent, instruction, use of baths and dressing closets in the large dressing rooms. Dr. Sargent will give during the fall and winter season a course of practical talks on "the theories and principles of physical training.". The gymnasium is open from 8 A.M. to 9.45 P.M. THE BROOKLYN YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION GYMNASIUM. This gymnasium, the best of its class, is now (1885) in course of con. struction. It constitutes a separate building in the nature of an annex to the Young Men's Christian Association building, whose entrance is on Bond street. The gymnasium building, which is 100 feet deep, has a frontage on Hanover place of 60 feet. The structure, which was |