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The second main fortu of physical culture for thc young is the prosecution uf a system of homo gymnastics dealing with thc vital organs of fhe body, and it tnust bc a łask of thc school to make the childrcn entrusted to its carc slolful tn the same and to urge them to the cxcr< ise of it.
The system must be so compiled that its use shall—iti so far as it lies within human power guarantec tlie rnaintenance of healtli and act as a safeguard against the majority of illncsses. The cxcrrises, therefore, must principally and particularly havc as object the promo-tion of tłie proper functional activity of tlie respiratory organs, tlić circulation, the skin, and thc organs of digestion. A satisfactory developrnent of the muscular system will result as a matter of course.
This ideał system must be indissolubly connected with a daily batli, and self-inassagc, but bcyond that should requirc tlo apparatus what-soever. Above all, it should be a system which the pupils can carry out in wlnttsoecer eonditions they may eneounter in after-life. The pupils must not only learn thc exercises thcmselves in school ; it must he impressed upon them that this little system must form and always remain a part of their morning (or ecening) toilet. It must be capable of being performed with lilte benefit by the poorest as by the richest, by the weakhng as by the athletc, by young and old. girls and boys, men and women. Its perfoimancc should not require morę time than fifteen minutes daily, and, so as not to tax the memory, every single exercise must be such that it can be performed in exact repetition throughout Ufc. I.ikewise all thc exercises must be the same for all : but, that they may be suited to different indiciduals, accordmg to age. sex, or strength, rach single exercise must be arranged in a number of ditfcrcnt degrees of difficulty. i.e., easicr and morc dilTicult ways of being performed.
Public schools, grammar schools, and high schools, as well as council schools, would be in a position to develop in their pupils. to a much greater extent than is now the case, a sense of the importance of personal hygiene and the proper care of the body if through such a short system of home exercises—minę or some other combined daily with bath and rubbing, they accustom them to the comforts of cleanliness and properly cared-for bodies.
A scholar who bas had a physical education of this sork will really have brought out of his school experience something that will be of benefit to him through bis whole life. This is the morę desirable sińce the greater part of the physical and mental work of to-day is carned out under injunous external conditions. i am persuaded that the futurę will see my opinions put into practicc.
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Even if you are as fit and well as you think you can be, you onght all the same to accustom yotirself to a daily batli and all-round daily exercise. If you are really fortunate cnough to enjoy good hcalth, you ought to put yourself to this shght inconcenience in order to retain and tnerease the same, but it is only the first step that is possibly a trifie unpleasant. You will soon get so " addicted " to thcsc rejucenating few minutes that you would not be deprivcd of them at any price.
You ought to do it, not for your own sake only, but even morę for the sake of your descendants, that they may not degenerata through you.
tfow many childrcn uf hcalthy parents one sccs cumę from tlie