150 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



hygienic, reasons, I believe that we owe it to our girls to allow no 

 others to interfere with its introduction. It is already used ex- 

 tensively in some of our largest cities, while in Engliand it is 

 popular with many whose word is fashion's law. It can not be 

 contended that it is essentially unwomanly. It is only at present, 

 in cities like New York, unusual, peculiar, and therefore unfash- 

 ionable. In the interests of sound health and physical recreation 

 for the city girl the social objection may well be set aside, with 

 the expectation that the introduction of the wheel for women will 

 be followed by the best of results. 



But with tennis practicable only in the spring and autumn, 

 and cycling still a matter of the future, athletics for our city girls 

 would seem to be narrowed to slender resources. What means 

 can they employ during the long winter months for keeping mus- 

 cle, nerve, and brain in good physical order ? The well-ordered, 

 properly equipped gymnasium would appear to be the only prac- 

 ticable substitute in the winter months for the invigorating sports 

 possible only to the favored few, or necessarily limited to the 

 summer season. In such a gymnasium some definite system is 

 important. Whether it shall be Swedish or German, class work 

 or individual practice, will be a question to be decided separately 

 for each place. A good teacher can arouse interest with or with- 

 out apparatus, in classes or individualizing her work, as required. 

 The requirements for the building itself are abundance of fresh 

 air and sunshine, space, and exacting cleanliness. A physician 

 should direct the work of each pupil, endeavoring by special pre- 

 scription to overcome existing deficiencies, to stimulate the will 

 and energy in the sluggish, and to limit nervous expenditure in 

 those of a nervous temperament. 



A young girl entering such an institution will have every safe- 

 guard against harm thrown around her. Her age, strength, pre- 

 vious and Y)resent health will be inquired into, and heart and 

 lungs tested to ascertain their soundness for exertion. Any lack 

 of symmetry, as shown in the condition of the spine, shoulders, 

 or chest, will be noted. Her inspiratory power and muscular 

 strength will be recorded, and the individual equation will have 

 due weight. She will be placed in a class where the general aver- 

 age of strength is equal to hers, but she will be advised to avoid 

 or increase certain exercises, according to her personal needs, and 

 to report to the director at certain intervals for further advice. 



Is there any place where the quantity and quality of a girl's 

 exercise is as carefully supervised as in this ideal gymnasium ? 

 In such an institution the system is a progressive one, and in the 

 hands of a good instructor always remains interesting. By easy 

 steps the pupils are led from simple to intricate exercises, reach- 

 ing the most advanced work in the course of two years' training. 



