HOMELY GYMNASTICS. 525 



by tlie physically idle, and if strength of body is our aim, a be- 

 ginning must be made somewhere in its training. Does it not 

 savor, however, of absurdity that the girls, who not long since 

 were frowned upon for being " tom-boys " — i. e., using their mus- 

 cles in running and jumping — and afterward were cautioned 

 against running up and down stairs or taking long walks, should 

 be suddenly precipitated upon parallel bars and turning poles, 

 where there is emulation and a slight danger of overdoing ? 

 Very far am I from believing in any inherent physical frailty of 

 women, or that it is not good for a girl to turn a somersault or 

 learn hand over hand. It is the inconsistency of such philosophy 

 that calls for comment. 



Unquestionably the best exercise is that taken in the open air ; 

 and rowing, running, walking, skating, horseback-riding, have 

 forever the advantage over indoor training, in that they oxidize 

 the blood as well as develop muscle. Gymnastics, on the other 

 hand, has two special claims — economy of time and defiance of 

 weather. But it is not only to the gymnasiums, equipped with 

 apparatus and superintended by doctor or professor, that we need 

 betake ourselves if muscular development is our object. These 

 are attractive, and have advocates enough. Within our doors 

 there is a despised sort of gymnastics which has few scholars, 

 fewer teachers, and stands in great need of intelligent attention. 

 The evangel of cookery has been preached to us from all quarters, 

 but what missionary has been bold enough to proclaim the use 

 and dignity of house-work ? 



" Nothing menial for me ! " cries the ignorant woman ; while 

 her more intellectual sister exclaims, " Oh, I feel above such 

 drudgery ! " Alas ! to what giddy heights must those minds be 

 elevated which do not see the necessity nor compensation of mus- 

 cular work ! Mr. Gladstone can find refreshment for his brain in 

 chopping trees, and an eminent jurist of the United States in vig- 

 orously plying the saw ; but there are women so highly refined 

 that they can no longer employ their muscles for any useful 

 purpose. 



In the pretty allegory of Homely and Comely, Moncure D. 

 Conway contrasts for us two common mistakes, neglect of house- 

 work and exclusive devotion to it, but shows also a health and 

 beauty balance on the side of Homely. 



That there is not much sanitary or strengthening influence in 

 the operation of dusting is evident ; and yet many women, dis- 

 daining heavier work, reserve this domestic duty for themselves 

 and waste much time upon it. Muscular motion is of little value 

 unless vigorous and swift. The slow walk and loitering move- 

 ment do not rouse the blood from its torpidity. The lowliest 

 labor when zealously performed may be followed by an unex- 



