PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND EXERCISE. 763 



best calculated to serve the pur}30ses of rest and recreation in 

 school. [Here the children gave an exhibition of " free 

 exercises"]. 



It is impossible to over-rate the advantages to be gained by 

 a systematic course of physical instruction, its result being, if 

 ])ropei"ly carried out, not only to make children generally 

 healthy and well developed, but to counteract any hereditary 

 ])redisposition to disease which may be present, and this is 

 most observable in the etiect of those exercises specially 

 designed for the expansion of the chest and shoulders. 



Four, five, and six inches of increased chest measurement 

 are often thus gained, and one pupil at the "ladies" 

 gymnasium in Melbourne gained seven inches in six months. 

 [Here the children gave an example of chest expansion 

 movements]. 



It is frequently objected that children get sufficient exercise 

 in out-of-door games and walking ; but, while fully admitting 

 the advantages of recreation pure and simple, and desiring 

 that for girls especially more healthful and active games 

 should be encouraged, I must draw attention to the fact that 

 it is usually the healthy and strong children only who engage 

 in active games and amusements. The object of physical 

 education being hygienic, and not merely to promote athletic 

 skill, we require as a supplement to games an organised 

 system of exercises to be carried on simultaneously with the 

 intellectual education of every child. 



Open air exercise divides itself into three principal kinds — 

 exercise which brings into nearly equal action all the muscles 

 of the body — such as swimming. Exercise that gives con- 

 sidei'able employment to the upjier as well as the lower 

 extremities — such are tennis, rowing, and cricket. Exercise 

 which is chiefly performed by the lower limbs and trunk, and 

 in which the muscles of the upper limbs are only auxiliary — 

 such are riding and walking. 



Swimming is perhaps the most valuable of all forms of 

 exertion, as it brings every muscle into play, expands the 

 chest, and in particular strengthens the back. In reference 

 to swimming, Mr. George AVhite says : — 



" Its value as a subject of school instruction, and as a part 

 of physical education, apart from the skill and bodily 

 dexterity which it involves and the material advantage 

 resulting therefrom, seems to me to be immeasurable. It 

 affords a kind of counterpart of jihysical education on land, 

 and no child can be said to have a complete physical education 



