ARGICS. 539 



but one which should be practised only on ice that is known to be 

 firm and continuous. Running, which may be practised at all sea- 

 sons, is one of the best juvenile exercises; and auxiliary to most of 

 the games of Batting, or playing ball, the favorite games of boyhood. 

 Quoiting, or the tossing of stones, or metallic disks, called quoits ; 

 and Slinging, or throwing stones by whirling a sling, we think less 

 commendable sports than Darting, or hurling the lance, and Archery, 

 or practising with the bow and arrows. Shooting, with fire arms, 

 is one of the most dangerous amusements, suitable only for men, of 

 mature age, and instructed as to the nature of these weapons. Our 

 chief objection to Hunting, and Fishing, is the temptation which 

 they hold out to waste time which should be employed in some 

 nobler pursuit. 



2. Under the head of Gymnastics, and Calisthenics, we include 

 those exercises which are suitable for the Gymnasium, or hall of 

 exercise ; the former class being intended for young men, and the 

 latter, or Calisthenics, more especially designed for young ladies. 

 Among all these exercises, Fencing, or the use of the small sword or 

 rapier, has long been accounted one of peculiar dignity ; and it is 

 one producing excellent development of all the muscular powers ; 

 although, on account of the uses to which it has been, and may be 

 applied, it may be liable to serious objections. It is usually practised 

 \\\i\\ foils, or slender and elastic swords, with buttons on the points ; 

 the fencers also wearing wire gauze masks, and thick gloves, to pro- 

 tect themselves from injury. In the common guard, or carte, the 

 right foot is thrown forward, the body presented sideways to the 

 antagonist, resting and balancing on the left leg, and inclining a little 

 backward ; while the foil, with the point slightly elevated, and directed 

 towards the antagonist, is held in the right hand carried forward and 

 slightly depressed, the palm and nails being turned upward ; and the 

 left hand is carried back, and raised to the level of the forehead, to 

 balance the body. In the guard of tierce, the position is the same, 

 but the right hand is turned, with the palm inclining downward. 

 We have no room to pursue this subject ; nor to speak of the Broad- 

 sword Exercise, which indeed belongs more closely to the preceding 

 department, or the Arts of War. 



The systematic exercises in Gymnastics, recently introduced in 

 various seminaries, consist in leaping, both in length and in height ; 

 hopping and balancing, on one foot at a time, using the feet alternate- 

 ly ; leaping with a pole, held in the hands, which are thus exerted 

 at the same time ; jumping with a hoop or rope ; vaulting, or spring- 

 ing over an object by resting the hands upon it ; climbing, up a pole, 

 or a rope, or a ladder, in the latter case supporting the body by the 

 hands alone ; walking the rope, or on a horizontal bar, and balancing 

 on the same ; swinging and seesaw ; swinging the dumb-bells, 

 which are heavy metallic weights ; and pulling, pushing, lifting, or 

 carrying: heavy bodies. In these, and similar exercises, provision 

 should be made, as far as possible, for avoiding danger; and they 

 should not be taken immediately after eating, nor too violently at the 

 commencement. Of wrestling, and boxing, we think less favora- 

 bly ; and we regard field sports as preferable to those of the hall, 



