THE POSITION ON HORSEBACK. 



29 



perpendicularly, and finally returned to its place by 

 the side, after going through the same motions in 

 reversed order. This exercise should be done first 

 with one arm, then the other, then with both to- 

 gether ; it is somewhat complicated, but no force 

 of habit can resist its good effect. 



Another simpler flexion consists in first raising 

 and then lowering the arm, stretching it out in front 

 and behind, and a,t last turning it round and round, 

 the shoulder acting as a pivot. It is impossible to 

 see whether a pupil has too much stiffness in the 

 knees, but she can ascertain for herself by stretch- 

 ing out both her feet in front and then bending 

 them as far back as they will go, and she may also 

 correct the same fault in her ankles by turning her 

 feet from left to right, from right to left, and up and 

 down, without moving the leg. 



All this gymnastic practice must be done slowly, 

 quietly, and patiently, however tiresome it may seem, 

 as the result in the future will be of the greatest im- 

 portance, and it must also be done intelligently, for 

 the object is not to learn a certain number of move- 

 ments, but to gain flexibility and ease throughout 

 the body. 



Parents can help a teacher considerably by mak- 

 ing children go through these flexions at home ; 

 and it seems scarcely necessary to add that the 

 greatest care and discretion must be used in order 

 not to fatigue pupils, especially young girls. 



When the teacher is satisfied that his pupil has 



