44 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Feb. 



For the New England Farmer. 

 PHYSICAL EDUCATION. 



It has been truly remarked, by men of learning, 

 and substantiated by the dearly bought experi'^nce 

 of others in every age and generation, that educa- 

 tion is but half completed when the mind only is 

 cultivated. This idea may seem to some absurd. 

 But I prophecy that the problematical views en- 

 tertained in respect to the forms and manners of 

 education, will yield to the more profound and 

 praiseworthy forms which our understanding ever 

 dictates to us, as the world advances towards the 

 zenith of its glory, civilization and enlightenment. 

 It should be clear to the mind of every intelligent 

 being, that where the mind alone is ti'ained and 

 cultivated to the neglect of the proper treatment 

 of the body, it must be accompanied with serious 

 results. 



It is necessary that the body, as well as the 

 mind, should be cultivated and fostered in every 

 department. Though to a great extent the mind 

 is dependent on the body, they are so closely iden- 

 tified that neither can work well without the other 

 is in health. But the body would suffer less from 

 an enfeebled mind, than the mind would from an 

 enfeebled body. Physical education is of the ut- 

 most importance, and is one of those accomplish- 

 ments in which the ancients were better informed 

 than we are. 



I hold it as a doctrine, that the mind in its ut- 

 most perfection, must not be utterly ignorant of 

 any species of human knowledge, experimental or 

 artificial, or any salutary accomplishment within 

 its reach, and that the body, being part of us, has, 

 also, a legitimate right to its careful education — 

 for we are not all soul. 



This notion is an old one. It is one upon which 

 the character of the ancient nations was formed. 

 "The bath and gymnasium which made a neces- 

 sary part of their existence, served without an ef- 

 fort to harmonize, strengthen and embellish." 

 Gymnastics, the art by which physical education 

 is effected, is a Greek word, which signifies 

 stripped of clothing, encumbrances, and its purpose 

 is to impart strength and agility to the human body 

 by exercise. This is best accomplished by dis- 

 pensing with all superfluous articles of dress — 

 hence the appropriateness of the word. In Athens 

 gymnastics assumed a scientific form, and were 

 taught in the academic lyceum, and places espe- 

 cially adapted to the purpose outside the city. 



At Rome, as well as iti Greece, gymnastics were 

 taught as an art necessary to the proper develop- 

 ment of the entire race. In the middle ages, ath- 

 letic sports represented a new phase of the old 

 gymnastics ; and the pastimes of the English were 

 chiefly those which tended to strengthen and in- 

 vigorate the muscles. 



Physical education is, in our age, regarded as a 

 science, and gymnastic exercises are founded on 

 scientific principles. The mechanical constitution 

 of the human body has been attentively consid- 

 ered, and its motive agents have been divided 

 into two kinds ; the bones we call the passive 

 agents, and the muscles we describe as the active 

 agents ; yet it is consistent to suppose that the 

 muscles, lying dormant in idleness and inactivity, 

 will become almost as passive and inanimate as 

 the bones ; none can doubt the truth of this for 

 an instant. 



Exercise develops those muscles which are 

 mainly enlarged by it ; thus the arms of the black- 

 smith are always found strong and muscular, but 

 as the bones and muscles of the body are called 

 into requisition, important results are to be ob- 

 served in the enlargement of the internal system ; 

 thus active exercise with the arms expands the 

 chest, and one of its most valuable effects is, that 

 it gives freedom to respiration ; breathing, in its 

 turn, affects the energetic actions of the heart. 

 Consequently, the blood circulates more rapidly 

 through the whole body, and thus accelerates and 

 improves digestion. The body is so diversified in 

 its composition, that to lay down a multiplicity of 

 special rules for preserving the health of the two 

 departments of man, active and passive, would be 

 needless. The following, however, may be classed 

 among "the most important," — such as walking, 

 running, leaping, wrestling and swimming, all 

 conducive to the preservation of health and expan- 

 sion of the muscular system. In doing this, we 

 are not only obeying the mandates of an alhvise 

 power, but are conferring benefit upon the organic 

 department, and fulfilling the physical functions of 

 the body. Athletic games, such as cricket or 

 football, are highly beneficial ; and while they af- 

 ford amusement, confer solid good on all those 

 who practice them. The whole of the energetic 

 operations of the body have a corresponding effect 

 on the mind. While they impart activity to the 

 body, they invigorate the mind. 



Cultivate, then, physical exercises — they are 

 positively useful, yet not to excess, for the mind 

 or body, Avorked to excess, will be productive of 

 corresponding evil results. Whether or not we 

 study gymnastics as a science, let us not neglect 

 active exertions. 



If it is a duty incumbent on us to expand our 

 intellectual and moral faculties, it is no less a duty 

 to strengthen and develop our physical organs. 

 This important part of education should never be 

 neglected — never caii be neglected with impunity. 



Don't tell children that they must remain in 

 the house and be quiet through the entire day. 

 Such a practice is pernicious in many respects. It 

 enfeebles the bodies of children, and renders them 

 peculiarly liable to be attacked by colds and 

 coughs. A child should have its feet well shod 

 with socks and boots, its body well wrapped in 

 warm clothing, its head and ears carefully pro- 

 tected from the cold, and then let loose, to play in 

 the bracing winter air. By this means its body 

 will become robust, healtliy and strong, and its 

 spirits be bright and cheerful. Manual labor and 

 muscular exercises are the great schools of refoi'- 

 mation needed, and are strenuously advocated by 

 the most intelligent physicians. 



Harkison Bassey. 



North Gharlestown, N. H., 1862. 



A Young Farmer asked an old Scotchman for 

 advice in his pursuits. He told him what had 

 been the secret of his own success in farming, and 

 concluded with the following Avarning : "Never, 

 Sandie, never, above all things, never get in debt; 

 but if you do, let it be for manure." 



When there is love in the hpart, there are rain- 

 bows in the eyes, covering every black cloud with 

 Horceous hues. 



