144 



HITCHCOCK'S ANATOMY 



this a natural tendency of physical development ? Is it 

 necessary that a well-developed man must of necessity be a 

 brutal fighter ? or that a beautiful horse must necessarily lead 

 his master to expose him to cruel excesses to test his speed ? 

 If we do adopt the principle that physical development has 

 such an immoral tendency, is there any culture of body or 

 mind that we shall not be compelled to resign to the great 

 tempter, since he can so sadly pervert every thing ? 



Ought not then a gymnasium or some equivalent means of 

 physical culture, to be attached to all our educational institu- 

 tions (female as well as male), as well as models, libraries, 

 cabinets, and apparatus ? And if so, why should there not 

 be regular trainings of the body required by instructors as well 

 as mental exercises ? And since but a small portion of time 

 is required for physical exercise if it be vigorous, as it will of 

 necessity be in a gymnasium, why may not a portion of school 

 duties each day be a half hour or an hour of exercise in the 

 gymnasium morning and evening ? Does not every practical 

 teacher see that at least this wwld relieve the necessity of a 

 great many excuses, such as for " head-ache," " feel sick," 

 " unable to study to-day," etc. 

 Fig. 153. There are, however, many simple gymnastic ex- 

 ercises which may be indulged in by everybody, 

 boys and girls, men and women, without an outlay 

 of any thing except a few dimes, and the use of a 

 few yards of space anywhere on terra firma. 



From a piece of inch pine board from two to four 

 feet long (depending on the size of the person to 

 use it), and three to six inches wide, let an instru- 

 1 ment be made called the back board, as is shown 

 | in Fig. 153. With this simple piece of apparatus 

 grasped at each end, as in Fig. 154, a great va- 

 riety of exercises can be invented by any one, which will soon 

 set the whole surface in perspiration, and if persevered in 

 will, in the course of several days, impart pliancy and strength 

 to the muscles.. 



