touching each other, and the cord hanging perpendicular. See "one," second practice of the club exercise, Fig. 2.

Two. Raise the hands gradually from the former position, together with a straight arm over the head. See " one," fourth dumb-bell practice, Fig. 7.

Three. Lower the hands, until both little fingers are behind the back of the head, then separate the hands gradually, and bring the elbows close to the side, the knuckles to the rear, the shoulders and head well back, the body inclining forward, and the elastic cord across the back, the same as in the backboard exercise. See "two," long backboard exercise, Fig. 16.

Four. Bring the knuckles together in front of the body in a line with the chin, the elbows close together in front of the chest.

Repeat the exercise from four to three, several times, so as to bring the shoulders well back, the head being kept erect. Repeat the exercises slowly at first, and then quickly, from four to three, from three to two, and from two to one, and afterward back again to four, commencing with one.

The Balance Step.

FIRST PRACTICE.-The pupil being placed in the first position, (attention, Fig. 7,) the in

Fig. 24,

structor should explain and instruct her in the balance step, the object of which is to give a steadiness to the body, and remove that rolling motion so frequently observed in those who have not learned Calisthenics, and impart a free and graceful motion to the limbs. Care should be taken to prevent the pupil throwing back the one or

both shoulders during this exercise, or of acquiring inelegant postures.

1. Without gaining ground. The pupil commences by balancing the body upon the right foot. At the word

"Front," the left foot is brought gently forward, the heel in a line with the right toe, and about three inches above the ground; the toe turned out, and pointing to the ground;

Rear," the left foot is brought slowly to the rear, the toe in a line with the heel of the right foot, and the knee a little bent. When these two motions have been practiced for sev

eral times, the pupil should balance upon

the other foot.

"Halt." When this word is given, the foot, whether advanced or to the rear, is to be brought to the ground, and the heels kept square.

2. Balance step, gaining ground by the word "Forward," "Front." When this word is given, the left foot is to be carried gently to the front, as before, the knee is to be gradually straightened as the foot is brought forward, the toe turned out a little to the left, and remaining about three inches from the ground. This position is to be maintained for about three or four seconds; then, at the word

Fig. 25.

Fig. 26.

"Forward," the left foot is to be brought to the ground (eighteen inches from heel to heel,) softly, resting the first on the ball of the great toe, and then lowering the heel gradually. This must be done so as not to shake the body; and at the same time, the right foot is to be raised, and kept extended to the rear.

"Front." At this word, the right foot is brought to the front, and at the word

"Forward," the right foot is brought to the ground, and so on, remaining about three seconds between the words, until the length of the room has been passed through; then the pupil should be requested to turn round, and retrace her steps, the words being given, "front" and "forward," alternately.

Fig. 27.

The number of paces taken in a minute should be seventy-five, and the distance between each, eighteen inches.

SECOND PRACTICE. When the pupil has performed the balance step well, she should be made to walk quicker, so as to take one hundred and eight steps in a minute, and during her progress the word should be given,

Fig. 28.

"Change Feet." The object of this is to exercise a person in keeping step in walking, for example, when she is stepping with a different foot from her companion.

At this word, the ball of the rear foot is brought up to the advanced heel; then a step is made forward again with the advanced foot, so that two successive steps are made with the same foot.

THIRD PRACTICE. The pupil should be made to place the hand upon the hips, with the thumbs turned back, and the tips of the fingers to the front, as in Fig. 27; the heels are then to be raised gradually from the ground, and the pupil must move forward by successive short jumps, of two inches at a time, performed on the toes.

This exercise must not be performed until after the others have been executed, and only for five or ten minutes at a time, the object being to strengthen the knees, ankles, and muscles of the legs, but not to tire them.

Fig. 29.

FOURTH PRACTICE. The pupil should be made to walk up and down the room with a heavy book balanced on the head, for about ten minutes every day, the hands being rather open to the front, and the little finger touching the dress, as in the proper position for walking.

This gives a graceful carriage to pupils, and prevents their becoming round-shouldered; in fact, couneffects likely to arise from their ordinary

teracting the ill

school exercises.

Exercises with the Triangle.

FIRST PRACTICE. One. The bar being lowered to a little above the knees, the pupil should be requested to grasp the bar firmly with both hands, the backs of the hands being uppermost, the arms straight, and the body erect.

Two. The arms are to be gradually bent, and the bar raised until it is about breast high; then the pupil should incline the body forward, and step round upon the toes, gradually increasing her speed until she has acquired a tolerable velocity, when she must stop herself, by throwing the body backward, as in Fig. 28, and stepping shorter.

Three. Repeat the last exercise, but incline the body backward instead of forward at starting.

SECOND PRACTICE. The triangle being raised to the same height as the pupil's head, the bar is to be grasped firmly with both hands, near to the cord, the back of the hands being to the rear, and the thumbs inside. The heels are to

be brought in a line and closed, the knees straight, the toes turned out at an angle of sixty degrees, and the head erect.

One. Raise the left heel until the leg is parallel to the floor, both knees in a line, and the sole of the left foot perpendicular, and looking backward.

Fig. 30.

Fig. 31.

Two. Reverse the last exercise, by raising the right foot instead of the left.

Repeat the exercise from two to one, and from one to two, several times before coinmencing three, and each time remain in either position for a minute or more.

Three. Raise both heels off the ground, and remain on the toes, while the instructor counts ten slowly; then bring the heels gradually down. Repeat this exercise several times for ten minutes.

A few Words to Instructors.

In conclusion, we would remark that the instructor should give the orders clearly, firmly, and concisely, avoiding all unnecessary words, and always performing the exercise before the pupils, while another person, generally a proficient pupil, imitates the motions at the side of the pupils.

Hastiness of temper can not be too strongly censured, for it is possible that many of the pupils will catch the ideas of the instructor quicker than others; while blustering and severity of manner is apt to confuse rather than instruct some pupils. Remember that practice makes us all perfect, and in time, no doubt, many of your apparently dull pupils will be better versed in the exercises than the others, who, relying upon their facility in learning, soon forget them, because they cease to think.