THE GYMNASIUM.

Evening Star, Issue 5014, 29 March 1879, Page 2

THE GYMNASIUM.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I see in the correspondence columns of your contemporary the 'Daily Times' reference is made to the Gymaasium and to the beneficial results that accrue from attending to tho proper development of the physical structure. Much has been said and written on this subject that would be superfluous to repeat here, still there are many points left untouched. If lads, instead of frequenting the billiard-rooms and drinking bars and submitting themselves to be tempted by the vices there openly carried on, would save their shillings too often lost over pool or " shouts " and give them in exchange for health and muscle, which are to be obtained under a judicioui course of instruction in a gymnasium, they would live to be fine, straight old men instead of, as is now too often the case, growing infirm before their time, and eventually seeking an early grave. Of course if health and muscle are wanted the proviso is understood that deteriorating influences must be rigidly avoided. Unless such is the case nothing can be done for the preservation of the health and intellect. Students would find it greatly to their advantage to attend to such exercises as are gone through in a gymnasium. Not only would they go back to their studies with free, healthy blood coursing through their veins, but they would find that their mental powers were increased as well as their muscular; certainly not in the same proportion, but enough to give them the enjoyment of feeling that their brains were clearer and more fit to work than if they had not sought some such relaxation, as it may in one sense be called. Fathers and mothers would do well to send not only their sons but their daughters to the gymnasium. They would in the future be more than fully repaid for a little previous expenditure on their children's physical culture by not having to pay heavy doctor's bills.—l am, etc., Dumb-bell. Dunedin, March 29.