PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR GIRLS.

West Coast Times, Issue 2837, 7 May 1878, Page 3

PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR GIRLS.

In these days, when so many women are engaging in 'intellectual pursuits of a high character, and even are desirous of competing with men in the cares and anxieties of professional life, the question of their physical training ought to receive more attention than it has hitherto done. In this respect girls stand at a great disadvantage as compared with boys. Up to a certain age, say eight or nine, a girl mixes often on equal terms with her brother in his sports, indeed not infrequently excels him both in skill and spirit; but after that age healthy exercise is sacrificed to the bondage of genteel deportment. The growing child is confined with stays, and her feet crippled with tight boots. Anything like vigorous muscular movements are thus rendered impossible, and the sole exercise is the torpid regula tion walk. Owing to this want of functional activity of the muscular system the muscles waste and dwindle, and the nutrition of the body becomes impaired. Many of the troubles women suffer from in later life are undoubtedly due to impaired muscular vigour, and much suffering would be spared if proper attention were paid in early lift; to their physical development by a course of systematic training. We do not, says the Lancet, mean that our daughters should emulate their brothers in tbe cricket field, or that female athleticism should become the vogue. But we would point out to parents aud managers of schools the danger entailed by the present neglect of exercise, and indicate the games that could be most easily adopted. Thus, fives, rackets, and lawn tennis are games for which no great space is required ; tbe latter games might be taught systematically, just as cricket is to boys at public schools. To play these games with safely, however, stays and tight boots must be altogether discarded. Swimming, too, ought to be taught at all girls' school, not merely because of the protection it affords, but also from its being in itself an admirable exercise, bringing into' play all the muscles of the body.