and backward, the feet should be moved outward and backward likewise; the soles pushing against the water, till the legs are brought close together in an extended position, which finishes the stroke. The same proceeding is to be repeated as often as you please; taking care that the hands and feet move regularly, slowly, and at the same time: by the first, their effect will be more uniform; by the second, less fatiguing; and by the third more forcible.

"6. In swimming on the back, likewise, the body is in a slightly inclined position, the feet being lower than the head, and the face alone being above the water. The arms being laid along close by the sides, to increase the surface of the body; the knees are to be drawn up till they make a right angle with the body, keeping them close together, so that they will appear above the water. This is the preparation for the stroke, which is to be given by separating them from each other, and pushing against the water with the soles of the feet, in the same manner as in swimming upon the belly.

"This mode of swimming is very commodious when the swimmer begins to be fatigued, as the arms are perfectly at rest; a considerable interval may be allowed between the strokes with the feet, as the body remains suspended in this posture for some time, the feet sinking very gradually. If you want to rest the legs,

you may keep yourself afloat, by lying on the back as nearly as possible, in a horizontal position, and moving the hands on each side in very short but pretty quick strokes, holding them in the same position as when you swim on the belly."

If a person should he seized with the cramp in the leg while swimming, Dr. Franklin recommends, while thus lying on the back, to lift the leg out of the water, and give it a sudden, vigorous, and violent jerk in the air.

"Treading water, as it is called, is another mode of resting. To perform this, the swimmer suffers his feet to sink till his whole body is in an erect position, and then he raises his feet a little way, and depresses them alternately, as a man does when he sets any machinery in motion by means of two treadles; at the same time moving his hands up and down in a similar manner, just before him, the elbows being bent.

"When a person is tolerably expert at swimming, it will be highly advisable for him to practice, occasionally, with all his clothes on, as he will, most probably, be in this situation, if at any time he should fall into the water by accident. My teacher never swims without a linen jacket, and long trowsers; and he assures me, that he can swim in his great coat and boots.

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Young persons, after they are capable of swimming, should practice leaping into the water from

considerable heights, since this may be useful to them in various cases. In this, no farther instructions are necessary, than to begin with little heights; take care not to fall on the belly; and if you leap in head foremost, to protect the forehead from the stroke of the water with one hand. It is safest likewise to keep the legs close together."

CHAP. XXVI.

Gymnastics for Young Ladies.

INSTEAD of feeding children delicately, flattering them incessantly, or falling into another extreme, and finding continual fault; keeping them confined to their seats, and not allowing them to speak, or move; let them, says Rousseau, have substantial nourishment; let them run and play in the open air, and enjoy their liberty. We have so often shewn the influence of physical agents-air, light, heat, exercise, on growth, that repetition would be useless. The observations we have made on the advantage of exercise and gymnastics, are applicable to the education of young girls; only it is well to appropriate these exercises to their age and strength.

Gymnastics for young ladies should not be reduced to mere mechanical movements of going backward and forward with a wand, or Indian sceptre; there are innumerable circumstances in life which necessitate dexterity and self command. A young lady may, during ten years, learn to move the Indian sceptre, and would yet feel timid and awkward in going up a ladder. The chief object of education, both for boys and girls, is to prepare them for all the occurrences of social life. We do not in our course of gymnastics, approve of any violent exercise, leaping from a great height, or scaling walls; but we recommend all those exercises that may strengthen the body, while they add to the grace and beauty

of the figure. Walking does not alone suffice for the full development of the limbs. Dancing is certainly an excellent exercise, but its utility is mostly confined to the legs. We are desirous that young ladies should make use of their hands; wands, dumb bells, Indian sceptres, are not sufficient to improve the figure; they are rather suited to automata than to living beings.

Exercises may be divided into exercises of the hands and arms, either separately or together; exercises with the rods, dumb bells, Indian sceptres, horizontal bars, ladders, &c. Some are performed standing, others walking; the slow walk, moderate and quick pace, stepping backward and forward, are the elementary exercises, which may be diversified in various ways.

Methodical Exercises.

Whatever system may be adopted with regard to exercises, it is essential to place the body in such a condition that there may be no restraint on the muscles. In order, therefore, to derive full advantage from gymnastic exercises, it is desirable for young ladies not to wear stays during the performance of these exercises.

We have already said, that standing upright calls in action nearly all the muscles of the body: when children have a good constitution, and are free from hereditary or acquired disease, or that sudden growth which so often destroys the equilibrium of the organs and functions, all