exercises the hands should be held clasped behind the back. Arrange the boys in line, facing each other, and on opposite sides of the room; have one boy midway between the two lines. Let the boys run from one line to the other, the boy in the center trying to catch those who are running. When any one is caught, he takes his place in the center. The fun is very exciting when the boys in the center are nearly equal in number, and otherwise pretty evenly matched.

Indoor Baseball. The ball to be used in this game is of a compact substance, seventeen inches in circumference, and weight eight and one fourth ounces. The bat is two and three fourths feet long and one and one fourth inches in diameter at the largest part. one half feet square, are filled loosely upon the marked spot. are similar to baseball.1

The bases are one and with sand and placed The rules of the game

1 The rules are published by the American Sports Pub. Co., New York.

Hang Ball. This game may be played with a small-sized football. The players are dispersed as in a game of baseball. The ball is hit by the batter hanging by his hands from a horizontal bar, and striking the ball with the bottoms of the feet only; or with any part of the feet provided they are kept together, and the motion of the body is a straight swing under the bar. A foul is a ball that has been hit and strikes behind the line of the bar prolonged.

The other rules are the same as for baseball.

General Observations. - Many other games will be suggested by the size and shape of the room, the apparatus in it, and the time and opportunities for playing.

During the exercises, allow no laughing or talking. If these things are once permitted, they will soon become an intolerable annoyance. Keep the work moving, and moving briskly. After ten or fifteen minutes of sharp work, march the squads together, and break ranks, allowing five minutes for exercise at will.

The pupils should be allowed to perform any exercise. not dangerous and overtaxing in its character, and a considerable allowance should be made for noise. In other words, let the pupils within reasonable bounds do as they please.

If these exercises are kept up regularly, the time that is given to machine work may be gradually lengthened toward the end of the year as soon as different exercises are learned and the body becomes stronger.

A system of measurements should be kept, for the satisfaction of the instructor, if for no other reason. This should include age, height, weight, forearm, upper arm, chest contracted, normal, and expanded, and waist, to which may be added the measurement of the thigh and calf. At the close of the term or year, take the measurement and note the increase. In many cases the results will be almost incredible.

By perseverance in such a course of work, by showing where the danger lies in overdoing any part of it, how the inestimable benefits of health, grace, and beauty follow from a short period of daily exercise, by building up the body and making it a proper receptacle for the mind, not only will the class upon whom the work is exerted be benefited, but the results will descend with unceasing force and value from one generation to another in the form of healthy, wellproportioned children, approaching more and more nearly to the ideal of physical perfection.

CHAPTER VI.

DRILLS, BOATING, CYCLING, ETC.

Military Training for Pupils.1—There is something about all military evolutions that has a strong attraction for youths. Irksome as may be the discipline necessary to acquire the precision and unity of military movements, boys are usually willing to submit to it for the sake of the pleasure and exhilarating influence of the drill itself. general, a body of boys will learn more readily and more accurately than a similar body of men.

In

The value of military drill as a physical exercise is generally conceded, and it possesses other advantages no less important. The habits of attention and mental concentration, quickness of movement, and the spirit of implicit obedience which are inculcated are exceedingly valuable. So general is the recognition of the worth of military training, that the boys of the public schools in many cities have been organized into regular battalions, and in some cases armed and uniformed. At present it is proposed to adopt a similar organization in some of the larger cities of the West.

The boys' brigades organized by many of the churches in the larger cities are examples of the power of continuous, systematic work of this character. More boys have become

1 Boys are not alone in the benefits received from marches and evolutions in the open air, and in the exercise room. The modern physical training of girls includes much that bears a strong resemblance to the military drills of cadets. It will be easy for any teacher to adapt to the training of girls the exercises presented in this chapter.

SCH. REC. & AMUS. 10 145

interested in the church by this means, and the church attendance has been much more regular and faithful. Regular companies are formed, and in some cases supplied with uniforms. They are officered by the older boys or younger men of the church. They have regular drills and parades, and annual encampments. The time may come when the military organization shall be so perfected that these brigades will have a beneficial effect upon the militia of the various states-the city companies particularly.

Essentials of Military Training.

Before entering upon

the drill, there is one thing that the instructor must determine always to require; that is, absolute correctness in little things. There may seem to be no urgent necessity for the thumb of the right hand to be at just such a place, or for the fingers of the left hand to be in just such a position; but unity and uniformity are an absolute necessity, and they can be obtained in no other way. There are few more attractive sights than the drill of the manual of arms if it be well executed-and few more unsatisfactory if it be carelessly performed. The easy walk, the regular step, and the erect carriage of the West Point cadet are acquired by many an hour's work in the broiling sun, in a ramrodlike position.

Size of Companies. The term battalion is properly applied to two or more companies assembled together. Companies are formed and drilled separately, and the cadets should have a good knowledge of the general evolutions of the company before battalion drill is attempted. While a company may be formed of any number of cadets, it is desirable that there be as many as twenty-four, or six sets of fours, exclusive of guides and sergeants, or file closers. There are three (sometimes four) sergeants and three commissioned officers to each company, the appointment and duties of which will be stated hereafter.

Uniform. In private schools it is desirable for many reasons to adopt a permanent uniform. The pupil attired