board is fastened round the waist by a strap, e, f, which buckles in front.

The dimensions of the short backboard are as follows, for a large size-length, twelve or thirteen inches; breadth, ten inches; lower part, five inches; and upper part, four inches. These measurements can be reduced, according to circumstances, age, etc.

The long backboard should be broad in the center, as in Fig. 3, so that the flat part may reach across the back of the shoulders, and the handles, a, b, be long enough to hold in the hands when the arms are extended. Some of these

backboards vary from six feet in length, to only three feet eight inches.

The clubs for calisthenics should be made hollow, as in Fig. 4, varying from twenty to twenty-eight inches in length, and be of a proportionate width. The top is made to screw on so that the inside may be loaded, as recommended for the dumb-bells. By this means, the weight to be forced through the air can be proportioned to the strength or power of the individual to propel it.

Fig. 8.

Fig. 9.

The wands, or poles, should be light, smooth, and sufficiently thick not to bend. They vary in length according to the person's height that is to use them, the rule being, that the poles shall be of the same length as the height of the person requiring them,

The triangle is a bar of wood attached to a cord at each end; the two cords meet above, as shown in Fig. 5, so as to form two sides of a triangle, of which the

bar forms the third. A cord is attached to the upper part of the triangle, and this passing over a pulley, enables the teacher to lower or raise the bar, so as to suit the height of the pupil. The elastic cord is one of the latest improvements in calisthenic exercises.

It consists of two handles, a b, of a triangular form, to which is attached an elastic cord, made of vulcanized Indian rubber. They may be obtained at most toy-shops, and vary in price from four to ten shillings, according to the size. Some teachers employ the horizontal bar; but as we disapprove of its use, of course the necessary directions are omitted from our series.

Fig. 10.

The pupil should commence the exercises with the dumb

bell practice.

The Dumb-bell Practice.

The dumb-bells are not to be used at first; but when the pupil has become proficient in the following exercises, then the dumb-bells are to be held firmly in

the hands, which are to perform the same motions directed below.

POSITION OF ATTENTION.

When the

word attention is given by the teacher, the pupil is to draw back the shoulders, so as to make them square; the heels are to be placed in a line, and closed; the knees straight, the toes turned out to an angle of sixty degrees, the arms hanging close to the body, the elbows turred in close to the side, the hands open to the front, the little finger

Fig. 11.

lightly touching the dress, and the thumb close to the fore finger. The abdomen is to be slightly drawn in, and the chest advanced, but without constraint; the body upright, inclining a little forward, so that the weight of it may be principally on the fore part of the feet; the head erect, and the eyes looking straight to the front, as in Fig. 7.

FIRST PRACTICE. One. At the word one, raise the hands, and bring the tips of the fingers in a line with, and pointing toward the shoulders, the body inclining forward, the head erect, and shoulders kept well back, with the elbows close to the side, as in Fig. 8.

Fig. 12.

Fig. 13.

Two. Dart the hands straight to the front, with straight arms, the palms of the hands close together, the thumbs close to the fore finger, nearly in a line with the chin, as in Fig. 9.

These two motions are to be repeated from two to one, and again from one to two, several times, before commencing three.

Three. The hands are thrown back, with straight arms, in a line with the shoulders, the palms of the hands to the front, the thumbs close to the fore fingers, the head erect, and shoulders kept well back, the body inclining forward, the heels raised off the ground, so that the weight of the body rests on the fore part of the feet, as in Fig. 10. These motions are to be repeated from three to two, and from two to three, several times before commencing four.

Four. The arms are to be brought gradually by the side to the first position, Fig. 7.

STANDING AT EASE. When the instructor gives the command to stand at ease, the right foot is to be drawn back about six inches, and the greatest part of the weight of the body brought upon it; the left knee is to be slightly bent; the hands brought together before the body, the palms being struck smartly together, and that of the right hand being then slipped over the back of the left, so as to clasp it; the shoulders are to be kept back and square, and the head to the front; but there is not any stiffness or constraint in the position; on the contrary, it is really intended that the pupil should stand at ease, the object being to afford a little rest after the performance of of the exercises.

to be

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Fig. 14.

SECOND PRACTICE. One. The hands are to be brought smartly up with the palms of the hands to the front, the tips. of the fingers in a line with the shoulder, pointing upward, the elbows to be kept close to the side and well back, so as to square the shoulders; the head is to be held erect, and the body slightly inclined forward, as in Fig. 11.

Two. Raise the elbows a little, so as to draw them upward and backward, then bring the hands smartly down to the side, as in Fig. 12, and assume the position of attention, Fig. 7.

Long Backboard Exercises.

The pupils are to stand at ease, as directed before, and then the instructor will give them the long backboards, Fig. 3, which are to be held by the handle with the left hand, and the right hand is to be placed on the top of the backboard, while the other end rests upon the ground between the feet, as in Fig. 13.

Attention. When this word is given, the heels are to be brought in a line, and the backboard brought across in front of the thighs at the full extent of the arms, holding it by the handles with both hands; the back of the hands to be front, as in Fig. 14.

One. The backboard is to be gradually raised from the

8

position of attention, with the arms straight, until the flat part of it is horizontal and over the head, the tips of the fingers in front, and the knuckles behind; the body is to be kept well forward on the fore part of the feet, and the head erect, as will be seen in Fig. 15. Two. At this word the backboard is to be lowered from arms being contracted, and it is to be brought across the back part of the shoulders, as in Fig. 16, still keeping the body well forward, and the head erect. In the last position, the pupil will be required to walk slowly round the room, then quickly, and

Fig. 15.

- Fig. 16.

position one, the

to practice the balance step without gaining ground.

When the various exercises have been frequently repeated, the word "steady" will be given, when the position of attention, Fig. 14, is to be resumed, and at the command "stand at ease," that position, Fig. 13, with the backboard, is at once to be taken.

Short Backboard Exercises.

The short backboard, Fig. 2, being strapped on as before directed, the pupil is to hold the head erect, and to be