Every one of these boys worked all day at some light trade; so, to make it convenient, the class was called together at half-past six every alternate evening. Drills lasted fifteen minutes, each drill being followed by class work in light athletic exercises. The drills were changed every night, so that the boys did not receive the same platform drill once in two weeks. Drills consisted of free movements, Indian clubs, dumbbells, bar bells, sometimes followed by parallel bars, flying rings, and athletics in the primary exercises. As an experiment I feel sure it was a success. At the beginning it was impossible to have the boys go through these exercises without feeling conscious of the crowd of lookers-on outside, who amused themselves by making personal remarks on the different attitudes of the members of the class. This did not add to the esprit of the class, and at last the outside critics were requested to cease their remarks. They readily complied, and after a few days really took as much interest in the exercises as did the scholars themselves. Now it must be understood that these boys had never attended a gymnasium, so that it was much harder for them to face a large crowd than it would be for boys who had been accustomed to doing their "gym" work in public. After the novelty had worn off, it was found that the exercises could be made as attractive as are indoor gymnastics, and much more beneficial because of the purer air and the pleasant surroundings.

THE MEDICINE BALL.
(On one arm.)

THE MEDICINE BALL. (On top of head.)

It is in the open air that one attains the very foundation for physical strength, and if this out-ofdoor exercise is but carried on systematically it will prove of the utmost importance to growing bodies.

The field for outdoor gymnastics is wide; people are beginning to see the value of parks and breathing places, and gymnasiums in these parks are of the greatest value, both physically and morally. The exercises that are carried on indoors can be repeated outdoors, when the same apparatus is at hand.

The German Government, through its school board, makes gymnastic work almost compulsory, and has it carried on out-of-doors. There are a number of out-of-door gymnasiums, and these are attended by all the school children. Each gymnasium is provided with a director-general of gymnastics. The gymnasiums are built about the same as the Charlesbank Gymnasium.

At the Charlesbank the giant stride is a popular piece of apparatus. This consists of a stout pole fixed in the ground, with a revolving plate on its head; hung from the plate are ropes, with handles attached to them; there are four, six or eight ropes, and these are grasped separately, while each performer pushes on the ground with his feet until all attain sufficient momentum to swing around without touching the ground. For the children, instead of ropes, ribbons are used. As the children march around the pole the ribbons are plaited around it, making a very pretty sight, when the ribbons are of different colors. By reversing the order of marching, the ribbons unwind from the pole. The heavier apparatus is

very valuable as a strengthener of the grasp, and assists in the development of the chest and abdominal muscles.

All the special apparatus can be used outdoors. Of this, special mention may be made of the Neck Developer. It is a plain band of canvas with a cross piece over the ears, the whole being brought to a point in front of the forehead. Fastened to the canvas is a slip-hook, which can be attached to the handle of a chest weight. By standing and facing sideways (left and right), and back to the weight, the muscles of the neck can be exercised.

Another piece of apparatus is the Medicine Ball, the invention of Mr. Roberts, of the Boston Y. M. C. A. Gymnasium. This is a large, leather-covered ball weighing about ten pounds. The mode of exercising is to pass it from one to the other from different positions, with both hands, each hand separate - from over the head, between the legs, from the right and left side, and numerous

other ways. When used as it should be, it is one of the best exercises known, both as a strengthener of the whole muscular system and a means of recreation.

Another popular exercise is the Spring Board. This apparatus is usually used in connection with the Jumping Rope, or Buck. In the former the gymnasts run to the Spring Board, and leap over the rope at different heights. When this is done in connection with the Buck, in much the same manner as leap-frog, finishing with a roll over on the mat, the exercise it affords the legs is most admirable.

Another piece of apparatus not found in the indoor gymnasium is the Tilting Ladder. This appliance is a source of great enjoyment to those who use it, and is a very popular piece of apparatus. It is arranged so that it can be used as well by the small boys as by the men, for the pin through the center can be drawn out and placed lower down on the posts supporting it. The sensation of flying through the air induces many to try it, for it is a fact that an apparatus that has any swing in connection with it is the most popular. The Tilting Ladder acts in a like manner with the Giant Stride, as far as developing the muscles is concerned.

THE "RAZZLE DAZZLE."

The Jacob's Ladder, or, as the boys have termed it, the "Razzle Dazzle," is another piece of apparatus not frequently seen in a gymnasium. This ladder is hung from the framework by a swivel hook, and is not fastened in the ground, but is allowed to swing loose. The rungs of the ladder are about eighteen inches apart, and fastened together by a chain or steel bar, through the center of the rung. This arrangement allows the rungs to swing loose. The mode of exercising with this apparatus is to grasp a rung at the full reach, and lift the body from the ground to a rung opposite the waist line; then the legs are spread apart, and come to a sitting position on the rung. The hands grasp another rung, higher up the ladder, the legs are spread apart, and so one pulls himself to the top of the ladder. This is a splendid exercise for the muscles of the hips and thighs, while the back and arms also come in for a great deal of exercise.

The special apparatus in use at the Charlesbank Gymnasium was designed by Dr. Sargent, director of the Harvard University Gymnasium; he is developing some new designs for outdoor work, which will include apparatus of a swinging

nature.

The interest in out door work is growing every year, as the attendance at the Charlesbank shows. The gain in 1892 was six thousand over that of 1891. When the gymnasium was first opened, it was looked upon as a place for

fun; now as a place where the needs of the muscular system are attended to systematically.

Plans are being prepared for the building of four other gymnasiums in different parts of the city of Boston, which will contain all the new apparatus specially designed for out door service. In most instances these public out-ofdoor gymnasiums are for both men and women, separate grounds and buildings being set apart for each.

The success of these Boston out-of-door gymnasiums should lead to the adoption of the system in other cities; while the fact that such appliances for open-air exercise are possible, should suggest to inventive and wide-awake boys, a means of furnishing fun and exercise, with a wide scope for their ingenuity and skill.

John Graham,

Superintendent of the Charlesbank Gymnasium and Athletic Manager and Trainer, B. A, A.

"Oh! I want some punk and crackers,
Just the loudest kind of whackers,"

Said a merry little fellow, bright and gay,

"For I long to see them fizzing,

And to send them off a-whizzing,

Just to scare the girls as they go by to-day."

So the two, they came together,

In the pleasant July weather,

Both the jolly little cracker and the boy;
And the one, he made a racket,

While the other burned his jacket;

But to both it was a day of keenest joy.

Mrs. J. T. Greenleaf.

66

WHEN MAMMY WENT AWAY.

WAKE up, 'Dolphus, honey! Don' you know dis is de day dat Mammy's gwine away? Make has', let me dress you, chile; an' I reckons dey'll bring you somethin' powerful nice from de sto'."

After much persuasion, accompanied by vigorous shaking, Adolphus opened a pair of very sleepy brown eyes, and on being again reminded that an eventful day had dawned, at once signified his willingness to comply with the patient

sister's request.

Adolphus's toilet was very simple - consisting of a single petticoat of rich, deep-yellow flannel (rivaling in brilliancy the tall sunflowers growing in such luxuriance at the foot of Mammy's little garden) over this, a blue-and-white checked gingham apron, faded by frequent washing, and much patched about the elbows; shoes and stockings were unknown in summer time. So when his waving locks had been tightly braided in sundry little tails, each secured by stout, black thread, and his round face shone with its vigorous washing, Adolphus Tinney was escorted to his place at the family table.

Uncle Felix had said grace, and the silence that followed was broken by the arrival of his youngest child.

"Bless de lamb!" said Mammy, patting her darling's cheek; "I knew dis boy would wake up to see Mammy 'fore she went away. Be a good chile, an' you shall have some candy from de sto'." But Adolphus's face grew long and longer, and his lip trembled in a way that foretold a tearful scene.

"I'll carry 'Dolphus down to de far lot, an' I reckon we'll fin' some blackberries 'long de road," said Susan, anxious to preserve peace.

"Dey ain't ripe yet," remarked Felix, Jr., promptly; "me and Silas went down dere yesterday." And Silas, the silent member, nodded affirmatively. "Ho! 'Dolphus is gwine to cry, an' if he does I'll get all de candy," said Felix gaily.

Silence!" said Uncle Felix decidedly. "I allows no disputement at de

table."

When the meal was over Mammy said, with a loving glance at her little flock : "I make no doubt dat dese chillen will do dere bes' while we're away, an' it certainly is my duty to go dis day, to see pore ole Aunt Lucy."

"It certainly is, mother; an' if anything goes wrong while we're away, dere'll be somethin' mo' dan candy for dese chillen when I comes home; dat's mighty sure," observed Uncle Felix, in a very confident tone.

“If you work right smart," said Mammy, addressing the little group, "you can finish all de chores by de middle of de afternoon, an' den you can 'muse yourselves only min', don't get into mischief.”