A System of Physical Education, Theoretical and Practical (extract)

I W ALKING.a WALKING comes the first in order among the exer- cises of progression b. In walking the whole column of the body is slightly inclined to the front; the lower limbs are lightly a See Appendix K. b A clear distinction must, at the outset, be drawn hetween walking and marching, as taught in military drill. The latter must ever be regarded as a military exercise, in which the soldier, for professional considerations, is taught to preserve an attitude more or less formal and constrained; the former hal:! but one object, viz. facility of pro- gression, and every point of position and action i"l made subservient to this end. Military ch·ill, however, from the very circumstance of its being an exercise in which the action and position of the different parts of the body, during locomotion, are systematized and pre- a.rranged, is most valuable to the young and growing, and should be regularly taught in schools. It is admitted that, as a rule, boy dislike drill, but this I am sure is in a great measure owing to the monotonous manner in which it is taught, and the want of tact and discrimination frequently shown by the instructor. Boys, and espe· cially little boys, usually have it not only too frequently and too much of it at a time, but they are kept at the commencement too long, at the least attractive, although very important, parts of it ; i.e. the balance steps, facings, and slow time. I find it is better to paHs ovflr these quickly, and to take up the more palatable qnick step, steppiny short, stepping out, forming jou1·s, &c. ; and at short interval~:~ to return to pick up a little of what was prematurely passed. The drill never exceeds half an hour, once or twice a week, and in fine weather only. M2 l I I j '· I j