An Introductory Course of Modern Gymnastic Exercises (extract)

10 GYMNASTICS. same proportion that every other branch was more widely diffused and zealously cultivated. It may be thought that it is stretching a favouritetheory too far; but the writer of these pages does not hesitate to attri­ bute much of the degrading mixtureof sceptical habits with an almost insane superstitious belief in natural magic, which showed itself in such revolting features about the close of the eighteenth century, to the irri­ table nervous system, and consequent predisposition to mental disorders, engendered by indolent and luxu­ rious habits. It was a strangetime, when philosophers were busy demonstrating that we had no souls, and the whole world agreed in letting the body degenerate as much as possible, through neglect of cultivating its capabilities. Rousseau was the first to raise his voice against this degeneracy ; but the plague-spot had too thoroughly tainted his own constitution to admit of his exempli­ fying the doctrines he taught. The world in general laughed at the contradiction between his practice and precepts, without reflecting that a lame man may point out the way he cannot tread himself. A few enthu­ siasts, however, caught the flame; and although some of their experiments were ludicrous enough, more ra­ tional regard to the preservation of a firm habit of body began to be paid. In all countries the manly amuse­ ments of an earlier age had preserved a traditionary existence amongthe peasantry. In some the pleasures of the chase had extended habits of hardihood and ex­ ertion even to the higher classes. Athletic exercises became fashionable once more. Our retrospect has led us on to the period at which the system of gymnastic