Instructions in All Kinds of Gymnastic Exercises (extract)

in all directions, or extended in a sprawling, looseand ankward manner. An easy, grace­ ful and firm deportment in walking is as uncommon as it is dignified and prepos­ sessing. In walking gracefully, every muscle employed, is called upon for no more than its fair share of exertion—all is compact and united, the whole frame proceedscalmly andequably, and each part of it is acting in unisonwith the rest. We are far too apt to neglect the accom­ plishments immediately within our reach, and run after objects of difficult attainment merely because they are so. It is in the power of every man to walk well, unless, indeed, already inveterately confirmed in some bad habit; the following few instruc­ tions will tend more to that end than will at firstbe readily apprehended. These instruc­ tions relate alone to walking well and grace­ fully. The power of walking greatdistances without fatigue is another matter, and also well worthy of attention. In this, practice is every thing—practice at any age can do much, but practicefrom infancy renders the muscles of the human frame so rigid, and at the same time so pliable, as to enable man to perform absolute prodigies. The wonder-