Instructions in All Kinds of Gymnastic Exercises (extract)

48 ner, consist in trusting the whole weight of his body too much to the pole; in keeping his body at too great a distance from the latter, and consequently losing the necessary purchase. As soon as he can master the proper posi­ tion and the requisite balance, he assumes more confidence, and may now endeavour, in the succeeding leaps, always to swing the legs higher. In proportion as he becomes more expert, he should place the hands higher up the pole, in order to have a more powerful swing. This leap can never be made with facility and with the proper force, unless the spring, and the fixing of the pole in the ground,are made exactly at the same moment. To acquire this, the learner should place himself at the distanceof a moderate pace in front of the ditch, raise the left foot and the pole toge­ ther, then sink both together, the former in the spot where he intends making the spring, and the latter in the ditch; and swing him­ self round the pole, to the opposite bank. Afterwards, he should make a preparatory run of two, three, or four paces, increasing it gradually; and always observing to let the foot with which the spring is to be made.