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more meanly from the advancement of the others. So is it with unregulated physical development. The assiduous cultivation of some special exercises will have strengthened and developed the parts engaged in its practice; but this pre-supposes the neglect of the remainder; and the result in both cases is the same-incompleteness. Therefore, however varied, however extended, however diligently practised, recreative exercises are not sufficient even to the healthy and strong. They can no more develop the perfect man than recreative reading can develop the perfect scholar.

I have dwelt thus long upon the defects of our recreative exercisesalthough I bear them an appreciating affection second to no man's, for I have noted those of most other countries, and know how high ours rank above them all-because it was a perception of these defects which led me to examine the exercises themselves, with a view to ascertain the cause of their inadequacy, and because through these defects I hope to draw attention now to a single feature in educational exercise as distinct from recreative.

We have seen that our recreative exercises give a greatly preponderating share of employment to the lower half of the body, and that, therefore, in accordance with the physiological law already alluded to, the upper half of the body will be imperfectly developed. Is this borne out by the evidence of the frames of the youths who yearly arrive in this University from our public schools? It is so. As the case now stands (and I have arrived at a knowledge of this fact by the careful measurement of many hundred frames from all the public schools in the country), every one who so arrives here does so with the development of this part of the body greatly in arrears. So distinctly is it in arrears that a large portion of it an average of two inches in girth of chest -is obtainable in the very first term of his practice in the Gymnasium. Again, this rate of increase is not sustained beyond the first term-therefore it must be chiefly expansion of the cavity of

the chest; and it must be an arrears of expansion-because, if otherwise, the same rate of increase ought to be sustained, seeing that the process which produced the expansion is not only kept up but increased and accelerated in the advancing courses of exercise, and also seeing that the rate of muscular development is continued. I am quite aware that this statement is not like one in chemical or mechanical science, which any one may test for himself; but still it is very capable of proof. So entirely have I proved its truth, that I would undertake to receive the last six freshmen on the list of any College, and, irrespectively of their antecedents, their health or habits, the schools they have come from, or the exercises they have practised, to give them the stated increase in the stated time. Now each of these youths has, during several years, lost the daily and momentary use of these two inches of chest-not, be it remembered, of external superadded muscular fibre, valuable as that is; but of absolute heart-and-lungs-room, absolute expansion of the chamber where these organs perform their all-important functions.

In illustration and confirmation of the foregoing, I subjoin a few cases which I have selected from my book of Measurements, showing the results of systematized exercise on frames of widely dif ferent calibre, and extending over different periods of practice. (I should state that every pupil, on the day of his entrance into the Gymnasium, has certain of his measurements registered, which measurements are retaken from time to time in order to ascertain his progress.) The first and second cases are those of men under the middle size, the third and fourth of men over it; and the measurements extend over one academical year (nine months). fifth case is that of a very delicate youth, altogether "below par" from recent confined occupation; and the measurements extend over but one month. The sixth case is that of a favourable specimen of a youth from one of our great public schools, the measurements extending over two years.

The

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I have thought it advisable, in a paper of this limited extent, to bring forward but one line of operation of systematized exercise; but I would like, in conclusion, to state that its influence in other directions is equally important and decided, and specially so in the rectification of abnormal spinal developments. I have also confined my remarks in this single subject to its state as I find it at that early stage of adult life which witnesses or follows the period of upward growth. My opportunities for making observations on the earlier stages of adolescence have hitherto been comparatively limited, the cases isolated, and for

the most part exceptional in their character by the general delicacy of the individuals; but, as within the last year I have had the new public school at Radley under my care, I hope by this means sooner or later to arrive at important facts concerning growth and development at this most critical period of life. I hope, also, soon to be able to make observations on an extended scale on the healthy adult of mature frame in another rank of life, whose exercise during the period of growth has been manual labour, by carrying my system of exercise under favourable circumstances into the ranks of our army.

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CHAPTER XXXI.

BEHIND THE SCENES.

MR. and MRS. BROWN had a long way to drive home that evening, including some eight miles of very indifferent chalky road over the downs, which separate the Vale of Kennet from the Vale of White Horse. Mr. Brown was an early man, and careful of his horses, who responded to his care by being always well up to much more work than they were ever put to. The drive to Barton Manor and back in a day was a rare event in their lives. Their master, taking this fact into consideration, was bent on giving them plenty of time for the return journey, and had ordered his groom to be ready to start by eight o'clock; but, that they might not disturb the rest by their early departure, he had sent the carriage to the village inn instead of to the Porters' stables.

At the appointed time therefore, and when the evening's amusements were just beginning at the manor house, Mr. Brown sought out his wife; and, after a few words of leave-taking to their host and hostess, the two slipped quietly away, and walked down the village.

The carriage was standing before the inn all ready for them, with the hostler and Mr. Brown's groom at the horses' heads. The carriage was a high phaeton having a roomy front seat with a hood to it, specially devised by Mr. Brown with a view to his wife's comfort, and that he might with a good conscience enjoy at the same time the pleasures of her society and of driving his own horses. When once in her place Mrs. Brown was as comfortable as she would have been in the most luxurious barouche with C springs, but the ascent was certainly rather a drawback. The pleasure of sitting by her husband and of receiving his assiduous help in the preliminary climb, however, more than compensated to Mrs. Brown for this little inconvenience.

Mr. Brown helped her up as usual, and arranged a plaid carefully over her knees, the weather being too hot for the apron. He then proceeded to walk round the horses, patting them, examining the bits, and making inquiries as to how they had fed: and, having satisfied himself on these points, and feed the hostler, took the reins, seated himself by his wife, and started at a steady pace

towards the hills at the back of Barton village.

For a minute or two neither spoke, Mr. Brown being engrossed with his horses and she with her thoughts. Presently, however, he turned to her, and, having ascertained that she was quite comfortable, went on

"Well, my dear, what do you think of them?"

"Oh, I think they are agreeable people," answered Mrs. Brown ; "but one can scarcely judge from seeing them to-day. It is too far for a drive; we shall not be home till midnight."

"But I am very glad we came. After all they are connexions through poor Robert, and he seems anxious that they should start well in the county. Why, he has actually written twice you know about our coming to-day. We must try to show them some civility."

"It is impossible to come so far often,' Mrs. Brown persisted.

"It is too far for ordinary visiting. What do you say to asking them to come and spend a day or two with us?" "Certainly, my dear, if you wish it," answered Mrs. Brown, but without much cordiality in her voice.

"Yes, I should like it; and it will please Robert so much. We might have him and Katie over to meet them, don't you think?

"Let me see," said Mrs. Brown, with much more alacrity, "Mr. and Mrs. Porter will have the best bedroom and dressing-room; Robert must have the south room, and Katie the chintz. Yes, that will do; I can manage it very well."

"And their daughter; you have forgotten her."

"Well, you see, dear, there is no more room."

"Why, there is the dressing-room, next to the south room, with a bed in it. I'm sure nobody can want a better room."

"You know, John, that Robert cannot sleep if there is the least noise. I could never put any one into his dressing-room; there is only a single door between the rooms, and, even if they made no noise, the fancy that some

one was sleeping there would keep him awake all night."

"Plague take his fancies! Robert has given way to them till he is fit for nothing. But you can put him in the chintz room, and give the two girls the south bedroom and dressing-room."

"What, put Robert in a room which looks north? My dear John, what can you be thinking about?"

Mr. Brown uttered an impatient grunt, and, as a vent to his feelings more decorous on the whole than abusing his brother-in-law, drew his whip more smartly than usual across the backs of his horses. The exertion of muscle necessary to reduce those astonished animals to their accustomed steady trot restored his temper, and he returned to the charge

"I suppose we must manage it on the second floor, then, unless you could get a bed run up in the schoolroom."

"No, dear; I really should not like to do that it would be so very inconvenient. We are always wanting the room for workwomen or servants: besides, I keep my account books and other things there."

"Then I'm afraid it must be on the second floor. Some of the children must be moved. The girl seems a nice girl with no nonsense about her, and won't mind sleeping up there. Or, why not put Katie upstairs?"

"Indeed, I should not think of it. Katie is a dear good girl, and I will not put any one over her head."

"Nor I, dear. On the contrary, I was asking you to put her over another person's head," said Mr. Brown, laughing at his own joke. This unusual reluctance on the part of his wife to assist in carrying out any hospitable plans of his began to strike him; so, not being an adept at concealing his thoughts, or gaining his point by any attack except a direct one, after driving on for a minute in silence he turned suddenly on his wife, and said,—

"Why, Lizzie, you seem not to want to ask the girl?

"Well, John, I do not see the need of it at all."

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No, and you don't want to ask her?"

"If you must know, then, I do not." "Don't you like her?"

"I do not know her well enough either to like or dislike."

Then, why not ask her, and see what she is like? But the truth is, Lizzie, you have taken a prejudice against her."

“Well, John, I think she is a thoughtless girl, and extravagant; not the sort of girl, in fact, that I should wish to be much here."

"Thoughtless and extravagant!" said Mr. Brown, looking grave; "how you women can be so sharp on one another! Her dress seemed to me simple and pretty, and her manners very lady-like and pleasing."

"You seem to have quite forgotten about Tom's hat," said Mrs. Brown.

"Tom's white hat-so I had," said Mr. Brown, and he relapsed into a low laugh at the remembrance of the scene. "I call that his extravagance, and not her's."

"It was a new hat, and a very expensive one, which he had bought for the vacation, and it is quite spoilt."

Well, my dear; really, if Tom will let girls shoot at his hats, he must take the consequences. He must wear it with the holes, or buy another."

"How can he afford another, John? you know how poor he is."

Mr. Brown drove on now for several minutes without speaking. He knew perfectly well what his wife was coming to now, and, after weighing in his mind the alternatives of accepting battle or making sail and changing the subject altogether, said,

"You know, my dear, he has brought it on himself. A headlong, generous sort of youngster, like Tom, must be taught early that he can't have his cake and eat his cake. If he likes to lend his money, he must find out that he hasn't it to spend."

"Yes, dear, I quite agree with you. But 501. a year is a great deal to make him pay."

"Not a bit too much, Lizzie. His

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allowance is quite enough without it to keep him like a gentleman. Besides, after all, he gets it in meal or in malt; I have just paid 251. for his gun."

"I know how kind and liberal you are to him; only I am so afraid of his getting into debt."

"I wonder what men would do, if they hadn't some soft-hearted woman always ready to take their parts and pull them out of scrapes," said Mr. Brown. 'Well, dear, how much do you want to give the boy?"

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"Twenty-five pounds, just for this year. But out of my own allowance, John."

"Nonsense!" replied Mr. Brown; "you want your allowance for yourself and the children."

"Indeed, dear John, I would sooner not do it at all, then, if I may not do it out of my own money."

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"Well, have it your own way. believe you would always look well dressed, if you never bought another gown. Then, to go back to what we were talking about just now-you will find a room for the girl, somehow?"

"Yes, dear, certainly, as I see you are bent on it."

"I think it would be scarcely civil not to ask her, especially if Katie comes. And I own I think her very pretty, and have taken a great fancy to her."

"Isn't it odd that Tom should never have said anything about her to us? He has talked of all the rest, till I knew them quite well before I went there."

"No; it seems to me the most natural thing in the world."

"Yes, dear, very natural. But I can't help wishing he had talked about her more; I should think it less dangerous."

"Oh, you think Master Tom is in love with her, eh?" said Mr. Brown, laughing.

"More unlikely things have happened. You take it very easily, John."

"Well, we have all been boys and girls, Lizzie. The world hasn't altered much, I suppose, since I used to get up at five on winter mornings, to ride some twenty miles to cover, on the chance of meeting a young lady on a grey pony.

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