PHYSICAL CULTURE FOR CHILDREN
could so well make,—could tell the further steps which progress demanded. But if a child is sound; if nothing ails heart, nerves, or lungs; why should not every boy and girl be a fair runner? Rightly used, no exercise is fitter to bring good legs and lungs; ease and grace of carriage; true vigor and endurance. A little cinder-path around each school-house, as large as the ground would allow; simple, inexpensive, sensible, is all that would be needed. Poorly off in playground as are most of schools, they could manage that little bit. Any easy old shoes would do. But an erect carriage over; right breathing; a correct step; and a knowledge of how to distribute one's strength so that it would last; care never to overdo; and knowing what is best after leaving off;—these and a few other simple matters would be welcomed by the scholars; would scatter many a headache; and when at length they found their strength and stay had greatly increased, they would be delighted as well.
It is as easy to run as to walk, when you once knew how to, if you are in fair condition. In the go-as-you-please races years ago, in Madison Square Garden in New York City, little Charlie Rowell, an Englishman, in one of the six days of never-ceasing effort, ran twenty miles without stopping; and covered that day in all, walking and running, one hundred and fifty miles! And it did not seem to hurt him a bit. He said that he had learned to run, by trotting upon the banks of the Isis, beside the Cambridge crews, when in practice. And it was said that he could tire out a greyhound in a day. This excessive work we do not want. But moderate daily running, all the year round, would do more for the lungs; and for the health, strength, and stamina of the children of this land than any one thing they ever did. Many of them are from stock which has run down; parents and
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