Page:Cuthbert Bede--Verdant Green married and done for.djvu/105

Rh appearance to the fencing-room. The wall to the right hand, as well as a part of the wall at the upper end, was hung around—not

like the fine old English gentleman's,—but nevertheless,

and foils, and fencing masks, and fencing gloves, and boxing gloves, and pads, and belts, and light white shoes. Opposite to the door, was the vaulting-horse, on whose wooden back the gymnasiast sprang at a bound, and over which the tyro (with the aid of the spring-board) usually pitched himself headlong. Then, commencing at the further end, was a series of poles and ropes—the turning pole, the hanging poles, the rings, and the trapeze,—on either or all of which the pupil could exercise himself; and, if he had the skill so to do, could jerk himself from one to the other, and finally hang himself upon the sloping ladder, before the momentum of his spring had passed away.



Mr. Bouncer, who could do most things with his hands and