Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 71.djvu/165

Rh of physical training practised in the armies of those countries. The Greek government has recently requested the authorities of Harvard University to send information regarding American gymnasia that will aid in constructing and equipping the gymnasium at Athens.

The Sunday Schools have also begun organizing athletic leagues. In 1904, twenty-five Sunday Schools in the borough of Brooklyn organized an athletic league which had a membership of fifty schools in a few months. Notices now appear in the daily papers of athletic meetings, including wrestling and similar sports, by church societies. While this might be regarded in the light of an effort to fight the devil with his own weapons by providing some sports that will really attract men and boys to the church society meetings, nevertheless it is due in part at least, to the widespread demand for physical education; a phase of modern life long since utilized by the Young Men's Christian Associations. Of late years, however, the increased demand for this kind of teaching has taxed the resources of the associations heavily, and the work is constantly growing, as the following figures will show: The attendance at the Young Men's Christian Association gymnasia in this country has increased from about 50,000 ten years ago to 154,000 in 1906, or over three-fold. All the extension work, so called, which is the teaching of physical exercises in schools, colleges, churches, clubs, etc., by Christian Association men, has been developed in the past decade, whereas, "the shop work," namely, teaching the industrial classes right habits of living, has been taken up within the past three years, and 271 leaders are engaged in work of this kind.

Ten years ago, eight per cent, of the Young Men's Christian Association directors had received technical preparation as physical instructors. To-day, thirty-nine per cent, have received such preparation. So in the Young Women's Christian Association physical instruction has become an important feature. There are at present over 80 associations, out of 138 reporting, giving such instruction, whereas sixteen years ago there were only two. Of a total membership of 68,803 women, there were in 1905 11,153, or 16 per cent., enrolled ra the physical training classes, as against 9,001, of 13 per cent., enrolled in the Bible study classes.

That other countries feel the working of the same leaven, the following incident testifies: Not very long ago, the Pope consented to act as patron of the athletic societies of Italy, and invited them to give exhibitions in the courts of the Vatican. This innovation met with great opposition from the members of the papal court. His Holiness, however, was not to be dissuaded from his purpose, saying to the protesting cardinals, "Come and see these brave boys, you will be rejuvenated by fifty years, and they will gain from it in the health of their bodies, and above all in that of their souls." Accordingly, races, trials of strength and gymnastic contests were held in the great courts and