Page:Science ofDress204.png

204

CHAPTER XIII.SUITABLE DRESS FOR  EXERCISE AND  SPORTS.
THE question of suitable exercises and games for women, and more especially for growing girls, is one well worthy of consideration, for it is of the greatest importance not only to individuals, but also to the State, that we should develop a healthy race of women. That our girls are badly in need of physical education is certain, and at the present time, when mental overwork is the rule, not the exception, a strong feeling prevails in favour of the necessity of muscular exercise.

People judge rightly that it is injurious to exercise the brain inordinately to the neglect of the rest of the body; but then they straightway rush to the other extreme, and prescribe cures so violent that the patients would be better without them. At the Healtheries during the summer of 1884 I several times witnessed exhibitions of the Ling system of gymnastics as practised by girls in some Board Schools. Many of these exercises are practised on apparatus, and climbing plays a great part in