The ancient and modern gymnastics are of a very lin, racing, wrestling, &c. were exercises which alone different character; the former were practised at a would fit men for the field, enable them to repel the time when agility and strength were the principal re-attacks of their neighbours, or in turn become themquisites of a warrior, when leaping, hurling the jave- selves the aggressors. When the defence of their own

property, or the seizure of that of others, was the employment of a principal part of their lives, the gymnastic art would undoubtedly occupy a prominent place in the education of youth. The ancient gymnastics fitted men for the field, and for the fatigues of warthe modern professes only to improve the constitution; to enable men to endure without injury the sedentary occupations incident to a city life.

degree brought the muscles of the thigh into play, and rendered the knee-joints sufficiently flexible, the pupil commences leaping. Of leaps there are several different kinds, viz. the long leap or without a run, the deep leap, or the same leaps with a pole, all of which are very differently performed.

The high leap without a run. In order to practise the high leap it is necessary to construct a leaping stand, which is generally made in the following manner: Two upright posts are fixed in the ground, at the distance of about twelve feet from each other, having

In the engravings will be seen a representation of the manners and exercises generally practiced in the schools of the present day-running, leaping, vaulting, e climbing the ladder, the pole, and the loose rope, swing-holes drilled in them at every inch, for the insertion of ing on the bar, and leaping with the pole.

pegs, over which a cord is extended by two weights fastened to its extremities.

The leap over the cord must always be made from the side of the stand opposite to which the string is laid, in order that it may give way if struck by the feet. This stand therefore allows of leaping from one side only, and even then the weight often occasions the string to entangle the leaper, although his feet carry it off the pegs. A better stand may be made (if the leapers are not very numerous) with poles that shut up in three joints, one within the other similar to some fishing rods, as shown in the engraving. These being drawn to any required length, and supported in their position by means of small pegs, a thin light cane, in place of the string, is laid along the top of the two poles, which are slightly grooved to receive it. This will be found to fly off with the slightest touch, and never to embarrass the pupil. This stand may also be used with equal safety from either side; but the poles cannot be set so far asunder as in the other, it being

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difficult to procure a thin cane that is straight, above The two leaps are made very light, and follow one "five feet in length. In order to learn the high leap with- another instantaneously, that the force of the first out a run, the pupil is directed to place himself at spring be not lost. Young pupils begin this with the about the distance of four feet from the stand, and hav- cane no higher than the knees; but many persons will ing excited the elastic power of his feet by a prelimi- spring over a cord at the height of the pit of the stomnary leap of about three feet, he springs over the cane.ach. Doy did svo einado at leaigs gales

The deep leap is a spring from one side of the ditch to the other, which is considerably lower, or indeed from any high place to a low one and is best performed with the assistance of the hands. By contriving to throw himself partly on his hands, and let the weight of his descent thus gradually pass over to the feet, the gymnast is soon enabled to leap from a height that to an unpractised eye would appear dangerous. By continual practice he is in time enabled to leap with comparative ease from a two pair of stairs window, and thus have a considerable advantage, in case of fire, over the idle or the sedentary man, to whom a leap from the first floor would be often fatal. For exercise, this leap is often performed without the assistance of the hands, and great care must then be taken to fall on the toes, instead of the heels, as otherwise a very considerable shock may be given to the body. Drop ping also from a height, is often connected with this exercise, and great care must then be taken to keep the knees slack, and the body rather forward in the descent. These exercises must on no account be performed after meal, as the shock on a full stomach may sometimes Occasion hernia.

The long leap without a run is performed merely by the elastic power of the feet, assisted by a swinging of the hands. The long leaps are best performed over a ditch about a foot deep, and increasing in breadth from one end to the other thus:

taking care that the margin of one side be composed of loose sand to the extent of about two feet and a half, in order that a slip in descending may not strain the feet of the leaper. The broadest end of the ditch need not exceed twenty feet, and the breadth should diminish gradually to about four and a half. Continued jumping from one end to another of a long piece of ground is also a preparatory exercise.

The run, &c. is the same as in the preceding exercise; and many leapers will in this manner clear a wall considerably above their own height. At Greenwich, this exercise is combined with the game of carrying off a ring on the top of a sword while in the act of leaping and this accustoms the pupils to spring with great precision and coolness.

The long leap with a pole.-We are now come to leaping with a pole, which has been said to be "vaulting," in which the leaper, instead of supporting himself by an intervening object, carries with him a pole, which he places in whatever spot he chooses." This is, however, by no means correct; the support given by a wall, bar or other fixed object over which you have to move, and on which the hands must be moved, hears but little resemblance to a moveable pole, which swings with your body, and on which you in a manner hang. The pole is from about six feet to ten, or even thirteen feet long, and about two inches thick at the bottom, tapering to about an inch at the top: ash is the best wood. This pole is held with the right hand about the height of the head, and the left a little higher than the hips. The run is the same as before, but the leap is made with the left foot. The leaper then swings round to the right of the pole, making a turn, so that his body faces, on his reaching the opposite bank of the ditch, the side from which he set out. The body is kept near the pole, and the swing is carefully given, lest, by pulling the pole in the direction lateral to the ditch, you fall sideways into the ditch. The spring and the fixing of the pole are made at the same moment, as otherwise the swing is not so strongly made; and, in proportion as he becomes more expert, the leaper may advance his hands higher up the pole, and thereby have a more powerful swing. The feet are stretched out as far as possible to reach the opposite bank, and if this should be lower than the one from which the leap is taken, the hands are slid down the pole while in the act of leaping.

The high leap with a pole greatly resembles the preceding one, except that the sweep being smaller, the hands are more raised, and the legs quickly turned, to prevent their coming in contact with the cord. The left hand grasps the pole at the same distance from The long leap with a run is practised over the the bottom that the cord is from the ground. The pole ditch, and the run does not exceed twenty-five feet. is not always fixed at the same distance in front of the The steps are small, and increase in rapidity as they stand, but further in proportion to the height of the approach the leaping-place; long steps are particularly leap. The swinging upward is principally effected by avoided, as they considerably diminish the force of the the force of the spring as connected with the quick run. As it is evident that the spring can be finally motion occasioned by the run, which, being sudmade with only one foot, and most persons leap best denly checked by the fixing of the pole, changes its with the right, some little practice is required to ena- horizontal direction to one of a slanting ascent, and ble the leaper so far to measure the distance with his thus carries the body of the leaper over the cord or eye, as to bring that foot forward to leap with. When cane. At the same time the leaper fixes the pole right descending, the feet are kept close together, the knees before him, and not either to the right or left, as otherslack, and the chest well thrown forward; and on ar-wise the force of the run would throw him from the riving at the ground, a light spring is again made to lesson the shock of the fall; though if the opposite margin be formed of loose sand to the depth of about three feet, no shock can be felt. Many young leapers, however, by throwing the feet too far forward, fall backward on coming to the ground; or by separating the legs, give to one of them alone the whole weight of the descent, and thereby are apt to receive some unpleasant strains. But of all the faults of young beginners, the most common is that of endeavouring to hurl themselves along without leaping to a sufficient height: they thus come quickly to the ground, and generally fall on their faces by the strength of their own leap.

The high leap with a run is performed either by bending the legs as close under the body as possible, immediately on leaving the ground; or by throwing the left leg over the cane, and drawing the right sharply up to the bottom of the back; or by throwing them together, either to the right or left side, to prevent their catching against the obstacle over which you leap.

pole. The best criterion of a good leap is, that the pupil descend in an equal balance to the ground; that is to say, he is not compelled to run backward to keep himself from falling. The descent takes place on the balls of the toes, and the knees are slackened to prevent any shock.

VAULTING, or the art of leaping over an object with the assistance of the hands, requires next to be attended to. This is performed by placing the hands on the wall, bar, or gate, over or upon which you vault, and at the same time giving a spring; swinging yourself round, and descending with your face towards the object. The leaning of the hands not only gives direction to, but considerably assists the swing, and thereby augments the muscular power of the arins, shoulders, &c. as well as of the legs. In order that this exercise may be practised with ease and safety, wooden horses, whose sides and backs are commonly stuffed with wool, and covered with leather, are erected in the gymnasium. 1. The pupil places himself in front of the horse, makes one preparatory leap, and then

Vaulting over the horse is frequently practised, as it is applicable in so many instances. With a short run a person soon learns to throw himself over the height of his chest, and, by shifting the hands, over a broad table. Vaulting on, in a standing position, is performed with a short run; the pupil then places his hands at a little distance from one another on the object, and, at the same time, leaping up, draws his knees forcibly towards his breast, so that the feet come up between the hands; the gymnast then, quitting the horse with his hands, stands upright. If he wish to seat himself sideways on the horse, he only, instead of standing, continues to throw forward his feet, and is able to seat himself on the saddle; or should he still continue his leap, he will go over the horse straightforward.

fixing both hands on it, and springing up, throws his Germany was the first country that attempted the right leg over; the body is then suspended by the sup- revival of these ancient sports. In Denmark also, the port of the hands, and descends gradually to the riding government, intent on a plan of education. issued an position. In order to dismount, the rider swings him-order that a piece of ground should be allotted to every self on his hands, first forward and then backward, and public school for the practice of these exercises; and then, closing his feet, throws them both over to the in 1803, no less than sixteen of these establishments ground. A person may soon learn to mount a horse were formed in that kingdom. In 1810, a gymnasium of any size in this manner. was erected at Berlin by the Prussian government, and placed under the direction of M. Jahn, by whose exertions similar institutions have been formed in various parts of Prussia and Germany. In fact no large academy is considered perfect in those countries which does not include a course of gymnastics in its system. Early in the spring of 1826, a meeting was held in London at the Mechanics' Theatre, Southampton Buildings, Dr. Gilchrist in the chair, to consider the practicability of establishing a London Gymnastic Society. Professor Vosiker of Germany came forward and offered to give his instructions gratuitously, and another gentleman present advanced the money for the erection of the apparatus. A society was soon formed, and they purchased a piece of ground on the higher part of Spa Fields, near Pentonville. From its elevation it is dry, and capacious enough to accommodate about three hundred gymnasts. These are arranged in classes according to their size and capacity; and the various poles, &c. are constructed of different sizes accordingly. At the ringing of a bell each class changes the exercises in which it has been previously engaged, and begins a new one, according to a plan prescribed by the director. The success of the undertaking has exceeded even the expectation of the most sanguine of the projectors.

SWINGING ON THE BAR.-This though an exercise not so directly applicable to the accidents of active life as leaping, vaulting, or climbing, greatly augments the muscular power of the body. Bars are erected similar to those shown in the engraving. The exercises on these bars are so various that we cannot be expected to describe them in detail. On the double bars the principal ones are performed, either by raising the body on the two hands as the pupil is represented doing, or by swinging along them, or lowering and raising himself by degrees, by the strength of his arms only. On the single bar the most difficult is the seizing the bar with both hands on the same side, and raising the body by pulling upward, the feet being meanwhile closed and hanging down. This exercise is very fatiguing, and, though many persons will go through it nine or ten times successively, twenty times will tire the strongest man. Hanging by the arms and legs, or by the arms or legs alone, and swinging in different ways round the bar, are the other exercises on this bar. They greatly facilitate the gymnast's progress in the following exercise.

CLIMBING. The uses and advantages of this art are too evident to need any particularization. In order to practise it in all its varieties, different kinds of stands or scaffolds have been recommended. An upright pole and a common rung ladder are attached to a stand formed of two strong posts, as in the engraving. The first thing that pupils attend to in climbing is, to be able to ascend and descend the ladder quickly, without fear, carrying up with them some burden. When they can easily do this, they begin to ascend and descend the inside of the ladder; this also being accomplished, they endeavour to descend it with their hands only. The last exercise on the ladder is, to ascend it with the hands, the feet meanwhile hanging loose; this indeed requires considerable exertion, for the whole weight of the body must not only be supported but raised by one arm only, while the other catches at the second step above the head. Climbing the rope ladder is much more difficult than is generally supposed; for, the bottom of the rope ladder hanging loose, a person unaccustomed to it receives no support from his feet, but rather trouble, as they fly from under him, and give his arms very strong jerks. By degrees, however, he learns to keep his feet stretched out, and thus to avail himself of their assistance. The gymnast now begins to climb the upright pole; this is done by alternately holding on and raising the arms and legs, and requires nothing but a tight hold by the legs and a strong pull with the arms. The other methods of climbing the ropes, &c. are better learned by practice and actual inspection than by any instructions, however detailed.

In Dublin there are at present two public gymnasiums, the one in Grafton-street, and the other in Brunswick-street, where young persons of both sexes practise at different hours, having exercises suited to their age, habits of body, &c. They are, however, on a very limited scale.-Dublin Penny Journal.

ESCAPE OF PETER THE GREAT.

Like all malecontents, the Strelitz believed that discontent was universal. It was this belief which, in Moscow itself, and a few days before the departure of their sovereign, emboldened Tsilker and Sukanim, two of their leaders, to plot a nocturnal conflagration. They knew that Peter would be the first to hasten to it; and, in the midst of the tumult and confusion common to such accidents, they meant to murder him without mercy, and then to massacre all the foreigners who had been set over them as masters.

Such was the infamous scheme. The hour which they had fixed for its accomplishment was at hand. They had accomplices but no impeachers; and, when assembled at a banquet, they all sought in intoxicating liquors the courage which was required for so dreadful an execution.

But like all other intoxications, this produced various effects, according to difference of constitution in those by whom it was felt. Two of these villains lost in it their boldness; they infected each other, not with just remorse, but with a dastardly fear; and, escaping from one crime by another, they left the company under a specious pretext, promising to their accomplices to return in time, and hurried to the Czar to disclose the plot.

At midnight the blow was to have been struck; and Peter gave orders that, exactly at eleven, the abode of the conspirators should be closely surrounded. Shortly after, thinking that the hour was come, he went singly to the haunt of these ruffians; he entered boldly, certain that he should find nothing but trembling criminals, already fettered by his guards. But his impatience had anticipated the time, and he found himself, single and unarmed, in the midst of their unshackled, daring, well-armed band, at the instant when they were

His vengeance was terrible, the punishment was more ferocious than the crime. First the rack, then the successive mutilation of each member: then death, LAMENT OF MÖRIAN SHEHONE FOR MISS MARY when not enough of blood and life was left to allow of the sense of suffering. To close the whole, the heads were exposed on the summit of a column, the members being symmetrically arranged around them, as orna