box above the level of the flowers with sand, so that the flowers are completely embedded in it. By means of a tube, or a funnel, or a sieve, you can do it 'n such a way that every particle of the flower rests in sand, and that your filling up shall not have crumpled or displaced the smallest petal. Of course, such a thing can be done only in a very slow way by a beginner. Take care not to shake your box, lest the flower inside might get hurt. Carry it to a place both dry and warm, that all the moisture in the flower may pass into the sand, which, being porous, is in turn acted upon, and will let the moisture pass entirely out and get evaporated. Avoid, however, positive heat, or the colors of the flower will fade; whilst at too low a temperature, the moisture in the flower will not dry quickly enough, and so rot it. The warmth should, as a general thing, never exceed 100°. When you are sure that your flowers have fully dried-a thing a very little practice in touching the box will teach you—the thing is done. Open the box, and by holding it in a slanting direction, let so much sand run out that you can lift the flower by the stem; by turning it upside down, shaking it gently, and, if necessary, blowing on it, all the sand will be removed, and you have the flower in its most perfect form—a little brittle, to be sure, in such a dry state as this, and therefore requiring careful handling; but a few days' exposure to the atmosphere will have imparted moisture enough to it to make it considerably less brittle. You now see why we cannot do with the larger grains of sand: they would press unequally, and spoil the flower, which forever retains all the marks of such pressure; nor with the dusty particles of the sand, because they, as well as the soluble particles which we have removed by washing, would adhere to the hairy and velvety parts of the flower, would never be got rid of, and would materially impair the original beauty. The very newest feature about this art is, that the discovery how to preserve flowers in their natural state is quite an old affair, long forgotten, which has been restored on account of the increasing demand for bouquets. To Make an Eolian Harp. An instrument of the kind about to be described seems to be of very ancient origin, but was reintroduced during the last century. The Æolian harp produces a very pleasing, melodious sound, especially in the open air, and is not difficult to construct. A long, narrow box, the length of a window, or the position in which it is to be placed, is the first requisite; it must be made of thin deal, four inches deep and five in width. At the extremities of the top glue two pieces of oak about half an inch high and a quarter of an inch thick, for bridges to which the strings are to be fixed; within the box, at each end, glue two pieces of beech-wood, about an inch square and the width of the box. Into one of the bridges fix seven pegs, such as are used for piano strings; into the other bridge fasten the same number of small brass pins; and to these pins fix one end of the strings, made of small catgut, and twist the other end of the strings around the pegs; then tune them in unison. Place over the top of the strings a thin board, supported by four pegs, and about three inches from the sounding-board, to procure a free passage for the wind. The harp should be exposed to the wind at a partly open window; to increase the draught of air, the door, or an opposite window in the room, should be open. The strings, in a current of air, sound in unison; and with the increasing or decreasing force of the current, the melody changes into pleasing, soft, low sounds and diatonic scales, which unite and occasionally form very delightful musical tones. If the harp can be placed in a suitable position, so as to receive a sufficient draught of air, in a grotto, or romantically situated arbor, or hidden in some shady nook near a waterfall, the effect of its sweet sounds is very charming. ELEMENTARY GYMNASTICS. A Series of Rules for Healthful Exercises Designed to Develop the Bodily Strength and Promote the Health of the Young. THE art gymnastic consists in regulating the voluntary motions of the body, and giving them more strength and precision. The immediate effect is an increase both in size and power of the parts exercised, in consequence of an admirable law, which obtains in living bodies, that (within certain limits) in proportion to the exertion which is required to be made, a part increases, not only in strength and fitness, but also in size. This effect is not only local, but the whole of the functions of the body participate in the increased activity, and the mind (if it at the same time be judiciously cultivated) acquires strength, and is made more capable of prolonged exertion. If, then, bodily exercises are neglected, as they too often are by those who follow a sedentary occupation, the ill effects are soon exhibited, not only by people who are employed in-doors, but by others who neglect to take some active exercise in their leisure hours. The difference which is apparent in the appearance of the scholars in a girls' school, when compared with the next boys' school in a large town, can only be attributed to the same cause. The increase in the mental activity would more than compensate for the loss of time bestowed on a proper system of exercises, while the pupils would be healthy and robust. The evils of deficiency are only equalled by the evils of excess. In this as in most other things, the via media is the only safe road to success, health, and happiness. But girls should have a much modified course of exercises on account of their greater delicacy and less strength. Attention should be paid to the regularity of breathing. Whatever increases the capacity of breathing improves the health, and the greatest attention is given to this point by all gymnastic teachers. Good wind is necessary for all feats-for the enjoyment of out-door exercise of every description. It may be wonderfully improved by reading aloud, by taking long inspirations on first rising in the morning, either in-doors or before an open window, or, better still, in a garden, at first cautiously, but it may be continued for ten minutes at a time. Few things are better as a guard against consumption, and for improving the breathing generally. The dress, too, must be considered. It should be loose fitting, and, if possible, of flannel, confined with a belt round the waist. Taste will dictate the color, and convenience the width of the belt. The shoes should be of soft leather, light, and made like Irish "brogues," without heels. Exercise to be of use should begin Sudden transitions are to be avoided. gently and terminate in the same manner. exercised until they become strong like those of the right. being cooled too quickly when perspiring is injudicious. and getting into a cold current of air must be avoided. should be handy to cover the body the moment exercise is should be carried to excess, as that only exhausts the body. surely and gradually. Beware of draughts; Avoid kicking with Economize your power. Do not waste your energies. your legs when performing a feat with your arms and hands. Do what you have got to do quickly and easily. The best gymnasts are those who perform their feats with the least effort. Free Movements. Exercise 1.-Lay yourself on your back in bed, if you like, but the floor is better. Keep the body stiff, and let your arms lie close to your sides. Legs and heels to lie in the same line. Now, without moving the heels, raise the body perpendicular from the hips upwards, without moving your legs. How strange you could not do it easily! Lie down and try again. Better done this time. Just cross your arms over your breast, and "try again." Practise this ere you rise, varying it by clasping the hands over the head, and raise the body as before, keeping the arms on a line with the shoulders. This is a practical illustration of domestic gymnastics, which you may try before you rise. Exercise 2.-Try and raise the right leg gradually, until it is perpendicular. Now lower it again by raising the body until it rests by the side of the other. Try the same movement with the left leg. When you can do this easily, try both together. Rather funny, isn't it, to have a gymnastic lesson in bed? When your back. will bear the strain, endeavor to raise the lower extremities and pelvis so as to touch the pillow behind your head with your toes. This is not difficult, and on a hard mattress is excellent practice for the muscles of the posterior portion of the human frame. Keep the arms extended, resting on the mattress, the knees stretched. Return gradually to your old position, and you will find yourself quietly seated on the floor. Now vary the movement by sitting up, bend the knees, lay the soles of your feet flat against each other. Extend your arms, and hold the lower part of your legs steadily between your hands. Lower yourself on your back; carry your legs over your heels; keep your arms full extended; make a slight contrary movement, and return to your original position. If you prefer it, you may try Exercise 3.-Turn your face to the mattress (for, of course, you are not so effeminate as to sleep on a feather bed), and extend yourself longitudinally, supporting yourself by the strength of your arms and toes; the hands must be turned inward, and the fingers point towards each other. Now allow the body to sink slowly, let the arms bend gently, still keeping the body extended, without permitting the stomach to rest. Touch the hands with the lips, and return slowly to first position. Repeat the movement deliberately again and again. A very useful variation may be thus performed. While in the foregoing position, put the right hand under the right hip, leave the left hand in its place as before. Allow the body to sink, gently bend the arms, keep the body still extended on the toes, touch the left hand with the lips, and return to first position, and restore the right hand to its place. Repeat the movement with the left hand under the left hip, and you will have exercised many of the most important muscles of the body. Now you may get up and recollect that your lungs have been lying all night breathing slowly. Remember they are like a bladder in their structure, and can be stretched open to double their ordinary size with perfect safety. Expand the chest, and defy consumption. On rising from the bed, place yourself in an erect posture, throw your chest forward and your shoulders entirely off your chest. Now take a long inspiration, suck in all the air you can—inhale nature's universal medium-the common air-so as to fill your lungs. Hold your breath, throw your arms behind, holding your breath as long as possible. Now for the sponge bath, if a shower-bath is not handy. Rub yourself dry with a coarse towel-do not be afraid of a little friction-and we will then proceed. When we come to deal with apparatus, we shall have something to say of a chest expander which may be used with advantage in the early morning in the bedroom. Before the gymnast proceeds further with his morning exercise, a draught of water and a piece of crust will assist him materially. He may then try Exercise 4.—This is a very simple movement. The body is placed upright, with the feet together. The arms are extended and the body thrown on alternate sides, until the hands nearly touch the floor. This exercise will be found useful in all cases where any ill habit or contraction has been acquired by sedentary habits, as a consequence of wrong positions in sitting, writing, sleeping, or where there is some natural inclination to deformity. The exercise may be continued with any degree of force, and varied according to the strength of the pupil. Exercise 5. By this time the pupil will have acquired a knowledge of what muscles he has, and of the use he can make of them. Simple as the exercises have been, it will be found that some of the muscles are stiff and not easily moved, yet it will soon wear off, and the pupil will rejoice in the freedom of his limbs. He may now proceed to the "extension" movements. Place the feet close together and the toes across a straight line, so as to mark the situation of the feet; place the hands by the side, elevate them quickly above the head, and bring them forcibly and energetically down. Close the hands, palm upwards, and bring the fists close to the shoulders. Drive them forth, as if into your inveterate enemy, and then bring them back until your hands are level with your sides. Repeat each movement again and again-up, down, forward, backward. This exercise is useful to old and young, and possesses the advantage of being resorted to in all times and places, and brings into play the thoracic, dorsal, and abdominal muscles. Exercise 6. Stand upright. Stretch out the hands straight at the shoulders before the body, and place the palms of the hands together. Now slowly separate the hands, keep them at the same level, the arms straight, and try to make the backs of the hands meet behind you. This, to all, at the commencement, seems to be impossible; yet as the chest expands it becomes perfectly easy, though at first it will make the shoulders and chest rather stiff. Exercise 7.-Stand in the same position. Grasp the left hand with the right, bring the arms behind the head, and move them from one side to the other. This brings the pectoral muscles into play with those round the shoulder. Exercise 8.-Stand as before. Place the hands behind and let the palms touch, with the fingers pointing downwards. Now turn the fingers inward, and bring the hands as high as possible up the back, taking care to keep the palms of the hands close together. Exercise 9.-Position as before. Close the hands, draw the elbows back until the hands touch the sides, and move them backwards and forwards until they move easily. You may now try the circular movement, which is one of the best methods of enlarging the capacity of the air-cells of the lungs. You may strike the palms and wrists together as they pass in front. Every one of these exercises can be done in a bed-room, parlor, or study. Exercise 10.-Stand as before. Bring the arms quickly in front as high as the shoulders. Turn the nails upwards, then swing them forcibly backwards, at the same time turning the nails backward. Keep the body perfectly upright. Do this slowly many times. Stretch the arms and place the palms together, keep the arms at same level, and bring the hands behind you, and try to make |