Of all things in the world, health is the most important. I fear our little girls do not take sufficient exercise in the open air. The attitude in shooting is important. The heels should be a few inches apart; the neck slightly curved, so as to bring the head a very little downward; the left arm must be held out quite straight to the wrist, which should be bent inward; the bow is to be held easy in the hand; and the arrow, when drawn, should be close to the ear. The right hand should begin to draw the string, as the left raises the bow. When the arrow is three parts drawn, take your aim, and keep your eye steadily fixed upon it; the point of the arrow should appear to the right of the mark you aim at; the arrow is then drawn to a head, and let fly. The trunk of a tree, chalked at certain distances, will answer for a target.

THIS hard name is given to a gentler sort of gymnastics, suited to girls. The exercises have been very generally introduced into the schools in England, and are getting into favour in America. Many people think them dangerous, because they confound them with the ruder and more daring gymnastics of boys; but such exercises are selected as are free from danger; and it is believed that they tend to produce vigorous muscles, graceful motion, and symmetry of form.

CIRCULAR MOVEMENT OF THE ARMS.

FIG. 1. In this exercise, one arm, at first hanging by the side, is moved backward; it then passes up by the ear, and

is brought down in front. The hand, which is kept folded, thus describes a circle from the shoulder.

This is first to be done with one arm, then with the other, and lastly, with both together-slowly, steadily, and equably.

POINTING TO THE GROUND.

FIG. 2. The hands are first raised above the head, and then decline forward, the body bending, and the performer points the hands as low towards the ground as possible, but without bending the legs.

THE SPECTRE MARCH.

FIG. 3. The hands are to be placed on the hips, the thumbs turned back, and the performers, raising themselves on their toes, are then to move forward by a rapid succession of very small springs, keeping the whole frame as erect as possible.

THE DANCING STEP.

FIG. 4. The hands should be placed as before. A small hop is then to be made on the toes, with one foot, the other coming forward and repeating the hop; and the performer thus advances, by a hop and a step, with each foot alternately.

EXERCISES WITH THE WAND.

The wand for this purpose should be light and smooth, but not of a nature to bend. It is first to be taken hold of near the extremities, by each hand, with the knuckles outward, as shown in fig. 5; then raised to the perpendicular position of fig. 6, the right hand being uppermost. The left then takes its place; this should be performed rapidly for some time.

From the position fig. 6, the wand is to be raised above

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the head, as shown in fig. 7; it is then to be passed behind, as in fig. 8, and finally returned into the first position of the wand, by a reverse progress of the arms, as in fig. 9.

The wand is to be held as before, except that the knuckles are turned behind: it is then (see fig. 10) to be raised parallel with the shoulders, each hand being turned alternately inward, so that the end of the wand passes between the fore arm and the shoulder.

It is then to be lifted above the head, as in fig. 11, and brought down behind, as at fig. 12. It is finally returned to the position, fig. 9. These exercises should be repeated many times, till the pupil is very expert and rapid.