STANDING AT EASE. When the instructor gives the com

mand to stand at ease, the right foot is to be drawn back about six inches, and the greatest part of the weight of the body brought upon it; the left knee is to be slightly bent; the hands brought together before the body, the palms being struck smartly together, and that of the right hand being then slipped over the back of the left, so as to clasp it; the shoulders are to be kept back and square, and the head to the front; but there is not any stiffness or constraint in the position; on the contrary, it is really intended that the pupil should stand at ease, the object being to afford a little rest after the performance of any of the exercises.

to be

Fig. 14.

SECOND PRACTICE. One. The hands are to be brought smartly up with the palms of the hands to the front, the tips of the fingers in a line with the shoulder, pointing upward, the elbows to be kept close to the side and well back, so as to square the shoulders; the head is to be held erect, and the body slightly inclined forward, as in Fig. 11.

Two. Raise the elbows a little, so as to draw them upward and backward, then bring the hands smartly down to the side, as in Fig. 12, and assume the position of attention, Fig. 7.

Long Backboard Exercises.

The pupils are to stand at ease, as directed before, and then the instructor will give them the long backboards, Fig. 3, which are to be held by the handle with the left hand, and the right hand is to be placed on the top of the backboard, while the other end rests upon the ground between the feet, as in Fig. 13.

Attention. When this word is given, the heels are to be rought in a line, and the backboard brought across in front of the thighs at the full extent of the arms, holding it by the handles with both hands, the back of the hands t be front, as in Fig. 14.

One. The backboard is to be gradually raised from the

position of attention, with the arms straight, until the flat part of it is horizontal and over the head, the tips of the fingers in front, and the knuckles behind; the body is to be kept well forward on the fore part of the feet, and the head erect, as will be seen in Fig. 15.

Two. At this word the backboard is to be lowered from position one, the arms being contracted, and it is to be brought across the back part of the shoulders, as in Fig. 16, still keeping the body well forward, and the head erect. In the last position, the pupil will be required to walk slowly round the room, then quickly, and

Fig. 15.

Fig. 16.

to practice the balance step without gaining ground.

When the various exercises have been frequently repeated, the word "steady" will be given, when the position of attention, Fig. 14, is to be resumed, and at the command "stand at ease," that position, Fig. 13, with the backboard, is at once to be taken.

Short Backboard Exe cises.

The short backboard, Fig. 2 teing strapped on as before directed, the pupil is to hold he head erect, and to be

practiced in the balance step, with and without gaining ground, for half an hour at least; after which the muscles of the arms and shoulders should be exercised by the club practice.

The Club Practice.

The clubs, Fig. 4, are to be placed in the pupil's hands, with their wrists turned out, and having a firm hold of the handles; the heels are to be kept close, the knees well pressed back, the weight of the body resting on the fore part of the feet, the head erect, and the body perfectly steady.

Fig. 17.

FIRST PRACTICE. One. Turn the back of the right hand to the front, raise it gradually with a straight arm in a line with the shoulder, carrying the club in a circular direction round the head, the arm extended to the front, the club resting on the right shoulder, as in Fig. 17.

Two. Turn the back of the left hand to the front, raise it gradually with a straight arm in a line with the shoulder, and carry the club in a circular direction round the head, the arm extending to the front, the club resting on the left shoulder. In this position, both hands must be kept close together, the arms straight, the body inclined forward, and the head erect.

Three. Separate the hands, and carry them backward, with the arms straight, and in a line with the shoulders, as in Fig. 20, the clubs hanging perpendicular, being held between the fore fingers and thumb; the palms of the hands upward, and the fingers straight, body well forward on the fore part of the feet, the head erect, and shoulders well pressed back.

Four. Le the arms fall gradually to the side, with the

wrists turned out, and the clubs being he.d with a firm grasp, as in Fig. 18.

SECOND PRACTICE. One. Bring the hands close together in front f the body, the arms straight, the thumbs in a line with the chin, and the clubs held perpendicular, as in Fig. 21; the body being well forward, and the head erect.

Two. Separate the hands, carrying them off with straight arms in a line with the shoulders, as in Fig. 20.

The same motions are to be repeated as directed for three in the first elub practice.

Three. Let the ends of the clubs fall to the back of the hips, as in Fig. 22, keeping a firm grasp of the clubs, with the arms straight, the body kept forward, the head erect, and shoulders pressed well back.

Four. Let the arms fall gradually to the side, with the wrist turned out, the clubs being held firmly, as in Fig. 18.

THIRD PRACTICE. One. Carry the right hand, with the wrist well turned out, straight to the front, and circle the club round the right shoulder; then let the arms fall gradually to the side, at the word "steady."

Ms. 19.

Two. Carry the left hand, with the wrist well turned out, straight to the front, and circle the club round the left shoulder; then let the arms fall gradually to the side, at the word "steady."

Three. Carry both hands, with the wrists well turned out, straight to the front, and circle both clubs round the shoulders, swinging thers independently; then, at the word "steady," let the arms fall gradually to the side

Fig. 20. FIRST PRACTICE.

Fig. 21.

Wand or Pole Exercises.

The pupils are to stand at ease, as we have before directed, and when the poles are delivered to them, they are to remain in the same position, with the poles between their hands and the body. When the word "steady" is given, the poles are to be held in the center, with the thumbs turned inward, and close together.

One. Slide the hands smartly up the pole to the top, which is to be grasped firmly; then dart the hands straight to the front, with straight arms, the thumbs close together and uppermost; the knuckles to the front, as in Fig. 23.

Two. Throw the hands well back, the same as directed for dumb-bell practice, (First Practice, "Three,") keeping the knuckles to the front.

Repeat these motions from two to one, and from one to two.

Three. Slide the hands down the pole to its center, and resume the position you had before the word " one" was given.

SECOND PRACTICE. Attention. When this word is given, the heels are to be brought in a line, and the pole brought across the front of the thighs, at the full extent of the arms, the same as in the backboard exercise, Fig. 15.

One. Raise the right hand until it is above the center of the head, and move the left hand from left toward the right, antil it is under the other hand, and the pole held quite