20 FEBRUARY 1892, Page 24

Home Gymnastics for Young and Old. By Professor Hoffman. (Rautledge

and Sons.)—The title of this book, coupled with the name of the author, will commend it to readers. Mr. Hoffman is an expert, and his subject is of importance. Gymnastics that can be practised without the assistance of an instructor are peculiarly useful. Much harm is sometimes done by the attempt to perform, untaught and unassisted, difficult and laborious exercises. Easy and moderate work of this kind, on the other hand, is beyond all question conducive to health. The chief items in the programme here recommended are the dumb-bells (the weight of which must be very carefully considered), and the pulley-weight apparatus. There is also general advice which should be found useful.