An appeal is made by some members of the London
School Board for a fund to establish in London swimming-classes, and helps to physical recreation of other kinds, such as football, cricket, tennis, &c. The object is certainly a good one so far as it goes ; but considering the enormous number of these appeals, and the difficulty of finding funds for even the half of the most urgent, does this particular appeal seem to be entirely discreet ? With so many children in the London schools who are insufficiently fed, to press the need for a large increase in the opportunities of physical exercise seems some- what premature. Is not physical exercise even more exhausting to half-fed children than elementary intellectual teaching itself ? There are races which keep a very high standard of health with exceedingly little physical exercise, and surely, in the case of underfed children, a very great economy of physical exercise would be desirable ?
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