Polynesian. [volume], April 17, 1858, Page 396, Image 4

About Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864

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THK POLYNESIAN, APRIL 17, :IS58.
396
Physical Education)
In DeBow's Review for February, 1858, is an
article upon " Physical Education at the South,"
written apropos of the erection of a southern
University, in which the writer shows that " gym
nastic exercises are called for by social morality,
health and mental cnergyand urjjes their intro
duction at every school and college throughout the
land. We copy the concluding remarks of the
article :
Upon a 6trict examination of the subject it will
be found undeniable, that the primary and radical
cause of the greater part of this moral distemper lies
in the fact that the boys of the above-mentioned age,
owing to their treatment at school, have no taste
for those violent sports which are the pride of their
European contemporaries. Thero shall a teacher,
during recreation hours, order his scholars to run,
leap, wrestle, &c, for sport. Would they do it if
ordered? Assuredly not, for they would not 'con
sider it, nor would it be recreation. No true boy
will play certain games specified by his master, un
less compelled. Such problematical youths exist
in nrimers and fairv tales only. No ! but if there
is a gymnasium attached to every large school, and
if each boy is taught for an hour, every day, certain
exercises by a competent teacher, and if attention
to and proficiency in them is rigidly exacted, as in
their Latin, Greek, and mathematics, as is the case
in the English schools, then there will be no neces
sity for exacting1 sports any more than forcing water
to return to its level. No necessity of inquiring for
young Achilles, provided you have a helmet
among the trinkets The tone of the whole school
would be changed mentally, morally, and physic
ally ; the pupils would be hardier and healthier;
their lessons would be easier to learn ; they would
have the power to work and would do it.
Let us seo if such a course could be adopted
by an American college. Every institution of that
class implies a preamble, as it were, to its consti
tution or by-laws, that each student who enters the
university does so by his own free will, and that he
comes with the full desire to apply himself to a
long and serious course of study. Now any coer
cion otherwise than moral would be repugnant to
the manly pride of a student who comes to college
at the age that is most susceptible to good or evil
impressions, and peculiarly sensitive to the most
trifling word or deed that seems to imply any dero
gation of his budding manhood. But can they not
be compelled to attend its gymnasium if it be in
serted in the by-laws that a daily attendance, for
the period of two hours, would be exacted of each
student, and his failing to do so would materially
qualify his claim to a diploma in any branch what
ever. Who does not know, who has not heard of the
strictness of the University of Virginia at Char
lottesville ? When degrees are obtained there they
are obtained at the expense of such excessive labor
and fatigue as often entails a mental prostration of
many months, permanently affecting tha constitu
tion. Nay, we are well aware that the severe study
there rendered necessary by the faculty has cost
the lives of many students that the wet napkin,
bound around the aching, splitting head, as the
brain within toils through the small hours of the
night, till the letters dance in demoniac whirl upon
the homicidal page, has served, alas, too often to
bind up the dropping chin, hurried to an early
grave by a nobler ambition than ever actuated the
proudest night of romance or history. He has
slain himself as ' with a razor he would cut his
throat. Nor has that youth robbed himself onlv.
He has robbed you, as well as me ; our libraries
are robbed of hundreds of volumes of noetrv. nrosu. ,
science, philosophy, aud religion ay, even the
very university that marked the self-sacrifice has
been robbed, robbed of the recompense that would
have been its due for the maturing and ornament
ing a master-mind. .Robbed is our country and all
humanity.
If the faculty of a university places the flower
of honor on the brink of a precipice, it should pro
vide sycb means as would prevent the dizziness
that is consequent to its possession.
We know that the students do take some recrea
tionthey rest their minds by light reading, and
walk and take a little exercise, etc. It is'an in
stant necessity they would be in bedlam in three
months if they did not ; and doing that only they
will lie in their graves in as many years. It may
be said that those to whom this severe stuJy is
supposed to apply compose but a small proportion
of the whole. Granted ! But that same small
proportion ought to comprise the aristocracy of
merit and genius the only aristocracy of America
writers, orators, and men of science, arc they
worth saving? Ought to comprise, but does not.
Do we not hear every day the skeptical sneer of
well, what good has his learning done him ?"
And the champion is silent, for the rod that was,
by a long pressure, kept bent, has lost its elasticity!
Nor docs anything but benefit accrue even to the
idler, likewise compelled to attend, if he would
sive himself from the disgrace of being whipped.
It would to the idlest give such a knowledge of
personal security as would do away with the ne
cessity, as it is termed, of bearing deadly weapons.
The students, therefore, will receive, on gradu
ating, a diploma for proficiency in any of the re
spective branches of science, and bear stamped on
their well-developed, muscular frames nature's
diploma for courage and fortitude, alike command
ing the respect of the man of intellect, by the
strength of his mind, and of the low-browed boor
by the strength of his arm.
We will conclude this article with a sketch of a
character, which will give an apt and forcible
illustration of all we desire to prove that the
mind is a beautiiul newer, in us penecuon redo
lent of lasting perfumes, but if the soil that sup
plies it with life and health bo not tilled, a mossy
mould, drawing out its pestiferous existence in the
dark recesses ot a cave.
Toward the latter quarter of the sixteenth cen
tury appeared the admirable Crichton, speaking,
at the age of twenty, ten different languages. He
leaves Scotland and lands on the continent, nails
his challenges for debates on science and philoso
phy on the doors of the first universities of Europe
The hall of the debate is the scene of his triumph
success in Paris is the forerunner of that in all
the scientific academies of Lombardy. The grad
uate of St. Andrews in every single instance is
victorious. At length we find him tutor of Gon
zaga, eldest son of the Archduke of Mantua.
Who is not familiar with his untimely end ? Who
has not execrated his murderer? What lad, on
entering college, glowing with the fire of intellect,
has not determined to imitate him ? But how few
reflect that Chrichton was ono of the greatest
athletes, and the best swordsman and tilter of his
day ! And to what all acknowledge, that he could
not have received the title of The Admirable with
out being as perfect in body as in mind, we can
safely add, that while his physical accomplish
ments might have been perfect without the assis
tance of the mind, the latter could not have attain
ed such excellence without the cultivated energies
of his body, renewing, so to speak, the healthy
oxygen as fast as it was consumed.
Convinced, therefore, of the necessity of such a
step as this, we call upon our brethren of the press,
north and south, east and west, to lend their
weighty influence to obtain its adoption in the new
university, whence, in turn, shall radiate the ex
ample, until every school, whether for boys or girls,
shall be forced to adopt it, and then shall we see
more men of mark, showing a powerful and liberal
mind enclosed in a manly frame, like a diamond
set in gold."
We would respectfully ask the President of the
Board of Education, the trustees of the Oahu Col
lege, and the teachers of everv other school in this
0
country, whether public or private ; we would ask
the parents themselves, what has been done, what
is doing, for the physical education of our children?
Is there a single place or establishment existing
with their knowledge, sanction and support, where
this primary, elementary branch of education is
taught? Is thero a single school, high or low,
that joins physical with mental education, or that
appreciates the double trouble of imparling the
latter without building upon the former? We do
not speak of playing or romping out of school, for
that children should love exercise is as natural as
that water seeks its level ; but as the thrifty hus
bandman, by making embankments here anc sluices
there, knows how to irrigate and fructify his field,
so should the competent teacher or the teacher's
masters know how to take advantage of this love
of exercise and activity in children to develope
their physical strength, invigorate their health, and
prepare such a tenement for the mind, that it shall
rind pleasure in living and recompense in labor.
We arc continually talking about the depopulation
of the country and the depreciated physique of the
people ; granted that the parents have eaten sour
grapes, but what have we done to prevent the chil
dren's teeth from being set on edge ; by what sys
tematic training in the school-yard or the public
play-ground have we enabled them to overcome
mental despondency by physical confidence, to
control circumstances instead of being their slaves,
to achieve as well as to bear? We spend forty
thousand dollars annually, or thereabout, to teach
children to praise God for what you like ;
but we do not spend a dollar to enable them to
combat the evil, or to find some other occupation for
their idle moments than illicit pleasures! We
put our foot on the wrestling-match and the surf
board, on the spear exercise and the foot-race, be
cause they might prolong the conversion of the
people ; we stripped them of tho exercises and
amusements that had formed the warrior race
of the -heathen times and, ignoring'or refusing to
furnish them with equally healthy and less doubt
ful occupation, we virtually drove them, through
ennui and as a pis aller, to idleness and its prolific
offspring of vices. In order to brace the mind, we
emasculated the muscles, and both already bear
the premonitory symptoms of a galloping consump
tion, to avert which requires instant and energetic
remedies.
To know and acknowledge an error is the first
step to retrieve it. Let us then urge upon each
other, and upon whom the matter officially belongs,
that without a proper, systematic and comprehen
sive physical education, mental education will soon
cot be needed for the want of material.
We know of no public school or college in the
north of Europe where gymnastic exercises are not
as much an integral part, and an indispensable re
quisite in a boy's education, as are his primer, his
grammar or his catechism. And the training thus
acquired is never forgotten, and seldom disused.
With a people so lively, impassioned and san
guine as this ; with a people too, whose tropical
position and climate afford them so much spare
time from the necessary labor and drudgery of life
it is of paramount importance, to prevent them
from idleness, to keep that disposition employed,
especially through childhood and youth, on such
exercises that will invigorate the body while
they amuse the rnind. For we repel the idea
that idleness is a normal, a constitutional con
dition of the Hawaiians, as many surface critics
so flippantly assert. Those who know them,
as we have had opportunities of knowing them ;
who are competent, without prejudice or partiality,
to trace back apparent effects to their latent causes,
know full well that the idleness with which they
are reproached is simply the expression of a con
dition, the reaction of a restraint, as abnormal as
they are injudicious.
AUCTION SALhS.
A. P. CVEUETT, Auctioneer.
EXCELLENT BUILDING LOT
IN NUUAXU VALLEY!
"117H.L EE OFFERED AT PUBLIC AUCTION, SATUR
V I)AV, April 24 th. at 1 2 o'clock, that valuable
Building Lot belonging to Mr. Livingston, and situated near Mr.
Bartlett's. It contains about one-third of an acre, with near 200
feet frontage. ,
Tehm8 One-quarter cash and remainder secured by mortzac
at 1 per cent, per month, for a period of time to suit purchaser.
JOHN F. COLBUUN, Auctioneer.
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE.
ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, AT 10 O'CLOCK A. M., AT THE
residence of II. Dreyfous, Smith's Row. Merchant street.
will be sold the
Entire Household Furniture.
Honolulu, April 10, 1 $58. 49-2t J. F. COLBURN.
GENERAL ADVERTISEMENTS.
THE UIJDEHSIGUED
OFFERS FOR SALE, AT THE LOWEST MARKET RATES
a large assortment of Goods recently received from SAN
FRANCISCO and LIVERPOOL. Among them are
Dry Goods.
Brown cottons, white do, shirtings, white cotton drill,
M adapt 'lams, fancy drill, printed cords, two-blue print'.
Furniture prints, brown drilling, regatta shirts, linen litting-s,
White, colored and fancy striped cotton undershirt,
Hickory shirts, lastings, Merino undershirts, children's socks,
White and red tlannel, white blankets,
Large assortment of linen drills, French merino,
Duck and trow si-rings, superfine broadcloth, medium do do,
Embroidered alpacas, do Orleans silk, poncho cloth,
Eiubrodered cloth ponchos, monkey jackets, Russell cord coats,
Tweed and other trowsers, women's shoes, assorted,
Men's shoes, crape shawls, Linen cambric handkerchiefs,
Silk neckties, Mt hats, (assorted), cord, duck trowsers,
Ladies' riding hats, blue flannel jackets, linen drill pants, Ac.
Groceries.
English pie fruits, pickles, sauces, black pepper, white do,
(linger, cinnamon, mace, cloves, oatmeal, table salt, sardine?,
Capers, dried herbs, London malt vinegar,
English brown soap, Ac, Ac.
Hardware.
Sheet lead, assorted English files, do hollow ware,
Sheathing nails, garden chairs, bronze hat stands,
Cook's ladles, handsaws, saw-sets, assorted corkscrews,
Table knives, forks, carvers and steels, chest locks,
Barrel bolts, try pans, anvils, iron wheelbanrows, tin plates,
Hoop iron, assorted iron, screw wool press, garden rollers,
Iron field gates, hand gates, burnished bits, sail needles,
Pump tacks, electro plated ware, forks, spoons,
ANCHORS and CHAINS.
liquors.
Pottled ale. (a first-rate article ), brandy, gin, draught ale,
Claret, old Tom, hock, crabapple cider," sherry wine,
Champagne, etc.
Ship Chandlery and Sundries.
Fire bricks, blue and white : saddles, bridles, belts, dairy salt
Liverpool pickling salt, St. Ubes packing do, pipes, '
Black, yellow and green paint, hemp roje, Manila do,
Hemp canvas, osnaburg, strong wide bagging, wool bags,
Blacksmith's coal, carriage and other varnishes.
Earthenware.
ellow nappies, table sets, chamber sets, tea sets, bowls, asstd
Dinner plates, soup do, 6 inch do, flat dishes. inu"s '
Metal covered jugs and pitchers, etc., etc.
Bn CJVutljoritii.
TO BE SOLD, by public auction, on the
New Esplanade, on the 13th of May,
the leases of ground lots for One Hundred
Years, (the rate to be adjusted equitably by
appraisers mutually chosen at the end of
every twenty-five years,) of six lots, to be
built upon of incombustible materials, ac
cording to a plan to be seen at the office ot
Mr. R. A. S. Wood, Superintendent of Pub
lic Works.
The six lots 'extend in line from the prem
ises of Messrs. James Kobinson &. Co., with
an esplanade in front of 143 feet wide, alonr
the margin of which goods can be landed or
embarked.
Purchasers of the ground lots will have to
pay only the rent of each lot, quarterly
semi-annually or annually, as may be arrang
ed on the day of sale; and in the material
and style of their buildings to conform to the
general plan laid down by the Government,
which has for its object uniformity in appear
ance, the convenience of the public, and
safety from fire.
The six lots are of the following dimen
sions, viz : 4 lots, each GO feet frontage by
145 feet deep; 2 lots, each 53 teet frontage
by 145 feet deep.
! TO BE SOLD ALSO, on the same day,
the leases of nine ground lots tor the same
period, in rear of the marine lots, and lying
between the premises of James Robinson Jt
Co. and Fort Street, the plans and drawings
of w hich can be seen at the office of the Su
perintendent of Public Works, and at the
offices of Messrs. A. P. Everett and J. F.
Colburn, Auctioneers.,
L. KAMEHAMEHA,
Minister of the Interior.
2SJ,W ADVERTISEMENTS.
$1,000 REWARD!
V REWARD OF ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS will be given
to any person who will give such information as will lad
to the detection and conviction of the party or parties who rolled
the Custom House on or about the '2th March last; and if tl.e
money, or any part thereof, is recovered, one-fourth of the same
will be given to the informant.
If the informer was an accomplice in the robbery, he will be
entitled to the above reward, and the Government wil! guarantee
that he will not be prosecuted for. the offence.
W. C. PARKE, Marshal.
Honolulu, 15th April, 1S5S. J(.-tf
SAILS! SAILS!!
JXR SALE BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THE FOLLOWING
. Sails, suitable for a vessel of 250 to 300 tons, viz :
1 new TOPSAIL;
1 new FORESAIL;
1 new T. M. STUDDING SAIL;
1 MAIN ROYAL; 1
1 SPANKER; 1 JIB ;
1 FCRE TOPMAST STAYSAIL; Nearly new.
1 SPANKER;
1 TOP GALLANTS AIL.
ALSO
1 set iron strapped CUTTING-IS BLOCKS, with chain pen
dants, complete. (5J-tf) B. F. SNOW.
FOR SALE.
4 FLIGHT RAY IIORSE.TRAIXED TO SAP-
r die for a lady or gentleman, and broken to harness, laa
be seen at Dr. Smyth's, Nuuana street. W if
4-tf
ROBERT C. JANION.
WINES AND SPIRITS,
JUST RECEIVED AND FOR SALE BY J. C. SPALDING, THE
' following choice assortment ex ELIZA & ELLA and FA V
XYMAJOlli Cases 1 dozen each, superior Brown Sherry.
" 1 " " " Pale
Octaves " tc
Quarter casks Duff Gordon "
Cases old dry Port Wine.
" Champagne, 1 dozen each.
Baskets " 1 u
Puncheons old Jamaica Rum.
Bbls. " " "
Octaves Otard, D::pny 4 Co's Brandy.
Quarter casks J. F. MartelPs "
Octaves pure Bowor's Whiskey.
Cases 1 doz. each "
Kegs Monongehela Whiskey, 10 pals, each
" " - 15 " u
Bbls. Bourbon "
Cases Boker's Bitters.
Kegs American Brandy, 10 pals. each.
Cases quarts and pints Wolfe's Schiedam Schnapps.
p . V . i ? Edinburgh strong Ale iu stone jugs.
I or sale at the lowest market prices. s
Honolulu, March 12th, 1S58. 4 ,-tf
WOOL, HIDES AND TALLOW
T)OUfiIIT AT THE HIGHEST MARKET
onSMarchlim 45-t, C.JANI
Licences Expiring in the Month cf April.
Wholesale Store. 2d, II. Hackfeld Co., 2Sth, D. C. Water
man.
ii nuLu.iLr. kTiuiii. ill, 11. imCKieiU 8. X.O.
T - tTf Cf..I.r O.l If tf i.rt . it ..A IT Tl
'"' "' . i j ti r u, ii. nucMem & 10., z licenses, isi, "
i.i.mju, ii-i.ii, aiiiiHUMi, vjco. iiarK, zisi, u. 11. hoi.i::mi.-"
J. P. Shields lt, Ahchow, Maui, Sth, Ahchow, do., Huh, W. G.
eeuiiain, uo., mm, a. Harris & to., Hawaii, 4tl, Akai, uo.
rtljilug. i:jtn, Miaik JaCar, lsth, Tenluk.
IUwlixg. 7th, G. 11. Spalding, Hawii.
S. SPENCER.
It Clerk iiitV Office.
BLACKSMITIIING.
MESSRS. MUNDAY & KEANS
HAVING THE USE OF THE WORKSHOP LATELY (.'.'
pied by Mr. Weston, beg to inform the public that thty '
started in the above line of business, and hope if punc;ua!17
and ability will be a consideration, to merit a liberal share of pat
ronage. V Shipwork, Horse-shoeing, Wagon-work, and general Black
smithing done on the most reasonable terms.
NATHAN KEANF.
43-5t JOSEPH MUNDAY.
Administrator's Notice. .
I LL PERSONS WHO MAY HAVE ANY CLAIM ON TUl
1 estate of the late Joseph Callais, late resident of Wai
Hawaii, deceased intestate, are hereby notified to present the -t
claims to the undersigned for settlement on or before the 2-.'th of
June, 1 SOS, or be barred forever; and all persons who are in
debted to said estate are hereby required to liquidate the s&o
on or before the above mentioned date.
LORENZO LYONS,
Administrator to the estate of John Callais
Waimea, Hawaii, March II, 1S5S.
NOTICE.
. . Royal Danish Cossclatk, I
Citt or Hoxolci-C, March 29, 1
TUTS 13 TO CERTIFY THAT THEOD. H. HEITK. Ety
duly authorized to act on my behalf as Consular the KS"
dona of Denmark duriiig my absence. L. H. ANTIK-N
4S-3t Co:P