THE PROGRESS OF THE SYSTEM.
I have already remarked upon the satisfactory progress which the
system has made during the last few years. It is probably well-known
that my system has practically been adopted in the Army; although the
method adopted in the Army gymnasia is not absolutely identical with
that which I advocate, it is obviously based upon the same principles.
People may be interested to hear that since I opened my first school,
some eighteen months ago, amongst my pupils have been a great number
of gentlemen, who, desirous of adopting the Army as a career, have
been unable to do so through not coming up to the physical standpoint
required. In many cases they have actually been rejected on this
account; in others they have been fearful that such might be their
fate, and have come to me in order to avoid it. Some have not been
heavy enough for their height; others lacking in chest measurement,
and so on. Now let my system be judged by the results. _In not a
single instance have I failed to do what is necessary._ That may stand
by itself without any further comment from me. However, as a further
proof of the efficacy of the system, I may say that I have put an
_inch_ on the _height_ of a young fellow in _three weeks_! This may
sound incredible, but it is an absolute fact. The majority of these
gentlemen, whom I have helped to pass the Army “medical,” have written
me appreciative letters, and though for obvious reasons I cannot
publish them, I shall be happy to show them to any reader who may care
to call at the St. James’-street school. That the value of the system
is fully recognised in the Army is demonstrated by the letter from
Colonel Fox, late inspector of the Army Gymnasia, which appears in this
book. Amongst the civilian public the system is spreading rapidly;
private individuals are taking it up and working steadily in their own
homes, whilst in a great number of gymnasia throughout the country,
classes are being formed to carry it out. In connection with this, it
is highly diverting to notice that various individuals who are never
tired of denouncing me and all my works, have set up as “professors”
of physical culture, and are actually teaching my system! Of course
they would be loth to admit this, and would assert that it is a system
of their own. All I can say is that by a strange coincidence nearly
every one of these systems which I have examined is based upon the same
principles as my own. Now that I have made mention of those who try to
gain notoriety by attacking my system, I cannot refrain from commenting
upon certain statements which, having been widely circulated, may tend
to do the system injury. The subject is, I think, worthy of a short
chapter to itself.