I mean the gymnastic pole.
Although it is most proper for the master in the play-ground to relax altogether the brow of magisterial severity, yet there is no occasion for him to withdraw the influence of love.

He will not prove a check to the enjoyment of the children, if, entering into the spirit of their innocent pastimes, he endeavours to heighten their pleasures by a judicious direction of their sports.
Among other amusements, which his ingenuity may suggest, I would mention a geometrical amusement, which is very practicable.

First, let a certain number of children stand in a row.

Opposite to these let one or more children be placed as directors to order the change of figure.
A straight line, we will suppose, is the first thing shown by the position of the children; the next thing to be formed is a _curve_, by the advancement of each end; then a half-circle,--a circle, by joining hands in a ring;--two equal parallel lines, by the division of the number in action; next a square,--triangle, &c.

&c.