To develop a weak voice and make it clear and sweet, and to strengthen the lungs, reading aloud is an excellent exercise; as it requires both mental and muscular exertion and performs a double duty, it should receive a full share of time and attention. Begin with something you are interested in, then you will find it much easier to read aloud than if you undertook a book or an article which might be full of merit, but lack interest for you. When commencing this exercise read only ten minutes or less at a sitting, increasing the time as you practise and the reading grows less difficult. Do not be discouraged if your voice sounds a little husky while reading; stop a moment, and then go on again. After a few trials you will have no more trouble in that way, for your voice will grow clear and distinct, and the exercise will become a great pleasure as well as an attractive, useful accomplishment.
Let your reading matter be very choice and of the best; do not condescend to waste your time on other writings.
From the ten different exercises given, select those best adapted to your size, age, and liking, and practise them for a short time daily; you can hardly realize the great advantage they will prove to be. In this way all parts of the system may be strengthened and harmoniously developed. But the constitution cannot be hurried: all must be accomplished little by little. Allow yourselves to be happy and merry; be ready to enjoy the little pleasures of life, and this, with kind and generous feelings for others, will do a great deal toward keeping you well and strong.
Out-of-door exercise is always to be preferred to in-door when one has a choice. Walking, tennis, archery, horseback, and swimming are some of the athletic sports for girls, and they all have their attractions. But there are times when we are denied the pleasure of these pastimes, and then we are glad of a little exercise in-doors, which also affords enjoyment and recreation.
WHEN in olden times the warriors went around the country dressed in suits of clothes made by a blacksmith instead of a tailor, their hats were manufactured at the forge also, and had _iron front doors_ that moved upon hinges. When danger was nigh these doors were closed, locked, and barred over the poor men’s heads, leaving only a loop-hole or two for them to peep through. At such times in meeting Mr. Brown it was impossible to distinguish him from Mr. Smith, who was arrayed in like manner, and it might happen that Mr. Smith was the last man in the world that one cared to meet, not being on speaking terms or some such reason. Well, as we were saying, there was no chance whatever of telling one man from another unless he wore a distinguishing mark of some kind.