Hartford: H. and F.J. Huntington, 1831. A scarce early - perhaps the earliest - instructional book for women on why calisthentics are essential both for maintaining good health and the improvement of their minds. The book is written as a series of letters from a mother, identified as "M" who begins with letters about the importance of of physical education for children. She then proceeds to offer instructions and exercises for women to do themselves and to train their daughters. There are sixty-two charming illustrations that show women how they should perform their calisthentics. Ex-library with library stamp for a New Hampshire doctor's office debossed on title page. Below the stamp "Bring it back"" is written in blue pencil. Bound in brown cloth with no titling to cover or spine. Boards are worn with sun fading to cloth along edges. The front joint is slightly cracked. A few minor stained spots on front and rear covers. Rounded corners. Cracked hinges. Front and rear endpapers are toned, foxed. Offsetting to title page and free front endpaper as well as to the rear free endpapers. Text pages are lightly aged. Small closed tears to fore-edge margins of pages 49-54 not affecting text.Occasional pencil underlining. A nice copy in quite good condition of this delightful manual. Measures 4.25 x 6.75 inches. 87 pages. MED/050823. More