362 
" INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF EDUCATION. 
T'HE ROYAL CENTRAL INSTITUTE OF GYMNASTICS IN 
STOCKHOLM. 
BY IL. M. TORNGREN. DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE. 
THIs institute was erected by the Swedish government after the plan 
of P. H. Ling. His intention was to make it a normal school for teachers 
of gymnastics, by which a perfect physical education should radiate to all 
parts of his fatherland. To the realization of this plan Ling devoted all 
his energy. 
Ling met with many obstacles; but he was understood by a few, and 
among them was Bernadotte, the crown prince at that time. His royal 
dighness understood what Ling aimed at, and supported him in his strug- 
gles. The result was that some old buildings that had been used as a foundry 
in Stockholm were changed into a gymnasium, a fencing-hall, and other 
rooms for necessary purposes. In addition a very limited sum of money 
was given. Thus the institute was enabled to begin operations in 1814. 
It is well known that Sweden at that time had gone through several 
wars, that it had lost a great part of its territory, that it was on the 
very verge of ruin in all respects. What should be done ? was a question 
that occupied all patriots. Ling was most active and successful in his 
work of answering the question. His idea was to make physical educa- 
tion as perfect as possible for all children throughout the whole country ; 
and he aimed to carry his idea into effect through the students of the 
mnstitute. The idea itself was not new, but no one had as yet tried to 
carry 1t out on a large and practical scale. 
At first there were but few persons of education who would sacrifice 
heir time to such a dubious undertaking as gymnastics, which in gen- 
eral was considered a juggler’s joke. Meanwhile, some practical experi- 
ments showed what could be done for the development of the physique 
by gymnastics, given methodically and with good judgment. Some offi- 
cers of the army were ordered to go through the course at the institute, 
and some other patriotic individuals went through by their own impulse. 
Such was the beginning. 
The course of instruction at the institute was at that time, and is still, 
free from charges of any kind, and foreigners are received, though to a 
limited extent. The institute developed more and more under Ling’s 
skillful hands, and it soon became recognized in foreign countries. For 
a short time it was connected with the army department, but it was soon 
transferred to the educational department, where it still belongs. 
Ling was the director until his death, the 2d of May, 1839. His pupil, 
Gabriel Branting, succeeded him as director, which post he held until 
1862, when he resigned.