GYMNASIUM

(Yunanca köken — orijinale bakınız.) Originally a space measured out and covered with sand for the exercise of athletic games. Afterwards, among the cla ical Greeks, the gymnasia became spacious buildings or institutions for the mental as well as corporeal instruction of youth. They were first built at Laced am i on, whence they spread through the rest of Greece, . into Italy. They did not consist of single edifices, but comprised several buildings and porticoes, used for study and discourse, for baths, anointing rooms, pnliestras in which the exercises took place, and for other purposes. Two of the A then i an gymnasia,viz.the Lyceum and Academy, were rendered famous by being the scenes of the lectures of Aristotle and Plato respectively. The term Gymnasium has descended to modern times. In Germany the higher schools, intended to give immediate preparation for the universities, are termed gymnasia. In Pru ia the scholars undergo examination on leaving them: their compositions at this examination are sent to the minister of instruction and ecclesiastical affairs; and they receive testimonials of fitne , No. 1, 2, or 3, according to their degree of proficiency. Persons who have fitted themselves for the universities without pa ing through the gymnasia are examined by a committee appointed by government, which sits half-yearly for the purpose. [s. 554]