To this period belong Maclaren’s article on “National Systems of Bodily Exercise,” published in _Macmillan’s Magazine_ for February, 1863 (VII: 277-286), and another on “Military Gymnasia” which appeared in Volume VIII of the _Journal of the Royal United Service Institution_ (Oxford, 1864). He also compiled “A System of Fencing, for the Use of Instructors in the Army” (London, H. M. Stationery Office, 1864). A general order of July 31, 1864, states that this system, “having been approved by the Field Marshal Commanding in Chief, is to be adopted in the Military Gymnasia, and at other stations where the means of carrying it out may be provided.”[165] The next volume, “Training in Theory and Practice,”[166] reveals Maclaren at his best. He centers his remarks about a single exercise, rowing, and “in a great measure the mode in which that exercise is practised at our Universities and Public Schools.” This selection is made because he believes rowing to be “the exercise most susceptible of being influenced by a judicious system of bodily preparation, being at once an art of considerable intricacy, demanding long and assiduous practice, and an exercise of considerable difficulty, involving the possession—although not in an equal degree—of both muscular and respiratory power, to promote which is the object of all training.” Exercise (pp. 2-59), diet (60-119), and sleep, air, bathing, clothing (120-158) are discussed in turn in a clear, sane, and masterly fashion, with frequent sharp and skilful thrusts at time-honored customs and beliefs. Fourteen appendices contain diagrams and tables relating to boats, diet, training systems, etc. It remains today one of the most valuable books of its class. A second edition, in 1874,[167] is enlarged by the addition of a practical course of training for the several kinds of boat-races practised at the university (pp. 119-160), a review of J. E. Morgan’s “University Oars” (161-192), reprinted from _Nature_,[168] and an appendix on the subject of the sliding seat.