The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-05-28

As the season for outdoor amusements advan-
ces, may look to see the population of our CITY
participating with fresh zest in the diversions for
which it has so strange a prediction. Steam
boat exclusions, and military and civic professions
will soon be the order of the day. Many men,
who can probably get but few holidays in the
course Of the Summer, will spend these upon a
boat whose decks and cabins are so overcrowded
that the suffocated passengers can scarcely thread
their way from one side to the other or, bedizen-
ed with the distinguishing paraphernalia of some
society, club, or military company, they will
march for miles along a dusty turnpike after
brass band and sundry Haunting banners Arri-
we'd at their destination, the excursionists spend
their few spare hours in series of vigorous dam
ceS, or oscillate between The ice-cream and liquor
stands, and return at evening very tired and some
times tight" 1t really seems as if we can enjoy
nothing in the shape of recreation unless crowd
takes part in it, and much noise and confusion
contribute to make the scene an exciting one. We
nave much TO learn on this score from people
across the water. If any one will take up the
English sporting papers he cannot fail to be struck
with the variety of amusements in which all
Glasses daily Join, in every section of the country
The numberless horse-races and prize fohts which
the public is invited to attend we do not refer 70
because most persons will unhestatinplv exclude
these from the list of entertainments which If 10
desirable to introduce here. But we find column
after column Of these journals occupied with
notices of past, or advertisements of future meet,
ings, of cricket rife, football and boating clubs
On every village green athletic games are practsed
at least once week, and most of the young men
of the neighborhood are profcents at wrestling
or running, at ball, quoits or cricket. On the
rivers, boats of every size and shape may be seen
racing together, and men are not less skillful in
aquatic sports than in those of IA different
character. Cheerful and active exercise is a
necessity to an Englishman. One of these
DAYS we, too, will recognize the Importance of at
tending to these things more closely. As our
population becomes more dense, it will be seen
how essential it is to the moral and physical
welfare of people, that they should in
dulge habitually in some healthful recreation
We cannot begin too soon TO encourage a taste
for the simple and invigorating pastimes of Old
England. Steeple-chasing, yachting and fox
hunting are the amusements of gentlemen of COL
haps few desire TO enjoy. But there is no reason
why all the other diversions we have mentioned
should not become popular here On the con-
trary, the situation of city is such that pecu-
liar facilities afforded us for INDUCING in those
recreations which are not merely pleasant but are
positively improving. Woods and fields, which
are open to all, within easy reach, and broad
river stretches away for miles before us. Hun
dreds of ball, rifle, cricket and boat clubs might
be formed, and it would be happy thing if men
could be indaced to interest themselves in the
amusements these would offer them, and to aban-
don the riotous and exciting scenes of destination
in which SO many now seek enjoyment. How far
preferable these small and select association,
to the tumultuous crowds of pleasure seekers tbot
usually invite us to join in holiday excursions II
costs little to keep up clubs of this Sort and every
body can find time enough to take part in their
festivities. Almost every one can manage at least
once or twice week to bring the labors of a long
summer s day to close an hour or two sooner
than usual, and engage with his comrades in
trials of skill or strength. 1t cannot be doubted
that if some such changes in our customs could
be brought about, society as well as individuals
would be thereby greatly benefited.