The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-07-20

,AslA iONShA- IN DASE DAAsi.-t nj
tHAngNo N THE UkTED StArEs. Base ball has
grown in a few years into national game in
tnAs country, as cricket has long been In Eng
iand' each being suited to the genius Of the peo-
PIE. A grand match of base ball took place
yesterday in Brooklyn for the champion
ship. The Excelsior Club has Just made the tour
OF the State from here to Buffalo, and has beaten
with ease every club with which it came in con-
tact. One OF the astonished Buffalo papers OBJ.
served that such ball playing was never wit
messed IN that city before. Now, on their re-
turn to Brooklyn, they have contested the belt
with the champion club, the Atlantic. who had
never yet been beaten in any match, although
they had played in hundreds of contests. The
greatest interest was excited. Vast numbers
attended The Excelsior won by very unex-
pected odds-nearly six to one-twenty three
to four; showing the effect of training and
practice This game is only one out of three,
and the Excelsior must win another game to
win the match The second game is to be
played on the 9th Of August, and If the Allan
tic do not make great improvement in the in
term. the Excelsior will become the Champion
Club, and retain "the Belt" till some other
aspiring Nine vindcate their right to ii. .
This excellent manly game ought TO be en-
couraged, calculated as it is 10 develope the
physical powers Of our youth, and to withdraw
them in their leisure hours from the seductions
of vice. In recent years there is a general ten
dency in this direction which is highly crafty
;DU lie ovs0 In n oty IF forv
at one time in gymnastic exercises, at another
in horseback riding and driving feet horses; in
boat racing, in rowing in fire companies, in
base ball, and in the drill of military compa-
MES. Vast sums of money are spent on these
things, particularly excursions, which are pc
easily earned, and lavished as freely.
Military companies are constantly in the habit
of going on long excursions, sometimes dis
lance as great as from one end of Europe to
the other, and all at their own expense.
For instance company of Zouaves are here
now from Chicago, in the far West, after hav
ing travelled through Canada and various parts
of this country, and they carry with them a
prize which they offer to any military COM
pany who can outdrill them. None, as yet, not
even "the crack company of our Seventh
regiment, has been found able to bear away
from them the palm of victory. In the same
way, base ball club the Excelsior, of Brook
lyn consisting of young gentlemen of means,
set out from here at their own expense on
tour to the extreme Western frontier of
the State, and, playing ball in numerous towns,
came back victors in every contest 1t was
this club who challenged to friendly game
the great cricketers Of England-"the elevenr-
picked men who made their appearance here
last year.
This spirit of generous emulation deserves to
be cultivated. In the palmy and glorious days
of the Grecian republics, the prize which was
contended for in the Olympic games was
wreath Of the leaves of the bay tree; and to him
who saved the life of citizen was awarded the
civic crown, which consisted of oak leaves. It
was not the intrinsic value of the prize, but the
honor which attached to it, that rendered II an
object of ambition. In a new and prosperous
community, Astounding with all the material re-
sources which can minister to the sustenance of
man, and where the natural tendency is to ma
terialism, the spirit of chivalry and honor ought
TO be encouraged so as to correct the evil effect
produced on the population by excessive devo-
ton to the grovelling pursuits of mere money
getting. Thus, among the Greeks and Romans
the fine arts were encouraged to elevate the
popular taste above the gross indulgences of
animal life. The steps In human progress are,
first, food, clothing and lodging; then the use
full arts, recreation for the body and physical
training, Including games Of all kinds; and last
ly, adornment Of the dwelling and person, with
high cultivation of the mind, and the develope-
ment of the fine arts Such Is civilization and
it is making rapid Roadway among us.