The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-10-17

everlasting fortune, but he will receive the
equally eternal gratitude Of iong-sufsring
and cabless generation.
Oar National Gamo-The Grsnt Match in
Brooklyn.
On the Capitoline grounds in Bedford, one
of the pleasaDtest suburbs of suburban
Brooklyn, was played on Monday an Olympian
game Of base ball for the championship Of
America. The contestants were the Athletic
Club Of Philadelphia, and the Atlantic Club
Of Brooklyn. Before the contest the latter
were the champions, and now that the honor
able strife is over they remain tho champions
still, for they beat their adversaries by twenty
seven to seventeen runs.
Every country from immemorial time has had
Its national game, tending to develop the ply
sical qualities strength, the muscle and the
agility-of its youth. Greece had Its Olympic
games, at which wrestling, chariot racing and
the stimulating contests Of throwing the disc
the QUOT of modern days formed the lead
ing features. The more barbarous gladiatorial
conflicts of Rome divided the interest Of the
show loving public with the less bloody
rivalry Of the arena where strength COPIED
with strength, muscle with muscle and nerve
with nerve In the medieval ages France
and England rejoiced in the sham battles
of the tournament. In later days racket and
tennis supplanted the chivalrio and semi-bar-
barous tournament in both countries. In
France they were very popular in the ante
revolutionary times. AT the present day
France can hardly be said TO have any game
so thoroughly national as b either cricket,
racket, or hand ball in England, or bull fight
ing in Spain, or a. are the athletic sports OF
Germany, which we see reproduced In this
country by the various Turner societies
The national game of America is now, par
excellence, base ball We can imagine how
readily the English game Of cricket was trans
formed into this active game, which is so much
more suitable to the habits and temperament
Of our people. Cricket-slthough highly
scientific game-is q slow and serious pastime
compared with its American prototype. II re-
quircs more skill perhaps to play it well. and
closer etudy for the locker on to understand
IL; but everybody, ladies and all, COM
prebends the game OF base ball, which
is matter Of quickness Of eye, rapid
play Of muscle, swiftness Of foot, and
evcr-changing position, that carry the interest
Of the spectator IS well as the player directly
into the fortunes Of the game. Hence our
national game chimes exactly with our national
characteristics. The phlegmstic element Of the
AngiO-Ssxon family may be fairly represented
In the English game OF cricket, during which
the original Anglo-Saxon can dawdle on and
smoke his democratic pipe or aristocratic
cigar at intervals; but the new branch Of the
family in America, with young, vigorous
blood swelling its veins, wants constant life
and motion in its sports. Hence the English
game has almost fallen into decay among us,
while Ae American game is every day
attracting the interest which but short time
ago attached almost exclusively to the race
course, or, among certain classes, to the prize
ring.
We might regard the match played in Brook
lyn on Monday as the elimination Of success
for our national game. In the first place 1t
was Lesi Of the quality of two Of the best clubs
in The country. In the next it was the most
respectable and orderly gathering that ever
assembled in the same numbers 10 witness a
contest where diverse interests--each, OF
course, supported by their mutual friends
were represented. Twenty thousand people
were present, and there was not the slightest
breach OF decorum observed during the four
hours in which the issue Of the game was being
decided. The large force Of police on the
ground, finding their occupation as conscrva-
tors OF the peace altogether gone, sat on the
green sward, and watched the game with as
much pleasure as the rest. Ladies waved
their baudkerchicfs and gentlemen shouted
Justify now and then; but the Philadelphia
Club received as much ccngratulation as the
Brooklyn boys when they made a good run
and successful inning. The utmost courtesy
was extended to the strangers, who were pro-
badly struck with The contrast between the
good order prevailing on this occasion and
the confusion, crowding and interruption which
prevented the completion OF the match short
time since, when the Atlantics visited Philadel-
phis 10 Try their nettle with the Athletics.
All The manly sports which serve TO de-
velop the muscle Of our young men should
be encouraged. They help 70 make better
material for the future Of our young country |;
material for Sound minds in sound bodies"
upon the principle Of the ancient philosophers,
and We know OF no game more calculated to
effect Ibis end than our national game Of base
bali
TYg CREAT FiRE AT QurREc.--The terrible