The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-05-11
Che Tdie oCifps'
BILLIARDS AND WHIST.
opi.aen % IN. New York lnasp.nasns
Thereon.

sss s
The last number Of the New York Ixsls-
pendent contains an article upon " Forbidden
ADJUSTMENTS, from which we quote .
We start, then, with the admission that
these pastimes are in themselves innocent
and excellent. Take, for instance, the game
OF billiards. THIS is almost universally con.
demsed by Christians; and yet il is one Of
the best games that was ever invented. There
Is just enough excitement in IL 10 make it in
teresttbe, and not 30 much as to tax the
nerves unduly. Ii gives US exercise without
violent exertion, il trains the muscles to
steadiuess and precision Of movement, aud
1t developes 10 some extent the msthemat ieal
faculties. Ii we discard it, know of noth-'
ing that can take its place.
Cards ase designed TO answer q different
purpose. They furnish TO those who are
worn out with labor pleasant relaxation.
A clergyman, who is q distinguished profes.
sor in one of our colleges, and . man not in
deed inclined to looseness 10 hrs opinions,
gave his testimony on this subject not long
ago in my hearing, substantially in these
words There was time said he, when
ielt that the best thing / could possibly do
Tor an hour 10 the evening was to play whist
was too tired AFTER the labors of the dsy to
read or to study; to listen to reading or to
sit still and Think would not do, for either
involved an intellectual activity which it was
necessary that | should avoid | was too
weak physically TO attempt any athletic sport,
and IT became a serious question how |
could spend the time between supper and
aa early bed time. A friend in much the
same condition of health, was boarding With
me, and we cast about us for some suitable
amusement. First, we tried chess; but that
was too hard work. Then we played check
ers tor few evenings; but theiposlLiiities Of
the game were soon exhausted, and we con.
GUIDED at last that whist was just what we
wanted. IL required no intense mental ap.
pication; there was Just enough excitement
IN u 10 keep US wide awake, and it permitted
desaltory chat. which would be far better
Tor us than any conversation upon pro.ounder
topics. This testimony is vsriously confirms
ed by persons whose opportunities of obser
vation have been ample and whose Christian
character cannot be questioned. There can
be no doubt that among the quiet hreside re-
creations this game is one of the very best.
with regard to dancing, can do no better
than TO quote the words of Dr. Claiming.
We may not agree with this eminent divine
IN his theological views, but no one can doubt
the pure and lofty morality of his doctrine
and his life, This exercise, be says, 10
among the most beautiful. The body, as
wen asine hluu, ieeis ITS GARDENING influence.
No amusement seems more to have a foun.
dation in our nature h
is TO be desired that dancing shonid become
too common among us to be made the object
ofspecal preparation, as in the ball that
members of the same family, when confined
by unfayorable weather, should recur to it
for exercise and exhileratiou; that branches
of the same family should enliyen in this way
their occasional meetings that it should Gil
up an hour in all the assemblages for relaxa-
ton in which the young form a part