Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1867-11-29

In the last chapter of his "Recollec-
tions OF a Busy Life,p the veteran
Journalist gives his views upon sports
and games, indoor aud outdoor, and
mentions some of his own experiences,
the first of which, we think, should
recommend him to honorary mem
bersIip In the champion base ball club.
As an active member he would scarce
ly prove successful. @
Ball was common diversion In Ver-
mont while lived there; yet never
became a proficient at 1t, probably for
want of time and practice. To catch a
flying ball, propelled by muscular
arm, straight at my nose, and coming
on 80 swiftly that / could scarcely see
1t, was feat requiring celebrity Of ac-
tion, an electric sympathy of eye and
brain and hand, which my few and
labor for recreation did not suffice To ac-
quire. Call IL q knack, if you will IL
was quite bey@nd my powers Of acqui-
sition. practice makes perfect" I
certainly needed the practice, though i
am not sure that any pamont Of IL would
have made me a perfect ball player.
4 like popular aIliuseinents, specially
those which develop and strengthen
tho muscles; but i do not like
the modern. matches made up be-
tween clubs located hundreds of
miles apart. According TO my no
ton, the prizes should be awarded In
these matches 10 the side which makes
the short score. In awarding the palm
for such contss., count my vote al
ways for the beaten party. They
donbtless mind their proper. business
better, and perform their duties as
fathers, aud husbands. sous, clerks,
journeymen, apprentices, etc, more
thoroughly than DO the vict0rs. Ii il
an honor, not to beat, but to be beaten,
In anleteh Of this sort @ g
/ wish IL were practical to win our
countrymen to q wiser and more equa-
BILE frame Of mind respecting rccrea-
tions; Many sorely condemn and re-
ject them altogether; and i think this
WAS q prevalent mistake OF our better
class, up to late period. Now, the
excess seems to be Of different charac-
ter. Too many make play business
when IL should be only q diversion
from business. The youth who has
given his minority to study and play
alternately, with no experiences Of
work, il deplorably Ill fitted to grapple
with the stern realities Of responsible
life. His muscles need hardening; his
sinews have not been disciplined ~
the work that sOlicits them. AS be-
tween youth all work and one all
play-thOugb neither Is commedablc,
the former Is preferable.
Inever saw game Of billiards played,
and know nothing of bowling; yet
Judge this latter capital indoor exer-
else for persons of sedentary persuits
and habits. These I would advise to
rhun such games - achess, cards,
checkers, backgammon, ETC., because
Of their inevitable tendency to impair
digestion and incite headacl1e. III
played at all, they should be played by
men who give their days TO muscular,
outdoor exertion, snd at night feel too
tired 10 study.
protest against making business
OF play. The Yankees are prone to
what IL may. We work immoderately,
and play ditto have seen very few
holidays during my thirty-six years
sojOurn In New York and such ID the
experience Of "a large class; while
others h8ve too many play-days far
too nlaby. We n1ust somehow strike D
gBneral average, for mutual benefit and
the promotion Of public healthy.
s----~@ sor--.-----s , ~ esss
PLAN FOR A HAPPY HOME" Sih
things, ".nsys Hamilton, "afe requisite
In the architecture and arrangement Of
n happy home. Integrity must be the
architect, and tidiness the upholster.
IL must be warmed by afYectisn, aud
lighted with cheerfulne6s, and ifidus-
try, must be the ventiIatUr, renewing
the atmosphere, and bringing In fresh
saiubrity day BY day while over all ss
q protecting glory and. canopy. nothing
will suffice, except the blessing Of Cod
Il Women have much nicer sense of
the beautiful than men. They are, by
far, the safer tmplres In the matters Cf
prOpfiety Atld grace. A mere school
Yifl Will be thinking and writing about
the beauty or birds and flowers, while
her brother u robbihg the nests and