Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-11-19

In tho last chapter Of his "Recollections
Of Busy Life" the veteran journalist gives
h,s views upon sports and games, indoor
aud out door, and mentions SOME Of his own
experiences. the first Of which, We think,
should recommend him to honorary mem
bership in the champion base ball club. AZ
an active member he would scarcely prove
succ essful
Ball vas . common diversion In Vermont
while lived there yet never became
proficient at it, probably for want Of time
and practice. 70 catch . flying ball, pro-
PEELED by muscular arm st,aight ut my
nose, aud coming on SO swiftly that could
scarcely see II, was feat requiring . celer-
lty Of ac,ion, an electric sympathy Of eye
and brain and band. which my few ami far
between hours snatched from labor for re-
creation did not suffice to acquire. Cali it .
kuack. il you will i. was quite beyond my
powers OF acquisition, Practice makes per
iect :" ceit iny needed the practice,
thoneh am ~, snre that any amount Oil,
would have mad. me perfec. bah player
| like popular amusenvrts, especially
those which develop and streng hon the
uuseleS but | do not like the modern
matches made IN between clubs located
hundreds OF miles apart. According to my
notion. the prize should be awarded IN
these matches TO the side which makes the
shortest score. In awarding the palm for
such contest. count my vote always for
the beaten party. They doubtless mind
their proper business better, and perform
their duties A. fathers, husbands, sons,
clerks, journsymen. apprentices, &c, more
thoroughly than do the victors. 1t is an
honor, not TO beat, but to be beaten, in q
match Of this sort.
wish il we're practical 10 win our coun-
trymen to wiser and more cquabls frame
Of mind respecting reereatiuns. Many
sourly contemn and relec, them altogether;
and think this VAS prevalent mistake Of
our better class, up 10 . later period. Now,
the excess seems to be " an opposite char
ac,cr. Too many make play q business
when it should he only diversion from
husiness. The youth who has given his
minority 10 study and play alternately,
with no experience o. work, is deplorably
'-;itted to graphic With the stern realities
"a responsible life uis muscles need hard
sning his snews h&vc lot been disciplined
10 the york tina, solicits them. As between
n youth ali work and one Nil play-though
neither is ommendabie, the former is pref
crable.
never saw a game Of billiards played.
aud know nothing OF bowling; yet Judge
this latter capital indoor exercise for per-
sons OF sedentary pursuits and habits.
These would advise to shun such games
as chess, cards. chequers. backgammon,
etcs t,ssause of their inevitable tendency
10 impair digestion and incite headache. II
played at ali. they should be played by men
who give their days TO muscular, outdoor
cxcrtion, and at night feel too tired to
study.
lprotest against making . business OF
play. The Yankees are prone to run the
thing into the ground" be it what il may
We work immediately, and play ditto I
have seen verv few holidays during my
thirty six years sojourn in New York and
such is the experience Of large class
while others have too many play -dsys-far
too many. We must somehow strike .
general average, for mutual benefit and the
promotion Of public health.