The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-07-20
AQUATIC SPORTS.

obedient and effective mechanical power
whether that power is in the strength
human muscle, the Drawn and sinew Q
animals, or the elemental forces of nature.
Success won by brains, by courage and b.
mental energy overtops all success accom-
plished by physical prowess, even when tina
prowess is joined with more than average in
tellect. As the centuries multiply successes
won by mind force outweigh those gained b.
muscular power. Even in affairs of war
where physical force is scientifcal y directed
and az piled, the rewards and glory of success
fall chiefly to the directing and controlling
intellects.
| Look wherever else we may and we find
that thought-power and brain-force gain the
lions share in all contests where the prizes
are worth striving for. 1t is an incident OF
civilized life, concomitant and necessary, that
just in proportion as society recedes from
barbarism mind assumes and keeps the pre-
cedence of animal strength, even when
joined with defiant courage. A result has
been that all modern aspiration and ambition
seek success through mental attainments, by
mental culture, and by mental application
Hence there Is a decreased attention to
the development of physical powers, while
the pursuit of intellectual gains and of men
tai discipline has become eager, absorbing
and intense. Until the beginning of the
second quarter of the current century the
students of America and Europe, eager to
compete for the great prizes of Intellectual
contest, have foregone all custom of exercise
and have almost completely ignored the
claims of the limbs and muscles while paying
homage to the brain. In all our colleges,
academies, schools and universities, the
claims of the body to the benefits of whole.
some exercise were disregarded. Incessant
sedentary toll, a never relaxed tension of the
nerves, an indoor slavery for all the hours
not given to sleep or the table, marked
the students most unwholesome course. The
result was that many remarkably fine schol-
ars entered upon their professional probation
and career with constitutions permanently
diseased. They lacked the mems sana in cor
pore sano. Their career was brilliant but
brief
But practical physiology having become q
branch of popular study, and those having
the control Of educational establishments hay
ing learned, seen, experienced and taught the
and utility OF exercising the body as
we'll as the mind academic and collegiate au-
thorities began to recognize the necessity of
and systematic exercise in the open
air. This was but few years ago. The old |
est university college or academic rowing club
on either continent is scarcely forty years old,
but now in great Britain and America, wher- |
ever an institution Of learning is neighboring
to lake or river, its students are organized |
for indulgence in this most wholesome past.
time. Liberal and intelligent college facul-
ties have sanctioned and approved this need
ful exercise, and acknowledge its manifold |
benefits. The hours spent upon the water are
found to be a gain instead Of loss. The
hearty and healthy athletes Of the oar are bet
,er prepared for vigorous study by their ex-
,rcise and bring to their books healthier
'pirit and keener zest.
In this our latest era of enlightenment the
physical system reasserts its claim to recogni-
ion as an absolutely essential condition of
II healthy success. To dwarf the muscular
ystem, to stint the supply of fresh air, to
orpefy the currents of the blood, toweary the
ght, to overstran the nerves, to thwart the
ody's first and constant appetites for exer-
Use, are among the discarded follies of the
asst
Athletic contests in these latter days involve
,mething more than the trial of muscle
hey necessitate and employ the application ,
everything which science can suggest j..
he problem is to employ the utmost physical /.
rength of contestants to the overcoming of '
ostacles in such a manner that there may be
, waste of power. The oarsman cannot
ust to his personal strength. He must ac-
lire skill, and he must learn to join his il
rength and skill to those of his crew. He q
ust train his muscles. He must in imita-
IN of the .pugilist of the ring, bring his q
rength by careful training to its maximum. o
} waste of any kind can be afforded. He "
ust be on his guard as to the food he eats. n
3 must consult the laws of hygiene and b
histology. He must study anatomy and ap- ST
y anatomical rules. @
These athletic contests most admirably :. 70
ustrate the benefits of hsadship and strict ST
scipline. One capable. bold, governing b
ind and will is always essential to all sue. la
IS in everything which requires joint &C. ~
N. Concerted action is concentrated 10
'ength in everything. W
We look at this and other athletic contests NJ
no narrow and strictly utilitarian way. =.
imam nature needs recreation The spirit o,
play in the child ought never to leave the N
own man or woman. We all need relaxa. W
n. 6,
When a man is past the enjoyment of inno- pl
ut psstime, he is very nearly beyond the
! OF usefulness, and in this climate We =,
ght to foster and encourage as blessings all So
1t can innocently contribute to the enjoy Ike
mt of childhood in its glee, youth in its til