The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-07-15
PHYSICAL CULTURE.

The regatta at Saratoga, yesterday,
participated in by the representatives
Of dozen of the leading. colleges of the
land, witnessed by thousands of anx-
ious spectators, and eagerly read by
hundreds of thousands of people all over
the country in the afternoon, was but
another instance Of the growing recog-
nition in America of the Importance
vt physical culture. The rapid growth
of our country and its institutions, the
necessity for close and strict applica-
lion to business, and perhaps too great
willingness to affect distaste for Eu-
ropean customs as unworthy of Ameri-
can attention, have, with other causes,
tended to discouragemento Of that phys
Ecal culture so thoroughly observed in
other countries, and So beneficial in es-
tablishing the physical superiority of
their Inhabitants.
Since the introduction Of boating and
annual contests by the two great English
Universities ferty-six years ago, the
practice has been gradually gaining
ground, and our collegiates and people
ut large, with their greater opportunities
than formerly and their readiness to see
lhe good results of the movement, have
gradually come to realize the Importance
Sfphysical culture among the young and
have recognized this as one Of the ready
means of fostering it and encouraging its
rapid growth and popularity. The col
jeges Of earlier days, founded as many
Of them were for sectarian purposes,
looked with comparatively little favor
npon special efforts for the development
,f muscle, and urged an unremitting at
,ention to mental and spiritual culture.
The consequence was that the collegiate
spent his entire time in study and in a
struggle for mental superiorities, to the
exclusion of physical culture, and In too
many cases to the entire destruction OF
constitutional vitality, and the labors of
hoo many instances, thus lost to the world
and the life shortened and rendered mis-
srable.
But few decades ago any physical
axertion, other than a short walk or
drive, were thought beneath the dignity
VI college student, and an eminent
writer and educator gave it as his opin-
lon that correct morals could "not be
expected to flourish at the university
when the students and professors per.
uisted in skating on the river" This feel
ing, combined with che other causes
mentioned above, tended to bring phys.
tcal culture into disrepute, not only with
collegiates, but with too great majority
Of the psrpae.
Within the past few years, however.
. great change has gradually been
brought about, and the American peo.
PIE, with more leisure than formerly,
with q. greater willingness 10 profit by
the example of others and broader
conception of the duties and require.
ments Of every class, have seen the i'm
portancs of the cultivation of higher
attainment in this line, aAd of greater
constitutional vigor, and have come tt
encourage proper moTementsin its favor
The growth fthis feeling within COM
9aratisely brisf space OF time is some
fttng wonderful, but 1T is natura
yesult of the needs OF the people, ant
the popular readiness TO make available
beneficial institutions, when recognized
As such,
7 The recognition Of the "Nationa
Game, spread rapidly and, barring thu
aYlcf moment Of curiosity and enthusiasm