Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1876-09-07
Communication.
Our RadiX Letter.
New Aquatic SpOrt-The French
ArtiSan-Value of the Black
CrOOk-Philadelpbia-New
Jersey Day--YOung Chi
na-The Silk Worms.


na-The Silk Worms.
New YORK, Aug. 25, 1876.
To the Editor Of the Observer :
A notable increase of interest il
the art of swimming has devel
oped itself this season, and a more
desirable feature in so called sport
ing life could scarcely be mention
led. All revivalS of athletic exer
cises can be traced to some extra.
ordinary feat which call out the
Iplaudits of the world. The day
after Weston scored his 100 miles
in "a hours, the stages, cars, and
other public conveyances ran
over the courses with passengers
few and far between, while the
streets presented the appearance
of a chronic procession. So, too
1.-THE remarkable feat of Capt. Webt
who swan the English channel,
and the aquatic performances of
ex champion Johnson may be ac-
cepted as the fountain head from
whence sprang the resurrection of
amateur swimming matches, nor
Is this newly awakened interest
confined alone to the sterner sex.
The ladies themselves, though in
a slightly more retired manner OF
lcourse, wager boxes Of the lates;
style of hairpin, and other things
too mysterious to mention, that
each will pull her own nose first
under the winning ropes.
Every facility is offered to those
desiring to add this accomplish
ment to their list, and should
more avail themselves of these
opportunities there would be a
marked decrease in the number
Of drowning cases, the liability to
which our summer life upon the
water so freely invites.
After dark, following a recent
match the spectators were enter
tained by what is known as a
naval turner" 1t is, in fact, a
tournament In boats. Two lines
of boats are rowed against each
other by single scullers, who at or
before the moment of impact un-
ship their oars. At the stern of
each boat stands a champion, who
carries long pole, having a soft
knob at the end. This is the
lance which he tits at his antag.
onist, the purpose being to knock
him out Of his boat into the water.
a process supposed to represent
'unhorsing" in tie days of chivil
ry. There is some distinction, it
will be admitted, especially as the
knight in this case carries no ar.
NOR, but rather thinks that his
prowess will be better asserted if
he goes into the fight in state of
nudity. The ducking and splash
ings are, at all events, very anus
ing, The spectacle was made dis
tinct by the glare of calcium
lights.
The officially accredited delega-
tion sent by the French govern
ment to inspect the Centennial in
the interests of the various trades
in that country, arrived at this
port early in the week and were
received with much ceremony by
a committee of resident French
workingmeh, who presented an al
dress OF welcome and did the hon
Ors of New York previous to their
departure for Philadelphis. The
delegation numbers over fifty men,
representing every leading indus
try of a civilized country. They
are all keen looking, intelligent
nen, who will carry back a fund
Of information we'll worth their
trip. We now want to see the
artisan excursions Of the 9TH
er great powers, and will promise
them abundant satisfaction with
their journey.
Appropriately enough, just at
the commencement of a revival
Of the spectacular furore, comes a
legal decision recalling to notice
the estate of Charles NJ. Barras,
author of the renowned "Black
Crook" who was killed by the
cars a few years ago, while his
many-legged offspring was still
running with great success. Mr..
Barras lett about $4,000, which
was chiefly, if not wholly, brought
him by this one piece.
PHILADELPHIA, August &c.
l dislike to make any unpleas.
ant comparisons, but very much
on the principle that every dog
has his day." SO every one of the
thirteen states is to have
its own special jollification on the
Centennial grounds. Thursday
was New Jersey day and the lit