The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-09-11
A WOMANs vTEW or ATHLE1ICs.
The brilliant Achievements or the New York
Athletic Club.

The brilliant Achievcn or the New York
Athletic Club.
For nearly nine years have been looking
for an outburst of genuine enthusiasm in n
New York asscmblagc OF Americans found
it on Saturday last. I have seen German and
italian audiences wild with excitement shout
ing their " bravos" for Savni or Nilsson or
Wu'htcL ! saw an Irish American audience
carried away with enthusiasm when Barry Sui
livan made his first appearance in Booths Tho
atre. but until Saturday. at the fall games OF the
New York Athletic Club. on their club grounds
in Mott Haven. never heard Yankee throats
yell and shout with unrcstrnincd roars OF APP
plause. l have seen very exciting horse racing.
too. on jerome Park course. and in Monmouth
Park. and in Saratoga; but horsc1csh in action
cannot stir the American blood and fire the
American heart rs human muscles can when
exercised in jumping. running. leaping over
hurdles and bars. and throwing balls and ham,
mers.
l went by the noon train. which carried most
OF the cxcursionsts to Mott Haven-a short
run and pleasant. Following the current Of the
throng Of pleasure seekers walked up a gentle
hill. through the pretty village. and down an
other hill. amid the gathering throngs on foot
and in carriages. TO Il large enclosure. wherein
alrcady had assembled several hundred prr-
unphiihcutriciu stands. or were scattered
around the enclosure. either inside or outside.
The uesemhlagu in reHs I'll until ut least 5000
men. boys. and women. but mostly men and
boys. were congrrgated within the grounds, or
on tn" grron hiiisides overlooking them. A few
tail rednrs outside afforded a perch for many
Inspiring lads. who looked like Il flock of human
hin.khlrds settled amid the dark grrrn foliage.
Within theVn losurc WIS a broad elliptic path
WAY. or race course. level rs a floor and coated
nss mhnd about thirty or fortv men nthlrtrs in
O. tltsfa
Ike a." s,Iu. 70 few WITH thor frurk or su'k
coats yu oyer ih,lr racing UNI 9rm, III" ludsc 5
I and r'i"r" ond % goudly number ~ ncwsIA-
l"r report IS with their notebooks and PEN
Thor was lo,dcn sky overhead. the air was
rooi. th" Il fin" for g." sport. hut all IN ngs
looked gum Tor SOM time u'ipr reached the
sat assigned ON my ticket. Even after the frst
hugi" call and pistol SHOT and short trial heat
there wis ~ enthusiasm. No. nor until after
SIN races. or trtNl h'ntS. ut from ON" hundred to
four hundred and forty yards run did the inter-
est become general. or even npproa h excite
mont. N last came onc-nir race. requiring
tue cont slanis 10 run five times around the
multitude brgnn to minglc with the clappinL Of
nan : and rapping OF parasos and walking
NJ wonder the Old Greeks worshipped the
L'rir't human form; NJ wonder thu women on
the grand stand 81 the New York Athletic club
siol' aimlrng glan'es with flushing checks
10 those athlrt : rs the games Progressed. Let
no on fancy that he has seen the cnpnbi lilies
NJ the human form in expression 81 heuuty I'M
al b. has seen the mus los swell like bundles
of stool -orl- under the s1tin-hkc skin OF "A
trimmed athlete IN IN" cont, sis of the athlrtc
games OF running. jumping. putt NJ the shot
and throwing the hammer. You who have not
sen su"l an oNhii itlon may IMAGINE the fines
maud" siatuary YOU ever saw in intense acton.
ana YOU cnn iiintly pictur" Fickvn and psrm-
~, me Two hanison' IT OF the many handsome
ly developed men who exhibited their grace
at Nty. uscl". and training on Saturday.
While the younger men were performing
thor walking matches Of seven milr-onr tnile
ana thrr" mil's, tn" running broad jumps,
throwing the hammer. putting the shot and
pol" leap ng Were going on upon the grern
sward within the course: and as these rnmcs
proceeded the excitement Of the multitude in
crcnsed. At the 900 yards run. the final heat
and the tug Of war-a contest in pulling rope.
Tour against Tour Othcre-the roars and yells
deep. rang M from the crowd OF bttt ng men
h'iow IN" grand stand max ing the women turn
par anp nush 10y turns with the Wild excite
ment Of thn moment
Amid all this there were two sets Of men who
were perfectly cool-the athletes when not en-
gagged in active contest. and the reporters for
the press, But the calmn-es WIS Of q directly
will respect mo for writing tn. truth-were calm
with the stold calm OF blunted sensibilities. or
SO Il seemed 10 me. some walked the grass
like sullrn panthers. with heads bent down. and
arms folded beh nd them or on their breasts
or with smiling lips and eyes CHANGING every
wh"r" 10 earth and sky. or nj each other or to
inc suind, looked th"l mpersnnatons OF physical
enjoyment in a sense of strength. health and
eratinrd pride-the same kind OF pride that a
sh-mettlcd horse exhibits betor" and after "A
race. or when hhrnessed and groomed
to perfection Tor the ride or drive. The quill
drivers on the contrary, were remarkable only
Tor that grace which Is impaired 10y earnest
purpose and entire s,lf-iorgrtfulnrss in tho
object u their pursuit Did an athlete make a
point. they were on the alert to see and note IT,
Did one exhaust himself and fan prone on the
green sward. the men of the quill were around
him. watching every heave OF his grcnt chest.
every expression Of his face. When the win
ming runners came IN with purple faces and
open mouths and tongues prutruding with the
Nio.nc" Of their Efforts. while the excited null
titud. sway.d to and iro and tuggcd NJ the rope
That Kept them OF the course, swearing and
shouting the names OF the iayorit,'s they had
backed. the quill drivers only grow n shade
palrr. thelT lips compressed with intensity
OF OF serNation. ana their quick. keen ganr.s
taking in the whole picture and their pencils
Jotting the time of cach man down as II was
announced bv the referee. And after the people
dispersed while George VI Nicol and Alfred
jug continued their contest over that most
marvcAous drawn match at pole leHping INTO
the dark hours after twilight. there were the
interchangeable brain athletes working away. OBJ
serving and lotiing down that wondrous vault
ting OF feet inches. which neither could 20
beyond.