The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-01-12
HOW L LOST ACE.
BY REV. FRED BELL.

cient origin. They were GIeciar
by birth, from that hardy anC
polished nation, and were intro
duced into Rome by NJ. Tulirus al
the Htolian war, 1856 h. c.
They speedily became higly
popular; and under the emperors
their contests were admired by
the nation TO a degree bordering
upon passion. They formed a dis,
tinct corporation by themselves;
they are not able to be confound
ed with the gladiatorial sports
which were often excessively cru
el and inhuman.
1t was a harmless and honora
bic pastime in which many OF
high birth and culture were en-
gagged. Those engaging in them
were called athletes, from Greek
athIso, to contend. and it held the
rank of an art. Even men of ge
MUS contended for the palm, not
as a profession, but for the sake of
exercise, just at the present day
we have gentlemen cricketcrs,
amateur oarsmen, dc.
The profound and eloquent
Plato appeared among the wres-
tiers in the Isthmian games at
SicyOn.
The meditative Pythagoris is
said to have gained a prize at
Ellis, and instructed and trained
others who did the same.
So great was the honor Of an
Olympian victor, that his native
city was regarded as ennobled by
his success, and he himself con
sidercd sacred.
When he returned from the
contents he entered the city
! through a special breach made in
the walls, with great civic hOnors,
and was henceforth considered a
public benefactor, sustained in
magniiicence while living, and
buried with great puplic honors
when dead.
So We see that physical yigor
and physical feats have been in
good company from the first, and
have been patronized by the no
bic and wise and virtuous. In
England they arc made more Of
t han in this country. Some Of the
best cricketers, gymnasts, run
+ners and oarsmen the world can
afford have been men of English
birth. They inherit the Briton's
viaor, and the Saxon's temper;
they inhabit land peculiarly fit
ted for the encouragement Of
such sports. While many Of the
upper classes have the leisure for
it, tire poorer classer find their
training for it in their daily Oc-
cupation. So they as people, are
peculiarly situated for favorable
attention to robust, manly, yigor-
Gus pastimes; and, though Amer
leans have not given as much at
teton to these manly sports, and
as they could not, as no young ma
ton can, she is turning her atten-
ton more fully now than ever.
Americans had wild country to
conquer; they to wrestle with the
Indians, the bear, the panther
and the wolf, and they have no
bly, conquered, giving evidence
that when they shall turn their
prowess to this field they will
make their mark, as they have
with the rifle at Dallymount and
CreedmOor.
Being born an Englishman, J
inherited, together with a robust
constitution and wiry frame, a
passion for "athletic sports" and
| haven't contracted ministerial
stiffness Of back and joints, or
clerical starch enough to prevent
my loving them still; and | have
won many prizes in running,
Jumping and cricketing.
desire to relate how | once
lost a race. 1t has taught me a
lesson that shall never forget
one that is full Of interest and in
struction; and, as ! think the read
er may be affected in the same
manner, | VIII narrate the cir
cumstances.
1t was Chesterfield, England,
noted for that celebrated church
steeple, called the cork-screw.
steeple, that was built SO inge-
niously on the wind that on every
side you look at it, you fancy it is
going to fall on you, 1t is so old
it is not known whether it was
built so or warped out Of perpen-
dicular after it was built, by the
action of the weather on it.
1t is a curious affair, built Of
wood and curved with lead put on
it in a special manner over ilut-
ting or volutes, that ran up also
in a twisted direction.
Whether warped by the sun,
struck by lightning, or preached
out of true by queer old sermons
that used to be heard within, 10
one knows. A witty poet speaks
oft thus:
"Whicheverway yonr turn your
eye,
1t always seems to be awry;
Pray can you tell the reason