The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1879-10-02

The interest which has been recently shown
In some Of the outdoor amusements, II We
can call hoFse racing, pigeon shooting and
base ball amunng, BY some Of our best citi-
xeus, naturally suggests the question, care
such things best!' Outside Of few straight
Jackets the almost unanimous answer ID. Yes,
ifpeople like It." The people ought to have
some kind Of amusement that IL In itself
| harmless and will at the same time afford .
pleasant pastime both to those who partici-
pate in the game and those who are lockers
on. The only kind Of exercises that will in
terest those not actually participating to any
considerable degree are those which show
exhibitions Of physical superiority or trials
Of skill. Many Of the popular amusements
and exercises Of the day are more or less OBJ
jectionable, and in deciding upon one in
the enjoyment Of which we can spend hap
py hour or two We ought to adopt the one
the least Objectionable, and which will best
answer the purpose Of all amusement, bodily
exercise and relaxation from business Horse
racing, which in itself may and does show
| very superior training and high and careful
breeding. and in many instances bring out
those wonderful trials Of speed which excite
SO much admiration and win such deserved
praise is almost always attended with the
miserable system Of jockeying and brings
about the race track such class of men bet.
ting and gambling on the result as always has
and probably always will max horse racing
more or less disreputable. Rowing is unob-
jectionable, but with US owing to lack Of wa
ter is out Of the question. Pigeon trap shoot
ing is by some considered fine sport, but is
by all admitted to be needlessly cruel, and we
fail to understand why shooting at bird at
eighteen yards rise with 40 shot can show
any exhibition Of skill even though one shot
out Of the $40 brings the bird down. Another
objection to this exercise is the expense At
tending it, A person using poor gun is a
poor gunner, and good gun is to expensive
for those who desire some recreation from |
business cares. Base ball can neither be con- |
sidered pastime or amusement. Last Friday |
seven lame doctors and nearly the same num- |
Der Of lame and crippled lawyers were hob |
bling about their business from the effects OF
too much base ball in the game b. ,ween the |
lawyers and doctors. The game is altogether |
too violent for inexperienced players, and to |
be able to play good game or any game cas- |
lily the club must devote their whole time TO |
the game, in which case 1t is mere matter |
Of business and no pastine at all. The acct
dents SO frequently occurring In this game |
render it too hazardous. To support good
club costs too much money, and . poor club |
is worse than no club at al. Another objec- |
ton to all the foregoing, and . very serious |
one is they exclude the ladies. This class of
persons need the benefits and advantages Of
outdoor exercise more than the gentlemen,
and yet the very nature Of the exercises ]
have mentioned exclude them from partici- |
pating. During the last two years pastime |
has been rapidly winning its way into popu- |
lar favor that is nearly free from all the OBJ |
jectiOns have noticed, and as pastime will |
without doubt soon supplant all others, and
become the popular amusement of the coun-
try. l refer to archery. First, this is a
social game, bringing together both ladies
and gentlemen in pleasant association, and
the rivalry that exists as they wing their ar
rows for the prize is always generous one.
Second. there Is no room for disputes the |
arrow speeds away there is one chance-nOt
thOusand-it strikes the target and is there
to tell just what you have done. Third, it il
less expensive than any of these other games,
$3.50 will get you fair bow and arrows. $40
good one. The target-each archer ought
to have one so he can practice at hOme-costs
S3.5O unless you make it yourself, when it
yourself, when it will be less. Fourth, it
brings into exercise those parts of the body
the development OF which are SO beneficial to
ladies and gentlemen confined to counters
and desks, the lungs, muscles of the arms,
shoulders and chest, the respiration will be
frecr for whole day after twenty minutes
practice in the morning with good strong
bow. Get you bow and arrow, get your
wife one, get q target and practice ut home
during leisure moments and some pleasant
afternoon we'll call the club together for a
trial of skill, and three cheers for him or her
whose arrow sent like flash Of light shall
find the gold. TOxOPHILlTE.