Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-15
ARCHERY, ANCIENT AND MODERN

faHuc "iIuout weighing the coin Is to deduct
1-25 from the exact value of the silver coins
given in the table above.
ARCHERY, ANCIENT AND MODERN.
HOW TO HANDLE THE BOw-rs USE FOR
HEALTH-ENGLIsH AND AMERICAN CLUBS
THE POTOMAC CLUB OF WASHINGTON.
In days of old, to handle the bow skilfully
was considered an accomplishment worthy of a
prince. The Greeks and Romans attained great
perfection in its use, employing archers to lead
an opposing army into action. The ancient
Egyptians, whom We used so enormously to
consider as grand and gloomy as the specimens
OF their architecture still left us. rivalled in
their featS the archerS of the middle ages. The
Persian bowmen we're also noted and who, that
has read Ebers novel, ''The Princess" will ever
forget the bow of the princely Barta which
even the mighty Cambysses himself could not
bend? The AnglO-Saxons and Danes in Eng
land used the bow, both in the chase and war
long before the conquest, but we have no evil
dence OF it's use in France till the reign of
Charlemagne, in the beginning of the eighth
century.
1t is supposed that the Romans established
the use of the bow in Britain as a military
weapon, but the Normans improved this art
and made it popular throughout the island: SO
"Merrie England" soon became famed for her
archers, and to preserve this reputation for ex-
ceiience was the aim Of reignng monarchs.
ing the use OF the bow, till the invention of fire.
arms, towards which the cross-bOw was the
lniatOry step. William the COnQueror was an
admirable archer and SO powerful a man, that
few could bend or draw the bow he used. His
victory at Hastings was undoubtedly due to the
expertness of his bOwmen. Will We soon for
get the enthusiasm of our youth, as we read of
the exploits of good King Richard in the holy
landI Where, according to Gibbon. he sus-
tanned the charge of the whole Turkish and Sar-
aceninic army, with 800 archers and IL knights.
and need l say they were headed by the lion
hearted king himself? In his reign lived
THE FAMOUS ROBIN HOOD,
roaming the pleasant glades of Sherwood forest,
shooting down the deer by the friendly light of
the moon, and quietly and courteously relieving
passers through this noted wood of any surplus
funds they might be imprudent enough to carry
with them. How We delight to read accounts
Of the skill Of this gentlemanly rObber as clad
In simple LincOln-green he stands calmly ele-
waiting his bow, full of confidence in his ability
to excel all that may compete with him.
In 1868 Edward iii. commanded the people
to practice archery on Sundays and other holi-
days, instead of engaging in the rural sports
customary at such times Following in the
footsteps of Edward, succeeding monarchs fos-
tered The practice by various Devices and in
many noted battles was the fact proved that
the English bOwsmen had become adopts in
their art. AS time passed. firearms gradually
anu diLuOst SupcfStucu
THE BOW AS A MILITARY WEAPON,
and archery became an amusement. highly fash
ionable, indeed, but still an amusement In
1852 grand fete was given by the London Artil-
lery Company at the artillery grounds. 1t is
said there were over one thousand archers pres
ent. Then occurred the grandest gala of the
kind ever seen in England, but from that time
archery went gradually out of vogue and was
little esteemed till the beginning Of the present
century, when the following reason for its re-
yiyal was published in 1901:
THE USE OF THE BOW FOR HEALTH.
"AbOut the year 1776 Mr.. Warning, who then
lived with Sir Ashton Lever at Leicester House,
and who may be Justly styled the father of mod
ern archery, having. by continued business
contracted an oppression upon his chest (arisiug
principally from sitting too closely at his desk
and pressing his breast against it. and which
the most eminent in the faculty had attempted
in vain to removed resolved to try the effects of
the bow in affOrding relief. He accordingly
made it regular exercise. and i'm a short time
derived great benefit from the use of it, and
ascrlbed his cure, which was perfect, to the
practice of archery. Sir Ashton Lever perceiv-
ing the good effects which SO engaging an
amusement had upon the constitution. followed
Mr.. Warnings example, and took up the bow;
he was soon joined by several of his friends,
who in the year 1871 formed themselves into a
society, under the title of 1.-The ToxOphOlites.
and met regularly at Leicester House, having
butts erected in the gardens belonging to it,"
The society SO formed was the parent of many
others, among which the
ROYAL TOXOPHOLITE SOCIETY OF LONDON
ranks first, and is patronzed by the Prince of
Wales and other members of the nobility. Mr..
Horace A. Ford holds the position of worlds
champlOn-1there may have been greater feats Of
skill in Legendary days, but there never has
been recorded score equal to his highest-in
which he made 1 .251 with 245 hits, at Chelten-
ham in 1857. Within q comparatively recent
period many American societies have sprung
into existence, doing excellent work and show
ing excellent scores. Every American archer
speaks with pride of Maurice Thompson, who. if
not Ford. yet promises well for the future
and we can afford to wait. We see with
pleasure that the tide of popular opinion is again
sweeping towards us on its crest. the love for
this favorite practice Of by-gone days. and We
begin to recognize the claims of archery as a
scientific sport; beneficial, physically and men,
tally, tending to induce habits Of accuracy and
deliberation, love for fresh air. sunlight and
exercise "There is. |" remarks Mr.. H. A. Ford
mo exercise more healthy or rational, or which
returns more true and genuine qualification to
the man who practices it." In the midst of the
profitable to throw aside for an afternoon the
Of society and to mingle with
our kind like simple unaffected folk. casting
aside all other care, as we watch with GREATNESS
iutCiCoe tuC VI I'LL arrow, OF luDlIautlv
gather the erring shafts from around the targets.
for arrows sometimes miss the mark
THE POTOMAC CLUB,
OF this city. is, perhaps, the only regularly or
gained association of the kind in the District.
This club, organized in the spring. adopted a
constitution, &c, and began fieldwork at once,
since which time many of its members have
practiced diligently, and the scores of its regu-
lar team do not compare favora bly, with those
OF the Bro0kly Club, New York The Potomacs
are now IN fourishing condition, with mem
bershlp OF from 20 to so. I had the pleasure
TINS summer OF attending q meet Of their ar
caers on Columbia Heights. From the brow of
a httie hill looked down upon some dozen or
more targets. before some of which stood sturdy
yeomen habited in shooting costumes with bows
and quivers; before others were ranged modern
Dianas, who atoEed by their charming wars
anu dainty dress for any lack Of dexterity in
handling the long bow. It presented altogether
. most charming and inspiring view, and 1 felt
1t pity that there were not more such scenes
within the District. On the 22d of this month
the club viii hold grand meet and close for
the season At this meeting prizes win be con-
tested for both by ladies and gentlemen and
the occasion win be fnll OF interest to green, /
Inhibited gentry. May be there to seeIs
- Erik.