Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1886-11-20
THE MANLY ART OF SELF DEFENCE
Written for tie Tribune.

| Written for The Tribune:
For some years the noble art of self
defence has lost its popularity owing to
the bad element which has crept in.
England, of all modern countries, has been
the great centre for the prize ring.
| The best blood of the land
hahitually attended the scenes of we'll
| matched glove contests. But, after time
the hue and cry was raised that the ring
and boxing in general, was brutalizing and
demoraliZing. As last measure to sup
press it, an act Of parliament was passed,
making its public practice unlawful But,
although a law was passed against it. it
was still tolerated. As a natural conse-
quence scenes and places pertaining to it
began to be stunned by law-abiding peo-
pie, and the good element generally, drop
ped out.
BE this as it may, the intrinsic merits of
the science caught public attention once
more and brought it slowly back from the
verge OF oblivion to place it in the highest
rank as an exciting, manly spogtard health
giving exercise. It's present unparalleled
popularity may be fully attested by refer
ing to the innumerable schools and clubs
for its promotion which have arisen
throughout the country, phoenix like from
the ashes of its previous i'll SAVIOR. The
best colleges in our land have not been
backward in seeing the merits of the case
and Harvard and Yale are today taking
the lead in this work as well as in their
other departments of study.
Some would ask what claim has boxing
to popular consideration? That question
Is best answered by describing in brief the
manifold advantages to be derived from
its practice.
Lord Chesterfield in one of his notable
letters to his son said that although it was
never gentlemanly to knock man down.
there were times when no gentleman
could help doing it. Such times do not
often occur, however.
The rery best medicM authorittes of this
generation consider sparring to be
the most beneficial of indoor
exercises Every muscle of the
bodies from the tips of the toes to the crown
of the head is thoroughly exercised in a
lively bout with the gloves.
Of few, if any, of the multifarious oc-
cupations and pastines of life can this be
said. So right here we can truthfulIy say
that nothing tends to give full proportion
and symmetry TO the human frame better
than sparring. Look at the beautiful, clear
cut, flowing lines Of the body and limbs of
a well-trained boxer! This graceful con
tour, erect carriage, beautiful proportion
Of one part to another, and manly, self-re-
liant bearing is only attained by careful
and frequent practice with the gloves.
Although it takes years of practice to ac-
the wonderful feats Of skill and
strength exhibited By our most noted box
ers, yet any man can learn a great deal in
4 few months that will be Of great use to
him, to say nothing of the improved per-
sonal appearance, agility, health, tone, Wig
II and power Of endurance that he will
gain. His lungs will become larger. his
wind longer, his heart more vigorous, his
sbllity TO endure fatigue greater, his per
eeptive faculties keener, his thinking pow
ers more active, his selfcontidence more
assured (hut mere self-contidence does not
mply that a5onnable thing -self-conceiD
md he viii, by gaining these valuable
blessings, be able to enjoy life better and
ool on the bright side of things even when
Misfortune overtakes him.
Some people run oil with the idea that
boxing requires no skill, tact, observation
u special reasoning power; but this is
wrong, and in conclusion we quote few
words on this point from the lips of Prof.
E. F. Shaw, late professor of the manly
mt at Harvard. He says, Most exercises,
litter time, become mechanical; we can
indulge in them and at the same time be
linking Or fretting about other matters.
Hence, we can readily understand why
boxing is preferable to almost any other
form of exercise, because it actua5zy com
oe1s one to forget for the time being every
hing but the wholesome occupation of
both body and mind, or receive punish
nent at his opponents hands,
F.P.
Thanksgiving Day