The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-15
disadvantages OF Military Training.

Americans take special interest in athletics
and all forms of outdoor exercise. In this
they partake OF habit OF most of the North
ern races. The Fnglishman INDUCES in rude
sports in the fold and in his hunting will
travel as far as India to have a brush with the
/ tiger or lion in his native jungle. In Germany
| societies prevail everywhere for the purpose
! OF physical training. and the German Is fond
/ OF dashing into the forests 20 hunt the wild
boar. The favorte diversion Of the
Americans in the West has been the
1 hunting of the buffalo and the grizzly
bear. The excitement Of such sports am
| ply compensates for their danger. 1T
/ doth moro stir the blood % rouse lion than
{ 10 start hare The case is very different in
most Southern countries. IN Southern Eu
| rope the sport consists principally IN hunting
small game involving no very great physical
exercise The favorite amusement is billiards
or cnrds. which can be played within doors
without exertion or exposure TO the elements.
Americans being among the most prominent
people in pursuit OF athletics and conspicuous
IN their disposition 10 indulge in manly
sports, 10 is always an interesting question
"a 10 what training 1t Is best to pursue
in that direction. For youngsters the
hoop. the top. marbles and tag answer
every purpose. While young men are IN COL
lege football and Base ball furnish ample
means OF physical exercise. At West Point
and Annapolis military and naval drills swim
the perfection of physical training, and send
the graduates of those institutions out into
the world with muscles Of iron and constitu-
tions fitted for almost any strain But after
the college davs the training ceases a reaction
sets in and breaking down in health is often
the consequence. GyEnasiums, bicycles and
long tramps may, serve a good purpose for a
time, but these are soon given up, As there is
little incentive for exercising unless the eXer-
else be systematic. part of some well-Organ-
lied plan and stimulated by association with
ones fellows. In casting about we find no
better physical Advantages 70 be gained than
those derived from tho military exercises
which young men undergo in the militia ser
vice. Camping out II summer IN well-select-
ed camps gives them an outdoor life which is
much needed change from the indoor life
led throughout the long winters, during
which so much vtiated air is hreathed
in crowded places Of business and
lll-ventated sleeping apartments Marching
Is the most rational exercise for the legs; the
manual OF arms always insures healthy chests
and well-develOped arms. and moving at the
improves the breathing power
OF the lungs. Unlike the athletics in college
there IS here no over-trainiIg, which SO often
Injuries the subjects by excess. and no break
Ing down after the training has ceased The
and drilling under competent in |
structors improve the gait or the recruit and |
give INN a firmer. easier step and q /
more graceful carria2e. Military ser |
vice has many advantages mentally IL |
cuitivates Intelligence among Young men and /
does much toward improving the memory /
and curing absent-mindedues The necessity |
Of being alert. listening for each word Of COM
mand and acting promptly upon it quickens
the wits and cultlvates the habit of fixing the
attention and concentrating the thoughts
Marching TO the sound of music gives a young
nan better idea OF measure and rhythm and
S calculated 10 make him more methodical in
al things. His entering upon the duties of
oldler leads him 70 study military history.
vhich embodies the chief history OF nations.
The hardest lesson to be learned in life is that
# amenability to discipline In a land like
his where there is very little restraint among
'oung or old, where self-abnegation is but
title heard Of. and where the race of life is
'retty much a go as you please" there is
scarcely any school in which subordinaton
md obedience are taught except in the mill
AIRY service Horace Porter, in the Cosrno-
jOlitan for November.