The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-05-09

nations sports. Certainly no other out
of-door amusement possesses such great
advantages as does lawn tennis and from
one end Of the country to the other its
enlivening influence has been felt. win
ming all, old and young. by its irresistible
destinations.
AT the very first many wise-acres shook
heir heads and prophesied speedy death
10 the innovation, but instead OF dying
out the game took on new lease OF life
until. at the present time, no place Is con-
sidered complete without the familiar
court outlined in white with the snowy
net, tightly strung, exerting all it's bland
ishments on the lovers of the sport The
very ones who foretold short life were
the first to succumb to the fascinations of
the racquet and ball, and become the most
rabid admirers OF the healthful amuse-
ment.
With the first signs of the breaking up
of winter the heart of the enthusiast
bounds with JOY. A hasty inspection is
made of the court, and almost before the
first note of the robin, that harbinger of
gentle spring. is heard, the huge roller is
set at work on the smooth turf, and the
ground is being prepared for another sea-
son OF tournaments and matches.
Clubs are at ones reorganized, and the
favorite racquet is removed from the wall
where 1t has hung during the winter, and
tivity, and the charming spectacle of
pretty maidens fitting hither and thither
over the green turf greets the eye. Their
happy laughter and little shrieks OF rage
caused by sudden twist of the wrist or a
too-pronounced ''volley" OF the ball
furnish the observer with considerable
quiet amusement.
But tennis Is not by any means a game
for ladies alone Some have denounced
It as being such, but without cause. The
tired and overworked man OF business
seeks his hours recreation in the court
with joyful anticipation and eats and
sleeps all the better for the exertion. "An
hour spent each day in the tennis court"
said prominent physician. recently, lis
better than gallon of cordials or inedi-
cines," and the faces of those enjoying the
amusement only serve TO strengthen this
statement. How graceful are TIE pos
lures OF the players. Unconscious of
their positions, their minds intent on that
little cloth-covered ball. they fall into at
titudes that an artist can but admire, and
their health flushed faces and sparkling
eyes give silent testimony for the sport
Such grace Of pose Is only due to contin-
nal practice
The preparations in this city for the
yominR season are we'll under way. At
Dhe various clubs the grounds are being
placed in first rate condition, and within
few weeks the playing, will be begun.
Congress avenue elaborate preparations
are being made, and the prospects for
SUCCESSFUL season were never better. The
members OF this popular club are all
anxious to commence playing, and the
courts will be thrown open as soon AS
convenient. During the season, IL is pro-
posed to arrange a series OF matches be-
tween well-known players and cons d r.
able interest is manifested on the cut.
come. AT the East Side Tennis Cub, tue
greatest interest Is being displayed and
the preparations for the opening of q
season are well under way. The co llt
were never in better condition and with a
little work can be placed in a colditiol
without an equal in the city Thioush-
out the city also the various courts have
been inspected and active work is being
done on all. At the Country Club tho
courts are In hne condition and every
prospect Of good season is before the
players. The Country Club of Bristol
Will open its grounds to the public on
May 10, and during the season will ar
range series OF matches to be played on
the grounds.
Considerable interest is being mani
tested In the regular August tournament
~ Newport ana the managers of this pop
ular event nave already drawn up line
OF procedure. The various matches will
probably equal those OF previous years in
point OF skill and will ne awaited with
great interest by all the lovers Of the
game.
Unless better class of entries are
made Tor the August tournament at Mar
ragansett Pier there will probably be no
matches played there this year. AT the
last years tournament the matches were
dstaalted in several instances, and the
tournament was concluded much sooner
shan was expected aud desired by those
who had contributed the solid silver
prizes. However, the prospects for the
coming season were never better and, il is
expected that many new experts will be
added to the already lengthy list vi pro-
fessionals