The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-27

a1E xEW GROUNDS At WdSHING-
TOW AND LEE UNIVERSITY.
Rerfected Methods Of Physical Culture.
Tho Football and Baseball
Teams in Good Form.

thousand dollars marks an epoch IN
the life OF this venerable and well-known
institution. which had its birth one nun
orod and forty-six years ago.
The establishment and completion
of this athletic park, now open
70 the students Of the univer-
Hity. evidences that old Washington and
Loo University was never 20 young and
vigorous as at the present time. The
expenditure OF the necessary funds TO
supply the students with modern atm
,etio grounds is only another step in the
history OF this University TO make physl-
cal culture and athletics recognized
feature of the course and In recognition
OF the policy adopted by all OF the lead-
ing colleges and universities OF the North
and South. who couple the mental ana
moral training OF their students with
physical culture. without which no UNI
Nersity can hope TO attain us fuli measure
OF success.
The town Of Lexington, where the Ola
University Is located. founded by the
munincent endowment OF Washington
The father Of his country. and named for
that great leader OF our earlier political
history coupled with the name OF Lcee,
the great second rebel and leader OF
freedom, ~ situated IN lovely NeieY'
the great Shenandoah, surrounded by
majestic mountains, the framing or
beautiful work of art by the hanc OF
nature. one OF the most beautiful ana IN
spring that can be found in all the great
Nellcy section.
But when n comes 10 find enough level
ground on which TO play game of base
ball or football which shall at the same
time be available and accessible, Lexing-
ton is one Of the worst places In tho
State. Thus II happened that the au-
thorities OF Washington and Lee uniVer-
sity had 10 carve. IN part al least, the
athletic field out OF solid rock. The
result OF the work done under the direc~
ton Of Professor David G. Humphreys,
Of the Engineering Department more
than iustifics the hopes OF the most san
guine and the lovers Of football ana
baseball are left with little. II anything
10 desire. for the grounds are perfection
IN every particular.
The location is on the University cam
GUS. Immediately back of the main buiin-
ing. lust beyond the railroad, less than
three hundred yards from the gymnasium
which is the home Of athletics and the
laboratory Of the Department OF Physi-
cal Culture. The orientation IL good. so
that there will be but little disadvantage
20 ether side from the sun In football
while In baseball Il could not be better
arranged. The entire field is practically
level. the centre line Of the football field
IS perfectly so and the slope on each side
a. barely enough for drainage. The
size IS such that there viii be at the
narrowest place fifteen feet Of level
ground outside of the football grid-iron,
while for baseball there Will be no fence
or obstruction near enough TO necessitate
any ground rules.
Adjoining tho main athletic field is
smaller one. which A. laid Off into tennis
courts. At present there are six courts
side by side and two others will soon be
added The clay Of which these courts
are made is peculiarly adapted TO the pur-
poses Of the game. II soon becomes hard
and firm, while IL takes a long time and
much playing 20 make IL the least dusty.
The grade IL level with very sight slope
Tor drainage.
PHYSICAL oULTUBF.
The Department OF Physical Culture was
organized in Washington and Lee in 1881,
and Or. +. NJ Schaffer Of Baltimore,
was elected physical director. IN which
position he was succeeded by Mr.. Fred.
Cobb. Of Massachusetts. and the position
Is now held by Mr.. Harry W. Pratt NJ.
A. OF Virginia, who in connection with
committee Of the Faculty OF Athletics.
has charge OF the gymnasium, makes
complete measurements OF each student.
who IA willing 70 be measured. prescribes
exercises that are best suited for their
symmetrical development and the preser-
walton Of health: conducts the gymnasium
and It's various classes and has charge
Of the athletic grounds.
The system OF measurements ma
strength tests IS that developed at Har-
ward by Or. Sargent, whose name 1t bears.
After measurement each student makes
out a chart or graphical representation
which shows at a glance how each meas
urement compares with the average ana
enabling any one TO see his weak points
and his strong points. The object OF the
department is TO strengthen the weak
points Of the student on the principle that
a chain Is no stronger than its weakest
link and that machine, II II breaks down
at an viii give away at the weakest
point.
The growing Importance of good health
in our complex modern life, where 1t IS
in many cases "a necessity that men IN
responsible positions shall be always
ready for duty. IS such that il Will not be
long before employers will demand the
physical rating OF applicants; and how
many anxious fathers asked by young
men 10 zoe allowed TO take their daughters
for wives. will like 20 know what the
chances are for good health and long
lie for these prospective sons-in-law.
How these fathers would value an anthrO-
romotric chart OF these would be Bene-
diets. which would probably b. submit
ted 10 the family physician for pro-
fessional opinion. We won't say that
shortly all fathers will demard the ply
eical rating OF each young man who
nspires 70 the hand Of daughter. but
ave do think IL likely that before long
some young men who have practically
tuccess, submit 20 the anthropometrical
chart. II II Is known that the
father is likely to appreciate its sig
good rating. WILL II they are doubtful or
nificance.
The position OF the faculty OF Wash
ineton and Lee University is shown by
On extract from the catalogue. where
they say that during the period or
srowth the body needs quite as much
Training as the mind and thet college
Which holds out Incentives 10 intellectual
progress should not overlook the bodily
progress without which all intellectual
brixes. when won, are useless"
As examples OF splendid specimens OF
physical manhood tho students are point
ed to George Washington. who endowed
the University. and TO General Robert +.
lee. who gave the last years Of his life
70 the University. in re-estabiishing and
directing the institution. which now links
Ms name with "the father OF his
country"
The brilliant achievements in war Of
each ~ these most fllustrious men would