New-York tribune., 1896-01-19
A BUSINESS RATHER THAN PiSIfhE.

A BUSINESS RATHER THAN PASIiHE.
The Cambridge athletes who visited this conn-
tr, last fall made n most agreeable impression
unon all with whom they were brought in con-
toc, and no one Of them commended himself
moro comDlctclv 10 the esteem and goodwill
of hosts. rivals and spectators than Mr.. Horan
cantoin OF the English team The evidence OF
modestv and manlncss and excellent Judgment
In athletic matters which he then gave ne mas
since confirmed by IN article in THE Bachelor
of Arts" for January. describing some ot thc
experiences which he and his companions took
most note Of while they were here. and contain
ing many sensible and instructive comments
thcrcupon We should like TO have all AmeGi-
can students. and especially all enthusiasts Tor
athletic sports. read this article 50 ful is " ol
valuable suggestions by disniercstcd ana COM
pctcnt observer Of our ways and tend"nces III
amateur sport
Passing over Mr. Iorans remarks abouf our
climate from which he thought at first ne WAS
not going TO suffer at all. but which became
somewhat depressing. and various o'h'r inter-
os,;n,, observations we come to the really i'm
nort,pt mart of his article The keynote of II
is the statement that athletics in America are
..rcotcd as 4 business both In the universities
"ond the outside world But Mr.. lioran Is
eorofuI to show that he does not mean to convey
an imputation of trckery or any unfarnrss.
He intends merely to emphasize the indispu'apie
fact that too generally the motive or American
college athletes is not pleasure III exercise anu
satisfaction in its effects upon the body anu
mind but an Unsuitable longing to capture tfo-
phics and break records In England on the
other hand, even when a man has found tha'
he is fiji for 4 university competition, a'hie'cs
edo not become anything more than his speclai
form of recreation" Mr.. Iloran acknowledges
frankly that the American system mas some
spccial merits. or at least produces some remark
able results: but on the whole he is convinced
that the advantage Of all is best promoted when
a large measure Of liberty is preserved 10 the
individual members of team in any case
however the details of training and discipline
are managed the main thing is Il firm adher-
cncc to the principle that sound mind In a
sound body i, the end and object Of true athletic
snort. and that eve shall attain this end In
"proportion as we regard athletics as "A pastime'
mot as business.
There is no doubt. we think that college
sports are more generally valuable to the SUI
dents Of English universities than 10 ours. They
are less fcverish there ana tneN nave hi"i'
healthful effect not only upon those WHO ne
come especially skilfu. hut upon 'h" whole ara-
donnie cnmmunitv The highest proficiency.
qualifying its exponcnls 10 represent 'he COZ
lcge or the university in some branch "i Sp"r''
is developed naturally ont Of general invita-
ton and impulse 10 enjoy sauaiy exercise
and every participant feels that h" has got 'h"
chief advantage out Of physical discipline Whrh
he has appropriated lis personal benefits. We
do not mean 10 say that there IL non" oi ms
feeling in the United States. but there i Ger
tainly too little of il. II j. Significant fact
that an English observer who chcrlshc> only
kind and grateful sentiments toward American
college athletes should have been 80 strongly
impressed by the spirit Of business. as diS-
tinguishcd from the spirit Of ''pasiime. winch
| charactcrizes our amateur sports.